Best Intake Options for 2003-2008 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 5.7L Hemi
The 5.7L Hemi V8 arrived in the Dodge Ram pickup for the 2003 model year and stayed in the third-generation truck through 2008. Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 owners all had the option. The engine makes 345 hp in these trucks and pulls hard from low RPM, which suits towing and hauling. The factory airbox does its job, but it sits on a long, boxy path with a paper panel filter. An aftermarket intake shortens and smooths the path, adds a washable cone filter and gives the Hemi a deeper V8 sound under load.
Rtunes Racing lists four intake kits for the 2003 to 2008 Ram with the 5.7L Hemi. Two are cold air intakes and two are short ram intakes. One of them fits the Ram 1500 only. This guide covers what each kit fits, how they differ, what to expect during install and which one suits the way you use your truck.
Confirm the Engine Before Anything Else
The third-generation Ram came with several engines. The 1500 offered a 3.7L V6, a 4.7L V8 and the 5.7L Hemi. Heavy duty trucks offered the Hemi, the 5.9L or 6.7L Cummins diesel and the 8.0L V10. Each engine uses a different throttle body, airbox and tube routing. A Hemi kit will not bolt onto a 4.7L truck, even though the cab and grille look the same.
Check the eighth character of your VIN, the engine label under the hood or the "HEMI" badge on the fender. Badges get swapped and trucks get engine transplants, so the VIN is the most reliable check. If your truck runs the 3.7L or 4.7L, you need a different kit. The CI-DG-06 cold air intake covers those engines from 2002 to 2010.
Option 1: The CI-DG-07 Cold Air Intake
For most Hemi owners, the 2003-2008 Dodge Ram 1500/2500/3500 5.7L V8 Hemi Cold Air Intake Kit (CI-DG-07, $59.99) is the best starting point. It covers all six model years and all three weight classes, from the Base and ST through the SLT, Laramie, Sport, Rumble Bee and TRX4 trims. You choose between polished or matte black piping and a red, blue or black filter. Every finish carries the same $59.99 price.
A cold air intake routes the filter away from the top of the engine and toward the fender or front of the bay. The goal is to pull air from outside the hottest zone around the intake manifold. On a full-size truck with a tall engine bay, the filter has more room to sit low and forward than it does in most cars.
Option 2: The RCI-DG-07BK Black Pipe Cold Air Intake
The RCI-DG-07BK black pipe cold air intake ($119.99) belongs to the Rtunes premium line. It covers the same trucks and trims as the CI-DG-07 and uses the same installation sheet, so routing and mounting points match. The piping comes in three pieces with a single black finish.
Pick this kit if you want a stealth look closer to a factory engine bay and you prefer the premium series. A three-piece tube has more joints than a one-piece design. Each joint adds a coupler and two clamps to check after install. In return, the separate sections are easier to work around the bay.
Option 3: The RSI-DG-06BK Short Ram Intake
The RSI-DG-06BK short ram intake ($89.99) fits the 2003 to 2008 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 with the Hemi. The same listing also covers the 2002 to 2008 Ram 1500 with the 3.7L and 4.7L engines. A short ram keeps the filter inside the engine bay, close to the throttle body. The shorter tube gives you a quicker install and fewer parts near the fender and bumper.
Option 4: The RSI-DG-09BK Dual Short Ram Intake
The RSI-DG-09BK dual short ram intake ($109.99) runs two cone filters instead of one. Its listing covers the 2003 to 2008 Ram 1500 with the Hemi, plus the 2004 to 2009 Durango and 2007 to 2008 Chrysler Aspen with the same engine. It does not list the Ram 2500 or 3500. Heavy duty owners should stay with the other three kits.
Two filters spread the airflow across more filter surface. On a 5.7L V8, more filter area means lower restriction at high RPM and a longer stretch before the filter loads up with dirt. The tradeoff is two filters to clean and more clamps to check.
Side by Side Comparison
| Kit | Type | Ram Models | Finish | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CI-DG-07 | Cold air | 1500, 2500, 3500 | Polished or matte black pipe, red, blue or black filter | $59.99 |
| RCI-DG-07BK | Cold air, three-piece | 1500, 2500, 3500 | Black pipe | $119.99 |
| RSI-DG-06BK | Short ram | 1500, 2500, 3500 | Black pipe | $89.99 |
| RSI-DG-09BK | Dual short ram | 1500 only | Black pipe | $109.99 |
Which Option Suits Your Truck
Daily driver or highway commuter: The CI-DG-07 gives you the most for the money. At highway speed, outside air moves through the front of the truck and keeps the filter area cool.
Towing or hauling: A cold air intake helps on the highway, but long uphill pulls at low speed change the picture. Airflow through the grille drops while the engine works hard. Heat builds under the hood. Any open-element filter pulls warmer air in these conditions. Keep the filter in the mounting position shown in the instructions and close any gaps between the filter area and the fender.
Stop and go city driving: A short ram sits closer to engine heat than a cold air intake. In slow traffic, the gap between the two shrinks because the whole bay heats up. If most of your driving is city traffic, the RSI-DG-06BK gives you similar results with a simpler install.
Off-road and water crossings: TRX4 owners and anyone who crosses creeks or flooded roads should watch filter height. A cold air filter mounted low near the fender sits closer to splash and standing water than a short ram filter up in the bay. Water pulled through the filter causes hydrolock. Avoid deep water with any open-element intake. Inspect the filter after dusty trails too, since dirt loads a cone filter faster than you expect.
Installation Notes for the Hemi Ram
These Hemi trucks meter air with a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor and an intake air temperature (IAT) sensor instead of a mass airflow sensor. This works in your favor. Tube diameter and filter oil do not skew a MAF reading because no MAF exists. If your factory intake carries the IAT sensor, move it to the matching port on the new tube and seat its grommet fully.
Plan on 30 to 60 minutes with basic hand tools. Disconnect the battery first. Reconnect the crankcase breather hose to its port on the new tube. A breather left open pulls in unfiltered air. Tighten each clamp evenly. Recheck all of them after the first 50 to 100 miles, as couplers settle once they heat cycle. Read the general steps in our installation guide before you start.
On a stock Hemi, the factory computer adapts fuel trims to the new intake over the first few drive cycles. You do not need a tune for the intake alone. If you add headers, a cam or gear changes at the same time, plan for one.
Fitment Matters
The most common Ram intake return comes from a 4.7L truck ordered as a Hemi. The second comes from a heavy duty owner ordering the dual short ram, which fits the 1500 only. A 2009 Ram 1500 belongs to the next generation and needs the 2009 to 2015 kit instead. Confirm your engine, weight class and model year before checkout. A two-minute check saves you a return, a reorder and days of waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Hemi kit fit my 2003 to 2008 Ram with the 4.7L V8?
No. The 4.7L uses different intake hardware. The CI-DG-06 cold air intake and the RSI-DG-06BK short ram both list the 4.7L Ram 1500.
Will the dual short ram fit my Ram 2500 Hemi?
Not based on the current listing. The RSI-DG-09BK lists the Ram 1500 only. The CI-DG-07, RCI-DG-07BK and RSI-DG-06BK all list the 2500 and 3500.
Do these kits fit the Cummins diesel or the SRT-10?
No. These kits cover the 5.7L Hemi only. The diesel and the SRT-10 V10 use different intake systems.
Is there a fit difference between the CI-DG-07 and the RCI-DG-07BK?
Both share the same vehicle applications and installation sheet. The difference comes down to finish, piping construction and price.
Will a cold air intake keep air cool while I tow in summer heat?
Only while air moves through the front of the truck. At low speed under heavy load, the engine bay heats up and intake air temperature climbs with it. Our article How Heat Soak Reduces Horsepower in Cold Air and Short Ram Intakes explains why and what limits it.
Shop 2003-2008 Ram Hemi Intake Kits
Browse the full cold air intake collection or the short ram intake collection. Confirm your exact fit on the shop by vehicle page.
Not sure which engine or weight class your Ram has? Visit the FAQ and support page, email sales@rtunesracing.com or call (626) 934-8888. Have your VIN ready and the team will confirm the right kit before you order.