Factory exhaust manifold question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

LeesTruk · 12-17-2015, 01:31 PM

Ok, this is just for practical knowledge. What's the difference, if any, between the TBSS exhaust manifolds and the Trailblazer/Buick Rainier 5.3L exhaust manifolds. Everyone jumps on the TBSS manifolds as the "gotta have" cast iron piece, but is there really any difference?

**dayj1** · 12-17-2015, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeesTruk

Ok, this is just for practical knowledge. What's the difference, if any, between the TBSS exhaust manifolds and the Trailblazer/Buick Rainier 5.3L exhaust manifolds. Everyone jumps on the TBSS manifolds as the "gotta have" cast iron piece, but is there really any difference?

They are exactly the same parts.

BR3W CITY · 12-17-2015, 06:07 PM

The only difference is the price, and the chances that it'll still hve the rusty heat shield attached.

LeesTruk · 12-17-2015, 09:24 PM

Kinda what I thought. Maybe it's the mystique of the TBSS acronym that makes them so precious?

BR3W CITY · 12-17-2015, 11:14 PM

Well its just that when the Trailblazer and Envoy first debuted, the 5.3 wasn't available, so the only place to get them was the TBSS. Then they released both with the 5.3, as well as the Saab 97x and the H3 Alpha which also used them.

ls1nova71 · 12-17-2015, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

Well its just that when the Trailblazer and Envoy first debuted, the 5.3 wasn't available, so the only place to get them was the TBSS. Then they released both with the 5.3, as well as the Saab 97x and the H3 Alpha which also used them.

You forgot the Isuzu Ascender....

LeesTruk · 12-17-2015, 11:50 PM

Yeah... Who could forget that?

BR3W CITY · 12-18-2015, 12:56 AM

Actually, Isuzu medium duty trucks is a great place to find 6.0's. GM sells the 6.0 to Isuzu from a 3rd party mfg.

**Zoomad75** · 12-18-2015, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

Actually, Isuzu medium duty trucks is a great place to find 6.0's. GM sells the 6.0 to Isuzu from a 3rd party mfg.

An Isuzu tilt cab is an excellent source for a nice factory looking air intake tube. We had one in the shop last week and it looks similar to the Workhorse part I used but it faces the inlet where the filter would go to the rear instead of to the front like the Workhorse part does. Can't remember if I took a pic of it or not. I'll have to look!

MalibuSSwagon · 12-18-2015, 09:55 AM

I believe the "TBSS" part comes from the fact they are easily available since most people are modding their SS's. Soccermoms aren't really swapping out their 5.3L's manifolds for headers.

clemsonteg · 12-18-2015, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

I believe the "TBSS" part comes from the fact they are easily available since most people are modding their SS's. Soccermoms aren't really swapping out their 5.3L's manifolds for headers.

Truth. I looked up the part numbers for the manifolds and cross referenced everything on ebay. In the end, I got the best deal on a set of used ones on a TBSS forum.

12-17-2015, 01:31 PM	#1
LeesTruk Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Manchester, CT Posts: 433	Factory exhaust manifold question Ok, this is just for practical knowledge. What's the difference, if any, between the TBSS exhaust manifolds and the Trailblazer/Buick Rainier 5.3L exhaust manifolds. Everyone jumps on the TBSS manifolds as the "gotta have" cast iron piece, but is there really any difference?

12-17-2015, 06:07 PM	#3
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Factory exhaust manifold question The only difference is the price, and the chances that it'll still hve the rusty heat shield attached. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

12-17-2015, 09:24 PM	#4
LeesTruk Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Manchester, CT Posts: 433	Re: Factory exhaust manifold question Kinda what I thought. Maybe it's the mystique of the TBSS acronym that makes them so precious?

12-17-2015, 11:14 PM	#5
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Factory exhaust manifold question Well its just that when the Trailblazer and Envoy first debuted, the 5.3 wasn't available, so the only place to get them was the TBSS. Then they released both with the 5.3, as well as the Saab 97x and the H3 Alpha which also used them. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

12-17-2015, 11:50 PM	#7
LeesTruk Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Manchester, CT Posts: 433	Re: Factory exhaust manifold question Yeah... Who could forget that?

12-18-2015, 12:56 AM	#8
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Factory exhaust manifold question Actually, Isuzu medium duty trucks is a great place to find 6.0's. GM sells the 6.0 to Isuzu from a 3rd party mfg. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

12-18-2015, 09:55 AM	#10
MalibuSSwagon Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Weare,NH Posts: 1,592	Re: Factory exhaust manifold question I believe the "TBSS" part comes from the fact they are easily available since most people are modding their SS's. Soccermoms aren't really swapping out their 5.3L's manifolds for headers. __________________ Eric 1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser 1986 Chevrolet C10\|5.3L\|TKO600\|Shortbed\|Custom Deluxe 1983 Malibu Wagon\|TPI 305\|T5 5 speed\|3.73 non-posi

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