DIY: Shaved LS Truck Intake | Shaved and Fiberglassed!

In this video, we do a start to finish shaved LS truck intake. We cover everything you'll need to know to do it on your own!
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[@hotrod102]

Can you do a gen4 truck intake? I haven't seen one done.

[@Fn_It_Up_Garage]

I know this is a year old, but I'm just seeing your video. If you mix acetone and abs plastic in a glass jar and let the plastic dissolve, you can then brush it over the top of the intake. As the acetone evaporates, it will bond the plastic in the acetone to the intake, leaving a thicker, stronger surface. Basically melting it together. You'd still plug the holes first.

[@ASEWorldClassTech]

If I was going to do this it would be to a TBSS/NNBS intake, not the worst flowing LS intake GM has...

[@MAYCOCustomRestorations]

I think these shaves are a really cool touch. I just did one on my 1970 c20/6.0 build and it turned out really cool. I have it in sealer, ready for base/clear. Still need to pop the two holes in the back.

[@815LSxSwaps]

Yeah itnreally cleans up the engine bay!

[@jessethompson1545]

I like your idea with the brass vacuum port. Good job

[@815LSxSwaps]

Thanks!!

[@CousinCleatus]

Came out nice. Good thing about the truck intake, there is a bunch in the junkyard if ya messed up.

[@815LSxSwaps]

Heck yeah, thanks man!!

[@randy6350]

Been watching a lot of these videos and this is the best one. THANKS for the info it’s much appreciated. How with your video and a lot of elbow grease and hopefully a little common sense I might be able to save a bit of money! Thanks again!

[@815LSxSwaps]

Thanks, appreciate it! Glad we can help and reach out if you have any questions while doing one!

[@thaynebrayton7761]

Do you make and sell dbc brackets?

[@815LSxSwaps]

@thaynebrayton7761 no we just made a custom one for that specific intake

[@petepolcher7174]

Definitely a time consuming task, but well worth it in the end!

[@815LSxSwaps]

Absolutely!

[@shawng7902]

oh, it brings back fond memories. Sitting at my bench melting all that plastic. I used a mesh screen over the holes and melted plastic into it. Got my plastic welder so hot the end started to melt and turn sideways. Thats about the time my foot got into the cord. When you knock a tool off the bench what is the natural reaction? I caught that mofo by the red end not the cord. My motor now has a nice sheet metal fab intake on it now lol . I knew power-wise they can't be beaten. but with boost, I was more worried about me than the intake. I've seen some pretty shady jobs hold up well though.

[@gearhead9]

Two things, have you thought about using fiberglass embedded bodyfiller instead of resin and cloth ? Did you use a special plastic primer, I'm curious as to how long the paint job will last, especially if you do a nice shiny colour matching automotive paint to go along with the vehicle it's in.

[@815LSxSwaps]

I have thought about it but I prefer the fiberglass sheet. It's easier to work with for me. I just use automotive primer. I'm not too worried about the finish since I typically do a textured, satin finish.

[@user-ik9qp5lk7x]

Do you sell your custom bracket the the shaved truck manifold?

[@815LSxSwaps]

Not currently. It was just a one off design but maybe in the future.

[@kevinc5917]

Finally somebody did this properly! You must use fiberglass to add some strength back into the intake after shaving it. Great job. What grit of sandpaper did you start and end with for the fiberglass?

[@815LSxSwaps]

Thanks, appreciate the feedback! I typically start with 80 grit to knock down the high spots then work my way up to about 400 grit to finish it out. Since we go with a textured finish, I don't worry as much about getting a super smooth finish before paint. Otherwise, is be going to about 600-800 grit.

[@timweb1510]

Wow that looks good at the end.

[@815LSxSwaps]

Thanks Tim!!

[@danmez7919]

What about inside the intake ? Is it smooth or all jagged pieces hanging?

[@Brian-kr1pt]

Clamp the thing down. Damn.

[@00Blackgreen]

If I send you a tbss intake would you do it for me ¿

[@indecisive_decision727]

i just snapped everything off with some lineman pliers

[@jeffreyhensley8789]

I really like this and also wonder what it would look like if left original and then topped with a fabricated smooth cover.

[@815LSxSwaps]

There are some companies out there that make custom covers for these. Probably the easiest way to go if you're just looking to cover up the ugly of the intake.

[@ForsakenSteel]

It turned out great.

[@815LSxSwaps]

Thanks man!!

[@BubbaAyers1969]

Nice, lot of work but worth it 👍

[@815LSxSwaps]

Thanks!!

[@stevepope5484]

I belive they make a cover for these?

[@cfmechanic]

Had no idea this was even a thing people did. Kinda makes me wanna get some and cut em up and sell em

[@815LSxSwaps]

Truck intakes are usually pretty cheap to pick up too!

[@mattbrannum2042]

Looks awesome, I would recommend sharing to the ls pages. Always people asking about it and I would say you guys have done a fantastic job at explaining and recording the process. #815

[@815LSxSwaps]

Thanks man!!

[@jonathanbogle2958]

What year is that intake

[@815LSxSwaps]

I believe this is off a 2002 Silverado but mostly the same as all gen 3 non TBSS intakes

[@kevinhumphrey932]

How do the shaved intakes hold up on boosted applications

[@815LSxSwaps]

So far so good. No crazy amounts of boost yet tho

[@MikesMischief]

That’s awesome. I had no idea guys did this. Turns out really nice and clean looking.

[@815LSxSwaps]

Thanks! Truck intakes are cheaper and flow better, they are just not visually appealing unless you shave them!

[@jeremyharris6635]

Did you use anything on the threads of the threaded barb? Loc-tite or sealer of any kind?

[@815LSxSwaps]

Just some thread tape paste, no loc-tite.

[@Cashout828]

Hey man if I were to want to add more plenum to my intake what material can I use to add on with the plastic intake. Just plastic rod or get pieces of plastic to add on?

[@815LSxSwaps]

You should try to use the same material the intake is made of. In this case, I believe it's DuPont Nylon 6/6. The reasons is the thermal expansion rate is different for all materials. If they are significantly different, they can expand at different rates and possibly crack. While it's not likely that this would happen with the lower temp swings the intake would see, this just helps to insure the materials will be happy together. I think as long as you use a filler that has similar thermal expansion, it should be fine. I believe the plastic welding rods are ABS plastic and it looks like the thermal expansion rate of ABS and Nylon 6/6 are fairly close to each other, so you should be good going that route.

[@gainz_9126]

What was the brass fitting for?

[@815LSxSwaps]

The brass fitting is to replace the vacuum port that was removed from the top of the intake. It's used for the fuel pressure regulator.

[@jesusarzate5927]

So u not using it at the port thats in the oil

[@junperez7626]

How do you screw it in with the sensor bracket in the way?

[@juliehanawalt5655]

Did you use polyester resin or epoxy resin? Any reason for one or the other? Thanks!!

[@gainz_9126]

Where did you put that sensor and hose plug ports?

[@815LSxSwaps]

The MAP sensor and vacuum port were relocated to the back of the intake.

[@gainz_9126]

@@815LSxSwaps I seen that at the end. Sorry for not watching the entire vid before asking. Thanks man I’m inspired. Keep building.

[@gainz_9126]

@@815LSxSwaps what did you do with the port that comes off the fuel rail. It’s plugs into a small cylinder looking deal on the fuel rail.

[@815LSxSwaps]

That's the fuel pressure regulator. That's what the brass fitting at the back is for.

[@gainz_9126]

@@815LSxSwaps Thanks man

[@terrancenalan1968]

How much you charge to do this for a customer

[@815LSxSwaps]

Unfortunately, this isn't something we really do to other's intakes. I do have a few extras on hand that, if I have time in the next few months, I may shave them and we could possibly sell them. I don't have a set price in mind for them however.