Quick Answer

The short answer: it depends on your vehicle. Improving airflow to your engine can increase horsepower. However, S&B does not publish horsepower claims—unlike some competitors who make exaggerated or unsupported statements.

Instead, we test our products using the internationally recognized ISO 5011 Filtration Standard. This allows us to publish accurate and objective data on airflow, filtration efficiency, and dust-holding capacity—metrics you can actually trust.

The Details

Most stock air boxes and induction tubes are designed for noise suppression and cost—not performance. As a result, they tend to restrict airflow. S&B intake systems are engineered to significantly reduce restriction, allowing your engine to breathe more efficiently.

The actual performance gains will vary depending on several factors including ambient conditions, driving altitude, and the presence of other mods like exhaust systems or tuning. Many customers pair our intake with these upgrades for optimal horsepower gains.

Why We Don’t Publish Horsepower Numbers

Many manufacturers make dyno claims like “up to,” “as much as,” or “results may vary.” These are often based on ideal or manipulated testing conditions. Factors like tire pressure, oil temperature, fan placement, and dyno correction settings can drastically skew results.

At S&B, we choose accuracy over hype. That’s why we rely on our state-of-the-art, climate-controlled ISO 5011 test lab to evaluate performance. We focus on two critical metrics:

  • Airflow Rating: How much airflow our system delivers compared to stock. Increased airflow supports better performance and improved fuel efficiency.
  • Efficiency Rating: How effectively our filters block dirt while maintaining airflow. We target a minimum filtration efficiency of 99.0%—because protecting your engine is just as important as improving performance.

You can find these test results—airflow, efficiency, and capacity—on every product page at sbfilters.com.