.....

Thus far I have done (in order) TB bypass, an electric fan (LT1 fans with a VSC), descreened the MAF (did not port....didn't see it was needed), cut the silencers off the intake tube, and ported the TB out. I have to say it’s a whole new truck.

TB bypass:

- I didn't notice ANY difference with this one. I KNOW it HAD TO helped somehow (can't hurt at least) but with the stock fan blowing lots of hot air over it the TB still got warm (the TB on my camaro stays cold/cool all the time). I have noticed since the fan was removed it seems to be cooler but is still warmer than I would like. I'm planning on doing an LS6 intake swap (the truck gets the camaro's hand me downs.... ) so I'm thinking the removal off that stupid cover (the vortech cover on the intake) should help finish off the cooling.

fan mod:

- no longer sounds like a Mac truck (waaaaaAAAAAHHHHHHHHH)
- more power (removed parasitic loss from engine)
- better MPG
- ~190 engine temps.....holds the stock t-stat almost closed (need to mod the t-stat some time so I can get it down in the 170s)

Descreen MAF:

- more power (more air)
- less load signal
- more spark advance (more power)
- less torque management (more *****)

intake tube:

- more power (more air)
- more sound (*****)
- easier to take the tube off and install
- will look nicer when finished (looks kind of all taped up and stuff )

ported TB:

- more power (more air)
- quicker throttle response
- removed factory "whistle" that would kick in at 20%




feelings:
- This truck (04 5.3) is starting to be a fun little truck. Its not fast by any means (Camaro isn't even "fast" ) but it has some real "go" to it. The fan install was not "free" (~$200...a little less) for parts (I did install). The MAF, intake tube, and TB were free (just time). I'm looking forward to getting one of those Ebay air filter boxes (~$75 I think). After that I need LS1Edit so I can tune this thing up (a little lean from the MAF, needs more advance, want to remove the torque management) and turn off codes so I can gut the cats. It’s a sleeper

 

how much power do you think you picked up, 30. maybe 40rwhp?

 

Did u do the Throttle body bypass ???

Take the coolant lines out of the Throttle body?

 

dohhh...compleatly forgot to post that.....


The TB bypass was really my first performance mod on this truck (its one of those "so easy and so little thought about" ones that you literally just forget about it).

The true first free mod was I pealed all of the stock on molding, the fake pinstripes, and the badges off at the dealership (I had the dealership do this with my Z28 before delivery.....it looked like a V6 from day one ). While the salesman was inside doing some paper work I was out in the parking lot/delivery lane literally RIPPING this stuff off a brand new truck. Every person that came by looked at me like I was some nude crack addict or something. Finally the salesman comes out just as I am finishing up the last strip of molding off with a "RIPPPPPP" (the tape/glue turning loose) and he goes "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I literally thought the guy would have a heat attack and die right there.

 

How do you figure descreening the MAF gave you less TQM?

 

I feel it. The shifts are quicker and harder than they were before. My guess is that since the MAF is showing less load, the computer is thus getting a false calculation of how much torque it should "manage". As a result it does not think you are going to be putting as much load on the tranny (because you’re not making that much power).

I drove to work with the screen in (base line) and then pulled the screen when I got to work. Then when I went to lunch the truck seemed to have less of a "lull" on shifts. It has been like this for 2 weeks now and still does not have that "lull".

 

sweet!!! we can take out TQM by removing the MAF screen?

thats a hell of an explanation. you could be right. or way out in left field with that one. im rootin for ya though

 

....who knows........all I know is no MAF screen = faster/better shifts/more performance

with all the mods, if a slam on it from a dig I can just about get two full spins out of the tires......

 

Might be different for 04's I dunno...

The MAF just changed your a/f ratio about .4 -.5 and thats what you are feeling.

You'll want that screen back once you do some serious mods/good tuning

 

how does the tb bypass even give you more power, just by not allowing the tb not to get hotter when the air comes in? do u just get a small tube and bypass the coolent lines from the tb, and why would the factory run coolent through the tb what is the purpose of that, is it supposed to be there for a reason?