Okay, Buckle Up Buttercup, because this is hands-down the biggest air filter I’ve ever seen on a Bronco! I said what I said. I’ve installed a lot of intakes on different Broncos over the years, Cobb, Corsa, CVFab to name a few, but nothing—and I mean nothing—comes close to the size and design of the S&B Cold Air Intake for the 2.3L Bronco.
So why am I swapping intakes again? If you caught my recent review video, you know I had a check engine light pop up with the CVFab intake, something related to the EVAP sensor, and I couldn’t get it resolved. I don’t like driving around with a CEL, especially when I’m off-roading and relying on everything working properly. So, after trying intakes from Corsa, Cobb, and CV Fabrication, I decided to try out the S&B system that I’ve heard so much about.
And let me just say… I get the hype now.
First Impressions: This Thing Is Massive
When I pulled the S&B intake out of the box, I literally said, “Whoa.” The air filter and airbox are HUGE compared to other brands. This isn’t just for show, either. The S&B system is engineered to minimize airflow restriction and delivers a 33.63% improvement over stock airflow. That means better throttle response, more turbo sound, and overall improved performance.
You can choose between a cotton cleanable filter or a dry extendable filter, depending on your preference. Personally, I like having the cleanable option since I do a lot of dusty off-roading and need to inspect and clean my filter often.
Key Features That Sold Me
One thing I really appreciate about the S&B Cold Air Intake is the removable top lid, which makes it super easy to check or replace the filter without tearing the whole intake apart. That was one of my biggest complaints with CVFab intake, you couldn’t get in there without taking the entire thing off.
Another win? S&B actually sells replacement filters! That’s something I found frustrating with CVFab, no easy replacement options. Plus, the airbox has a removable side panel to allow even more airflow, which is just a smart design touch.
Fitment & Compatibility
This S&B air intake system isn’t just for the 2.3L Bronco—it’s available for 2.7L, and 3.0L Bronco and Bronco Raptor, and even Ranger Raptor engines. So if you’re building out your rig or looking to upgrade performance, you’ve got options. Just a heads up, Ford changed the intake setup in 2025 2.3L Broncos, so a different version is in the works for those models. If you’ve got a 2025, hang tight—it’s coming.
The Big Question: Did It Fix the Check Engine Light?
After installation (which was a breeze, by the way), I took the Bronco out for a test drive. And guess what? No check engine light. I drove it for over an hour right after install, and then waited a couple of weeks before posting this just to be sure it wouldn’t return. With the CVFab intake, I had that light come on within the first hour, so this feels like a major win.
And can we talk about the sound? That turbo whistle is addicting. I don’t have a blow-off valve or spacer installed. What you’re hearing is just the intake sucking in a ton of air, and it sounds incredible! I’m seriously considering putting this same setup on Buttercup 2.0 next.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a cold air intake for your Bronco that delivers on performance, ease of maintenance, sound, and reliability, S&B is the one to beat. It’s affordable, well-designed, and best of all, it solved the CEL issue that other intakes didn’t. If you want to pick one up for yourself, you can grab it here.
Until next time…
Buckle Up Buttercup!
