tbss intake swap
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Teching In
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tbss intake swap Hello new to LS engines and site building 5.3 dbc want to put ss intake on I notice no cable mounts and sensors different locations any tips on swap over i hear it is great upgrade thanks Steve
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But for what it's worth. The first two of these intakes I used I built the throttle cable bracket out of two stock brackets.
The one I have ready for the engine I'm building now (the third one I've used) I bought an Amazon special, still needed to cut and weld it to get it to even bolt on.
The map sensor wiring may need to be extended.
If you don't have the TBSS/NNBS intake specific mounting bolts regular bolts DO NOT work. They are approx .070 to long. I have some .070 washers the same diameter as the stock truck intake bolt heads to use when I get around to bolting my next one up.
HERE IS THE BRACKET I MADE BELOW
HERE IS THE AMAZON BRACKET
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I have done the TBSS or NNBS intake swap on several Gen-III engines and tuned several more for other people. The difference is noticeable across the whole powerband even on a 4.8L. Even with the stock camshaft the newer intake responds with more power. I have not seen one lose low-speed torque, although I am sure that with the mid-top end gains it provides it could certainly feel like it was less responsive down low compared to the way it runs from 3K up. If you overlay the dyno graphs, the newer intake equals the older intake under 3,000 and then the newer intake takes off. To me unless a LS has positive displacement forced induction, they are a dog under 3,000-3,500 rpm anyway and for good performance need a loose converter anyway.
On The Tree
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I have done the TBSS or NNBS intake swap on several Gen-III engines and tuned several more for other people. The difference is noticeable across the whole powerband even on a 4.8L. Even with the stock camshaft the newer intake responds with more power. I have not seen one lose low-speed torque, although I am sure that with the mid-top end gains it provides it could certainly feel like it was less responsive down low compared to the way it runs from 3K up. If you overlay the dyno graphs, the newer intake equals the older intake under 3,000 and then the newer intake takes off. To me unless a LS has positive displacement forced induction, they are a dog under 3,000-3,500 rpm anyway and for good performance need a loose converter anyway.
I've been curious to see the actual differences.
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Verdad Gallardo TECH Resident
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From: Euless, TX
Respond real well to it. They also respond really well to E85 if you can buy it at the pump local.
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Teching In
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Gene , Scoggin Dickey parts says a week out it bolts to the back of the TB I got my truck manifold when it was already off the truck is there a diagram anywhere i can look at to c where everything goes I'm changing over to TBSS thxx
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I have done the TBSS or NNBS intake swap on several Gen-III engines and tuned several more for other people. The difference is noticeable across the whole powerband even on a 4.8L. Even with the stock camshaft the newer intake responds with more power. I have not seen one lose low-speed torque, although I am sure that with the mid-top end gains it provides it could certainly feel like it was less responsive down low compared to the way it runs from 3K up. If you overlay the dyno graphs, the newer intake equals the older intake under 3,000 and then the newer intake takes off. To me unless a LS has positive displacement forced induction, they are a dog under 3,000-3,500 rpm anyway and for good performance need a loose converter anyway.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 144
Likes: 54
I have done the TBSS or NNBS intake swap on several Gen-III engines and tuned several more for other people. The difference is noticeable across the whole powerband even on a 4.8L. Even with the stock camshaft the newer intake responds with more power. I have not seen one lose low-speed torque, although I am sure that with the mid-top end gains it provides it could certainly feel like it was less responsive down low compared to the way it runs from 3K up. If you overlay the dyno graphs, the newer intake equals the older intake under 3,000 and then the newer intake takes off. To me unless a LS has positive displacement forced induction, they are a dog under 3,000-3,500 rpm anyway and for good performance need a loose converter anyway.
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From: Euless, TX
If torque was lost its not the intake, its the tune that needs to be corrected. On the stock setup more airflow equals higher dynamic air and less timing. Optimize your tune for both and the newer intake will show gains. Bolt it on, rely on some crappy tuning and it might very well lose.
If you look at average torque from 2,500-6,000 where it is most abundant and useful the NNBS or TBSS intake in my experience will always come up on top. Not like you will be WOT under 2,500 rpm much anyway. It might shock some but I have found with upgraded springs a stock cam 4.8L runs best with a TBSS intake shifting at 6,500 rpm. It wants to spin so why put an intake on it that is done at 5,800?
Last edited by Fast355; Feb 5, 2023 at 01:18 PM.
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From: Tucson, AZ
I actually have a 92 MM dbc throttlebody and that same bracket that was mentioned earlier. I actually ended up going with dbw so I have it just sitting here if you are interested. Shoot me a private message.
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ACTUALLY I just noticed your reply. I am refering to stuff I have tuned on an actual dyno. I pulled the truck in 2nd gear from 1,000 rpm with the converter locked. It did not lose any torque down low and gained everywhere after about 2,500. I don't own a dyno but have access to one to use from time to time so its not like I have software to pull those graphs. I can find out if the owner of said vehicle still has the graphs. It was an 02 ECSB 4.8L truck. Stock internal 4.8L with bolt ons and it had a nitrous shot on it. The intake had similar gains both off and on nitrous.
If torque was lost its not the intake, its the tune that needs to be corrected. On the stock setup more airflow equals higher dynamic air and less timing. Optimize your tune for both and the newer intake will show gains. Bolt it on, rely on some crappy tuning and it might very well lose.
If you look at average torque from 2,500-6,000 where it is most abundant and useful the NNBS or TBSS intake in my experience will always come up on top. Not like you will be WOT under 2,500 rpm much anyway. It might shock some but I have found with upgraded springs a stock cam 4.8L runs best with a TBSS intake shifting at 6,500 rpm. It wants to spin so why put an intake on it that is done at 5,800?
If torque was lost its not the intake, its the tune that needs to be corrected. On the stock setup more airflow equals higher dynamic air and less timing. Optimize your tune for both and the newer intake will show gains. Bolt it on, rely on some crappy tuning and it might very well lose.
If you look at average torque from 2,500-6,000 where it is most abundant and useful the NNBS or TBSS intake in my experience will always come up on top. Not like you will be WOT under 2,500 rpm much anyway. It might shock some but I have found with upgraded springs a stock cam 4.8L runs best with a TBSS intake shifting at 6,500 rpm. It wants to spin so why put an intake on it that is done at 5,800?
Have you noticed these intakes making the engine noisier? Like ticking. I'm running two vehicles with these intakes and they were silent before, can't be the injectors because I'm using the same ones.
And the intakes, in their OEM application, have a sound absorbing piece on the backside and an engine cover with material on the bottom. I can't fit any of that so I don't have it, but there has to be a reason it was put there.
Ever notice increased noise?
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From: Euless, TX
I thought I could coerce you into giving up some graphs
Have you noticed these intakes making the engine noisier? Like ticking. I'm running two vehicles with these intakes and they were silent before, can't be the injectors because I'm using the same ones.
And the intakes, in their OEM application, have a sound absorbing piece on the backside and an engine cover with material on the bottom. I can't fit any of that so I don't have it, but there has to be a reason it was put there.
Ever notice increased noise?
Have you noticed these intakes making the engine noisier? Like ticking. I'm running two vehicles with these intakes and they were silent before, can't be the injectors because I'm using the same ones.
And the intakes, in their OEM application, have a sound absorbing piece on the backside and an engine cover with material on the bottom. I can't fit any of that so I don't have it, but there has to be a reason it was put there.
Ever notice increased noise?
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Teching In
Joined: Feb 2023
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