If you own one or more C5 Corvettes, we can tell you that you already have classy taste in sports cars. However, no matter how good these vehicles can be, it is natural to want to boost their performance. And what else can be better than adding cold air intakes to make that happen?
We bet you already know that since you are here looking for the best cold air intake C5 Corvette needs. Well, good for you because recently our team has discussed this matter. We have been testing some of the well-known as well as lesser-known aftermarket cold air intake kits for some years. So we thought it was time to pick the best of them and make it easier for users to pick.
You can check out the comparison table we added if you are short on time. But we would urge you to check the full article to get better ideas and choose air intake like a pro.
Why Do You Need Cold Air Intake
A cold air intake is like a lung under the vehicle hood, making the environment inside more breathable. That means it will keep the car engine area less hot and that immensely helps with increasing fuel economy and horsepower. It also makes your vehicles more responsive and offers better acceleration.
And as getting more air increases the fuel ratio, your vehicle receives a better mileage than before. Moreover, aftermarket cold air intake filters are more durable and it is an excellent addition to your vehicle at an affordable price (if you know how to find one).
Our Recommended Top 3 Products Comparison
2. Vehicle Year: 1997-2000
3. Horsepower: 18 Hp
4. Torque Level: 18 lbs./ft.
5. Filter Type: Washable and reusable
2. Vehicle Year: 2001-2004
3. Horsepower: 5-10 Hp
4. Torque Level: 5-10 lbs./ft.
5. Filter Type: Washable and reusable
2. Vehicle Year: 1997-2000
3. Horsepower: Up to 18 Hp
4. Torque Level: 10 lbs./ft.
5. Filter Type: Washable and reusable
Top 5 Best Cold Air Intake for C5 Corvette Review
1. K&N 57-3020 Cold Air Intake Kit – Editor’s Choice
It is impossible to talk about CAI without mentioning K&N as it is one of the top-notch and well-known brands. From material to performance, this is rated as the top-rated Corvette cold air intake on today’s list.
In this kit, the intake tube is rotationally molded from HDPE or high-density polyethylene. It helps increase the airflow by at least 50%. Besides, the heat shield helps protect the engine during high heat. The air filter has 4 layers of breathable cotton to ensure better filtration to maximize airflow.
So when testing it, we found out that this K&N air intake kit indeed offers an 18 lbs./ft. torque level and increases the same amount of horsepower. At first, we found that the engine roared a little louder. But as we rode on, the noise eventually decreased. One Amazon user said, “It produced a nice engine sound on acceleration”. And we can vouch for that.
But installing the cold-air intake system was quite a hassle. Other than the instruction being a bit unclear, the problem comes when you realize it needs slight modification. We had to cut off the front radiator cover to install the kits. Besides, its high price is a big drawback for many potential users.
Product Score
- Material (9.7/10)
- Performance (10/10)
- Installation Ease (9/10)
- Value For Money (9.2/10)
Why We Chose This Product
Despite its high price, we chose this kit because it is one of the most recommended ones by users and experts. It also happens to be one of the best-performing air intake systems that we tested. We loved how it made us not give up on using it and not many cold air intake can make you feel that.
2. AIRAID AIR-250-292 Cold Air Intake System – Runner-Up
This cold air intake system is manufactured by AIRAID, which now operates under the K&N brand. While the K&N air intake kit is compatible with C5 Corvette 1997-2000, this one is compatible with 2001-2004 models.
However, just like our top pick, this AIRAID kit offers a somewhat similar appearance and performance. The system comes as a vehicle-specific model rather than a universal one, meaning you have to choose one that is compatible with your vehicle to get better fitment and performance.
The aluminum intake tube is aerodynamically engineered, which is why it offers excellent airflow compared to most cold air intake systems out there. As we kept on using this cold air intake system, we realized that it does not offer a very high torque level or horsepower like the previous model. But it does increase horsepower by 10% and up to 10 lbs./ft. torque level, which is still pretty great.
The air filter here, on the other hand, has proven to be much better. It is oil-filtered and has a 5-layer media that keeps the air cool and clean, which also helps burn fuel more efficiently. Another good thing about the air filter is that it is washable and reusable. And if necessary, you can replace it very easily.
Product Score
- Material (9.5/10)
- Performance (9.7/10)
- Installation Ease (9/10)
- Value For Money (9.5/10)
Why We Chose This Product
Unlike the previous pick, this one does not take a lot of time to install. As one of the users said, “simple install, with no cutting”, which is really true. Besides, it is a less costly option and reliable to use for a long time. And let’s not ignore how stylish it looks under the vehicle hood.
3. SLP Performance 21110E Blackwing Cold-Air Induction Kit
Having a full set kit is good if you want a whole new set of cold air intake. However, you might not need an entire set all the time. That is why we thought it would be best if you checked out a replacement cold air intake filter part.
This air intake filter is made with synthetic filter media. The fibers used in the filter are not very big, which is useful when it comes to trapping dirt and other particles. We thought the small fibers would not restrict the airflow but were impressed to see that the airflow was just fine. It helped keep the air filtered more than usual and improved gas mileage.
Another interesting thing about this filter media is its flow indicator. As the filter keeps on trapping unwanted things and gets dirty over time, the flow indicator changes color. So when you notice it has changed color, you know that it is time to clean the filter media. Just wash it and put it back in its place after drying and it will be good as new.
And as for installation, you won’t have to do any modifications when installing it. It has a bolt-on installation system. So with all the necessary hardware that it comes with, the installation process is pretty straightforward. One user said the filter media was “Easy to install and gives a noticeable performance upgrade.” And our experience was just the same.
The only thing we did not like is its material. Since the price is not exactly cheap, we expected better-quality material. So the longevity of this air intake induction is also questionable.
Product Score
- Material (8.5/10)
- Performance (9.5/10)
- Installation Ease (9.5/10)
- Value For Money (9/10)
Why We Chose This Product
One of the main reasons we chose this product was that we wanted to test a cold air intake filter media rather than a whole set. As SLP is also a well-known brand, we wanted something more reliable at a comparatively lower price.
4. Rtunes Racing Short Ram Air Intake Kit – Best Price
A cold air intake kit rarely comes at a low price. But the good thing is, we have managed to get our hands on, which we believe is, one of the low-price CAI kits you will find in the market. On top of that, it looks just as top-notch as many expensive air intake kits.
As the cold air intake kit was made for C5 Corvette 1997-2000 models and comes at a low price, we thought the filter media would not be that great. Turns out we were wrong. The filter was made with good-quality cotton gauze, which helps filter the air by trapping dirt, dust, and other particles. It does not have oil in the filter to trap those things, which also means cleaning the filter media is easy and you can reuse it.
The cone air filter design turned out to be quite effective in maximizing airflow. So it wasn’t surprising when it roared as we hit the vehicle acceleration. But the noise will die down as you ride on. Even one of the users claimed that it has “no aggressive sound”, which is exactly what we usually expect from high-grade cold air intake systems.
Despite all that, we realized that the aluminum used for the pipes is not exactly the best. But they are good enough to stick around for a long time. And this kit will not boost horsepower or torque level like the other brands we mentioned today. But as we say, it is certainly the best cold air intake kit at such a good price.
Product Score:
- Material (8.5/10)
- Performance (8.5/10)
- Installation Ease (9/10)
- Value For Money (9/10)
Why We Chose This Product
Of course, the price was the main factor behind choosing this air intake system. Despite not expecting much because of its cheap price, we really liked the outcome. And since the package comes with clamps, the installation was quite smooth and quick.
5. BBK 1726 Cold Air Intake System
The BBK 1726 cold air intake system is quite versatile and almost as good as many CAI systems. Its air intake tube is made of aluminum, which is good enough to make the intake system durable. Moreover, it has a titanium silver powder-coated finish. And the perk of this kind of finish is that it offers excellent protection against rust and corrosion.
And it has oiled cotton gauze filter media and we noticed that the filter media traps dirt and particles more effectively. So it was not a surprise that this air intake system ended up increasing airflow by over 70%. As a result, we barely experienced any engine heating issues. Even a user said, “Felt a big difference over stock air cleaner.” We received better throttle response and better acceleration. The noise was also at a tolerable level.
The power-increasing rate was much better than the Rtunes Racing Short Ram Air Intake Kit. We also liked how easy it was to install the system. Since it comes with a bolt-on system, we didn’t have to go through any modification or cutting hassle. The air intake system already came with vehicle fit size. So all we had to do was to set it up following the instruction and it took somewhere around half an hour.
The only thing that made us almost put it back was the price. Since we have already introduced you to some of the best cold air intakes for C5 Corvette, we thought it is best if we kept this one as an alternative in case you want to choose something else. So don’t rush into it without checking out the previous ones.
Product Score:
- Material (9/10)
- Performance (9/10)
- Installation Ease (9.5/10)
- Value For Money (9/10)
Why We Chose This Product
Although we reviewed it for the last in our today’s article, this BBK 1726 is actually often recommended by professionals. Besides, we also found many good reviews regarding it on various online forums. And after testing this cold air intake system, we did find its performance good enough. But the price is definitely a drawback for users.
High Performance vs BBK Cold Air Intake – Which one to Choose?
| Features | High-Performance Air Intake | BBK 1726 Cold Air Intake |
| Rating: | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 |
| Vehicle Year: | 1997-2000 | 1997-2004 |
| Horsepower: | Up to 8% | Up to 10% |
| Torque Level: | 6-8 lbs./ft. | Up to 10 lbs./ft. |
| Filter Type: | Washable and reusable | Washable and reusable |
| Price: | Check Price | Check Price |
How We Picked Our Products?
After picking many cold air intakes, we focused on some particular features that are necessary to make a CAI system the best for a C5 Corvette model. And here they are-
Vehicle Model
We looked for models that are compatible with the vehicles we installed them in. If you are not sure whether the cold air intake you want is compatible with your vehicle, you can always look into the product details or as the retailer.
Material
Since the cold air intake’s job is to provide airflow by removing excessive heat, it is necessary to choose a highly heat-resistant material for the air intake. The good thing is pretty much all the cold air intakes we reviewed today are known for having reliable heat-resistant material.
Intake Tube Flow
Pay attention to the air intake tube. If the tube is straight, it will offer you a better airflow and help keep the engine cooler compared to the tubes that are not straight.
Protection
If you choose a cold air intake with high-grade material, it automatically offers excellent protection against high heat. However, it is also important that we pick something that will not get damaged by water or corrode easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much horsepower does a cold air intake add to a C5 Corvette?
Installing a cold-air intake can optimize horsepower between 10 to 15 times more than usual. But that depends entirely on the cold-air intake system’s quality and your vehicle’s compatibility.
Does cold air intake use more fuel?
No. Cold air intake will not use up more fuel. On the contrary, it can help increase your vehicle’s fuel economy by keeping the engine cool and helping to ride your vehicle smoothly.
How long does a cold air intake last?
Well, the longevity of the CAI depends on a few factors, such as your vehicle’s type, CAI quality, how often you ride, weather and road conditions, etc. Nevertheless, in most cases, a CAI system can last 3 to 5 years. But to make them last longer, you should clean and maintain them every 25,000-50,000 miles.
How much does a cold air intake for a C5 Corvette cost?
The CAI systems are not very expensive and affordable. However, depending on the brand and number of accessories they come with, some of them can cost over $400.
How to Install CAI System on Corvette
Final Verdict
Wow, we have finished already! Honestly, finding the best cold air intake C5 Corvette was pretty challenging and it happened to be one of our most time-consuming and researched articles. But we are happy to provide you with the most reliable information so that you can easily choose the right cold air intake system for your vehicle.
Both the K&N 57-3020 CAI Kit and AIRAID AIR-250-292 CAI System are great in this regard. However, if you want something good and most cost-effective, you can choose the Rtunes Racing Short Ram Air Intake Kit.
Best of luck!
References
- https://www.civicforums.com/forums/182-7th-generation-civic-2001-2005/347454-diy-cold-air-intake-installation-01-05-civics.html
- https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/what-cold-air-intake-best-2459673/
- https://carbuzz.com/car-advice/the-cold-air-intake-useful-guidance-and-advice
- https://resource-center.meineke.com/what-does-a-cold-air-intake-do-your-complete-guide/
- corvsport.com/corvette-mods/cold-air-intakes/c7/
