K&N Makes Performance Upgrades for Chrysler 300M, 300, 300C, and 300 SRT8 Easy
- Dec 11, 2014
The Chrysler Corporation introduced the Chrysler 300 ’letter series’ in 1955. The Chrysler 300 was a high-performance luxury car built in very limited numbers. Each model year used a new letter of the alphabet as a suffix until 1965 when it reached the 300L designation and was discontinued. The name 300 originally stood for the car’s 300 horsepower 331 cubic-inch (5.4L) FirePower Hemi V8. Originally the Chrysler 300 was a factory racecar built and sold to meet NASCAR homologation rules. In 1956 the Chrysler 300B was the first American production car to produce 1 horsepower per cubic inch and for many years the 300 letter series was the most powerful American made production car in the United States and could be considered an early muscle car. The 1965 model year saw the demise of the 300 letter series cars, probably due in part to faster, more powerful, and more affordable muscle cars being introduced into the market place. The Chrysler 300 non-letter series remained in production until 1971 and with the option of four doors, and a convertible top, it was slotted below the 300 letter series in price and performance. Of course, the performance of any of these V8 powered early Chrysler 300 models can be improved with the addition of a variety of different K&N custom air cleaner assemblies designed for stock single or dual 4-barrel carburetors as well as aftermarket 4-barrel carbs.
In 1999 Chrysler revived the 300 nameplate with the Chrysler 300M. While the 300M picked up where the 300 letter series left off in 1965, the Chrysler 300M was not officially part of the letter series. The 300M was a front wheel drive sedan and did not live up to the 300 name by producing 300 horsepower. Instead it was equipped with a lively 3.5-liter V6 engine making around 250 horsepower. For Chrysler 300M owners seeking a simple but effective performance upgrade, K&N has them covered with their high-flow air filters and air intakes. K&N’s K&N air filter 33-2136 replacement air filter will fit both 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter engines in 1998-2004 Chrysler 300 models. Or for even more performance, owners of 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 Chrysler 300M 3.5L models can install a K&N air intake system 57-1522. When installed on a 2001 Chrysler 300M 3.5L, K&N air intake 57-1522 was shown to provide an estimated 8.46 more horsepower at 5,482 RPM and 8.11 lb-ft of torque. This should bring Chrysler 300M models a little closer to that 300 horsepower mark. The Chrysler 300 was revamped for the 2005 model year and this time was much more in line with the original 300 letter series. This generation Chrysler 300 is based on the rear wheel drive LX platform borrowing components from the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The full-size luxury sedan was available with 4 different engine options. Entry level 300 models were equipped with a 2.7L V6 engine making 190 horsepower. 2005 to 2010 Chrysler 300 2.7L V6 sedans can receive improved performance with a K&N air filter 33-2295 or step up to a K&N short ram intake 57-1544. 2005-2010 Chrysler 300 Touring and Limited models with the 3.5L V6 can also experience an increase in performance from K&N air filters. K&N performance air filter 33-2295 also fits the 3.5L V6 models, however 3.5L V6 powered cars can experience an estimated additional 11.68 more horsepower by installing K&N air intake 57-1543.
The 2005-2010 Chrysler 300C was finally able to live up to the original 1955 model’s legacy. The 2005-2010 Chrysler 300C was powered by a 340 horsepower 5.7L HEMI V8 engine that would make its predecessors proud. Stepping performance up even further was the Chrysler 300 tuned by Chrysler’s performance division. The 2005-2010 Chrysler 300 SRT8 received a 6.1L HEMI V8 engine capable of putting out 425 horsepower. While both the available 5.7L and 6.1L HEMI V8 engines are adept at powering the Chrysler 300, many owners are seeking an easy performance upgrade. While K&N’s performance air filter, 33-2295, is an excellent option to increase performance, the ultimate upgrade from K&N would be K&N short ram air intake 57-1542. This K&N air intake system will fit 2005-2014 Chrysler 300C 5.7L and 2005-2010 Chrysler SRT8 6.1L engines. When installed on a 2005 5.7L HEMI V8, K&N air intake 57-1542 was shown to provide an estimated 21.09 more horsepower. Even more impressive is the estimated horsepower gain for 6.1L SRT8 models. A 2008 SRT8 showed an incredible estimated 31.42 more horsepower at the rear wheels. That’s over 30 more bolt on horsepower that can be installed in approximately 90 minutes or less. 2005-2010 Chrysler 300 models with a 5.7L or 6.1L V8 engine also have the option of K&N air intake system 69-2526TP. This intake will provide an increase in horsepower and improved looks under the hood with its bright mirror finished air intake tube.
Chrysler designers updated the 300 for the 2011 model year. Still based on the Chrysler LX platform, 2011 to 2016 Chrysler 300 models are available with three different engines. Gone is the 2.7L and 3.5L V6 engine as they were replaced by the 3.6L Pentastar V6. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 comes real close to that 300 horsepower benchmark set by the 1955 Chrysler 300. Rated at 292 horsepower from the factory, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 Chrysler 300 Touring and Limited trim level cars can bump horsepower up an estimated additional 8.09 more horsepower with K&N air intake 63-1564. Also available for 2011-2016 Chrysler 300 3.6L models is K&N air filter 33-2460, or K&N air intake 69-2544TP. As with the first generation Chrysler LX platform based 300 models, the 300C and new 300S are available with a 5.7L Hemi V8 engine. For 2011 the 5.7L Hemi V8 received a slight bump in power output from the factory and was now rated at 363 horsepower stock. Simply dropping in a K&N performance air filter 33-2460 will enhance the driving experience of 2011-2016 Chrysler 300C or 300S 5.7L V8 models. However, owners seeking the best performance upgrade from K&N, should consider installing a K&N air intake system. K&N offers two air intake systems for the second generation Chrysler LX platform based 300 models with a 5.7L V8. K&N intake 63-1114 features a black rotomolded air intake tube, while K&N air intake 69-2526TP features a mirror like aluminum intake tube. Both K&N air intakes for the 5.7L models were shown to provide an estimated horsepower increase of more than 11 HP.
They Chrysler 300 SRT8 took a year off, but came back in 2012 bigger, better, and faster than before. For 2012 the Chrysler Group introduced a 6.4L 392 Hemi V8 engine rated at 470 horsepower for its SRT based models. The 6.4-liter 392 Hemi V8 is said to propel the 300 SRT8 from 0 to 60 MPH in the low four seconds range. 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 Chrysler 300 SRT8 owners addicted to power and performance can rely on K&N to get their fix. K&N air filter 33-2460 will help the 6.4L 392 Hemi V8 breathe a little easier. However, for the ultimate K&N performance upgrade a K&N air intake system is the best bang for the buck. In about 90 minutes or less 2012-2015 Chrysler 300 SRT8 owners can bolt on an estimated horsepower increase of around 22 more horsepower with K&N air intake 63-1565 or 69-2545TP. The K&N Blackhawk inductions air intake system 71-2545 is a stylish performance upgrade for 2012-2015 Chrysler 300 models with a 6.4-liter V8 engines. K&N Blackhawk Induction systems are blacked out with a unique synthetic air filter designed to increase performance and assert the SRT8’s dominance. The performance car market segment is full of sports coupes, small, and even mid-size cars from U.S., European, and Japanese automobile manufacturers. While a BMW 5-Series, or Chevy Corvette offer incredible performance, they might not suit everyone’s taste. There is something about driving a full-size V8 powered car that can’t be explained, it just needs to be felt. For those enthusiasts out there that prefer a big-body sedan like a Chrysler 300, K&N has your performance parts that offer a simple performance upgrade covered. K&N air intakes and K&N air filters for Chrysler 300M, 300, 300C, and 300 SRT8 models can be found on the Chrysler 300 Air Intakes and Chrysler 300 Air Filters pages. K&N performance products for other vehicles can be found using the K&N Product Search. |
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