5.3 vortec cold air intake S&B
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5.3 Vortec Cold Air Intake Upgrade Guide

If you’re looking to add some extra horsepower and torque to your 5.3 Vortec then a cold air intake is a great bolt-on modification. An intake upgrade can add up to 15hp and torque when tuned, offering some decent power gains in addition to a number of ancillary benefits like better throttle response and improved…

5.3 Vortec engine
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Ultimate 5.3 Vortec Engine Guide

General Motors/Chevrolet produced the 5.3 Vortec engine for nearly two decades from 1999–2014. It spanned two generations of their small block V8, and was finally succeeded by the 5th Generation EcoTec3. Known for its reliability, performance, and stout design, the 5.3 Vortec engine was hugely successful. Though it was discontinued nearly a decade ago, the…

Vortec 5300 Engine Mods
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The 5 Best 5.3 Vortec Performance Mods

The Chevy 5.3 Vortec engine has steadily gained a reputation over the past two decades as one of the most reliable and capable motors in the GM/Chevy line. The engine is known for its bulletproof reliability, solid engineering, and decent performance. However, the 5.3 Vortec can still feel a little underpowered from the factory at…

How AFM Works
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How to Delete or Disable Active Fuel Management (AFM)

AFM or active fuel management is a GM/Chevy technology meant to improve gas mileage. AFM works by deactivating half of the engines cylinders under certain circumstances to reduce fuel usage. It essentially turns your V8 engine into a V4 which saves fuel. GM claims fuel improvements ranging from 5%-15% depending on the engine. So why…

Silverado Engine Fuse Box Location
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1999-2006 Chevy Silverado & Sierra Fuse Box Diagram

The fuses are the heart of your Chevy’s electrical system. Nearly every system in a car that requires battery or electric power (windows, door locks, lighting, stereo, etc. etc.) is wired and powered through a fuse. The battery sends power to the fuse which then transfers it to the specific system on the car. The…

Vortec 5300 Engine Mods
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Chevy 5.3L Vortec Common Engine Problems

GM’s 5.3L Vortec engine suffers from common problems including: oil consumption caused by AFM, cracked cylinder heads, spark plug failure, intake manifold problems, and fuel pressure regulator failure. Despite these problems, the 5.3 Vortec is an extremely reliable engine. They are getting older nowadays, having been in production from 1999-2013, which means you’ll likely experience…

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1999-2006 Chevy Silverado Brake Line Failure & Routing Diagram

The brake lines in 1999-2007 GMT800 Silverado’s, Sierra’s, and Suburbans are very prone to rusting out and needing replacement. For individuals who live in “salt” states, where cities commonly salt the roads to prevent ice, the brake line rusting is even more common. In 2010, a class-action lawsuit was filed as rusted brake lines were…

GMT900 common problems
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The 8 Most Common Chevy Silverado & Sierra Problems (2007-2013 GMT900)

The 2nd generation Silverado’s and GMC Sierra’s were produced from 2007 to 2013 under the GMT900 chassis code. These trucks all used engines from GM’s small-block V8 Vortec engine family, such as the 4.8L, 5.3L, and 6.2L. While all of these engines are known for their reliability, there are a number of common problems with…