Airraid MIT installed on V6

obrien19 · December 20, 2014

Well, I'm not sure if any one has done this yet or not. I decided to bite the bullet and see if it was possible to use the Airraid MIT designed for the 5.3 on the 4.3. I was able to successfully install it, just had to purchase a few other parts.

The main difference I noticed between the 5.3 and the 4.3 is that the 5.3 has two vents from each valve cover dumping into the intake, where the 4.3 only has one. Ended up going to value and buying a 1/4 inch PVC Plug and plugged the other inlet that I would not be using

The Second obstacle was that the Throttle body being smaller. The Airraid MIT came with a 4 inch to 3.5 inch intake coupler. I took some basic measurements and roughly figured out the 4.3 throttle body would need a 4 inch to 3 inch coupler. Ended up going to my local pepboys and found exactly what i needed. The fit was a little tight, but it worked for me. Everything lined up pretty well, and even with the 4.3 sitting a little farther back in the engine bay, the Airraid MIT fit pretty well.

So Far I've only drive the truck about 20 miles. Don't notice a huge difference in sound, but I have noticed from the butt dyno that acceleration seems to be smoother.

desert · December 20, 2014

Pretty cool that you pulled that off ! .....I'm sure that it helped a little. The more that you 'clean up' and/or increase the intake and exhaust airflow seems to increase HP to some degree every time I've done it. Besides for that, it looks better !

obrien19 · December 20, 2014

Thanks for the positive feedback, I've been debating doing it for a while, and just decided to give my self an early Christmas present, and hopefully help any other members with the 4.3 that were looking at options

Rubyralph · December 25, 2014

Nice install, I know others have requested a intake kit for our new Ecotec3 4.3 V-6 engines, but this opens the doors to a "work around" that will fit our trucks.

Maybe now some of the intake manufactures will see the interest and design a kit for us???

Brian S. · December 26, 2014

Personally I think I'm just going to drop a KN filter in and call it good, but "Nicely done!"

fondupot · December 26, 2014

Nice looks good. The stock intake on these trucks is so obnoxious.

obrien19 · December 26, 2014

Thanks guys! I also have a K&N Air Filter installed. I was really surprised at all the baffling in the intake, and I'm also really enjoying that there isn't to much of a noise difference.

Rubyralph · December 31, 2014

"So Far I've only drive the truck about 20 miles. Don't notice a huge difference in sound, but I have noticed from the butt dyno that acceleration seems to be smoother".

So now that you have had this intake on your truck for a while and a few more miles how do you like it???

obrien19 · January 2, 2015

I Still like it, I feel it makes a difference, but who know's for sure. It's tough to really get a feel for the performance with being right in the midst of winter hear in NY. I have noticed about 1mpg increase, and truck seems to stay in V4 mode longer.

Gorske · April 15, 2015

Well, I'm not sure if any one has done this yet or not. I decided to bite the bullet and see if it was possible to use the Airraid MIT designed for the 5.3 on the 4.3. I was able to successfully install it, just had to purchase a few other parts.

The main difference I noticed between the 5.3 and the 4.3 is that the 5.3 has two vents from each valve cover dumping into the intake, where the 4.3 only has one. Ended up going to value and buying a 1/4 inch PVC Plug and plugged the other inlet that I would not be using

IMG_1492.JPG

IMG_1486.JPG

The Second obstacle was that the Throttle body being smaller. The Airraid MIT came with a 4 inch to 3.5 inch intake coupler. I took some basic measurements and roughly figured out the 4.3 throttle body would need a 4 inch to 3 inch coupler. Ended up going to my local pepboys and found exactly what i needed. The fit was a little tight, but it worked for me. Everything lined up pretty well, and even with the 4.3 sitting a little farther back in the engine bay, the Airraid MIT fit pretty well.

IMG_1488.JPG

IMG_1494.JPG

So Far I've only drive the truck about 20 miles. Don't notice a huge difference in sound, but I have noticed from the butt dyno that acceleration seems to be smoother.

Thanks for your input on this. Got a K&N CAI yesterday and installed it last night. Same with yours just got a 4" to 3" coupler and something to take care of the extra crank case vent on the tube and it went in like it was made for it. Having the truck retuned so its set with the CAI and fix the throttle reduction at WOT tonight. After it gets all setup I'll let you know how it does on a full CAI.

obrien19 · April 15, 2015

Thanks for your input on this. Got a K&N CAI yesterday and installed it last night. Same with yours just got a 4" to 3" coupler and something to take care of the extra crank case vent on the tube and it went in like it was made for it. Having the truck retuned so its set with the CAI and fix the throttle reduction at WOT tonight. After it gets all setup I'll let you know how it does on a full CAI.

Definitely let me know. I'm currently debating on whether to pony up the $ for the black bear tune now, or to just wait. Kind of nervous about voiding my warranty, but I could live with out it.

Gorske · April 15, 2015

Its a night and day difference with just a tune. You will not be disappointed.

SMiller · April 16, 2015

Its a night and day difference with just a tune. You will not be disappointed.

x2 plus the trans tuning makes a world of difference!

BigBadSierra · April 16, 2015

So it looks like someone could get thr full CAI in if they wanted to.

Gorske · April 16, 2015

You can put a full CAI on the 4.3 I put a full K&N CAI on my 4.3 the other day. Fit great and just need the 4" to 3" coupler and the piece to seal off the second crank case vent on the tube.