LS Intake Upgrade on a 1979 Chevy C10 with Summit Racing Parts

Chris Hamilton . April 07, 2026 . c10 .

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Modernizing Our Classic

The engine bay of Project Rocky was originally designed to have a classic look while sporting modern power. The 5.3L LS engine from Summit Racing had a cool look to it with an old-school-looking air cleaner and remote-mounted coil packs. The thought was that when the hood opened, people would be impressed that it’s actually an LS while looking like a small-block. We found out, however, that when we popped the hood at truck shows, most people were less than impressed and just kept walking.

A clean carbureted engine is not what we have installed, that’s what it looks like from 15 feet away. Nowadays, a clean look doesn’t create a wow factor. With all the time and effort we have in this build, we want jaws to drop at any angle, so it’s time to make it look as modern as it truly is.

The way we decided to make this happen is to once again turn to our friends at Summit Racing. They have a complete sheetmetal-style intake package specifically for this engine setup. Adding one item to our cart makes things easy, which we love.

In this grouping comes a Summit Racing branded cathedral-style intake manifold, the intake rubber gaskets, new fuel rails, and the fuel hose to connect the rails with the fittings already installed. We added a new valley plate and a set of valve covers to this group, as our old setup had the oil fill in the valley plate. Finally, to ensure we don’t have any loose hardware down the line, we added a set of ARP bolts to the cart.

We also don’t need to drain any fluids or break out the jack stands. Follow along as we make an impactful update to our 1979 Chevy C10, and let us know whether you liked the old look or the new look better!

Step-by-Step LS Intake Manifold Installation

One of the best parts of this conversion is that we could knock it out in a single day without having to update the tune.

How to Identify Your LS Intake Port Style

Before ordering any LS intake manifold, you must confirm your cylinder head port style. Installing the wrong intake will result in a mismatched gasket surface and potential vacuum leaks.

Cathedral Port (This Build)

• Shape: Tall, arched opening – wider at the base, narrowing at the top like a church window
• Found on: LS1, LS2, LS6, LQ4, LQ9, L59 (4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L)
• Years: 1997–2007 (most Gen III and early Gen IV)
• Compatible with: SUM-226120S-G2

Rectangular Port

• Shape: Taller, more uniform rectangular opening
• Found on: LS3, L92, L99, LSA, LS7, LSX
• Years: 2008+ (most Gen IV high-output applications)
• NOT compatible with: SUM-226120S-G2

How to Check Without Removing the Intake:

Pull the throttle body and look down the intake bore. Alternatively, check your engine casting number on the block or heads and cross-reference against GM casting number databases.

Parts Specifications

SOURCE:

Summit Racing
www.summitracing.com
800-230-3030

ARP Bolts
www.arp-bolts.com
805-339-2200

Frequently Asked Questions

Will installing this intake manifold require a retune?

No. The Summit Racing Max EFI intake manifold (SUM-226120S-G2) maintains the same 102mm throttle body bore and identical sensor mounting locations as the factory LS intake. The ECU does not require recalibration for this swap, making it a true bolt-on upgrade on a stock or mildly modified LS engine.

How do I know if my LS engine has cathedral or rectangular ports?

Cathedral ports have a taller, arched opening that resembles a cathedral window wider at the bottom, narrowing toward a rounded top. Rectangular ports have a more uniform, square shape. Cathedral ports are found on LS1, LS2, LS6, 4.8L, 5.3L, and 6.0L engines. Rectangular ports are found on LS3, L92, LS7, and LSX engines. Always confirm port style before ordering.

Do I need to drain coolant for this swap?

On this specific 1979 C10 build, no coolant draining was required. However, some LS configurations route coolant through the intake manifold. Verify your coolant routing before beginning the swap.

How long does the LS intake manifold swap take?

With the correct tools and parts staged in advance, this swap can be completed in a single day approximately 4–6 hours for an intermediate-level builder.

Are the stock fuel injectors compatible with the new fuel rails?

Yes. The injectors from the original fuel rails were transferred directly to the Summit Racing fuel rail kit with no modification. New O-rings should be installed on injectors before reinstalling.

What is the benefit of a sheetmetal-style intake over a stock LS intake?

Sheetmetal-style intakes typically feature a larger plenum volume (9.7L in this case vs. approximately 5L stock), improved internal airflow geometry, and a dramatic visual appearance that showcases the LS engine’s modern character. Performance gains depend on supporting modifications, but improved throttle response and top-end power are commonly reported.

What is the difference between tall and low-profile intake options?

The tall intake maximizes plenum volume for peak airflow and horsepower but may cause hood clearance issues in some engine bays. The low-profile version sacrifices minimal flow for applications where hood-to-intake clearance is limited. Measure your available hood clearance before ordering.

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Chris Hamilton

Chris Hamilton is an automotive journalist, editor, and lifelong truck enthusiast with extensive experience covering custom truck builds, fabrication, performance upgrades, aftermarket products, and a ...

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