This is one of the most popular modifications made to engines for a very good reason: cold air intakes. Particularly true for turbo engines like the Ford F-150 3.5 Eco Boost, which comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine.
Turbo intakes not only boost power but also deliver plenty of other benefits. Cold air intakes also tend to be pretty inexpensive, which makes them a very popular choice.
As part of this guide, we will also discuss the benefits of cold air intakes and list some of the best options for F-150 3.5 Eco Boost cold air intakes.
It has been proven that the Ford 3.5 Eco Boost intake works well on stock engines, running stock boost. It should be noted that as soon as you start tuning and modding the F-150 Eco Boost the intake becomes restrictive.
In order to increase boost and power, more air needs to flow into the engine. This can quickly overwhelm the OEM intake system.
There are two cold air intakes for the 3.5L twin turbo engine that are capable of meeting the demands of the vehicle. These include the following advantages of Ford 3.5 Eco Boost cold air intakes:
In my experience, the stock intake for the F-150 Eco Boost is pretty effective on stock trucks as well. If an intake upgrade is not implemented, the power gains from an intake upgrade may be minimal.
Nevertheless, once the 3.5L engine has been tuned, an intake might add a few extra horsepower to it. For those who push the limits of the Eco Boost turbos or opt to upgrade them, they may be able to achieve 10-15+ horsepower.
Additionally, torque gains also seem to be similar across the board. One other improvement is that the turbo engine is spooling up faster. Although, it might not be noticeable since the 3.5-liter turbochargers in the F-150 are already quick to spool up.
Having a good intake system for cold air is also a great way to save some space and make maintenance a bit easier. When it comes to filters, most of them can be cleaned and maintained easily with the addition of 3.5 Eco Boost intake upgrades.
Additionally, a modified intake system also enhances the sound of the motor – in our opinion, this is a superb benefit. If you’re listening closely, you’ll notice a lot more noises coming from the turbo and induction.
However, will a tune reveal a huge amount of power on your Eco Boost F-150 if you have it tuned? Definitely, yes. Nevertheless, for the purpose of this article, we are going to discuss the best cold air intake for Ford F150 Eco Boost. Having said that, I would like to get down to our best picks without further ado. What do you think?
aFe Power 54-12192
For your Ford F-150, this cold air intake system from a world famous manufacturer, provides an outstanding 32 horsepower & 35 lb-ft of torque!
aFe Power Magnum FORCE intake system features a high-quality dual metal pipe with a high-gloss powder coating that is designed to provide low heat transfer and very smooth curves in order to provide strong airflow capacity.
As part of the Magnum FORCE intake system, a shield has also been added with a complex structure to protect the filters from the heat coming from the engine side.
The aFe cold air intake system will amaze you with its performance in all 50 US states, and it is legal in all 50 states. This is especially true if it is the first time you will be buying a new intake system.
There is a reason for that since the machine is capable of effortlessly outflowing stock intakes by up to 44%.
It is designed with two tubes, which maintains a balanced pressure inside each tube to maximize airflow and velocity during intake as well as improve throttle response.
In order to preserve the integrity of the air box, the 54-12192 model is enclosed in a 16-gauge heat shield that mounts on the lower half of the air box.
K&N 63-2592
In a similar vein, the K&N 63 Air Charger Series is an extension of the K&N 57 FIPK Series.
The cold intake systems are designed for a variety of vehicle types, including the Ford F-150, and represent a significant improvement over standard K&N replacement filters.
The 63-2592 features non-metallic tubes (as do all intakes in this series) that serve to reduce the temperature and noise of intake air entering the engine.
Even if you install a K&N filter in the OEM location, you will still reduce your engine’s performance because the OEM cold air intake systems are unsatisfactory.
The OEM intakes are one of the weak links in the airflow chain which prevents your vehicle from gaining more horsepower.
AEM 21-8128DC
Your engine will run much better with this system, regardless of whether you have your calibration set up as stock or tuned.
You will forget about those annoying “Check Engine” lights! Using the AEM 21-8128DC, your engine will have 43.1% more air flowing through it than stock intake systems.
It is estimated that this high-tech unit has an efficiency rating of 99.3%! That is quite an impressive rating.
When you install an AEM 21-8128DC system, you won’t have to worry about the filter – the huge custom airbox will protect it from engine heat without a problem.
The oil-oily filter on this device is additionally covered by an exclusive, clear lid, which is made of 80 grams of precision oil.
The AEM 21-812DC Cold Air Intake System is not only an alternative intake system that can help you run cooler, but that can also increase your car’s performance.
By replacing factory-made restrictive air filters and an air intake cage with a performance enhancing system, the engine’s horsepower is increased.
Spectre Performance 9034
Despite its low price, this oily air filter represents high quality in every aspect of its construction.
For the Ford F-150, this is an upgrade that will add some noticeable horsepower and torque to the engine.
Also, the filter is responsible for preventing the engine from being damaged by debris and other harmful particles.
Because of the black powder-coated stainless steel 2-piece heat shield, there is no way heated engine air can enter the intake inlet, so you do not need to worry about it.
There is a polished aluminum air intake tube and a low-restriction red Spectre filter with synthetic media that is included in the kit.
Injen PF9015P
When you purchase this Injen PF air intake, you are getting exactly what you expect from a reputable US manufacturer with years of experience.
This system is designed to maximize the performance of your engine by adding some noticeable dyno-proven horsepower (+11) gains and torque (+24 lb-ft) while enhancing air flow (4′′ and 3.5′′ dual aluminum intake tubing) and reducing restriction.
The Injen intake system features aggressive sound and airflow, two dry-cleanable blue filters, as well as multiple finish options to help you customize your engine bay.
It keeps the engine heat away from your intake due to the smart location of the air filter, which is also beneficial when it comes to cool and dense air.
This is the world’s first tunable intake system featuring the patented MR Technology tubing and everything you need to install it with a perfect fit. Moreover, this system does not require any sort of maintenance at all, easily maintainable every one thousand miles.