1994-1998 Dodge 5.9L Cummins Intake Horns

The intake air horn on the 1994-1998 Ram 5.9L Cummins

Charge air leaves the intercooler, comes back through the charge pipe and rubber boots, and enters the cast intake air horn on the 12-valve 5.9L Cummins. The horn feeds the grid heater plate, and below that is the intake manifold, which on this engine is cast into the cylinder head. Because the grid heater is sandwiched between the horn and the manifold, any horn job opens the grid heater joint too. Plan the gaskets before you start.

Where the stock horn falls short

The factory horn's limit is flow, and it only matters on a modified engine. Once airflow goes up, the single-inlet horn and the grid-heater plate become the limiting pieces. The signs are boost drop across the horn and higher intake temperatures on trucks with more fuel. On a stock 12-valve, neither shows up as a problem worth chasing.

If your stock truck is down on power or smoking, start with the charge-air boots instead. Slipped or split boots are the number-one intake-side problem on these trucks, and they often get blamed on fuel.

Stock replacement vs. upgrade

On a stock truck, keep the factory horn and focus on sealing. The Mahle G32749 gasket reseals the heater grid joint, and if the job goes past the horn into the manifold, the Mahle MS12435 intake manifold gasket set covers that side. On a truck built for more air, Banks' Twin-Ram design replaces the factory horn with a dual-inlet manifold that roughly doubles inlet area and balances distribution. That is an airflow part only. It does not change fueling.

What we carry

The Banks Power 42710 intake manifold system, listed for 1994-1998 Cummins engines; check the product page for exactly what the system includes. For sealing, the Mahle G32749 intake heater grid gasket, listed for 1989-2007 5.9L Cummins, and the Mahle MS12435 intake manifold gasket set, listed for 1989-2002 5.9L Cummins. Browse all intakes for filter-side parts.

Fitment notes

This is the part of the intake where 12-valve and 24-valve parts split. The horns, grid-heater plates and manifolds differ between the two engines, and Dodge changed engines partway through the 1998 model year. Identify a 1998 by the pump: the 12-valve has the P7100 inline pump with a mechanical shutoff solenoid on top, and the 24-valve has the VP44 rotary pump with a wiring harness. The Banks system is listed for 1994-1998, so on a 1998 it only applies if the truck has the 12-valve. The Mahle gasket listings run wider. Cab, bed and 2WD or 4x4 do not appear in these listings. Verify by VIN when in doubt.

Frequently asked questions

Does a stock 12-valve need an aftermarket intake horn?

Usually not. The factory horn and grid-heater plate only become the limit once airflow goes up on a modified engine. On a stock truck, put your effort into sealed boots and a clean filter.

What does a dual-inlet intake manifold change?

Banks' Twin-Ram design swaps the single-inlet factory horn for a dual-inlet manifold. It roughly doubles inlet area and balances air distribution, which addresses boost drop across the horn and higher intake temperatures on modified trucks. It changes airflow only, not fueling.

Can I put a 24-valve air horn on my 1998?

Only if your 1998 has the 24-valve engine. 12-valve and 24-valve horns, grid-heater plates and manifolds differ. Check the injection pump: a P7100 with a mechanical shutoff solenoid on top means 12-valve, and a VP44 with a wiring harness means 24-valve.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell at our shop in Wildwood, FL.