Top 5 Jeep Gladiator Cold Air Intakes
There is a lot of debate on whether a cold air intake is a worthy upgrade for your Jeep Gladiator. The best way to determine that is to look at what this modification can do to your vehicle, especially its performance. Aside from off-roading vehicles, like the Gladiator, it’s crucial to assess how it impacts a daily driver. Is it as beneficial for daily driving as it is for off-roading? This guide will discuss that in detail and discover the top 5 Jeep Gladiator cold air intakes.
Key Takeaways
• A cold air intake system increases airflow to the engine’s combustion chamber, increasing power and fuel efficiency.
• Upgrading your stock intake system with a cold air intake system won’t void your warranty. However, several variables can come into play when enjoying the benefits of an upgrade.
• Car tuning could be necessary when you install a new cold air intake system to ensure optimal vehicle performance.
• Discover the top 5 Jeep Gladiator cold air intakes that can improve your vehicle’s performance, power, and fuel economy.
What Does a Cold Air Intake Do?
As a car enthusiast, chances are you’ve heard about the cold air intake before. But is it worth swapping your stock air intake for the Jeep Gladiator for this one?
The main purpose of an air intake system is to deliver oxygen to the engine. Your car needs oxygen to burn the gasoline and convert it into fuel. The more oxygen your engine has, the more power it can generate.
Improving airflow can boost your vehicle performance. And this is where a cold air intake system comes in. It facilitates effective and improved airflow for the engine. It explains why updating the stock air intake system with a new cold air intake system is popular because it is relatively inexpensive (compared to other mods) but can enhance the car’s performance and power.
So, is it worth installing a cold air intake system for your Jeep Gladiator?
Reasons to Consider Installing a Cold Air Intake
As mentioned earlier, increasing the flow of oxygen into the combustion chamber translates to higher power.
Therefore, many Gladiator owners are quick to jump into a decision to upgrade their air intake system. However, it’s important to know that the impact of the system to your vehicle greatly varies. Its actual performance and benefits differ according to many factors, so take that into account when updating your stock air intake and set realistic expectations.
The first benefit of installing a cold air intake for a Jeep Gladiator starts with increasing airflow to the engine. Imagine you have a stuffy nose; it restricts the amount of air that you inhale. The blocked nasal passageway makes it difficult to breath. On the other hand, a clear nasal passage allows you to inhale a larger volume of air, ensuring a more effective breathing pattern.
Think of your stock air intake as the same as breathing when you have a clogged or stuffy nose. On the other hand, updating with a cold air intake system is similar to having a clear nasal passage.
Breathing in cold, clear air brings various benefits to your engine.
1. Increased Horsepower Output
The first advantage of a cold air intake for a Jeep Gladiator is a higher horsepower output. The higher amount of oxygen that enters the combustion chamber helps to produce a more efficient fuel burn.
2. More Responsive Acceleration
Another benefit of upgrading your cold air intake system is a more responsive acceleration. An increase on air supply into the combustion chamber greatly improves your vehicle’s ability to speed up.
3. Higher Fuel Economy
Another reason to upgrade your stock air intake with a cold air intake is the increased fuel economy. A more efficient combustion of fuel results in less gas required to power the engine. Thus, you can get a higher mileage for the same amount of fuel.
Will a Cold Air Intake Upgrade Void Your Warranty?
If you’re asking this question, “do cold air intakes void warranty?” Fear not. Most upgrades of this type will not void any manufacturers or extended warranties.
The only time that it will void your warranty is if the damage to your vehicle is determined as caused by the cold air intake installation.
Top 5 Jeep Gladiator Cold Air Intakes
If you’re shopping for the best Jeep Gladiator cold air intake, you’ve come to the right place. Here are our top recommendations for you.
1. Mopar Performance Cold Air Intake 3.6L Engine
This cold air intake is recommended for the 2020-2024 Jeep Gladiator models. It helps to draw fresh air from the outside to boost the Gladiator’s engine performance. The cool, external air enters a directional filter and goes into the intake manifold. It results in horsepower and torque gain.
2. K&N 77-1576KP 77 Series High-Flow Performance Air Intake
The K&N 77-1576KP 77 Series High-Flow Performance Air Intake is fitted for the 2018-2024 Jeep Gladiator JT 3.6L engine. It is an aftermarket air induction system with a free-flowing intake tube with a chrome finish and intake housing. This design significantly reduces air flow restriction, allowing the engine to inhale a larger amount of air versus the stock intake system. You can generate more usable power and acceleration on your Gladiator’s engine.
3. Spectre Performance SPE-9089 Cold Air Intake System
Give your 2018-2024 Jeep Gladiator JT a boost with the Spectre Performance SPE-9089 Cold Air Intake System. This cold air intake upgrade is designed to fit like the stock air intake and uses superior materials to increase airflow and filter out harmful debris. The steady and consistent airflow enables the Gladiator to achieve optimal performance. Meanwhile, the tube intake is powder coated with a heat shield to avoid heated engine air from entering the intake inlet.
4. S&B Cold Air Intakes
The S&B Cold Air Intakes are fitted for the 2023 Jeep Gladiator, which boosts the power of the internal combustion engine by maximizing airflow. The air intakes include precision-molded air boxes and oversized air filters to accomplish the task of improving airflow. The cold air intake also comes with a transparent inspection window that allows you to check the air filter’s condition.
5. aFe Magnum Force Stage 2 Cold Air Intakes
If you are looking to boost power on the Jeep Gladiator while protecting the engine from dust, dirt, and debris, look no further than the aFe Magnum Force Stage 2 Cold Air Intakes. This premium intake system feeds your engine with clean, dense, and cold air with the help of an improved filtration system and performance. With denser air, you can expect a higher oxygen content! This system consists of a high-flow conical air filter, molded intake tubing, heat shielding, and oversized air boxes that are a major upgrade to the restrictive components of the stock Jeep Gladiator intake system.
Is Tuning Required After Installing New Air Intakes
A new piece of equipment, such as a cold air intake, will impact the flow of air into the engine. Expert mechanics recommend tuning your car whenever you make modifications or add a new hardware to ensure they are optimized with the rest of the vehicle and engine. With proper tuning, you can ensure your vehicle performs at its best.
Tuning your Gladiator involves changing the values on the air-to-fuel ratio, rev limit, and the ignition timing. Changing these values as part of the tuning process ensures the optimal performance for your vehicle. However, vehicle tuning requires investment, with standard tuning ranging in price from $50 to $200. A more complicated tuning will cost up to $700.
Is a Cold Air Intake Upgrade Worth It?
The short answer is yes. However, the most noticeable improvement on the car’s overall performance comes as a result of other modifications. Upgrading the stock air intake with a cold air intake alone won’t deliver a significant impact on performance. There are many variables in the equation that you must consider, or else you will be disappointed.
But with other well-placed updates, you can see noticeable benefits. It is important to be realistic about your expectations on how well your car benefits from a new cold air intake system, especially since it is one of the least expensive modifications you can incorporate into the Jeep Gladiator. It is also crucial to keep up with your car’s condition, and investing in a Jeep Powertrain Warranty ensures you have coverage for unexpected servicing or repairs. You will enjoy the full benefits of a cold air intake with a well-maintained engine versus an old one that is lacking in maintenance.
FAQs
How much horsepower does a cold air intake add to a Jeep?
It depends on the specific cold air intake system you install. But for the best intakes, you can expect an increase of up to 13 HP.
Do cold air intakes really make a difference?
As a standalone upgrade, a cold air intake upgrade won’t do much. You can expect noticeable benefits when you add this with other significant modifications that improve the engine performance.
Do cold air intakes make your car louder?
Yes. Increasing the flow of cold air into the engine could result in the vehicle sounding louder.
Is a cold air intake worth it on a stock engine?
Yes, but expect that the boost in horsepower and acceleration will be minor with a stock engine.
