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

After bolting the factory strut to the new lower arm, the spindle, rotor, and caliper could be reinstalled.
After bolting the factory strut to the new lower arm, the spindle, rotor, and caliper coul
After bolting the factory strut to the new lower arm, the spindle, rotor, and caliper could be reinstalled.
After bolting the factory strut to the new lower arm, the spindle, rotor, and caliper coul
The last step was to install the new, beefier sway bar and attach it to the lower control arm. The front suspension was finished and it was time to move to the rear of the truck.
The last step was to install the new, beefier sway bar and attach it to the lower control

As with the front, the first step in the rear was to remove the wheels and tires. Then the leaf springs were unbolted and removed.
As with the front, the first step in the rear was to remove the wheels and tires. Then th
The factory front leaf spring hanger was then replaced by a new longer hanger to bring the truck down lower.
The factory front leaf spring hanger was then replaced by a new longer hanger to bring the
The factory front leaf spring hanger was then replaced by a new longer hanger to bring the truck down lower.
The factory front leaf spring hanger was then replaced by a new longer hanger to bring the

With the new hanger installed, the whole leaf spring pack could be re-installed on the truck after the blocks were removed from between the leaf and the axle housing.
With the new hanger installed, the whole leaf spring pack could be re-installed on the tru
The DJM kit came with an antisway bar for the rear that needed to be installed. The antisway bar was bolted to the axlehousing with a pair of U-bolts. This will help control rear body roll and keep the truck flatter through corners and high-speed turns.
The DJM kit came with an antisway bar for the rear that needed to be installed. The antis
The antisway bar endlinks were then bolted onto an existing frame crossmember and the whole setup was tightened up. This finishes up the rear suspension. Now the truck sits nice and level and is capable of better handling performance.
The antisway bar endlinks were then bolted onto an existing frame crossmember and the whol

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
TIME SPENT WORKING:	10 HOURS
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY:	SHADETREE MECHANIC
TOOLS NEEDED: Impact gun, assorted metric sockets, flat-head screwdriver
PARTS USED:
(Prices from manufacturers and do not include tax, shipping, or labor)
DJM 2/3 lowering kit with front and rear sway bars and rear shocks:	$1,024.38
Airaid # AA200-197:	$304.90
Magnaflow exhaust kit:	$615.94
OE 20-inch wheels and 275/55R20 tires found on Craigslist	$400
TOTAL:	$2,345.22

From the Driver Seat
After installing the DJM lowering kit, the truck has a better stance and thanks to the sway bars, the truck's cornering was greatly improved. Before and after the install, the truck was run through a 600-foot slalom course. Before the upgraded suspension the maximum speed was 52.76 mph. After the suspension install, the slalom speed increased to 55.1 mph. This is due to a lower center of gravity, the upgraded front sway bar, and the new rear antisway bar. The mpg have also increased, up 1.5 mpg, thanks to the intake and exhaust upgrades. Whereas the used wheels and tires are OK for now and did help keep the initial cost down, we'll be upgrading them soon to squeeze even more performance out of our DJM suspension. Stay tuned for that and the rear airbag install.

SOURCE
MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust 22961 Arroyo Vista Rancho Santa Margarita CA 92688 800-824-8664 www.magnaflow.com	Airaid 2688 E Rose Garden Lane Phoenix AZ 85050 888-876-8984 www.airaid.com
DJM Suspension 580 West 184th Street Gardena CA 90248 800-237-6748 www.djmsuspension.com	JBM Motoring 428-B W. Katella Ave Orange CA 92867 1-800-598-5555 http://www.sporttrucking.com