The Best Air Filters for 1953 - 1962 C1 Corvettes
These are the top air filters and air cleaners for 1953-1962 Corvettes. As the air for the C1 generation comes through a downdraft carburetor or fuel injection, the extra air that makes it to the intake manifold means unlocking an additional 5-15 horsepower, depending on which V8 you have.
About Our Air Filter Recommendations
Founded in 2014, the CorvSport team has been 'Vette obsessed for as long as we can remember. While we've spent nearly a decade writing about all things Corvette, we've been driving them for much longer than that!
When creating our Corvette mod lists, we focused on three areas:
Performance: Any air filter that gets our stamp of approval needs to add power/torque while maintaining factory-like reliability.
Build quality: A good air filter or cleaner for your C1 Corvette will allow for the most air to travel through them without also allowing particulate matter and other things through.
Value for money: High performance air filters that give a lot without costing a lot are the type we love to recommend!
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Best Entry-Level C1 High Performance Air Filters
Priced under $100.
K&N Performance E-1935 Air Filter
Price: $70
Where to Buy: knfilters.com
Why?
In the C1 Corvette, one of Chevrolet’s first fuel-injected performance engines arrived with the 4.6L 283 Fuelie V8. Using a full airbox instead of an air cleaner, these engines were powerful for the time, but very rare. Finding an air filter for a 283 Fuelie is nigh on impossible, unless you check K&N Filters.
As one of the largest filter manufacturers in the world, they make filters for literally every engine, including the E-1935 filter meant for the 283’s airbox. Made of the same multi-layer cotton gauze as all of their other high-performance filters, this replacement filter guarantees at least 20% more airflow over stock or paper filters, which subsequently means more power.
Key Specs & Features
Power gain of between 5 to 15 HP, depending on intake
Washable, reusable (“the last filter you will buy”)
Drop-in OEM matching size for perfect fit
K&N million mile limited warranty
Fitment
1959-1962 C1 Corvette w/ 283 Fuel Injected V8
Best Mid-Range C1 High Performance Air Filters
Priced $100-$250
Corvette America 1956-1957 1x4 Air Cleaner
Price: $140
Where to Buy: Zip-Corvette.com
Why?
1956 and 1957 were odd years for the C1 Corvette, as it moved from the 265 V8 to the 283 V8. While the 2x4 carb engines were the most popular, for those that acquired a “Base spec” C1, it came with only a 1x4 downdraft carburetor.
Not to leave out the cars still out there with the single carb, Corvette America has produced a 6 ½” replica air cleaner that is a direct bolt-on replacement for the stock air cleaner, but uses modern paper filter technology to flow more air while keeping all the particulates from clogging up your carburetor. This increased air flow will boost power slightly—in the range of 2-4 HP.
Key Specs & Features
Guaranteed OEM fit replacement for fast changeout of the cleaner
Uses a paper-based, high-flow filter material
Fully chromed steel, just like the original
Fitment
1956-1957 C1 Corvette w/ 265 or 283 Single Quad carburetor
Corvette America 1960-1962 1x4 Air Cleaner
Price: $250
Where to Buy: Mid America Motorworks
Why?
After serial #900 in 1960, the C1 Corvette with a 283 V8 switched from having a solid air cleaner to having one that had a replaceable foam filter. As well, these air cleaners were able to be separated from a base plate, meaning that the filter element within could be removed and replaced. Corvette America has produced an exact replica of the OEM unit for your 1960 to 1962 C1 Corvette, complete with lid, baseplate, and a paper element that flows nearly twice as much air as the OEM foam filter did.
This means more cool and fresh air is entering the quad downdraft intakes, boosting power. Expected boosts range from 5 to 10 HP. As well, as it is OEM sized, other filters from other brands should work if you cannot source a Corvette America branded one.
Key Specs & Features
Guaranteed OEM fit replacement for fast changeout of the cleaner
Removable paper-based filter element that is high flow, allowing more air than OEM foam to pass
Fully chromed steel, just like the original
Fitment
1960-1962 C1 Corvette w/ 283 Single Quad carburetor (for 1960, serial #901 and after)
Best High-End C1 High Performance Air Filters
Priced $100-$250
Corvette America 1956-1957 2x4 Air Cleaners
Price: $300
Where to Buy: Zip-Corvette.com
Why?
If you have a 2x4 265 or 283 in your C1 Corvette, odds are that the air cleaner might have tens of thousands of miles on them. They were designed to be long lasting with dense foam for filtration, but once a cleaner gets clogged up with particulates, it can decrease the performance of your engine significantly.
That is why Corvette America has created replacement air cleaners that are identical in fitment and size to the OEM cleaners, but have a more modern, paper-based filter built in that allows for air to travel more easily into the 2x4 carburetors.
Key Specs & Features
Guaranteed OEM fit replacement for fast changeout of the cleaner
Uses a paper-based, high-flow filter material
Fully chromed steel, just like the original
Fitment
1956-1957 C1 Corvette w/ 265 or 283 Dual Quad carburetors
Corvette America 1958-1960 2x4 Air Cleaner
Price: $290
Where to Buy: Zip-Corvette.com
Why?
In the later years of the C1 Corvette, instead of using two air cleaners, one big air cleaner was used to feed the two downdraft quad carburetors. Corvette America has, as with most of their products, produced an exact replica of the OEM unit, but using their higher-flow paper-based filter technology, the cleaner will flow more air while keeping particulates out. This will boost the power of the engine mildly, up to 5 HP.
Key Specs & Features
Guaranteed OEM fit replacement for fast changeout of the cleaner
Uses a paper-based, high-flow filter material that allows more air through
Fully chromed steel, just like the original
Fully sealed unit, with louvers for intake and two exit holes that mate to the 2x4 carbs
Fitment
1958-1960 C1 Corvette w/ 283 Dual Quad carburetors (for 1960, only cars previous to serial #900)
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