The Chevy Silverado 1500 is a fantastic pickup truck, and there is no doubt about that. But just like with any other vehicle, there are certain parts you can add to the car to make it perform better.
Adding a cold air intake is one of them. You boost your engine health by adding a cold air intake to a pickup truck that you use regularly. That way, the overall longevity of the vehicle is increased. A well-working engine means lower maintenance costs and overall better performance.
Investing in the best cold air intake for Chevy Silverado 1500 can give you all these benefits as well. Keep on reading if you want to keep your pickup truck’s engine in good health.
How Did We Do this Review
According to experts and actual users, we have considered the most popular Cold Air Intake for Chevy available on the market. After reviewing their advantages, actual uses, and drawbacks, we have made a short list of the 20 best picks.
After giving them a thorough review and considering other users’ reviews we have made a short list of 7 cold air intake options for the Silverado 1500 model. We have provided a short review to help our readers pick their best match. But before that, a proper buying guide is very useful.
Buying Guide to choose the Righ Cold Air Intake for Chevy Silverado 1500
There are a couple of things you should look into while buying your cold air intake system. These points will help you select the right one.
Filter for Air-flow
Your engine needs a proper amount of air to flow in it. With proper airflow, your engine will perform at its peak without overheating.
But there is a catch; the air will take in the dirt in the very harmful engine. Anything that lets air pass through will get dirty. It’s inevitable. Even when you keep something in your house and don’t clean it, it gets dirty.
You will drive your car on the open road; just imagine how dirty it can get. That is why having a filter is very important.
Any good exhaust has an excellent filter. The filter not only should be available, but it also should be of an appropriate size. There should be no gap between the filter and the engine. If that happens, eventually, dirt will go into the engine through that gap.
Maintenance of the Cold Air Intake System
If you want a cost-effective air intake system, you should give great importance to the maintenance of the system. If it needs frequent maintenance or does not last you a long time, you will have to spend money to buy a new one.
It will be a complete waste of both money and effort, and that is why look for the ones which are easy to maintain. See whether it has a reusable part or can be washed and used again using basic hand tools.
Material for the Shield and Inside
The quality of the system will be defined by its material. If the material used in it is of inferior quality, then it will not last you for a long time, and it will get cracks or wear off within a short period.
Spending money on inferior items is not worth it. The air intake tube is the main part of the cooling system, and it is the part that gets the cold air into the Chevrolet Silverado engine, which bears all the abuse.
That is why you get something which is made of durable material. Look for better cold air intake, which will not wear off easily. Since the engine will get hot every often and the material should also be heat resistant. Material like plastic, rubber, aluminum, and stainless steel are ideal for cold air intake systems.
Thermal Barrier of Cold Air Intakes
An engine works by burning fuel. Due to this combustion, an engine is prone to get hot. No matter what you do, you simply can not stop it from happening. That is why a thermal barrier is important. If the heat is transferred to the tube, then the cold air the system will bring in will become hot, and the intake system will soon be ruined.
A thermal barrier will protect the system and stop the heat from transferring from the engine to the system. That is why you must buy a cold air intake exhaust with a thermal barrier.
Price of the Specific Product
Finally, the price of the exhaust cannot be a deciding factor for you. There are lots of exhausts which you will get at a very low price, and however, it will not perform well. If you are on a budget, wait and save up some more and get a quality air intake system.
Reviews of the 7 Best Cold Air Intake for Chevy Silverado 1500
There are a lot of cold air intake options to choose from. We have considered a lot of popular intake models and reviewed them personally to know how they acts in Chevy engines. With thorough researches we have come to a list of these tom models.
Choosing just one from this bunch can be difficult in this world of fakes and frauds. Here are a few products that will never disappoint you.
K&N 63-3082 Cold Air Intake Kit
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Highlighted Features
- Works with 2014 to 2020 Chevy, Cadillac, and MGC models
- It comes with a washable air filter
- It does not need to be cleaned for up to 100000 miles of use
- Protects engine from exterior contaminants
- Helps provide 50% more air flow
If you are looking for an intake kit that will help your engine gain more horsepower and improve the engine’s sound, this one will be the best cold air intake for the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500.
One of the main features that this kit is known for is improving the engine sound. The oversized air filter helps improve the engine performance and growl.
Adding better throttle response, the kit gives better acceleration when you are riding uphill. Installing this cold air intake kit onto your Chevy will make things easier for the engine when you are towing uphill as well.
Another advantage of this product is the reusable and washable options which makes it long-lasting. If you are considering its modification for engine efficiency, the low maintenance is a bonus.
The most exciting part? You don’t have to clean it for up to 100,000 miles! So the model is deficient maintenance.
Pros
- It can be used to increase engine horsepower
- Gives the engine better growling and engine sound
- Easy to install with at-home tools
- Mounting hardware is included with the purchase
- Low-maintenance
Cons
- The intake hose might be too long for some truck models
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Spectre Performance Air Intake Kit
Highlighted Features
- specter cold air intake added special oil synthetic filter
- Dyno-tested intake kit that improves airflow by 50%
- Comes with polished, high-quality aluminum tubes
- Helps with increased torque
- Added black powder-coated heat shield for inlet protection
The Spectre Performance Air intake is a kit that you can add to your Chevy to increase horsepower.
This dyno-tested Spectre air intake system can increase airflow by 50%. It’s also great for improving uphill acceleration. You can use the kit on trucks that are used for towing.
With easy installation, the air intake system will take you less than an hour to set up. You can get through the setup process using a set of essential tools.
Adding the Spectre performance cold air intake kits can also help keep your engine protected from harmful debris and contaminants. It is an excellent choice if you want maximum airflow with 50% improvement than a stock intake in a better temperature.
Pros
- Helps improve throttle performance
- This cold air intake system can be installed in about an hour
- Velocity stack adapter and hose clamps are included with the purchase
- Does not require much maintenance
- Improves engine health on towing trucks
Cons
- The rubber angle piece in the kit might be disproportionate in some batches
aFe Power Momentum GT 54-74104
Highlighted Features
- This cold air intake kit Features a one-piece seal housing
- Outflows factory intake by 35%
- Has an oiled five-layered air filter
- Cotton gauze media helps increase power
- A durable kit that does not need frequent cleaning
When looking for an air intake kit for your Chevy that you plan on installing at home, ease of installation is something that you have to take into consideration.
This kit from aFe has all the accessories that you will need to be included with the purchase. All you have to do is use some essential tools to install them.
The air filter that you get in this kit has a 5 layer construction, and it allows better airflow and can be washed. The more acceptable oiled cotton gauze media helps you achieve maximum power.
With the 5.3 cold air intake hp gain, you also get improved torque and 12 max horsepower.
Pros
- Helps add 12 max horsepower
- The entire box can be sealed using a urethane plug
- These cold air intake kits are suitable for increasing torque
- This old air intake filter is washable and reusable
- It can be added to a Chevy to get maximum power in the engine
Cons
- MAF table has to be tuned with hp tuners
Rough Country Cold Air Intake
Highlighted Features
- Air filters can be washed and reused as many times as you want
- Weighs 7.85 lbs
- Reduced engine heat with cool air and fresh air
- Has a machined exterior
- Fits the 2014 to 2018 chevy 1500 perfectly
- Helps circulate more oxygen to the combustion chamber
Do you want to add more power to your Chevy Silverado 1500 engine? This Rough country Cold air intake kit might just be the one for you.
By circulating denser cooler air, the kit helps add more oxygen to the combustion chamber. The air filter is moved away from the engine for better circulation of the cool air and fresh air. This is the best cold air intake for the 2017 chevy Silverado 1500 to increase horsepower and throttle.
The Silverado cold air intake is easy to install in the first place, but the company also provides help for safe and correct setup.
Like most of the air intake kits that we’ve seen on the list, this one also has a reusable and washable air filter.
Pros
- Company assists in the correct installation
- Designed to give you improved throttle response and engine health
- Improves throttle significantly with cool and fresh air
- You can easily wash this reusable filter
- Circulates denser cooler air
- Helps make the engine more powerful
Cons
- The clamp needs to be adequately tightened, or the filter will keep on coming off
K&N 57-3058 Cold Air Intake Kit
Highlighted Features
- The model was used in NASCAR
- Lasts 100,000 miles without needing cleaning
- Added 12 oz. filter cleaner
- Designed to provide incredible engine protection from debris and contaminants
- 17.55 HP at 4917 RPM horsepower gain of
The K&N cold air intake Silverado gives your pickup truck better-towing capability. Adding the kit to your vehicle will result in instant improvement in uphill acceleration and performance.
This model has been used in NASCAR. So if you have any doubts about the racetrack approved intake kit, this should clear them out.
Made in America, the intake kit has been constructed using high-quality material. No need to worry about durability with this one.
7 clamps are included in the kit. Install the intake properly, and you should get a much-improved engine sound on the Chevrolet Silverado.
Pros
- Improved throttle response increases the towing capability of the pickup truck
- 7 clamps added with the purchase
- Proper installation will give you better sound on the engine
- Air filter oil keeps dust from entering into the engine
- Air filter oil dissolves any existing dirt in the engine
Cons
- Installation might take a while
Airaid Cold Air Intake System
Highlighted Features
- Hand-built construction; made with high-quality material
- Added SynthaFlow filter for better filtration and airflow
- It can be set up for use in about 30 minutes
- Improved fuel efficiency
- Helps increase mileage with increased fuel efficiency
- Has installation instructions
- Cool and fresh air for reducing engine heat
When looking for the best cold air intake for 2018 Silverado 1500, this model from Airad takes the crown.
People are wildly popular for making air intake systems that truly help cool down your vehicle’s engine. With the cooler system, you can count on your vehicle’s performance to be better, as well as better fuel economy and improved gas mileage.
I also liked how easy it is to use after buying, and the brands have come with really easy-to-do installation guides. Also, quiet and smooth delivery with improved engine sound is the reason to choose this air intake system for Chevy.
The high-quality construction of the air intake housing with better design makes it very efficient for long-term uses, especially a significant upgrade from stock intake.
This model replaces the restrictive factory air filter and housing to give you more horsepower and torque gains. What makes this different from all the other cold air intakes that we have mentioned is that it also helps improve your mileage.
Pros
- Has clear instructions for easy installation
- Comes with better gas mileage
- Great for making 5.4L engine sound better
- Replaces air filter, intake tube, and stock airbox
- Oiled airbags for better filtration
- This intake system improves engine performance
- Helps increase fuel economy
Cons
- There are cheaper alternatives
MILLION PARTS 4″ Cold Air Intake System Kit
Highlighted Features
- Aluminum build for durability
- Heatshield keeps engine protected
- Ninety-degree throttle body elbow
- Draw away hot air quickly for Chevrolet Cruze and GMC sierra
- Perfect cold air intake kit for 4.8 Vortec
- Affordable with clear setup process instructions
- Can keep engines cooler compared to other air intake systems
Made with alloy, durability is something that you never have to worry about with this model. No matter how roughly you use your pickup truck, this model will surely last through all kinds of wear for extra durability.
It’s the best cold air intake for a Chevy 2500HD if you’re looking to improve overall performance. While adding more acceleration to your vehicle, it makes sure to keep the engine clean and free of dust.
Also, the 90° throttle body elbow will ensure better airflow than the stock air filter and will provide maximum performance. Also, I like the sturdy intake pipes made of anodized aluminum for the world-class protection of the engine.
The heat shield adds extra protection to the engine. With more regulated air flow, your engine stays much cooler.
Pros
- Adds power while protecting your engine
- Helps improve the overall performance of the car’s engine
- Regulated airflow keeps the engine cooler
- Comes with a sturdy intake pipe
- The aluminum intake tube is made to last longer than stock air intakes
- Great match for pickup trucks that are used regularly
- Improvements are noticeable from the first day of use
Cons
- Clamp-on the air filter could be made better gram
Frequently Asked Questions on Air Intake for Chevy Silverado
How much do cold air intakes add?
A cold air intake is a brilliant tool that enhances the performance of the engine. Let us simply put it like this. Your engine will heat up when it is running and keeping it cool is essential for performance. oxygen delivered to combustion chamber causing a poor ignition of fuel-rich air/fuel mixture
If you keep it cool, the engine will run smoothly, and even the fuel consumption will be less due to less heat.
With a cold air intake system, you can achieve this. The system pulls in cold air into the engine, which keeps it cold and enhances performance. It will even add up to 5 to 20 horsepower to the engine.
Is a cold air intake worth it on a truck?
Trucks are heavy-duty vehicles. Usually, trucks are used to transport heavy or larger items, which means trucks have to carry a heavy load daily.
Apart from the additional weight, the truck itself is very heavy. To carry all that weight, the engine of the truck needs to be very powerful. These big power engines require a lot of action to provide the necessary power.
So it is very obvious that a big engine will produce more heat when the pistons are moving.
A good cold air intake system will keep the engine cool and overheating by drying compressed air from the inside to the outside and using a dry filter to enter only clean air. So yeah, a cold air intake for a truck is worth it.
What is cold Air Intake?
Normal or stock intake system works in a combination to enhance the capacity of cooler air and better combustion rate by drawing more air inside.
The system typically consists of many tubes and many bends and turnings that naturally resist air flow. High air temperatures gradually slow the rate of oxygen inside the combustion chamber, and the whole process provides poor fuel mixtures with less performance.
A cold air intake kit is an aftermarket solution of the stock air intake, which affects the engine better which will free up those bends, turning, and all the restrictions from the flow.
These products consist of many elements like mass air flow sens andrs, powder-coated steel heat shields for better heat transfer, and improved air volume performance level air volume air. With the improved air intake box or performance intake kit these days, people now have even better fuel mixture uses.
Do cold air intakes really make a difference?
People perceive the difference in various ways. Some say they can clearly notice the difference. Their vehicle performs better than before, and even their fuel consumption decreases. Some people argue otherwise. To them, the result is not that significant.
No matter what people say, experts say it will definitely help your vehicle. They even have a technical explanation for it. But if you don’t understand that, think logically. Your engine works better when it is not overheating, and even the fuel consumption is less due to perfect combustion.
So if the system is keeping your engine cool, then it should definitely make a difference.
Is a cold air intake worth it on a truck?
A truck is usually used for commercial purposes. Even if it is not used for commercial purposes, it is definitely used for long tours. It is definitely not used as a regular commuter. Before a long, a trip truck goes through a thorough servicing. So it does not malfunction and performs well during the trip.
With that being said, anything which enhances the performance of the truck is definitely worth it. The truck will not break down due to overheating. Additionally, during a long trip, each mile counts. If installing an air intake system gives some extra fuel mileage, it is a must for the truck.
What are the cons of a cold air intake?
The cold air intake has a very common problem which is the filter. With time the foam of the filter tears off, and pieces of the foam get into the engine.
We know how harmful dirt is for your engine, and the foam pieces act similarly, and it clogs up the engine and makes the piston very hard to move. This is why you should constantly keep the filter in check and change it within the required time.
Another common problem is that the system’s air to the engine is usually denser than the required air. This problem can be easily solved by simply tuning. However, if you can’t tune it yourself, the maintenance cost can get a bit expensive.
Is cold air actually better for my engine?
Everything has its pros and cons. Nothing is 100% perfect, and it depends on what you want to focus on and your needs. People’s opinion towards air intake systems varies a lot.
Many car enthusiasts love it. They constantly upgrade their cars, and air intake falls among them. They say that the system helps to improve the speed and overall performance of the engine.
Some oppose this idea. They say to get a turbo installed in your car instead of air intake. If speed is what you are looking for, then turbo is the best option. However, installing a turbo can be very expensive. If you want to improve engine performance without hurting your pocket, air intake is the best option.
How much HP does a cold air intake add?
Most motorheads install air intake systems to get better speed. The power of the car determines a car’s speed, and this power is calculated in horsepower.
The history behind this is horse carts. Before cars, there were horse carts, and you have seen one in a movie. Horse or horses pull these carts, and the more the horses pull the cart, the faster it is.
When cars were invented, their power was also calculated in this unit. An air intake system is a great and cheap way to increase the HP of the car, and experts say that air intake can increase 5 to 20 HP of the engine.
Maintenance for Cold Air Intake
You must maintain your air intake system. If you do not maintain it properly, anything you buy will not last very long.
· Check the Manual
When you buy the system, you will get a user manual with it. There you will get all the essential details on how to use it and maintain it. It will tell when to change your filter or get it checked. If it does not specify anything about maintenance, then the next steps will help you.
· Cleaning of the Cold Air Intake Kit
It is very important to clean your system properly, especially the filters. The filters are the main thing that catches all the dirt, and that is why if you don’t clean, it will not ruin the whole system. Oiling the tubes, cleaning, and, if necessary, even changing the filter are essential routines you should follow.
· Heat Resistant and Clogs(Air Intake Tube)
Since the intake tube has to bear a lot of heat, it is very normal for the intake tube to get damaged. Most of the time, users face this problem. If you are using it with Chevy performance tuner then also read that manual.
Due to heat, the tube might get leaked, which will completely ruin it. That is why getting heat resistance on the tube is wise for you. Also, clean the air intake tube to ensure that the intake tube is not clogged due to dirt.
Last Thought
Car enthusiasts spend a lot on upgrading their cars – from customizing the color to upgrading the engine, and it does not stop there. Adding a cold air intake is a huge part of the customization prices.
A good air intake system will improve both the mileage and performance of the truck. So if you are looking for the best cold air intake for Chevy Silverado 1500, the list we provide will help you. Keep the important features in mind while shopping, and you will be good to go.
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