Best Intake Manifold For 5.3 Vortec Reviews 2022: Our Top Rated 5!

Intake manifolds distribute the air coming into the engine evenly to each of the cylinders in the engine to mix the gas and the air in correct ratio.

Chevrolet used a composite intake manifold made of plastic and silicone as stock for their Vortec engines for a decade.

When these manifolds crack and leak, it results in excess air getting sucked in and the engine running poorer. To maintain a fuel-efficient vehicle, you need to maintain a properly functioning intake manifold. Upgrading it also allows room for performance gains.

This list outlines some of the best intake manifolds for 5.3 Vortec.

Top Rated Intake Manifold For 5.3 Vortec Reviews

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1# FAST LSXrt 102mm Cathedral Port Intake Manifold:

Last update on 2023-09-06 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

It has been designed to accommodate late model GM 5.3 Vortec engines and all LS1, -2, -6 based engine race applications.

This intake has a multi-layer modular design. The build material is advanced proprietary precision injection molded polymer.

It contains integrated nitrous bungs and precise bolt-on fit permitting the usage of factory accessories and OEM fuel/emission connections without clearance issues.

This is built specifically for GM 4.8/5.3/6.0L LS cathedral port truck engines and cathedral port LS1, -2, -6 race applications where hood clearance is not a concern.

Things We Like:

• Multi-layer modular design for simple disassembly process.
• It’s strong, lightweight and most importantly, it cools intake charge for enhanced power.
• The runner design yields a significant gain in rear-wheel over the stock.
• Features the ability to remove individual runners for modifications.

Things That Could Improve:

• You need aftermarket fuel rails and a decent aftermarket fuel pressure regulator (return style) to install this.
• You will need to connect fuel lines to the rails and purchase the right fittings to attach to the rails and the regulator.

> Check Price and Reviews on Amazon <

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2# Dorman Intake Manifolds 

Last update on 2023-09-06 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Dorman is an ideal replacement for your stock intake. It’s built reliably, the brand name is trustworthy, and it ensures a perfect fit for your Vortec 5.3 engine.

This intake manifold is precision-engineered and manufactured to exactly match the fit and function of the stock manifold on vehicles. The Dorman intake is designed to keep the engine cooler and ensure optimum performance.

The Dorman is built by an industry leader in aftermarket manifolds. It has a perfect fit with the Vortec 5.3 engine. The design has eight individual gaskets which is much better than the OEM design of using a stamped gasket plate for each side of the intake.

The gaskets are much thicker than market competitors. The manifold is much more open and spacious inside than the OEM intake.

Things We Like:

• Exactly fits the engine model, make and height.
• This intake manifold has been tested to ensure top-quality OEM performance and durability under stressful circumstances.
• Trustworthy design.

Things That Could Improve:

• It is complicated to install this intake; a mistake could result in overheating.
• The sensors and the connectors out of the box might not match your vehicle model.

> Check Price and Reviews on Amazon <

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3# ACDelco GM OE Intake Manifolds

Last update on 2023-09-06 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This ACDelco product is a cathedral port intake manifold. If you are looking at a more economical option to replace your damaged intake, ACDelko is the General Motors recommended replacement module for your vehicle’s original factory component.

The intake manifold is manufactured to General Motor’s OE specification to exactly the fit and form and guarantee proper function, providing you with the same performance, durability, and service life you expect from General Motors.

ACDelco provides installation manuals for the engine service, which sways the mechanic expense, to your favor.

Things We Like:

• Exact performance and fitting of OEM.
• The company has a legacy of providing aftermarket solution to GM vehicles and is trusted by the customers.
• Has a 24-month warranty and unlimited mile limited warranty.
• The build material of the intake manifold makes it versatile.

Things That Could Improve:

• Does not give any added performance boost over the stock intake manifold. Since both the engine and the aftermarket part are made by GM, there’s no outstanding feature.
• The most economic option, but other better products are out there if you are looking for more than just best bang-for-buck.

> Check Price and Reviews on Amazon <

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4# A-Team Performance Intake Manifold 102mm Throttle Body Fabricated Metal Sheet

Last update on 2023-09-06 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The intake manifold is built with TIG Welded Aluminum with an intake which is about 2″ taller than stock. IT perfectly fits Cathedral Style LS1 LS2 LS6 4.8/5.3/5.7/6.0 heads, making it widely applicable.

The product is highly rated as a performance booster. Enthusiasts adore the brand and love this product to increase their torque and engine performance. The packaging includes: Black Intake Manifold, Black Throttle Body, Black Fuel Rails, and Fuel Crossover Line.

It also includes the gaskets and other necessary hardware like the A-Team Performance Intake Manifold 102mm drive by cable.

The throttle body fabricated with metal sheet is compatible with Chevrolet GMC Pontiac LS, LS1, LS2, and LS6. The intake will not bend or flex with boost or vacuum. Black fuel rails with braided fuel line is included. It’s perfect for upgrading your 5.3 Vortec engine.

Things We Like:

• Looks absolutely stunning!
• Solidly built with fabricated metal sheet.
• The intake has a high RPM range, perfectly suited for performance vehicles.

Things That Could Improve:

• Bolts are often not included.
• Throttle bracket is not included.
• The port configuration can be confusing.

> Check Price and Reviews on Amazon <

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5# ACDelco GM OE Intake Manifolds

Last update on 2023-09-06 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The ACDelco 17113697 comes with the body gasket and sensors fitting the 5.3 Vortec. However, the studs can sometimes be brittle, so tightening down the throttle should be done with care.

This intake manifold evenly distributes the combustion mixture of air and gasoline (or just air in a direct injection system) to each intake port in the cylinder head for proper function of the engine and ensures optimum performance.

The product designs are enhanced and amended to incorporate updates, upgrades, and technical Service Bulletins.

Things That We Like:

• The different iterations work for specific vehicles.
• General Motors recommended replacement module for your vehicle’s original factory component.
• The competitive price advantage of the product is nearly unbeatable for those in need.

Things That Could Improve:

• Does not give any added performance boost over the stock intake manifold. There’s no outstanding feature.
• The most economic option, but other better products are out there if you are looking for more than just best bang-for-buck.
• The studs are brittle, and over-tightening can break them.

> Check Price and Reviews on Amazon <

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Buying Guide for Choosing Best Intake Manifolds for 5.3 Vortec

Intake manifolds are formed to deliver air and fuel to the cylinders set in the engine. Therefore, intake manifolds can be simple flow controllers or more complex multi-part holding heads with flow control.

Before purchasing and installing an engine intake manifold, you have to make sure it is the correct fit for your vehicle. For performance consistency, you should buy one of the best intake manifolds for 5.3 Vortec.

Intake manufacturers advertise RPM ranges identifying where the intakes are most efficient. Considering this range when buying significantly helps in choosing the right intake for your vehicle.

Street cars perform best on certain RPM ranges. Check the manufacturers advertisements to find the optimum RPM (Idle- 6000) range for your vehicle. Best stock intakes have smaller plenums and smaller cross-sectioned runners which ensure a good idle quality and crisp throttle response.

Performance cars require single point intakes with higher RPM (2500-8000) ranges ensuring maximum torque. So, the top intakes for performance vehicles have wider cross sections on runners and larger plenums to pass more atomized fuel and pull in more air.

The top-quality intakes are made of composite metals or sheet metals. This way they are able to better withstand engine heating and stay durable over time.

The best intakes for daily driver vehicles have dual plane system and the best intakes for performance cars have single plane system.

Best intake manifolds are raised to create more distance between the engine and the bottom of the intake manifold in order to keep the runners cooler and increase their lifespan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Is there a difference in intake heights?

A: Yes. You have to select the correct intake for the vehicle you are buying the intake manifold for, and have to check your vehicle’s hood clearance before selecting a high rise intake.

Q: Can intake bolts be overtightened?

A: Yes. You should ideally tighten the intake bolts to the manufacturer’s specifications. Most of the aftermarket providers also publish an engine service manual. General Motors also publishes one.  You can see the engine service manual for torque specifications and sequence.

Q: Can a leaking intake gasket cause an engine miss?

A: Yes. It could suck additional air into the cylinder and reduces engine coolant, which will cause less efficient combustion.

Q: Are there signs that there may be a problem with a vehicle’s intake?

A: Yes. When you have reduced engine power and abnormal sounds or vibrations-these are signs that there may be a problem with a vehicle’s intake. Engine oil and/or coolant leaks/consumption can also be signs of an intake issue.

Q: Can changing the intake manifold increase my vehicle performance?

A: Yes, it can. You have to replace the intake manifold with an LS1 unit. The LS1 engine intakes were built mainly for other purposes, but have since been retrofitted to the 5.3L Vortec engine. These intakes require changes to the air intake, but at the same time, can increase horsepower dramatically when used with Chevrolet’s Vortec cylinder heads. Therefore, you are best served to use GM performance products parts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we obviously are realizing that intake manifolds are an essential part of your vehicle performance and function.

The factory intake manifolds are often made of plastic composites which don’t last long, causing multiple engine issues. And these aftermarket solutions are better options.

You can get rid of the plastic and silicone gaskets and go with a steel and rubber assembly from various suppliers. We have compared the available intake manifolds for Vortec engines of 5.3L and picked up the most well received products available in the market.

Luckily, we have compiled for you some of the best intake manifolds for 5.3 Vortec engines.