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I’m building a 408 stroker to put in my Sonoma and I’m torn between what intake to use. I understand that something like the FAST LSX would probably be best, but I’m not trying to spend $1k on the intake so I’m leaning toward either a stock LS1 intake and ported throttle body or perhaps this deal from eBay.
Could anyone provide some suggestions? Thank you very much.
FYI, my setup will be taking the 6.0 and stroking it to a 408. I'll keep it at 10:1 so I don't have to change pistons when I throw the turbo on at some point. I'm going to use a K1 crank, Molnar rods, and Mahle or Diamond pistons. For the heads, I have a set of 317's that i'm going to have CNC'd by Katech and top them with Comp conical valve springs, titanium retainers, and slightly larger 2.02/1.60 valves, 8mm valve stems. To actuate the valves I'll be using a custom grind cam.
So correct me if I’m wrong, but the Dorman LS2 will give me better low end and still shine on top vs. that one I linked from eBay, right? The eBay intake would be more prone to top end power with the shorter runners, sacrificing low end?
Also, and I know this is a newb question, but why are some throttle bodies $80 and some are $500? I’m sure I’m oversimplifying it, but isn’t it basically a butterfly with provisions for IAC and TPS?
You will have NO low end from the eBay manifold. That is for high displacement, high-RPM engines only. People buy it for looks and then hope it runs. The Dorman is a much-improved version of the LS2 ,manifold. It will perform in a way that suits what you are building
With throttle bodies, you get what you pay for. $80 throttle bodies leak, don't hook up right, and are very difficult to tune.
You will have NO low end from the eBay manifold. That is for high displacement, high-RPM engines only. People buy it for looks and then hope it runs. The Dorman is a much-improved version of the LS2 ,manifold. It will perform in a way that suits what you are building
With throttle bodies, you get what you pay for. $80 throttle bodies leak, don't hook up right, and are very difficult to tune.
Looks like Dorman LS2 and Nick Williams it is. It must be meant to be because my boss just asked me to work OT on Friday. Hard to pass up $600 when I’m wanting to spend money. I have saved $15k for this project, but any extra just gets added to that, lol
The GM TBSS truck manifold flows very well and can be found used for dirt cheap. I paid $160 for one with fuel rails and injectors. It flows very similar to the Dorman LS2. I flow tested both.
Tested with the same ported 243 head. Note the Dorman LS2 thats unported is an early one. The ported Dorman LS2 is a later one. Overall the porting picks up a few cfm over .500 lift. The BBK is aluminum and can probably hold the most boost. BBK also flows pretty well and could be ported for even better results.
Depending on how much boost you want to run the Dorman LS2 may be OK but it is a two piece. I believe the TBSS is a once piece and would be more likely to hold more boost.
BBK makes an aluminum intake that seems ideal for a lot of boost.
The LS6 with the 90mm snout by LPE/TPiS flow well but I'm not sure how well the snout will hold up to boost / high boost.
WARR makes a nice budget throttle body for ~$125. You would need to use the TPS and IAC fr your old TB. The WARR TB's are good for the money but a little more finicky to tune in than a Nick Williams cable TB that sells for for about $389 new.
The GM TBSS truck manifold flows very well and can be found used for dirt cheap. I paid $160 for one with fuel rails and injectors. It flows very similar to the Dorman LS2. I flow tested both.
Tested with the same ported 243 head. Note the Dorman LS2 thats unported is an early one. The ported Dorman LS2 is a later one. Overall the porting picks up a few cfm over .500 lift. The BBK is aluminum and can probably hold the most boost. BBK also flows pretty well and could be ported for even better results.
Depending on how much boost you want to run the Dorman LS2 may be OK but it is a two piece. I believe the TBSS is a once piece and would be more likely to hold more boost.
BBK makes an aluminum intake that seems ideal for a lot of boost.
The LS6 with the 90mm snout by LPE/TPiS flow well but I'm not sure how well the snout will hold up to boost / high boost.
WARR makes a nice budget throttle body for ~$125. You would need to use the TPS and IAC fr your old TB. The WARR TB's are good for the money but a little more finicky to tune in than a Nick Williams cable TB that sells for for about $389 new.
Is this the Trail Blazer SS intake you’re talking about? I just searched eBay for TBSS intake and these are what popped up.
If you can get the TBSS nice and cheap GO FOR IT! IF it will fit under your hood of course..... Yeah, it and the Dorman are plastic.
That aluminum one looks like a BBK... but there are others.
If you can get the TBSS nice and cheap GO FOR IT! IF it will fit under your hood of course..... Yeah, it and the Dorman are plastic.
That aluminum one looks like a BBK... but there are others.
I have no issue with composite intakes. I’ll probably just go with the Dorman. I don’t want to have to cut the firewall to fit the intake. I’m ok with a cowl hood, but in a Sonoma/S10 you really want to push the engine back as far as practicable.
I like the cost and performance, but it's not a very clean looking intake. I guess you'd need a cover for it and I hate that. I want it to be purdy, lol
I have no issue with composite intakes. I’ll probably just go with the Dorman. I don’t want to have to cut the firewall to fit the intake. I’m ok with a cowl hood, but in a Sonoma/S10 you really want to push the engine back as far as practicable.
You can push the engine back as far as you can and the tbss will fit fine, no cutting required, the LSXRT is a good sized manifold and it fits, don't even need a cowl hood.
Thats my personal experience anyway.
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Intake manifold help please 
