The Best Cold-Air Intakes for 2005 - 2013 C6 Corvettes
These are the top cold-air intakes for 2005 - 2013 Corvettes. The installation of a cold-air intake is among the most practical of ways to increase the Corvette’s performance, without big modifications. The installation of a CAI system generally provides gains of 5 - 15 horsepower.
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 C6 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 C6 Cold-Air Intakes
Priced under $350.
'06 - '13 SLP Blackwing Cold Air System
Price: $336
Where to Buy: CorvetteCentral.com
Why?
Blackwing’s Cold Air Intake System is engineered to maximize the flow of oxygen-dense air into the C6’s intake. This assembly utilizes the company’s new air bridge technology, as well as an integrated MAF housing.
Extensive testing has proven the SLP Blackwing Cold Air System capable of delivering performance gains of up to 10 horsepower, and 11 lb-ft of torque.
Key Specs & Features
New air bridge design with integrated MAF housing
Wire-reinforced, washable blue high-flow filter media
Exclusive built-in air-flow restriction indicator
Fitment
2008 - 2013 LS3 Corvettes and 2006-2013 LS7 Z06 Corvettes.
'06 - '13 Airaid Cold Air Intake System
Price: $349
Where to Buy: Jegs
Why?
The Airaid Cold Air Intake system features a less-restrictive, reusable air filter element, as well as a low-restriction intake tube, both of which are designed to enhance the flow of oxygen-dense air through C6’s intake.
This system can be easily installed with the use of basic hand tools, and yields average performance gains of up to 20 percent according to the manufacturer.
Key Specs & Features
Replaces stock air box, air filter and intake tubing
Cold Air Dam panels block out hot engine bay air
Easy to install using commonly available tools
Easy to clean oil-free synthetic air filter
Fitment
2006 - 2013 Z06 7.0L Corvettes
Best Mid-Range C6 Cold-Air Intakes
Priced $350 - $550.
'05- '17 Vararam Snake Charmer Ram Air Induction System
Price: $408
Where to Buy: CorvetteCentral.com
Why?
Vararam claims to have engineered the Snake Charmer based upon data collected during race-related research. This is a fact that is clearly evident, when one considers Vararam’s reported performance gain of up to 40-plus horsepower, when testing the Snake Charmer.
Due to the unit’s free-flowing design, users can also expect to gain 1-2 MPG in fuel efficiency.
Key Specs & Features
Increase of up to 40+HP
1-2+MPG increase
Quick release T-handle latches
Washable and reusable VR Street Filter
Air box that's over 100% efficient
Fitment
2005 - 2007 Corvettes
'06 - '13 Magnum FORCE Stage-2 Cold Air Intake System
Price: $505
Where to Buy: AfePower.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
5 inch, 5 layer air filter
Vacuum-Formed ABS Plastic Intake Cover
Computer-Designed Roto-Molded Intake Tube
Outflows Factory Intake by 50%
Fitment
08-13 V8-6.2L (LS3)
Z06 06-13 V8-7.0L (LS7)
Best High-End C6 Cold-Air Intakes
Priced over $550.
'08 - '13 K&N Performance Air Intake System
Price: $550
Where to Buy: KNFilters.com
Why?
The K&N Performance Air Intake System delivers an abundance of oxygen-dense intake air, in the least restrictive way possible. This is accomplished through the use of an oversized air filter element, and a custom-molded intake housing.
In-house testing performed by K&N has recorded performance gains of up to 17.72 horsepower, with the installation of this kit.
Key Specs & Features
Horsepower gain up to 17.72
Designed to improve throttle response and engine sound
Free-flowing carbon fiber intake tube
K&N Million Mile Limited Warranty
Fitment
2008 - 2013 6.2L V8
'08 - '13 C6 Halltech Killer Bee MF103
Price: $599
Where to Buy: HalltechSystems.com
Why?
The Halltech Killer Bee MF103 offers plenty of airflow, measuring a total of 102.5 mm at its junction with the MAF sensor. This yields increased performance, on a scale not tapped by many aftermarket cold-air intakes.
Even without additional tuning, consumers can expect to gain approximately 15 horsepower with the installation of the Killer Bee. This assembly is also designed with the highest degree of structural integrity, featuring roto-molded cross link polyethylene plastic.
Key Specs & Features
Roto-molded cross link polyethylene plastic
Specifically designed and engineered to be a straight bolt on application
Increased gain up to 15 horsepower
Fitment
C6 Corvette, Corvette Grand Sport and Z06 (2008-2013)
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