Is a Trailblazer SS Intake Swap Worth It? | Install and 0-50 Test

Parts are linked below!
lsxmatt.com/
Check out my Instagram page for behind the scenes photos and updates:
/ lsxmattoffi. .
PO BOX:
Matthew G
PO Box 140055
Staten Island, NY 10314
Parts and tools:
Build your own cold air intake here!
www.intakehose...
My cold air intake parts are here: (See below for links to more budget friendly parts)
Carbon fiber 4" tubing:
www.intakehose...
90 elbow:
www.intakehose...
45 elbow:
www.intakehose...
4" T bolt clamps:
www.intakehose...
K&N filter:
amzn.to/45Vl40O
2 wire intake temperature sensor and pigtail:
amzn.to/43ATm7U
Heat shielding/insulation:
amzn.to/3qFoLrq
A/C foam roll:
amzn.to/3N0vuDB
BUDGET COLD AIR INTAKE PARTS FOR E-FAN TRUCKS:
4" tubing- $17.99:
www.summitraci...
45 degree elbow- $31.99:
www.summitraci...
90 degree elbow- $22.99:
amzn.to/42CfY6C
4" to 3.5" reducer to keep MAF sensor- $13.75 (two required):
amzn.to/3J7vhO3
4" Air filters:
K&N- amzn.to/3p1LbT2 ($64.99)
Spectre- amzn.to/3ClLhIk ($40.63)
4" clamps- $10.29:
amzn.to/45Sy4V7
3.5" clamps- $6.99:
amzn.to/43Aw3eo
Heat shielding/insulation- $18.99:
amzn.to/3qFoLrq
A/C foam roll- $13.85:
amzn.to/3N0vuDB
TBSS Intake parts:
TBSS intake manifold:
amzn.to/3WXDs5f
Intake manifold gaskets:
amzn.to/3MZN0b7
Throttle body gasket:
amzn.to/3P9blhC
DBW throttle body:
amzn.to/42yQjMi
Fuel rail:
amzn.to/43Kscv8
Corvette fuel filter:
amzn.to/43UqlnG
Fuel filter fitting:
amzn.to/43A48LB
3/8 fuel injection hose:
amzn.to/3P9WnYu
Hose clamps:
amzn.to/43VuQy2
X Link cable:
www.glennsauto...
Evap purge valve:
amzn.to/42AMZA8
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:43 Throttle Body Removal
3:45 0-50 Test Before Intake
6:38 Intake Manifold Removal
7:06 Compatibility Problems
16:44 Fuel Rail Modifications
21:01 TBSS Intake Install
22:44 Startup
23:34 Post Tuning
25:08 Custom Cold Air Intake
31:52 Engine Cover Modifications
33:34 Sound Test/Revs
33:55 0-50 Test With TBSS Intake
38:02 Is it Worth it?

[@lsxmatt]

I just want to say thanks to all of you for 100k subscribers! ❤

[@aaronzawadski4496]

Finally! 100k!

[@justineller2059]

I've been a sub since before the tahoe keep up the good vids man

[@jeffreyshepherd8488]

How is it only 100k?!

[@Crypticdragon1]

Congratulations Matt!

[@jakewade7388]

You earned it! Great content.

[@markpierce824]

I have an o4 Yukon. I put a K&N cold air kit and it was night and day difference over stock. That was 12 years ago and it now sitting at 430k miles.

[@TEAMWRIGHTEOUS]

2 tenths from 0-50mph is a lot of gains. Definitely was worth the swap.

[@jayburrough4308]

I love watching someone take a bone stock vehicle and start moding it and testing it as you go .it makes us come back to see what its going to do next .. good job on that air box

[@Johnnyvette383]

Matt love your attention to detail on all the work you did in this video! Don't knock yourself you did a killer job on that air box and it works I bet better than any aftermarket you can buy. The fact that you got the original engine cover to fit is awesome. You open that exhaust up your going to see the rear tires spinning for sure. Or at least I hope so lol. Keep up the awesome work love all your project cars.

[@natricjol]

TBSS was a great upgrade. I went to a 4" maf housing and card style maf, moved the maf to right before the elbow, 6" filter with a 6-4 cone adapter. 4" all the way to the 90mm throttle. Wrapped the intake and coolant hoses near the intake with header wrap. I disabled the adaptive idle parts in the tune when I did my maf and ve table. That made tuning the bottom end of both easier. Then re-enabled them after. Stop and go traffic is smooth like factory, full throttle rips to 7400 and cruises on the highway all day. Good video and watching someone else work it at home is great.

[@bryanjr4898]

7400? i hope thats not a stock motor...

[@natricjol]

@@bryanjr4898 with hardened pushrods and better springs, it's easily done. Along with the GM performance cts-v lifters (look those up), she's dead stable at 8000 rpms. Cam has power falling badly after 7400.

[@jorge56188]

Hey man I dont know if you actually read the comments or not, but if you do I want to thank you for all your help and time, I got my truck up and running because of you, thank you!!!!!!

[@brandontyree2230]

That’s insane! I have an 03 Tahoe LT, 247,000 and the same exact problem is happening to mine right now! Last week I got throttle body actuator code, reduced engine power as well. Pulled over, shut off Tahoe and restarted after I cleared code and ran fine, then yesterday it happened again..I had replaced throttle position sensor after the first one so now I know it’s the actual throttle body. Weird we’re having the same issue at the same time, similar miles though. Been following your channel, first comment! Keep it up man and thanks for all the tips!

[@yodawunn6700]

Thanks, glad you went into the issues of swapping the TBSS. I'm running essentially stock with no other mods planned so you actually saved me some bucks since the improvement is small if at all for me.

[@chrismayhand7918]

I have an 03 Yukon, just put a cam in and checking how much that nets me before the same intake swap. Like the air box, going to order some heat shielding now seeing what it done with yours. Keep the mods coming, waiting on the turbo

[@rockinrides]

Great video Matt and congrats on 100K! It is definitely well deserved. Really love how detailed yet easy to understand your videos are. Don’t sell yourself short. You do amazing work!

[@brandongodzyk2524]

Great job, I ran into some of those issues when I swapped a 6.0L into my 1500, the fuel filter does clip into the fuel rail and it has enough slack to clip into the factory lines.

[@kristopherstephens6728]

This why I love your videos no hidden content you show everything.

[@USAFMXVET]

Great video. Really nice to see practical “affordable” mods that anyone can do and what to expect along the way

[@YuccaSpeedShop]

Exactly, I just decided to buy the lsxrt after watching this.

[@jsomething2]

I gotta appreciate the effort you put into this and it helps keep me from doing this to mine daily thinking I'll get some more mid range haha.

[@MrGFG003]

This is going to be a sick sleeper Tahoe. It's like going from sweet nice rock music, to some intense heavy metal music. Can't wait to see what's coming for it. On the other hand, I'm starting to get some motivation to do some mods to my old Ford Tempo, this car's running great even after 31 years of daily driving it.

[@jacquescrusan9500]

I put one of these intakes on my 4.8l. Granted, the little brother stands to gain the most from this intake, but as of now I couldn't imagine ever going back to a stock truck intake.

[@WeldonAutomotive]

I’m glad you did this in depth, had a couple guys want this swap done I told them by the time you mess with all the bs just do actual truck style Holley or fast unless you can get one from a pull yard for dirt cheap

[@jakewade7388]

Looking forward to seeing the exhaust upgrades along with results!

[@chandlerlofton6536]

I was laughing the whole way man! I went through everything you listed when building the 408 for my 2000 Silverado. It’s actually pretty involved!

[@wolfmanrepairs]

Ah a trip down the upgrade rabbit hole!! Excellent video!! I always enjoy how clean you make everything look!!🐺😁

[@Prenquall]

Been subbed for years your the main reason behind my 91 camaro project thank you for all the info you put out and its helped me over the years

[@alvaradotowing23]

The Corvette fuel filter fits on the end of the fuel rail. You really didn’t need to make an extension for fuel input. But you made it work, and that’s all that matters.

[@lsxmatt]

Didn’t even cross my mind! That makes the fuel portion way easier.

[@andredugas3622]

Vette reg wont fit right on, but you can get a whole nnbs rail in a jy cheap

[@turkeyboyjh1]

And the tune needs to be changed for the non vacuum reference pressure regulator

[@bluecollarhotrods9781]

Nice install, the airbox and tubing turned out well. I just went from an Airaid intake tube and a modded factory air box to a Banks Ram Air on my 6L swapped Silverado. I saw similar results even in the FL heat, ran close to ambient and reacted quicker once rolling. I have not changed anything, including the tune. I plan to get it back to the track to see what it picked up, unfortunately the weather is about 10-15 degrees warmer than the last time I went to the track. I'll have to correct my times for the Density Altitude to validate it somewhat accurately. When I swapped my intake manifold, I used a C5/C6 fuel tank transfer hose. It has the correct bend and is 100% plug and play. Unfortunately GM discontinued it, but you can still find them used or NOS.

[@royb.1441]

Here’s an idea for your merch store - figure out the dimensions for the cold air box and have “sendcutsend” do a bunch for you to sell. All we would have to do is buy it, bend it and screw / rivet it together. You could even include the insulation if you wanted to. Shipping would be cheap because it would come to us flat. I’d buy a kit like this from you over the k&n in a heart beat. Just an idea.

[@crivera1728]

All 2007 and newer Silverados with LS 5.3 or 4.8 engines have the trailblazer SS intake with a different exterior look. Put in any 07 and newer intake on a gen3 motor is essentially a trailblazer SS swap for the cathedral style heads

[@todaywithbk]

Fantastic fabrication and not giving up!!

[@RatdogDRB]

We LOVE us some Tahiti video. Nice airbox upgrade on the cheap, we love that! She deserves a full Magnaflow treatment behind the exhaust manifolds for the next phase before boosting. You gonna put a hair drier on her or a wheezer?

[@lsxmatt]

Oh yea, hopefully sooner rather than later. Just need my trans am running first, then Tahiti boost!

[@jaydenharrington1381]

The same thing happened with mine but it was just the intake manifold gaskets

[@LSandL31]

You almost could have done a full Dorman fuel line repair set up and have the quick connects from filter to fuel rail with a 90 degree connector. That way you WON’T need to worry about a hose sliding off from when you add more pressure from turbo charging the system.

[@lsxmatt]

This setup isn’t permanent. When I actually turbo it I’ll be running a different fuel line from the pump to the rail.

[@LSandL31]

@@lsxmatt because you’re going to need the pressure regulator that will have boost reference… brilliant!

[@mky8353]

I had kept the entire factory airbox and tubing on my cammed 05 6.0 Denali. I decided to change just the the factory plastic tubing out for an aluminum elbow for a better look , after a month of driving it with the stock elbow, and swear it felt more peppy compared to before especially wot.

[@DontjeB]

About a year ago I also started down the TrailBlazer SS intake (or GMT 900 intake) rabbit hole. When I got to the $300 X-link, I bowed out. Dollar for power, it's just not worth it on a basically stock NBS 5.3L. I appreciate the honest review, and shedding light on all that actually goes into this swap. It would be a slam dunk if it was plug and play though!

[@frog8553]

It is plug and play lol

[@DontjeB]

@@frog8553 Right. With enough extra parts, I guess everything is. Just plug a stock NBS throttle body harness into the necessary $300 X-link, and then plug that unit into the larger throttle body off a NNBS or TBSS. Then there's the fuel line/rail & return issues. My desired "plug in play" comment references if GM had just stuck with the same pin/plug connection at the throttle body. You can find complete (fuel rail & throttle body) used intakes for around $200, but that extra $300 for the X-Link pushes the upgrade over the top; at least in my opinion.

[@guitarguy3221]

@@DontjeB I did it w a DBC summit throttle body and a tune (gen 4 intake & injectors). junkyard LM7 swap. My fuel filter had to be rigged up funny but it works. I used the gen 3 map sensor with RTV lol. It seems like the injectors never all sit in right together. I was getting great mileage for awhile, and the motor sounds godly at high rpms

[@ronnieboucherthecrystalcraftsm]

i re-plumbed my fuel system = an fittings with braided s/steel hoses and a adjustable fuel pressure regulator full flow return system ! = with better injectors = better fuel consumption !

[@thunderheartgaming4416]

My 04 Chevy Silverado Z71 has the truck 102 fast intake with the cathedral ports and Ive noticed better throttle response definitely good upgrade the ss intake is really good

[@moabman6803]

Afaik the old truck intake provides far more torque below 2k rpm if tuned well. The newer intake provides a bit more hp above 3k rpm.

[@hammarashi]

Soooo easy to go down the rabbit hole. Been there many times, and will be going back again.

[@ericvortecmax]

Don’t feel bad. I bought a LSXRT intake for my Tahoe. Mines cable drive though and I got the adapter kit to use my stock rails.

[@lsxmatt]

I was also tempted to go that route!

[@jennyloughry896]

Hell yeah keep going intake noises sound similar to a root style blower would love to hear high flow cats / straight pipe exhaust

[@hailstorm1986]

Awesome upgrade Matt.😇

[@kennyman338]

If you didnt know the air that its "pulling" from the fender doesn't go anywhere. Its blocked by a foam piece that sits inside the fender. On an 07 and up air is blocked in the fender with that piece of foam. You'll get only a small amount of air with a small venting on the bottom of the stock fender.

[@carguy3028]

I bought an adapter for the throttle body connection for $150 in 2012, it still works, it’s a little larger has a cable going to a small box then cable coming out to the throttle body.

[@jbtOO7]

Appreciate the insight on intake temps had no idea there would be such a difference.I did notice with a longer air intake tube the revs felt better. You can get a diesel air intake filter that's way bigger so ya know.Tons of fun I can't wait to work on my stuff & thank you for the valuable information I would have never known.🥤

[@jbtOO7]

@Lsxmatt- looking where to send I tried here but it got booted.

[@therandomchannel2022]

I'm betting that with a nice set of headers and a good exhaust you would see alot better gains from that Intake manifold.

[@lsxmatt]

I don’t wanna do headers being they’ll just get removed for the turbo. I will definitely do high flow cats and a straight through muffler though.

[@therandomchannel2022]

@lsxmatt Oh yeah, good point lol. Sorry I wasn't even thinking about you boosting it 🤦. But yes I see where you're coming from lol. Nice build though man, hope to see more of it soon 😁

[@IslandBoy958]

Yes, 110% worth the gain

[@markcollard9326]

This story sounds like every time I have ever "upgraded" parts on my car from stock. It has always been a chain of events costing me way more than initially anticipated. Good luck.

[@jeffreyshepherd8488]

Ya tricked me with the opener I thought you got the firebird running!

[@mikeyj5383]

Definitely would like to see the exhaust modifications, doing a full exhaust build myself soon and would like to see what you throw on Tahiti 👍🏻

[@james10739]

I mean a better exhaust won't hurt but i bet that stock exhaust can support plenty of power

[@dosgos]

That mod required some serious skills!

[@tonylombardo7484]

Very good presentation. I would argue that you are undervaluing the improvement that the manifold made. My thoughts are as follows; Assuming a change in timing of an average of 5 tenths.( 6.4 seconds to 5.9). That is a significant split for a zero to 50. (59 tenths over 64 tenths). That is an 8% time improvement. Even if you make a direct linear relationship to time vs HP, (which I don't think you can) with a baseline of 300hp, that 8% approximates 24HP. I obviously don't know the actual HP or have super accurate timing data, but order of magnitude estimation indicates that this mod was a significant improvement.

[@carguy3028]

I have an lq4 swaped 72 c10, I added the intake in conjunction with ported polished and shaved 243 heads I had an ls1 hot cam and went to a comp cams cam 600 lift 226 duration intake 232 exhaust, had the tbss intake ported. The stock lq4 with ls1 hotcam made 323whp and 342ftlbs at the wheels through an automatic and ford 9 inch with 28 in tall 10 in wide tires. Power peaked at 5,000 rpm and stayed flat. With the head cam and intake I went to 362whp 365ftlbs, power peaked at about 5700 and stays flat until 6500. Not what I was expecting, I wanted 400 hp at the wheels, in this c10 I ran a 13.3 1/4 mile time at 102.9mph.

[@jasonjordan4672]

Something not right in your setup or tune, i have a stock ls1 with 1 &5/8 ,tri y headers, ls6 intake and cai and i went form 320 wheel hp to 412 wheel hp by adding ported and shaved 241 heads. 226 232 cam , 25 percent under drive pulleys and ported throttle body

[@bradleyjones8207]

Ready to see that t/a finished

[@lsxmatt]

Back on it in the next video.

[@MrZabel08]

You made a homemade volant cold air intake. Looks good. And definitely cheaper. Take a look at the tow hook scoop they offer. Maybe you could fab something like that as well. I'd be curious to see the temps after that was installed. Supposedly helps more because of how it forces the air in going down the road.

[@rickybellamy8191]

Impressive! 2 tenths from 0-50 is very impressive! Prob looking 3+ tenths in the 1/4 mile.

[@houseofno]

Congrats on 100k subs. Thanks for the video!

[@chrisanderson4325]

You should open up the fender intake in the airbox. Might help it suck in more air, especially once you turbo it

[@239seth]

Ported my tb, and my tbss intake manifold also got 50lb injectors, along with k&n intake tube, all aluminum racing radiator 34inch, 2005 electric fans and harness, shorty 1 5/8 headers, corvette servo, melling high pressure oil pump, 2004 gmc sierra 1500 stepside hoping to get my heads ported and put a cam in her.

[@454Chuy]

.2 tenths is nothing to sneeze at on a stock 5.3. I’ve seen 45rwhp gains using a ported TBSS and ported ls3 tb on a 6.0 going from the stock 3 bolt parts to the TBSS swap

[@TheTruthBeToId]

Chef's kiss on that homemade intake box. Ima make me one like that in my lightning.

[@stephenmoncrieff2056]

Just want to clarify something . P2135 doesn't mean the correlation between the throttle body and the pedal . There are two position sensors inside the throttle body and the code sets when they aren't in agreement of throttle position .

[@jimgordon3206]

Good video. That’s a lot of work and expense for a 10th or two. I put a K&N filter on my Silverado. So much dust got past it I took it off. The intake duct was covered in dust. I swapped it for a True Flow filter and pipe. The filter was stock in shape and mount. The air was much cleaner. Sadly they are out of business now. Their filter requires their oil. Unfortunately K&N oil made the True flow disintegrate. So now I’m back to a stock paper filter that still traps more dirt then K&N. K&N will not disclose what size particle their filter will trap. They only talk about airflow. In my opinion they are overrated as a filter.

[@dosgos]

Since 95% of the time you are driving the 130 bhp Astra, let's see some Euro mods!

[@DelEast740]

My 2013 Express 2500 cargo van came factory with one and 799 heads. Debating on doing some upgrades and a torque converter. As in upgrades I mean a low boost turbo kit. Keep the 4.8 under 500 wheel and streetable

[@Itsnotmeitsyuu]

I did this upgrade when I did my swap. I don't remember doing anything the with fuel rails... did have to buy the x-lynk. Used stock map sensor extended factory harness. Still using stock factory air intake.

[@MikeSmith-nu9wt]

I have a 08 4.8 , it came with factory shorty headers , steel not cast , and the same intake , i bought it brand new that way ...337,000 miles on it now , she aint much to look at anymore , she out ran all the 5.3's (stock for stock ) that we ever owned , and got better fuel mileage , i got three of the 1/2 ton silverado's , 08..4.8,09.. 5.3 ,2014 ..5.3

[@aaronzawadski4496]

Wow that simple intake swap turned into a project!

[@nep639]

I want to do this to my lq9, I’ve look around that nnbs (07-13) Silverado/Sierra has the same manifold as the TBS SS. Can’t wait to get it done.

[@ARK87ANGEL]

Looking forward to the next mob. I have a 2003 Suburban that I have been working on and implementing some of your ideas and have worked out well.

[@benblacksmith2555]

If you take out the air filter box bracket under the filter you get a straight shot down behind the bumper

[@dogdue4588]

You need to make flat brackets to mount stock fuel rails to the TBSS.

[@SloppyMechanics]

Nice work. its an easy 10% gain on average from what i have seen. so, 500whp, = 50whp extra for free.

[@lsxmatt]

Wow thats nut’s for a stock intake swap

[@hughbrown496]

Congrats on 100k

[@moparracing0128]

You could relocate the ambient air temp sensor thats for your rear view mirror to the inside of your air filter box, then that way the temp that its showing is the air going into your intake at the air filter

[@supermo26]

I had similar issue. Oil from K&N messed with MAF sensor. After cleaning it I was good to go.

[@astutenomad2879]

Someone needs to open an X-Link and figure it out, that amount is ridiculous.

[@braydenwoodard6044]

airaid makes a great intake for the tahoes, sounds great too very happy with mine

[@michaelkline2136]

Nice video. SS intake adds 12-15 hp and 16-20 tq. Adding a full free-flowing exhaust would really wake that combination up

[@davebarron5939]

Congrats! 100K Well Deserved. Always enjoyable and informative. GO TA!!

[@CplHicks-ob2hj]

The money you saved on the Air intake payed for you adapter plug. My favorite part of working on cars.

[@CarolinaPerformance]

It would be interesting if you ported the intake to see the gains. Just the swap alone was worth it.

[@dwightvoeks9970]

Excellent job. Can't wait for boost. I may just skip everything you did and go for a 6.2. in my 05 Avalanche. I have one in my 07 Escalade EXT and it's a towing beast. Sounds and feels so good when you romp on it and better fuel mileage as well. Of course, the mileage may be due to the 6" lift and tires but the Avalanche is a lighter truck. I think 4.10's would make you grin.

[@Long-nd8bq]

Wow not exactly the direct swap that everyone says these things are. Thank you for showing what all is involved.

[@mikeamar6825]

I like what you did, I just did the exact same thing but the one mistake you made, with the tbss intake you should have also used the injectors so instead of 21 lbs they are 36 lbs, I felt a very big increase in my butt Dyno, but I’m also on a caddy with the 6.0

[@lsxmatt]

The motor is an L59 so it already has the 36lb flex fuel injectors.

[@kalanirobb54]

If the box doesnt completly seal out underhood air it is not a cold air intake . Nice job ,most folks wont take the time to do this correctly. Solid.

[@tonymickens8803]

The TBSS manifold is the same as the 2007-2013 Silverado also.

[@turkeyboyjh1]

Make sure you change the tune for the non vacuum reference on the fuel filter regulator the factory truck fuel system is vacuume reference

[@jamielombardo5292]

I've got the K&N cold air on my 2004 Dodge Ram it's powerful at 10 miles per gallon and permanently have yellow engine light Shining

[@dogdue4588]

Summit sells a wire harness for that application.

[@69castellano]

open the exhaust is the next move.

[@justingruenberg3154]

Nice video. You dont need the SS intake with a turbo. The intake wont be the limiting factor in the hp.

[@rahoulloubles]

Thank you for posting this awesome video, step by step process on the TBSS intake swap. It's been a while since I've tinkered with any swaps (Mustang 5.0 GT40 swap, did many of those with decent results). Was looking to upgrade my 2001 stock Silverado 5.3 intake with a TBSS intake, after watching your video I'm convinced that in my situation is not worth the effort as I don't plan to hot rod the truck. I would have been terribly disappointed I'm sure of it. Thank you for saving me time and money through your personal experience with this upgrade.👍

[@Wolfman_3344]

This video is the definition of smile through the pain lol. I love the video Matt lol

[@jakewade7388]

So, the stock 5.3 injectors from your Tahoe fits the new intake and fuel rail?

[@lsxmatt]

Yea they swap right over. The best thing is being the truck is a flex fuel the stock injectors can support the heads and cam without an upgrade.

[@mikebruegger8654]

Great time spent watching your videos!

[@jgosh81]

Look at you mr. Ill just fab up my own air box. Good job.

[@Gypobt]

Hi MAt i saw same video from Erick Rose doing only slightly fuel rail modification same engine 5.3??

[@Fehrway_Engines]

Nice build. For a daily driver i would love to see you install the factory Yukon Denali or Cadillac Escalade exhaust. It's a simple bolt on upgrade that should help you make more power..

[@Fehrway_Engines]

@Lsxmatt- The factory exhaust on the 00-06 Denali / Escalade is tru dual 2.5" from the engine to muffler. After the muffler it y's together into a single 3" tail pipe. It's 100% bolt on and will easily support 400hp.

[@racingjunk7024]

My turbo car makes more power with a smaller exhaust don’t get caught up in diameter

[@Legendary_Frank]

It’s funny that you made a video about this cause i was just considering buying one

[@Dtxmundo]

The first video that actually explained everything and listed the parts

[@charliecadaver666]

Tbss on 5.3 might make 1whp more at 6k rpms and up when no major mods. Must do a cam swap to see and then it's worth around 15whp with just a stg2 cam.