Air Intake

An air intake adapter piping kit is essential when engine swaps require new routing between the turbo, intake, and existing chassis components. Kustom Truck Parts designs each air intake conversion kit to provide secure connections, proper airflow, and reliable sealing in custom installations. These kits help eliminate clearance issues and mismatched connections common during conversions.

Built from durable materials and engineered for specific applications, they support efficient engine performance while simplifying installation. Whether adapting a modern engine into an older truck or fine-tuning a custom setup, these intake solutions help complete the system correctly.

Why Proper Air Intake Adapter Piping Matters in Engine Conversions

The #1 reason an air intake needs attention during an engine swap is simple: turbo inlet diameters rarely match.

A CAT C15 6NZ uses a 6" turbo inlet. A current Cummins X15 drops to 4". Detroit Series 60 and first-generation Cummins ISX CM570 engines sit at 5", while an N14 is 5.5". Unless you’re dropping in the same engine, the original air intake piping will not connect cleanly to the new turbo.

Engine height in the frame and turbo mounting position (low, mid, or high mount) add another layer of variation. Even small differences throw off alignment.

That’s why we supply an air intake adapter piping kit instead of a complete replacement system. In most cases, a portion of the original intake (the crossover tube or Y-pipe) can still be reused. Our kit bridges the gap between that reusable section and the new turbo inlet using straight aluminum tube, molded rubber elbows in the correct diameters and angles, and stainless steel constant-torque clamps.

The aluminum tube is intentionally supplied longer than needed so it can be cut for a precise fit on the truck. All the bends happen in the elbows - the tube itself stays straight.

Why use a purpose-built air intake adapter piping kit instead of trying to make the old system work:

  • Matches the actual turbo inlet diameter of the new engine (4", 5", 5.5", or 6")
  • Reuses the existing crossover tube or Y-pipe where possible, saving time and cost
  • Supplies straight aluminum tube long enough to cut for exact length on the truck
  • Uses molded rubber elbows to handle all angle and diameter changes cleanly
  • Includes new stainless steel constant-torque clamps designed for vibration and heat
  • Delivers a clean, professional install in minutes instead of a cut-and-weld hack job
  • Ensures proper airflow and long-term reliability without cobbled one-off parts

Shops that force the original piping usually end up with a messy, time-consuming result that never looks or performs as well as a kit engineered for the job. We’ve already solved the diameter and fitment problems

Complete air intake adapter piping kit components including rubber boots, aluminum intake tubes, 90-degree elbows, and stainless hose clamps

How to Identify the Right Air Intake Adapter Piping Kit for Your Build

Picking the correct air intake adapter piping kit comes down to a few key details. Getting any one of them wrong usually means a kit that won’t seal correctly at the turbo or air cleaner connection.

  • Chassis and cab. Kenworth T660, T800, and Peterbilt routing differ enough that a kit built for one chassis won’t clock correctly on the other.
  • Air cleaner mount type. Engine-mounted air cleaners and externally mounted (chassis-mounted) air cleaners route completely different paths from the turbo, so confirm which style you’re running before ordering.
  • Turbo configuration. Single turbo and twin turbo Cat C15 setups use different elbow geometry, and a kit built for one won’t clear the other.
  • Engine make and model. Different engines use different turbo inlet diameters and geometry. A CAT C15 6NZ (6"), Detroit Series 60 or early Cummins ISX CM570 (5"), N14 (5.5"), and current Cummins X15 (4") all require different adapters. Confirm the exact engine model being installed.

Key Fact: Engine-mounted air cleaner setups need more than just the air intake adapter piping kit. In addition to the piping, elbows, and clamps, you will also need the engine-specific brackets that attach the air cleaner directly to the motor.

If you’re not sure which combination applies to your build, call our team at 888-564-8890 with the truck's make and model, plus the engine's make and model. We’ll confirm the correct air intake adapter piping kit and any required brackets before you order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an air intake adapter piping kit include all the elbows and clamps?

Yes. Every kit ships complete with the elbows, tubes and, clamps needed for the install. Nothing is sourced separately.

What if my truck has an engine-mounted air cleaner instead of external breathers?

We stock separate kits for engine-mounted and externally mounted air cleaner setups, so confirm your chassis and engine before ordering.

What else should I check before ordering an air intake conversion kit?

Our air intake adapter kits are designed for the OEM turbo configuration, confirm your engine does not have an aftermarket turbo. Intake, CAC, radiator tubing, and wiring all need to align for a clean install.

Find the Right Kit With Kustom Truck Parts

Not sure which kit matches your engine and chassis? Use our Year Make Model tool or call our team at 888-564-8890. We'll help you land on the right air intake adapter piping kit the first time.

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