Chevrolet Camaro 2010-2015: Intake Manifold Reviews and How-to

This article applies to the Chevy Camaro 5th Gen (2010-2015).

Intake manifolds are responsible for efficiently guiding air from the intake tract to the combustion chamber. The factory LS3/L99 manifold is not bad; however, aftermarket companies have created new designs that have proved to make great gains throughout the power range. By increasing the amount of air that can flow into the engine and making the intake runners more efficient, manufacturers like FAST and MSD are able to squeeze more power out of the already-potent LS3 engine, especially if you have aftermarket/ported heads and a bigger cam. Check out how to install an aftermarket intake below! For more detailed instructions, refer to the manual that comes with your particular intake.

How to Replace Intake Manifold

Step 1 – Remove air intake and fuel rails

Disconnect the negative (black) battery terminal before beginning. Locate the clamps holding the air intake tube on the throttle body and filter. Remove the MAF sensor connector to free the intake from the engine bay. If you have an aftermarket intake, refer to your manual for removal instructions. Lift the intake tube out and set it aside. Next, you need to remove the 8mm bolts holding the fuel rail onto your factory intake manifold and unclip all eight injector harnesses. Then, carefully lift the fuel rails off, and the fuel injectors should lift out of the intake.

Step 2 – Remove stock intake manifold

Next, you will need to remove all of the 8mm bolts holding the intake manifold on. If you can reach them, remove the vacuum lines and connectors on the back of the stock intake manifold. If not, remove them after partially lifting the intake manifold off. The intake manifold should be completely free now and can be removed. Remove the stock throttle body if you plan on reusing it, along with the intake seals and fuel injector O-rings.

Step 3 – Prepare new intake for install

Install your throttle body, intake seals, and fuel injector O-rings onto the new injectors. Determine if you need fuel injector spacers and install them if needed. For LS3 owners, the FAST intake must be slightly modified on the front side. Use the video below as a guide to see where you need to remove some material and install a provided fitting. Then, install the MAP sensor on top of the intake as shown in Figure 7. Next, to accommodate for the different size of the FAST intake, you must install different bolts for your valley cover. Simply remove your old bolts to install the new bolts and torque them to 18ft/lbs going inside out.

Step 4 – Install intake manifold

Next, carefully lower your intake manifold into position and get the bolts started. Torque down the bolts in the pattern shown in Figure 9 to 104 in/lbs (less than 10ft/lbs!). Then, reconnect the vacuum lines, fuel rails, fuel injectors, and various connectors onto the intake. Lastly, install your throttle body as well as your intake tube, and you are all set! Enjoy your aftermarket intake manifold!

Featured Videos: Intake Manifold Install

• FAST LSXR Intake Manifold Install

• SS FAST LSX-R Install

Intake Manifold Review

Since the 5th Gen LS3/L99 Camaros are such a popular platform, the choice for intake manifolds is quite expansive. Some of the best and most revered choices are shown below.

FAST LSX-R

Price – $984

Finish – Black or Grey

Fitment – Perfect

Power Gains – 15hp+

Probably the most common and well known aftermarket intake on the market of the LS3, the FAST LSX-R feeds your engine all the air it needs. On a stock car, the FAST LSX-R is worth about 15hp; however, if you have ported heads and/or a bigger cam, then you will benefit much more. These intakes also look great under the hood and fit like stock. With a 102mm opening, this intake is ready to support huge amounts of power. Since FAST Intakes have been in the LS market for so long, their design is perfected and reputation is second to none. Recommended for those with deep pockets and desire perfect fitment.

Holley

Price – $660

Finish – Grey

Fitment – Great, aftermarket hood might be required

Power Gains – Up to 40hp

The Holley mid-rise and high-rise were popularized in high rpm and boosted builds. However, dyno graphs have shown that these intake do not sacrifice much in the bottom end of your power band, but pick up a lot of power in the upper range. Some cars have picked up close to 40hp from the intake swap alone, making it extremely appealing. You will need an aftermarket hood to clear this intake, but if you are chasing every horsepower possible, this is the intake for you. Recommended for those who don't mind replacing the hood and want a good bump in horsepower.

Stock LS3 Ported

Price – $500

Finish – Stock Black

Fitment – Perfect

Power Gains – 10+ hp

Perhaps the most cost effective and popular option among the LS3 crowd is the stock ported intake. For this option, you must remove your intake and send it over to a shop like BER to have it ported. Most dyno graphs shown gains within 2-5 hp of the FAST intake, making the stock ported intake the best bang for the buck for stock fitment intakes. However, be cautious and make sure you choose someone trusted and with experience porting plastic intakes, as they can flow worse than stock if they are not ported correctly. Recommended for its shown horsepower gains.

Featured Video: MSD Intake

Related Discussions and Video

• Ported Intake Manifolds Stock Throttle Body - LS1Tech.com
• Holley Intake - LS1Tech.com
• Aftermarket Intake Manifolds - LS1Tech.com
• Holley Intake - Youtube.com