The Best Cold-Air Intakes for 1997 - 2004 C5 Corvettes
These are the best cold air intakes for 1997 - 2004 C5 Corvettes. A cold-air intake is an easy-to-install mod that adds anywhere from 7 - 15 horsepower to your C5 'Vette.
About Our Cold-Air Intake 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 cold-air intake that gets our stamp of approval needs to add power/torque while maintaining factory-like reliability.
Build quality - A good cold-air intake for your C5 Corvette will not have sloppy welds, cheap connectors, or flimsy plastic.
Value for money - Cold-air intakes that give a lot without costing a lot are the type we love to recommend!
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Best Entry-Level C5 Cold-Air Intakes
Priced under $350.
'97 - '04 Vararam Air Intake System
Price: $350
Where to Buy: CorvetteCentral.com
Why?
The Vararam Air Intake System features dual ram tubes, intended to funnel the maximum amount of air possible into the C5’s intake. This system can be installed in approximately an hour without any modification. Most impressive of all, Vararam specifies that this particular intake system is capable of yielding performance gains of up to 40 horsepower when paired with a less restrictive exhaust.
Key Specs & Features
Advanced airflow technology in a direct bolt-on package
A true bolt-on system requiring no modification
Up to 40+ HP gains
1/4 mile gains between .35 and .4 seconds
Compression system
Fitment
Fits all 1997 - 2004 C5 Corvettes.
'01 - '04 Vortex Rammer
Price: $280
Where to Buy: CorvetteCentral.com
Why?
The Vortex Rammer scavenges cool intake air, routing it through a specialty molded scoop/housing assembly, complete with an internal velocity stack. Performance gains of up to 22 horsepower and 5 MPH have been reported with the installation of this kit under ideal circumstances.
Fits 2001 - 2004 Corvettes.
Key Specs & Features
Up to 22 HP gains
Internal velocity stack
Hardware included
Fitment
Fits 2001 - 2004 Corvettes.
Best Mid-Range C5 Cold-Air Intakes
Priced $350 - $500.
'97- '00 Callaway Honker Air Intake
Price: $499
Where to Buy: CorvetteCentral.com
Why?
The Callaway Honker Air Intake draws oxygen-dense air from outside of the C5’s engine bay, directing it through a high-flow inlet-duct. This technology is paired with a less-restrictive filter element, engineered to provide maximum air for combustion. Callaway boasts of gains up to 18 BHP, with the installation of their Honker Air Intake.
Key Specs & Features
26% more airflow
Washable Callaway proprietary low-restriction filter element
Works with all OEM engine management sensors
Unique design eliminates restrictive over-the-radiator "gooseneck”
Fitment
Fits 1997 - 2000 Corvettes.
'01 - '04 Airaid C5 Intake
Price: $430
Where to Buy: CorvettePartsAndAccessories.com
Why?
The Airaid C5 Intake is engineered to serve as an easy to install, direct-fit replacement for the fifth-generation Corvette’s stock air-inlet. This system is quite durable, resisting heat cracking and distortion. Best of all, the Airaid intake’s less restrictive design yields average horsepower gains of 12 horsepower, and 13 lb-ft of torque, as verified through independent dyno-testing.
Key Specs & Features
Replaces stock intake tubing and air filter
Easy to install using commonly available tools
High airflow washable and reusable air filter media
Increases up to 12 HP and 13ft/lbs of torque
Fitment
2001 - 2004 C5 Corvette LS1/LS6
Best High-End C5 Cold-Air Intakes
Priced over $500.
'01 - '05 K&N Performance Air Intake System
Price: $550
Where to Buy: KNFilters.com
Why?
K&N’s Performance Air Intake System utilizes a high-volume, rationally-molded intake tube, designed to significantly enhance incoming air delivery. This specialty duct-work is paired with the company’s infamous oiled High-Flow Air Filter, which is rated to operate for up to 100,000 miles without need for service. Dyno-testing in conjunction with this system has identified gains of up to 11.35 horsepower.
Key Specs & Features
Custom heat shield
Roto-molded HDPE intake tube paired with oversized oiled cotton air filter
Engineered to provide high airflow and exceptional filtration
Replaces factory air filter and intake tube
Filter only requires cleaning every 100,000 miles under normal highway driving conditions
Fitment
2001 - 2004 Corvettes
'01 - '05 Halltech C5 Venom II
Price: $599
Where to Buy: HalltechSystems.com
Why?
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Key Specs & Features
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Fitment
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