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You didn’t buy a RAM TRX to blend in. You didn’t buy it to be quiet, and you certainly didn’t buy it to leave performance on the table. Whether you’re piloting the legendary 6.2L Supercharged V8 or the high-output Hurricane variants that dominate the 2026 landscape, your truck is a vacuum for air. The more oxygen you can shove into that engine, the more power you'll extract.
The factory intake system is designed by committee. It has to be quiet enough for the average driver and restrictive enough to meet corporate red tape. But you aren’t the average driver. You’re looking at S&B Filters: the gold standard in American-made air induction.
The question isn’t just "Does it look cool?" The question is "Is it worth the swap?" Let's break down the data, the sound, and the real-world gains.
The Factory Constraint: Why Stock Isn't "Best"
RAM engineers are brilliant, but they operate under handcuffs. They have to design a truck that performs in a blizzard in Minnesota, a sandstorm in Dubai, and a humid afternoon in Houston, all while keeping the cabin noise level low enough for a conference call.
The stock TRX intake is a massive unit, but it’s full of "silencers" and accordion-style plastic tubing that creates turbulence. Air hates turbulence. Every time your intake air hits a rib or a sharp corner in the stock ducting, it slows down. Slow air means less boost. Less boost means less power.
The S&B Advantage: Engineering for Maximum Flow
S&B doesn’t just build "filters." They build high-performance air delivery systems. When you look at an S&B Cold Air Intake for the TRX, the first thing you notice is the massive airbox. Unlike the stock unit, S&B maximizes the available space in the engine bay to house a significantly larger filter.
Precision Engineering:
- Custom Molded Housing: S&B uses high-grade silicone and cross-linked polyethylene that resists engine heat better than factory plastic.
- Smooth Airflow Paths: The intake tube is designed with wide-radius bends to keep the air velocity high and the turbulence low.
- Seal Integrity: Their systems are designed to pull air from the factory hood scoop and the front wheel well, ensuring the engine isn't breathing in "heat-soaked" air from the radiator.
The Power Numbers: Real Gains on the Dyno
We don't deal in "butt-dyno" feelings at DTX Performance. We deal in hard data. While every truck responds differently based on altitude and fuel quality, the S&B system consistently delivers.
On the latest TRX platforms, S&B testing shows peak gains of 16.45 wheel HP and maximum gains of up to 18.51 wheel HP. While that might sound modest on a truck pushing 700+ horsepower, it’s the torque curve that matters. You'll see an increase of roughly 16.11 lbs/ft of torque in the mid-range: exactly where you feel it when you’re pulling out of a corner or merging onto the highway.
If you’re looking to push those numbers even further, an intake is the required foundation for any Stage 1 or Stage 2 build. You wouldn’t put a high-flow exhaust system, like the AWE Tuning 0FG Cat-Back, on a vehicle without also opening up the lungs at the front.
The Sound Profile: Unlocking the Beast
Let’s be honest: half the reason you want an intake is for the sound. The stock RAM TRX intake is designed to muffle the supercharger or turbocharger spool. It’s an acoustic cage.
When you install the S&B system, you remove the baffles. The result? A raw, mechanical symphony.
- The Supercharger Whine: On the 6.2L models, the high-pitched scream of the blower becomes significantly more pronounced under heavy throttle.
- The Turbo Spool: On the newer Hurricane-powered 2026 models, you’ll hear the turbos spooling up much earlier in the RPM range, followed by a satisfying "whoosh" when you lift off the gas.
The best part? It’s not obnoxious. During normal cruising at highway speeds, the S&B intake remains civil. It only speaks up when you tell it to.
Filter Types: Oiled vs. Dry
One of the biggest decisions you'll make when ordering your S&B kit is the filter media. S&B offers two distinct choices:
1. The Cotton Filter (Oiled)
This is for the performance purist. It uses 8 layers of cotton gauze treated with specialized oil to trap dirt while allowing maximum airflow.
- Pros: Slightly better airflow; washable and reusable for the life of the truck.
- Cons: Requires periodic cleaning and re-oiling (which must be done carefully to avoid over-oiling).
2. The Extendable Media Filter (Dry)
If you’re taking your TRX into the dirt, the desert, or high-dust environments, this is your winner.
- Pros: No oiling required; easier to maintain; nearly the same airflow as the oiled version; better for extreme off-road conditions.
- Cons: Not washable (though you can blow it out with compressed air to extend life, it eventually needs replacement).
At DTX Performance, we usually recommend the Dry Filter for most TRX owners. These trucks are meant to get dirty, and the dry media provides exceptional engine protection without the maintenance hassle of oiling.
Installation: A Saturday Morning Project
You don't need a master technician to install an S&B intake. It is a direct bolt-on replacement that uses factory mounting points.
The Essentials:
- Time: 60 to 90 minutes.
- Tools: A basic socket set, screwdrivers, and perhaps a heavy-duty spanner tool for tight adjustments.
- Difficulty: 2 out of 5.
The fit and finish of S&B products are legendary. You won't be "massaging" parts to make them fit. The airbox drops in, the tube lines up, and the silicone couplers provide a leak-proof seal that looks like it came from the factory: only better.
Real-World Performance: The Dragy Data
Horsepower on a graph is one thing; 0-60 times on the street are another. In independent testing using Dragy GPS hardware, TRX owners have seen consistent improvements.
One tester recorded a stock average 0-60 mph time of 4.48 seconds. After installing the S&B intake (and no other mods), that average dropped to 4.33 seconds. A 0.15-second gain might not sound like a lot, but in the world of modern muscle, that’s the difference between winning and losing a stoplight battle.
Build Your Total Performance Package
The S&B intake is the perfect "gateway" modification. Once you've optimized the air entering the engine, the next step is optimizing how it leaves. While we specialize in modern muscle across the board, we often see customers pair their intake upgrades with premium exhaust solutions.
For those who also have a performance SUV or car in the garage, like a Ford Explorer ST or a Camaro SS, we recommend checking out the AWE Tuning Touring Edition systems. They provide that same "quiet when cruising, aggressive when floored" dynamic that S&B brings to the intake side.
The Verdict: Is it Worth the Swap?
Yes.
If you are looking for a modification that provides a measurable increase in power, a massive improvement in engine sound, and better protection for your high-priced engine, the S&B Cold Air Intake is a no-brainer. It is one of the few modifications that pays for itself in "smiles per gallon" every time you hear that supercharger whine.
Why choose S&B for your 2026 RAM TRX?
- Proven Gains: Nearly 19 HP and 16 lbs/ft of torque.
- Superior Filtration: Better protection than the thin factory paper filters.
- Aggressive Aesthetics: The clear-lid airbox looks incredible when you pop the hood.
- American Quality: Designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA.
Shop with Confidence at DTX Performance
At DTX Performance, we don't just sell parts; we build machines. We only carry brands that we’d put on our own rigs. S&B is one of those brands. When you buy from us, you’re getting expert support and the promise that we only send you the best gear on the market.
Push your TRX to the next level. Build the truck you were promised. Select your filter type and shop the S&B collection today.
If you have questions about fitment or want to discuss a full Stage 2 build for your 2026 TRX, reach out to our team. We’re here to help you dominate the street and the dirt.
DTX Performance: Modern Muscle. Proven Power. We promise to only send you good things.
