K&N Performance Air Filters and Intakes Guide for the Dodge Challenger (2024)

In 1969, the big three US auto makers were busy duking it out in the now famous muscle car wars. Ford had the wildly popular Mustang. GM had their F-body Camaro/Firebird twins, and Chrysler Corp. had the Dodge Charger R/T. However, the Mopar offering was about the size of a small apartment building, so it didn't really appeal to younger buyers. To fill this gaping hole in their product line, the 'White Hat' boys launched the all new E-Body Dodge Challenger for 1970. This Mopar muscle car was slightly larger than a Mustang or Camaro, but it was more comfortable, and the Challenger Hemi models were more powerful. Fast forward to 2008, and the newly retro-fied Mustang and Camaro had once again ripped a hole in the Daimler-Chrysler product line. So they shortened the rear-drive LX platform (known as the LC platform), and the designers broke out a Ouija board to conjure up a new muscle car. The result looked like a reincarnated 1970 Dodge Challenger. But it was bigger, safer, and yes, it had a Hemi!

For the initial 2008-2010 Dodge Challenger, there was a base 250-hp Challenger SE V6, the extremely popular Challenger R/T with a 370-375 horsepower 5.7L Hemi V8, and the scandalously fast Challenger SRT8, which sported a 425-hp 6.1L Hemi V8. The 2011 Dodge Challenger received a minor facelift, along with a much improved suspension, and two exciting new engines. The entry level Dodge Challenger SXT / SE got the new Pentastar 3.6L V6, which produced a more muscular 305-hp/268 lb-ft. The 2011 Dodge Challenger R/T got a power increase to 372-hp/400 lb-ft with the 5-speed AutoStick, and 379-hp/410 lb-ft with the 6-speed manual. The almighty 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 got an even bigger boost thanks to the new 6.4L Hemi / 392 Hemi. Stomp the Go-Pedal and 470-hp/470 lb-ft will hurl you to 60 mph in around 4.5 ticks. Over the next few years, the Dodge Challenger 6.4L Hemi underwent some changes in the various models. The latest Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 pumps out a heady 485-hp with the 392 Scat Pack option. However, that impressive figure was handily beaten when they introduced the insane Dodge Challenger Hellcat. Thanks to a massive blower, the 6.2L Hemi Hellcat engine pumps out 707-hp, making it the most powerful production car that Dodge has ever made. But no matter how powerful this Mustang beater is, K&N makes an entire line of Dodge Challenger performance parts that can make a Super Snake go hide under a ZL1.

Dodge Challenger Performance Air Filters

Unlike a 'surface loading' paper OE Dodge Challenger air filter, a reusable K&N replacement air filter is made from a woven cotton gauze that is designed to trap and hold dirt particles inside a web of oiled cotton fibers. This is called 'depth loading', and it allows more air to flow through the filter to the engine, which in turn improves performance by allowing the engine to burn the fuel more completely. This is one of the simplest ways to increase your Dodge Challenger performance. And because it's a K&N direct fit replacement air filter, it won't void your factory warranty.

Owners of the 2009-2010 Dodge Challenger 3.5L V6, 2009-2010 Dodge Challenger R/T 5.7L Hemi, and 2008-2010 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 6.1L Hemi, can enjoy a lifetime of performance from the K&N 33-2295 replacement air filter. In fact, it's backed by the K&N 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty, and it only has to be cleaned every 50,000 miles (depending on road conditions). So it will save you both time and money.

If you own a 2011-2017 Dodge Challenger 3.6L Pentastar V6, a 2011-2017 Dodge Challenger 5.7L Hemi V-8, a 2011-2017 Dodge Challenger SRT 6.4L Hemi V-8, or the smokin' 2015-2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat (yep, we make a low restriction drop-in Hellcat air filter), then you can use a K&N 33-2460 replacement air filter. It's warranty-friendly, and street legal in all 50-states.

Dodge Challenger Performance Intake Systems

One of the easiest ways to increase the horsepower on your Dodge Challenger is to ditch the stock Mopar intake for a high-flow K&N performance intake system. There are numerous airflow restrictions throughout an OE Challenger intake system. There's the factory air box with its small inlet opening and thick paper air filter. The intake tube is a compilation of different size tubing, which usually has accordion-like bends that cause the air to swirl around and become turbulent. If the air gets restricted and becomes turbulent before it reaches the motor, it can lose oxygen content and cause the motor to extract less power from the fuel during detonation. A K&N performance air intake system on the other hand, uses a variety of low restriction components to increase airflow to your Pentastar V6 or Hemi V8. From the wide diameter intake tubes to the free-flowing K&N performance air filters, these Dodge Challenger cold air intake systems are designed to boost horsepower and torque.For a 50-state legal performance increase, the 2009-2014 Dodge Challenger R/T 5.7L Hemi and 2008-2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8 6.1L Hemi can use the K&N 57-1542 FIPK performance intake system, which dyno testing has shown to provide an estimated increase of 31.42 horsepower and 31.63 lb-ft of torque. The 2009-2010 Dodge Challenger V6 3.5L will get a serious benefit from the K&N 57-1543 FIPK performance intake. While the later 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger 3.6L V6 can see an estimated increase of 8.09 horsepower from the K&N 57-1564 FIPK performance intake. On the 392 Hemi V8 front, the 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger SRT8 6.4L will get an estimated increase of up to 21.95 horsepower and 17.53 lb-ft of torque from the K&N 57-1565 FIPK performance intake system.

If you want a more aggressive Dodge Challenger cold air intake system, then you need to check out the K&N 63-Series AirCharger performance intake system. It uses a wider diameter polyethylene intake tube, connected to a larger high flow K&N performance air filter. The result is more horsepower and torque, faster throttle response, and the same 100,000 mile air filter cleaning interval (depending on driving conditions). If extra horsepower is what you are looking for, then a K&N 63-1564 AirCharger intake can give the 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 or 2016 Dodge Challenger 3.6L V6 an estimated increase of 8.09-hp & 8.13 lb-ft. The 2011-2017 Dodge Challenger R/T 5.7L Hemi can see similar gains from the K&N 63-1114 AirCharger system, while the almighty 2011-2016 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 6.4L Hemi can get an estimated increase of 21.95 horsepower & 17.53 lb-ft from the K&N 63-1565 AirCharger intake system.

Another step up the Dodge Challenger performance ladder is the K&N 69-Series Typhoon performance intake system. It grabs large quantities of air through an oversized K&N performance air filter, just like the other K&N Dodge Challenger cold air intake systems. However, it also surrounds the filter with a self-sealing heat shield, to keep hot engine air from entering the intake system. And, the mandrel-bent aluminum intake tube cools the air and smooths the airflow path even further. The results are dramatic, as the K&N 69-2526TP Typhooni intake system will bestow an estimated increase of 11.66 horsepower on the 2009-2017 Dodge Challenger R/T 5.7L Hemi. The K&N 69-2544TP Typhoon intake adds an estimated increase of 7.42-hp to the 2011-2017 Dodge Challenger V6, while the 2011-2016 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 6.4L Hemi will get an estimated 22.24-hp and 19.25 lb-ft from the K&N 69-2545TP Typhoon system. But perhaps the most impressive K&N engineering feat is the K&N 69-2550TTK Typhoon intake system. This insane Dodge Challenger Hellcat cold air intake will give the equally insane supercharged 6.2L Hellcat Hemi an estimated 38.95 horsepower & 21.01 lb-ft of torque! The test car (a 2015 Dodge Challenger Hellcat) showed 638.75 horsepower & 574.55 lb-ft at the rear wheels!! If you really want to add some horsepower to your Dodge Challenger specs, then check out the K&N Blackhawk Induction Systems. This top-of-the-line Challenger Hemi intake system uses a high-flow K&N DryFlow synthetic air filter, attached to a wide-diameter aluminum intake tube that features a black powder coat finish, and a special engraved K&N commemorative plate. Not only does this blacked-out intake system look great under the hood, it can turn air into lots of extra power. On the 2009-2017 Dodge Challenger R/T 5.7L Hemi, the K&N 71-1542 Blackhawk Induction system adds an estimated 14.13 horsepower & 13.04 lb-ft of torque. And there's even a version for the 2011-2016 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 392 Hemi (K&N 71-2545 Blackhawk Induction system).

There are many Dodge Challenger performance upgrades on the market, but none of them can match the quality and performance of a K&N replacement air filter or a K&N cold air intake. To see all of the K&N Dodge Challenger performance parts that are available for your specific model, use the K&N search by vehicle tool.