Tonight’s Main Event: K&N Cold Air Intakes vs. AEM Cold Air Intakes
Welcome to the air intake battle royale, where we’re forcing K&N Intakes and AEM Intakes to fight to the death… or at least until we have a clear winner with the title of “Best Intake for Your Car.” At first glance, there are some similarities between these two fighters: they both have incredible qualities with the testing and training that it takes for an aspirant to be a champion. We suspect the subtle differences are where the fight will be won; don’t expect to be knocked out, but beaten into bloody, reeling, slurred submission.
In the black, red and orange corner we have K&N, the taller, heavier and more established fighter of the two. Sure, they’ve been fighting other contenders for over 30 years, just like an aging, gray-haired fighter like Evander Holyfield. But unlike Holyfield, K&N are smarter than ever, still pack a punch, have their ears intact, and no one is begging them to quit for their own good. K&N’s advantage comes not only from being the undisputed intake champion, but also from being the brand that practically invented the sport.
AEM struts like the challenger; a slimmer, faster and younger fighter who sports flashy red and yellow pants. Driven by the newest technology and plenty of support in the sport compact arena, AEM’s plan is to take on the heavy-duty K&N with speed, quickness and quality punch. This challenger firmly believes that it is ushering in a new era of intake performance, design and maintenance.
The bell rings and the two admission marks dance towards each other. They come together, and K&N lands a nice combination of two hits to the nose and jaw, thanks to their intake tubes. Its reticulated material tubes, available on FIPK’s acclaimed 57 and 63 series air charger inlets, keep incoming air volumes much cooler than the metal tubes used with every AEM. Not to mention the price: the cross-linked plastic tubes help a kit cost less. However, AEM relies on its smooth footwork to deliver a stinging blow, thanks to its sleek looking tubes, which are a bit nicer in terms of engine bay appearance, even when compared to the 69 series. and 77 from K&N.
AEM is also teaming up to corner K&N with Brute Force, their muscular entry of trucks and SUVs that’s gaining street cred by the minute. But, K&N escapes damage by attacking AEM with their series 69, an unlikely point on the card for the veteran. Although AEM has the sporty compact high ground, most of the Series 69 can be configured as either a short ram intake or a cold air intake coming out of the wheel well. K&N then drills AEM into the eye with filter technology, causing suffocating swelling. K&N Cotton Gauze with Oil Filtration System uses its proven formula and 1,000,000 mile warranty to deliver a major blow to AEM’s bid to match cotton gauze performance with an oil-free filter.
They go round and round, exchanging jabs and the occasional punch that re-engages the crowd in this now-grueling clash of titans. As the 12th and final round passes with many punches thrown but few landed, the judges must go to the scorecard. Although AEM takes rounds judged on compact performance and looks under the hood, K&N wins the battle by decision with an additional 4 hp on the dyno for the F-150 with a 5.4L V8, which turned out to be the judges’ truck. . The cooler reticulated tube (which also costs less) helped put K&N above AEM here, making it the undisputed current belt holder for intake performance. But AEM is likely to return soon with some new moves in its quest for the title.