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Need Cold Air Intake Suggestions (for 5.3 Vortec in K5 Blazer)

PWagon

PWagon

1/2 ton status
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As it stands, I only have a breather/filter directly attached to the intake manifold of my 5.3 engine in my K5. All the hot air from the radiator goes straight into the breather. So, I'm looking for suggestions on what you guys have used in a similar setup. Keep in mind that my battery is in its stock location. I know the factory air intake for a 5.3 is to route it over to the area my battery currently sits. I don't want to move my battery, so this is where I need suggestions. :popcorn:

IMG_1396.JPG
 
Go to your nearest auto parts store or Summit Racing and do something custom. I think that would be the easiest and cheapest option.
 
Yea, I've seen the kits on Summit (or Jegs). Anyhow, I was hoping to see some pictures of what you guys have done. Just looking to get some different ideas. I have a bad record of installing one way and later wishing I had gone a different route. :doah:
 
Can you get to either of the punch out holes on the core support? There's one on each side. Maybe you can get to the driver's side one.
 
What's the diameter of the throttle body hose?

I tried to find their vendor for these things, had no luck: http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Parts_AirClean_Ducting.html

I'm running a 90* on mine, over to the drivers side, then a late 80's or early 90's firebird air cleaner assembly, which happens to fit over the stock air inlet from the truck, just fitted in the knockout on the drivers side.

I'm not LS, it's TPI, but about the same issue it looks like.
 
Spectra makes a lsx swap intake for ours. I'll update with a link when I get home.
 
Don't waste your money on a "cold air intake".
It's not worth the trouble (IMO). These things came from the factory with a tube running from the exhaust heat shield directly into the breather.

Just put a K&N (or similar) air filter in it and be done with that. All the added piping is just that much more it has to pull air through.
 
AR_K5 said:
Don't waste your money on a "cold air intake".
It's not worth the trouble (IMO). These things came from the factory with a tube running from the exhaust heat shield directly into the breather.

Just put a K&N (or similar) air filter in it and be done with that. All the added piping is just that much more it has to pull air through.
Click to expand...

ammmm did you read its a 5.3 ls engine 99-up swaped in to older k5 blazer . :whistle:
 
Nope I didn't catch that, my bad.
But I do have experience with "cold air intakes" and as far as I am concerned they are just placebo horse power, without reprogramming the ECU.

If you just have to try it, get some dryer vent hose and some duct tape (or zip ties).
Ta Da $5 cold air intake.
 
Physics says any engine benefits from cold air vs warm or hot air.

If my 6.2L diesel did a 5.3L definitely will.
 
That's because cold air is more dense than warm air, meaning it can burn slightly more fuel assuming you are getting all you can get into the intake. But if you add a bunch of plumbing that restricts air flow, are you gaining anything?

That's why I recommend a K&N for maximum flow, but it's yours you can do anything you want.

Put a snorkel on it, that'll get your air intake away from the radiator. After all it's just a tall cold air intake right? But does it add HP?
 
and if I remember, those little tubes coming off of the exhaust up to the carb intake also had a valve that closed once the engine was warmed up...


Not sure about others, but I have messed around a bit with the air cleaner setup on my Burb. One thing I DID notice was with an open air element, it sounded more throaty, but at the same time, the throttle response was much worse.

I promptly reattached the factory cold air setup to it and it ran much better.
 
Don't forget when messing with fuel:air mixture, which is what you are doing here, to disconnect the battery or pull the fuses to let the ECU reset.
 
Yep. I spent hundreds of dollars on intake setups for my TBI 350 including a fancy dual snorkle cold air setup. The open element filters definitely left something to be desired and I was down performance.

Best setup I found was the stock setup with a K&N and a smooth tube to the fender.
 
When plumbing intake for the ibex I bought a few misc elbows and such but ended up with an Airaid you build it pipe kit and worked really slick for my setup. Ended up selling the left over to re-coop some cost too.
https://www.airaid.com/U-Build-It_intake_systems.aspx

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