2010 GMC Sierra - Fantastic Four - Intake - Exhaust

This month's Fantastic Four project truck is a 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 that was in desperate need of a new soul. The owner uses it for just about everything from his daily to towing and even hauling engines in the bed, but it didn't have any personality. We've shown you how to lift your truck for better off-road capability, lower your truck for better looks, now we will show you how to increase the performance of your truck with the addition of an upgraded suspension, intake, exhaust, and budget rolling stock. All of this adds up to a new driving experience while spending less than $2,400.

We started off by installing a DJM 2/3-inch drop kit to lower the truck, which will bring the center of gravity closer to the ground. Included in the kit was a set of burly sway bars for the front and rear. These extra-large sway bars will help control body roll when turning and help keep the truck stable when making high-speed maneuvers. For better engine performance, we added an Airaid intake kit and a MagnaFlow exhaust. Both of these together help the respiration of the engine, which adds horsepower and mpg. The MagnaFlow exhaust also sounds a whole lot better than the stock exhaust did. For wheels and tires, we tracked down a set of factory 20-inch GMC wheels and tires on Craigslist for only $400. The factory Goodyear Eagle LS 275/55R20 tires were virtually new and the OE wheels keep the under-the-radar performance theme. To help us with the install, we enlisted the help of Adolfo Briseno of JBM Motoring, in Anaheim, California. Follow along as we turned this Sierra from an average cruiser to a street bruiser in just one day.

The first step was to install the Airaid intake system. This install is simple enough to do in your driveway with basic handtools. Here you can see the factory air intake that is extremely restrictive. An Airaid intake, with high-flow filter, will unleash better fuel mileage as well as horsepower.
The first step was to install the Airaid intake system. This install is simple enough to d
Using a flathead screwdriver, we loosened the hose clamp from the throttle body and the hose clamp from the filter housing. Before boxing up the factory intake tube, the MAF sensor housing was removed for use with the new Airaid system. With the air tube removed, the airbox was removed by taking out two screws and lifting the box out of the truck.
Using a flathead screwdriver, we loosened the hose clamp from the throttle body and the ho
The Airaid system comes with all of the parts necessary for the install. Following the included directions, we put the kit together in a matter of minutes.
The Airaid system comes with all of the parts necessary for the install. Following the in

First, we installed the new airbox in the truck and then we installed the MAF sensor housing on the airbox. The kit comes with a new silicone connector to go between the MAF sensor housing and the new intake tube. This feature of the Airaid system is extremely important since the MAF sensor is kept in the factory location and in the factory housing, reducing the risk of an engine light coming on.
First, we installed the new airbox in the truck and then we installed the MAF sensor housi
Next, we attached the new air tube between the airbox and throttle body.
Finally, we installed the included high-flow performance cone filter and the Airaid install was complete.
Finally, we installed the included high-flow performance cone filter and the Airaid instal

We were now ready to install the exhaust. This is the new MagnaFlow exhaust kit, which features a much more streamlined design as well as a smaller muffler. The kit also comes with all the required hardware to make the installation a breeze.
We were now ready to install the exhaust. This is the new MagnaFlow exhaust kit, which fe
The first step was to remove the original exhaust from the truck. This was done by unbolting the exhaust at the end of the head pipe, cutting the tailpipe after the muffler, slipping the exhaust out of the rubber mounts, and lowering it away from the truck.
The first step was to remove the original exhaust from the truck. This was done by unbolt
The first step was to remove the original exhaust from the truck. This was done by unbolting the exhaust at the end of the head pipe, cutting the tailpipe after the muffler, slipping the exhaust out of the rubber mounts, and lowering it away from the truck.
The first step was to remove the original exhaust from the truck. This was done by unbolt

The MagnaFlow exhaust was loosely installed using the hardware.
Once the fitment was true, all of the clamps were tightened and the 3-inch turn down tip was installed. Notice this kit doesn't come with a polished tip that exits behind the tire, rather it dumps after the muffler. This is perfect for modified or airbagged suspensions and also keeps costs down.
Once the fitment was true, all of the clamps were tightened and the 3-inch turn down tip w
Moving to the suspension, we drove to JBM Motoring, in Anaheim, California, where their team would handle the install. The DJM 2/3-inch lowering kit included new lower control arms, new, shorter rear shocks, beefy front and rear sway bars, axle saddles, and crossmember saddles as well as all of the nuts and bolts needed to complete the install. In this picture you can also see the Firestone Ride Rite airbags that we will be installing in the rear of the truck in a later issue to show you how to get your lowered truck ready to tow safely and easily.
Moving to the suspension, we drove to JBM Motoring, in Anaheim, California, where their te

Starting with the front, we removed the wheels and tires and disconnected the ABS sensors. Here you can see the tie rod being unbolted from the spindle. A hammer was needed to loosen the tapered tie-rod end.
Starting with the front, we removed the wheels and tires and disconnected the ABS sensors.
Next, the brake caliper and rotor were removed from the spindle and the upper control arm was unbolted from the spindle.
Next, the brake caliper and rotor were removed from the spindle and the upper control arm
The lower strut bolts were then removed and the sway bar was disconnected from the lower control arm. Finally, the lower control arm could be unbolted from the spindle and the spindle removed from the truck.
The lower strut bolts were then removed and the sway bar was disconnected from the lower c

With the lower control arm disconnected from the spindle, it was then removed from the truck to make way for the new DJM control arms.
With the lower control arm disconnected from the spindle, it was then removed from the tru
Since the kit included heavy-duty sway bars, the small factory sway bar was also removed.
The new DJM lower control arms were bolted into place using the factory bolts and mounting location.
The new DJM lower control arms were bolted into place using the factory bolts and mounting