Gladiator Cold Air Intake: Real World Review
Gary Phillips noticed sluggish performance on his 2020 Jeep Gladiator 3.6L. His truck runs 5.13 differential gears and heavy 37-inch tires. To help the engine breathe, Gary upgraded his induction system. “The Banks Ram-Air cold air intake is phenomenal,” Gary reports enthusiastically. “I run a cattle ranch in the South Dakota Badlands. Those rough washboard roads kept cracking my previous K&N plastic intake tube at the airbox. I grew tired of constant repairs and switched to Banks.”
“The difference was immediate,” Gary continues. “First, the Banks filter completely dwarfs the K&N element. The enclosed airbox is larger and pulls cool air away from engine heat. Its oval tube union reduces mechanical vibration stress. In addition, solid aluminum mounting studs secure the housing into the factory rubber grommets. This setup creates a rigid assembly that never flexes on rough ranch trails.”
“On the road to Rapid City, which is about 40 miles, this Ram-Air setup resulted in noticeably better engine breathing without any whine or whistle. The Jeep felt like there was less strain and restriction, and it didn’t downshift up a hill versus before where it would downshift twice. It felt as if the engine was breathing through a straw before, but now through an open mouth. Mileage improved to an average of 19.3 mpg, and that’s driving a shoebox on 37’s with 5.13 gears.”
“Something that really surprised me was the packaging. I mean here is a performance part that came with some comic relief messages printed inside from Gale Banks and Ricky Bobby. What a combination. There was even some swag in the box with stickers and a license plate frame. I hope Banks continues to develop products for gas engines. Explore more Banks performance upgrades for the Jeep Gladiator 3.6L. Just buy the Ram-Air. You won’t regret it!”
Air Density and Structural Rigidity with the Gladiator Cold Air Intake
Rolling on 37-inch tires and 5.13 gears increases rotational drag on a Jeep Gladiator. The naturally aspirated 3.6L Pentastar V6 must work harder to maintain highway momentum. Open-element filters suck in hot engine-bay air and reduce air density mass. Warmer intake air forces the engine computer to retard ignition timing to prevent knock. This power loss causes the eight-speed transmission to hunt and downshift repeatedly up highway grades.
The Banks Gladiator cold air intake eliminates this strain through aerodynamic isolation. Its cross-linked polyethylene airbox draws cool ambient air away from engine heat. The oversized filter flows 82 percent better than stock while capturing fine trail dust. Denser air delivers more oxygen molecules to each cylinder during combustion. This boost in torque allows the transmission to hold higher gears effortlessly, returning 19.3 MPG on heavy 37-inch tires.
Related Jeep Gladiator Airflow & Intake Articles
- New Jeep Ram-Air Intake — Learn how the Banks Ram-Air intake outflows stock by 82 percent on 3.6L Jeeps.
- Air Density: Key to Making Power — Discover why cooler, denser air generates more horsepower and protects engine fuel efficiency.
- Child’s Play Installation: 2023 Gladiator — See how a simple bolt-on intake installation transforms throttle response on a daily-driven Gladiator.
- Jeep 2.0L Hybrid Ram-Air Intake — Read how high-flow sealed induction improves power, fuel economy, and sound on modern Jeeps.