Rtunes Racing RHI-CD-05BK heat shield cold air intake kit for 2019-2026 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500

Rtunes vs K&N Cold Air Intakes: An Honest Comparison

K&N is the name most people think of first when they shop for a cold air intake. Rtunes Racing is the value option a growing number of truck and SUV owners pick instead. Both kits replace the restrictive factory airbox with an open, washable filter and a smoother intake path, but they differ a lot on price, warranty, filter design and documentation.

We make the Rtunes kits, so we are not neutral. To keep this fair, we compared the same truck on both sides: the 2019-2026 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 5.3L, using K&N's Series 63 AirCharger (63-3109) and the Rtunes RHI-CD-05BK heat shield intake. K&N figures come from K&N's own published listing for that kit.

The Short Version

Rtunes Racing RHI-CD-05BK K&N Series 63 AirCharger 63-3109
Price (2019-2026 Silverado/Sierra 5.3L) $199.99 $419.99
Intake tube Black-finish metal piping Cross-linked polyethylene (plastic)
Filter Dry washable, no oil Oiled cotton gauze, washable
Filter cleaning Rinse every 12,000-15,000 miles Up to 100,000 miles (highway driving)
Heat shield Yes, vehicle-specific Yes
Published dyno numbers No Yes: 15.7 HP and 32.5 lb-ft
Tune required No No
Coverage 30-day free returns on uninstalled kits Long-term limited warranty
California (CARB) Not CARB compliant Not CARB legal for this kit

Bottom line: on this truck, K&N costs a little over twice as much. That money buys published dyno results and a long-term warranty. Rtunes gives you the same core upgrade, an open washable filter behind a heat shield with a smoother intake path, for less than half the price.

Price: The Biggest Difference

K&N lists the 63-3109 for the 2019-2026 Silverado and Sierra 1500 5.3L at $419.99. The Rtunes kit for the same trucks is $199.99. That leaves about $220 for your next mod.

Rtunes Racing RHI-CD-05BK heat shield cold air intake kit for 2019-2026 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 5.3L/6.2L

The gap grows on older trucks. The Rtunes RHI-CD-01BK for 1999-2007 GM 4.8L/5.3L/6.0L V8 trucks is $129.99. Ford owners can look at the Rtunes RHI-FD-09BK for the 2015-2020 F-150 5.0L V8 at $149.99.

Rtunes Racing RHI-FD-09BK heat shield cold air intake kit for 2015-2020 Ford F150 5.0L V8

Design: Same Idea, Different Materials

Both kits follow the same basic formula. Remove the factory airbox, mount an open filter, shield it from engine bay heat and give the air a smoother path to the throttle body.

  • K&N uses a molded polyethylene tube. Plastic holds less heat than metal, which is a real thermal advantage.
  • Rtunes uses black-finish metal piping and a vehicle-specific heat shield that walls the filter off from the hottest part of the bay.

Want to know when a heat shield matters most? Read Heat Shield Cold Air Intake Kits vs Standard Cold Air Intake Kits.

Filter: Dry vs Oiled

This is a bigger difference than most comparisons admit. K&N uses its oiled cotton gauze filter and rates it for up to 100,000 miles between cleanings in highway driving. Rtunes uses a dry washable filter with no oil. You rinse it with water and mild detergent every 12,000-15,000 miles.

The oiled filter goes longer between cleanings and flows slightly more air when new. The dry filter traps more fine dust from day one and carries no risk of over-oiling your MAF sensor during a cleaning. Either way, you stop buying disposable paper filters. Read the full breakdown in Dry Washable Filters vs Oiled Cotton Gauze Filters.

Horsepower: Documented vs Undocumented

K&N publishes dyno results for each kit. For the 63-3109, K&N lists 15.7 HP at 5,200 RPM and 32.5 lb-ft of torque. That is real documentation and a fair point in K&N's favor.

Rtunes does not publish dyno numbers, so we will not claim a figure. Both kits remove the same restriction, the factory airbox, so expect sharper throttle response and a deeper intake sound. If you need a certified number on paper, K&N has it.

Installation and Tuning

Both are bolt-on kits that use factory mounting points and basic hand tools. K&N estimates about an hour for the 63-3109. Neither kit needs a tune to run on the factory calibration. See Do You Need a Tune After an Intake, and When for the cases where a tune helps. Our installation guide walks through the steps.

Warranty and Returns

This is K&N's clearest advantage. K&N backs its intakes with a long-term limited warranty. Check K&N's site for the current terms on your kit.

Rtunes offers 30-day free returns on uninstalled kits, so you can confirm fit and quality before you bolt it in. If long-term coverage matters most to you, K&N's warranty may justify the higher price.

California and CARB

Rtunes intakes are not CARB compliant, so they are not legal for use on pollution-controlled vehicles in California. K&N's 63-3109 is not CARB legal either. K&N does sell CARB-exempt kits for some other vehicles. If you live in California or another state that follows CARB rules, check the CARB EO number before you buy any intake.

Which One Should You Buy?

Buy K&N if you want published dyno results, a long-term warranty and the best-known name in intakes, and you are fine paying about twice as much.

Buy Rtunes if you want the core heat shield intake upgrade with a dry washable filter, and you would rather put the savings toward your next mod.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a tune after installing either intake?
No. Both kits run on the factory tune. A tune can get more out of either kit, but it is optional.

Are these intakes legal in California?
Not these two. Rtunes intakes are not CARB compliant, and the K&N 63-3109 is not CARB legal. Some other K&N kits carry a CARB EO number.

Will an intake void my truck's factory warranty?
Not automatically. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a dealer has to show that an aftermarket part caused the problem before denying a claim. Keep your factory airbox in case you ever need it.

How often do I clean the filter?
K&N rates its oiled filter at up to 100,000 miles in highway driving. Rinse the Rtunes dry filter every 12,000-15,000 miles, sooner in dusty conditions.

Shop Rtunes Heat Shield Intakes

Browse all Rtunes heat shield intakes or the full Rtunes Premium Air Intakes lineup. Questions about fitment? Email sales@rtunesracing.com or call (626) 934-8888.

K&N and AirCharger are trademarks of K&N Engineering, Inc. Rtunes Racing is not affiliated with K&N. K&N prices, dyno figures and specs are from K&N's published listing and Rtunes prices are from rtunesracing.com, as of October 2026. Prices change, so check both sites before you buy.

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