Air Intake & Horsepower

so.... that giant chamber attached to the bottom of my intake hose, halfway between the filter-box and the throttle-body, is that the intake silencer? Cause I took it off and put a spraypaint can top in there and clamped it down, and now the engine sounds more powerful and my 0-60 time went down like two seconds! It's sweet. But enough with the results, is that in fact the silencer? Also, whats the thing that comes off of the tube and sits over the fan shroud?

I got rid of the silencer to but I used a coke bottle and cut it in half and used the bottom of the bottle. I didn't want to spend 200 bucks so I did it for a 1.50. This is on a 1996 GMC

pfft, i had to pay 1.99+tx to fix mine. (for the can of intake cleaner that i used the plastic lid off of)

did it cheap and they work so what the he##. I was just agreeing with you.

What is an intake silencer and what does it do? Do all silverados have one?

What is an intake silencer and what does it do? Do all silverados have one?

it's just that: a muffler. if you've ever hit the gas on a 4 bbl car with an open air filter, you can hear the carb sucking air.

BAAAAAAA-WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

most people don't want to hear that noise, so car makers add "mufflers" to the system of fuel injected vehicles to quiet that intake noise.

personally, i love the sound of my vehicle sucking the air in.......... :naughty:

what year is the trucks that have those?

Does anybody know if this alters the amount of air that goes into the engine, after the MAF reads the air? Or does it just alter the aerodynamics?

Thanks

What about us with an 8.1? The silencer is a molded part of the pipe, its not removable without a saw! Has anyone been able to plug this pipe without hacking up the air-tube?

i haven't seen another way you might just have to saw it. i look around the net for stuff i might find a way so you don't have to saw it.

I read up on this, and finally bit the bullet and did it. I also did the MAF screen mod (removed) and modified the stock airbox (cut open the bottom). There is no question a definite increase in power, and even more than that there is a really good improvement in the throttle response, it never really felt bad to begin with but now it feels quicker. The truck gets going with a lot less pedal now. Also sounds a lot better too, good 4-barrel type sound from under the hood now.

MAF and airbox were easy. The tube was'nt real hard but it took longer than the other stuff. On the 04 there's a tube on the bottom and on the top. The one on the top runs all the way across the fan shroud but only has a small 1.5" hole at one end. The rest is just attached but sealed from the main intake tube. I cut these off flush, and siliconed plastic plates over them that I cut to size, then wrapped the whole thing up in black tape. Can barely tell it's any different looking at it.

I'm happy with the results.

OK this is going to sound like a bunch of bull but I'm saying it anyway. It's been a few hundred miled since I did this now (about a week, 80 miles a day) and it only got better. Not only does the truck respond to the throttle pedal better, but it actually shifts a little firmer and seems to be more willing to pull a downshift with less throttle. I know, you think it's just in my head, but it's not. Can't explain it. I doubt there's any huge increase in overall power, but the difference in just drivability and response is night and day. If you're bored and have the guts to hack on your new truck a little I highly recommend doing these three mods, all free:

MAF screen removal
Intake Tube Mod (remove silencer chambers)
Filter Box Mod (remove bottom and sides of airbox)

I also have a Gibson super-truck exhaust and I think that might be helpin out as well, since I can move more air out now as well as in to the engine.

I did the Silencer Delete Mod on my truck tonight. (8.1) Cut off the Silencer flush with the air tube, then cut a piece of the silencer to fit the new hole in the tube. I also had to mold this piece to fit the curve in the pipe. (used a torch to heat up the plastic until it would mold in my hand) Then I used a JB Weld type adhesive to glue the part in, then taped the tube for extra insurance. Now my 2700-5000 RPM range sounds SWEET, and the coolest part is that from 800-3000 RPM, the intake is still quiet. I'm happy with the results.

this all sounds very interesting...just where the hell would this silencer thinger be on a 97 350???

would it be the square box directly behind the throttle body that says 'vortec'??? and its so could i just seal it off with some plastic and silicone instead of chopping it off???

ok did that operation with a burger king cup...but immeadiatly the SES light came on, anyone else have that happen? are there any negitive effects to doind this?

I replaced my stock filter box with a K&N FIPK... anyone that needs a stock box for repalcement please email me and maybe we can work something out.

I can't help you with exact directions for a 97, but look for anything attached to the air pipe between the air filter box and the throttle body. as long as they dont go anywhere or have any wires, hack 'em off, then seal 'em off.

Silverado Brethern, Did you touch the MAF sensor? like by taking the screen out? That will throw a SES light a lot of times, because it doesn't allow the computer to sense the airflow correctly.

no, i didnt touch the sensor or screen at all and the light is on from the time i fire it up til i turn it off. all the guages are still in order so i think its just the sensor reading too much air or something like that. however when i start it up after sitting for an hour or so i hesitates majorly when i go to take off...?

Try disconnecting your battery for about five minutes. This will clear the codes in the ECM and may resolve you problem. It could be popping a code because of a difference in readings. My understanding is that the ECM stores the last ten or so reading from all the sensors so a major change would signify a problem to the computer... just a thought.

i got rid of my stock airbox completely and put in the K&N cold air intake kit, am i ever happy with that! notices huge gains in throttle response and horsepower. plus it sounds cool when i romp on it :D

could i run some tubin from the bottom of the silencer to the bottom of the grill to add more air or is this stupid

Doing this would more than likely bypass the normal flow of air past the sensors and cause you problems. Best off just sealing off the silencer box to allow for a little better air flow through normal channels.
Ken

I agree with Ken. Doing that would put more air in the motor than the Mass Airflow Sensor would know about. Then you would run WAY too lean!!!