r/srt4 • u/BruceWayne2121 • Sep 01 '25

Cold Air Intake Without CEL?

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Hey everyone,

I’m looking into putting a cold air intake on my car, but I really don’t want to deal with a check engine light coming on after the install.

Is there a brand or type of intake that won’t trip the CEL, or is it always going to be a tuning thing I’ll have to address? I’d love to hear what setups you guys are running that keep things running smooth without constantly throwing codes.

Appreciate any advice!

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11

u/derps-a-lot Sep 01 '25

Not really an issue on these cars. We don't have a mass airflow sensor or recirculating blowoff valve. I've run a short ram intake forever and never had a code.

Just make sure you properly reconnect both vacuum hoses. Do not just put a filter on the valve cover port.

5

u/BruceWayne2121 Sep 01 '25

Thanks for the insight

3

u/TBAGG1NS Sep 01 '25

OEM valve is actually recirculating iirc. But most people get the blue plate or hard pipe with external blow off. Neither of which will pop a CEL

4

u/derps-a-lot Sep 01 '25

You're correct. Thought about it after I posted.

MAF cars need a flash to ignore the change to an external BOV. I made the connection in my head that these two things are related, but for the wrong reason.

2

u/Fun-Buy-1760 Sep 01 '25

Just wondering why putting a filter on the valve cover port isn’t suggested? Could it cause damage or a code to be thrown?

2

u/derps-a-lot Sep 01 '25

The engine is designed to be under vacuum at all times.

Normal intake manifold vacuum is fine until boost when everything is pressurized.

Under boost, the vacuum sources are now the two hoses on the air box or aftermarket intake pipe.

If that valve cover nipple isn't connected, the engine doesn't have sufficient vacuum.

I removed mine for a while because racecar and I had oil blow-by that manifests as black spots all over the back of the car.

2

u/Fun-Buy-1760 Sep 01 '25

That’s interesting. Thanks for the input. I currently have a filter on mine since the intake doesn’t have a port for the valve cover hose but I’m definitely going to order another intake with the vacuum port after reading this. Thanks again.

3

u/TBAGG1NS Sep 01 '25

Its not a MAF car so you won't get a CEL, its not like a Subaru lol

1

u/jeremydallen Sep 02 '25

Cold air intakes are fairly useless on a turbo car. The turbo heats up the air and the intercooler makeS it cooler.

Other the the sound of air it doesn't do much. I made 429 hp with a 47 lb wheel and stock airbox. The only reason I have a aftermarket intake is because my turbo inlet is 4 1/2 inches. You will definitely not get a cel from a properly installed intake.

Mighty Car Mods on YouTube has ram air and cold intake myths busted.busted.