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How to Install Spectre Cold Air Intake - Polished on your Sierra

Installation Time

2 hours

Tools Required
  • 5/16” or 8mm nut driver
  • 1/4” Nut driver
  • Ratchet
  • 10mm socket
  • T15 torx
  • Phillips screwdriver
American Muscle
Shop Parts in this Guide

Parts List
1 - Intake tube
1 - Air filter
1 - Heat shield- Large
1 - Heat shield- Small
1 - 4” Offset velocity stack adaptor
1 - 4” x 3 1/2” Reducer coupler
1 – 3 1/2” 90° Rubber elbow
4 – 5/8” Hose clamps
3 – 3 1/2” Hose clamp
1 – 4” Hose clamp
1 – 6” Hose clamp
3- Allen bolts
3- Flat washers
3- Locknuts
1- Allen wrench
1- Rubber seal
2- Breather hoses
2- M4 Machine screws

Step 1
Safety first! Before you begin the installation, make sure that the vehicle is in park (or neutral for a manual transmission) with the parking brake set. Disconnect the negative battery terminal and verify that all components that are listed are present. Note: This kit was designed and tested on a stock engine without any custom tuning done to the engine computer. Removing the battery cable may erase the programmed radio stations. The anti-theft code will need to be entered into some radios after the battery cable is connected. The anti-theft code can typically be found in the owner’s manual or at your local dealership.


Step 2
Loosen the clamp at the air
box. Disconnect the Mass Air
Flow Sensor (MAFS) electrical
connector and unclip the wiring
harness from the air box.


Step 3
Disconnect the breather tubes
from the engine. There is a
small tab on the end of the tube,
push it to release the breather
tube.


Step 4
Loosen the clamp at the throttle
body and remove the factory
plenum from the vehicle.


Step 5
Remove the air box assembly
by pulling up and out firmly.


Step 6
Remove the air box mounting
plate. Three of these bolts will
be re installed with the new heat
shield.


Step 7
Remove the MAFS from the
factory air box.


Step 8
Insert and fasten the MAFS onto
the Spectre Performance intake
tube with the provided machine
screws.


Step 9
Assemble the heat shield with the tabs placed on the outside of heat shield. Install the rubber bulb seal. Place the velocity stack adapter in the heat shield and install the supplied flex coupler making sure the coupler is pushed completely against the heat shield. Take note of the orientation of the funnel, this may be rotated slightly once the filter is installed in the vehicle. Once the adapter and coupler are tight against the heat shield, tighten the clamp.


Step 10
Install the heat shield into the truck as shown by reusing the hardware from the tray. There are two bolts that will go in the bottom. The third bolt will be reused from the radiator mount removed in Step 6. If the holes do not line up with the heat shield, see the next step to resolve.this.


Step 11
This step is only required if your heat shield bolt pattern did not line up in Step 10. Loosen the 4 bolts shown, but do not remove them. Install the heat shield and fasten it securely in place. Once the heat shield is in place, securely fasten the 4 bolts that were just loosened.


Step 12
Remove the bolt shown and
rotate the brace towards the
engine.


Step 13
Install the filter and fully tighten
the clamp.


Step 14
Reinstall the bolt that was
removed in Step 12.


Step 15
Install the 90° boot on throttle
body with the short side on the
throttle body and clamp on the
throttle body side to secure the
boot in place. Install a second
clamp but do not tighten at this
time.


Step 16
Install the intake tube as shown
and once in position tighten
clamps.


Step 17
Connect the supplied hose to
the breather tube on the motor.
Install the new hose onto the
vacuum fitting on the intake
tube.


Step 18
Reconnect the MAFS wiring
harness.


Step 19
Make sure that all clamps and hardware are fully tightened. Reconnect the battery cable, start the vehicle and let it warm up. Shut off and inspect the installation once more for any loose clamps, wires, or hardware. Test drive & enjoy! Your installation is now complete. Periodically check all clamps and brackets.


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