C6 Corvette Engine Air Intake Swap: Can a Z06 Intake Work on an LS3?

Corvette Z06 air intake is nearly identical to the unit on the base C6, except for the bulky Helmholtz Chamber.

The engine air intake assembly on a C6 Chevrolet Corvette “base” car with the LS3 engine has an attachment that hangs off of one side called the Helmholtz Chamber. This piece is intended to help manage air flow and sound, but owners have found that the chamber gets in the way of installing a catch can while also muffling the intake noise. On the other hand, the similar engine air intake assembly for the C6 Z06 looks almost identical, but it does not have the Helmholtz Chamber, leading Corvette Forum member “raydulce” to wonder about swapping the LS7 part onto his LS3.

C6 Corvette Intake Swap

When the OP first posted his question to the community, he provided the following information on his planned Corvette project.

I own a 2008 C6 LS3 and would like to upgrade to an air intake WITHOUT the “Helmholtz Chamber” to muffle the sound. I read that a Z06 intake will work. Is there a certain model # or set of years of the proper intake? I found a few “25380606” intakes for a 2006-2009 Z06 LS7 for sale online, but want to make sure this fits before buying.

The first person to reply was “luka2sb”, who used his access to the General Motors parts computer system to look up some part numbers relating to this discussion.

Your post made me look up the part number, and apparently in my 2011 GS, someone swapped over an airbox without the resonator? all the diagrams show that my car should have the resonator? …. that is odd since the car is bone stock… hmm odd…

Anyway, the part number you want is 15839508 (LS7 air filter housing from 2006 to 2013). OVER $400 BUCKS NEW… LOL !!!

before buying an OEM one, i’ve seen some people offer them for free or nearly free here on the forum. try making a “WTB” post?

I don’t get why you want to remove the helmholtz resonator, but to each their own. My car doesn’t have it and i can’t hear any intake noise, good or bad.

EDIT: dont know what 25380606 is, it doesn’t show up as a GM part number. 25801658 is the LS3 intake with the resonator.

To which the OP replied with the following.

Thank you very much for checking. I’ll stop by the dealer tomorrow and see if they can tell me any more about the differences between the two part numbers. I have found several 25380606 for sale for very cheap, but you’re right — the 15839508 is pretty expensive!

Thanks again luka2sb

The Z06 Part Fits

The first member to actually answer the OP’s question regarding whether or not the Z06 part would fit on the Corvette LS3 was “Farmington”, who had already performed the swap.

I put a Z06 air intake on mine a couple of months ago. simple swap and it really cleans up the engine compartment I think I paid about $75 for mine. they pop up in the classifieds occasionally.

“Iceaxe” wonder if an owner could just cut the chamber off of the LS3 intake and plug the hole, which “HOXXOH” pointed out can be done.

“Cherokee Nation” has done just that to make room in the engine bay.

I cut my off years ago because i added a catch can and went to Ace hardware and got a pvc cap and covered the hole.

The Follow-Up

A few weeks after this thread started, the OP posted an update with the progress of adding the Z06 engine air intake to his Corvette with an LS3. He also included the pictures here of the intakes.

I wanted to follow up on what I learned through this process. I have a 2008 Corvette Base 3LT with the LS3. I was looking for a cold air intake, or better yet a factory intake without the chambers/mufflers. Whether or not they change the flow of air, I was hoping to buy something that would give me more glorious engine noise!

I found an ebay part listed as “2006-2009 Z06 Intake P/N: 25380606”. It turns out this # is stamped in the plastic. A google search comes up mostly empty. There was a sticker on it though listing part # 15839487. I believe there are alternate part numbers, but this is the entire intake housing assembly for a 2006-2013 with the LS7.

I bought it off ebay for only $43 shipped!!! When it arrived, I noticed it took the same A3077C filter as my LS3 intake. It also fit perfectly! DEAL! I bought a new filter, and am going to run it for a few weeks. Worst case I can go back to the “old” intake and keep using the brand new filter.

Here they are side by side.

Thank you everyone for the help and advice.

Finally, someone asked if there was any noticeable difference and the OP replied with the following input on the sound change.

It’s hard to quantify over the internet. I can tell the difference, and i’m happy with it. With light throttle there is no difference. Under moderate/heavy throttle the additional growl is noticeable but not “loud” or “extreme”. For the price, I’m happy.

Click here to head into the forum with questions or input on this engine air intake swap.

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