AEM Air Intake Equipped Supercharged 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 Makes 475 HP at the Wheels

Dyno testing shows that Garret’s GMC Sierra 5.3L V8 engine made 475 horsepower and 421 lb-ft of torque at the rear Raceline Wheels wrapped in 35” General Tire Grabber all terrain tires

AEM Induction Systems caught up with Garrett Harmon at the 2014 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, Nevada to check out his 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 nicknamed Vanilla Heat. While the truck’s name might elicit a chuckle, Garrett will assure you this truck is serious business. For starters, Garrett works for Magnuson Superchargers in Ventura, California. For over thirty years Magnuson Superchargers has specialized in designing and building superchargers to original equipment standards with the goal of offering big horsepower gains, drivability, and a long-lasting, reliable product. Magnuson stands behind its supercharger systems with a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty and by utilizing the latest in computer design technology Magnuson is able to deliver power over the entire RPM range while continuing to meet emissions and fuel economy standards.

With minor modifications Garrett Harmon adapted AEM cold air intake 21-8030DC to be compatible with the Magnuson Supercharger forced air induction system on his 2013 GMC Sierra

This approach to design, engineering, and power delivery mirrors those of AEM Induction Systems, and when Garrett was considering a cold air intake for his truck AEM CAI 21-8030DC seemed like a match made in heaven. AEM Induction Systems engineers design AEM intake systems as a fully integrated component of the vehicle. Improved airflow is only part of the power equation. Significant efforts are put into designing and intake that will draw in cool air at or near ambient air temperature. This is done to maintain inlet air temperature (IAT) readings within factory specifications as well as improve power delivery safely, and at usable RPM ranges.

An OLB LED roof mounted light bar and Gold Standard Lighting headlights make sure Garret can see any off-road obstacle long before the Pure Performance Suspension has to soak it up

High airflow and excellent engine protection through filtration efficiency is something every high performance engine requires. Advanced Dryflow, non-woven, oil free, synthetic air filter media is at the heart of AEM cold air intake 21-8030DC. AEM Dryflow Air filters incorporate a three-dimensional synthetic filtering medium pleated between structural screen wire to enhance airflow capabilities. The AEM cold air intake system adapted onto Garrett’s 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 includes other features that go above and beyond those normally used in an aftermarket air intake. The enclosed air box design seals the cold air intake system from under hood heat and serves to draw air from outside the engine compartment. Another benefit of the enclosed air box design is that the AEM Dryflow synthetic air filter is protected from splashes of water, or mud, and the included air filter minder means Garrett will know without looking at the filter if it needs to be cleaned.

Garrett’s 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3L packs quite a punch with the Magnuson Supercharger, AEM cold air intake system, and Lingenfelter Performance camshaft. A Black Widow Exhaust setup helps the 5.3L engine exhale all the forced air and spent gasses it just inhaled. Dyno testing shows that Garret’s 5.3L V8 engine made 475 horsepower and 421 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels. This is no simple feat as the lifted Sierra is running 35” General Tire Grabber all terrain tires mounted on Raceline Wheels. AEM dyno testing showed that a completely stock 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3L made 248 horsepower. This means that Garrett’s 2013 Sierra 1500 is making somewhere in the neighborhood of 225, or 190%, more horsepower than stock!

The 2013 Sierra’s aggressive stance comes from the installation of a Pure Performance Suspension long travel suspension lift. This lift kit is built for true off-road performance, not for show. It only provides around 3” of lift in the front of the truck, however wheel travel is significantly increased boasting up to 16” total wheel travel. Remote reservoir coilover shocks provide suspension damping up front, and remote reservoir shocks mated to a custom Atlas leaf spring packs supports the rear. An OLB LED roof mounted light bar and Gold Standard Lighting headlights make sure Garrett can see any off-road obstacle long before the 475 horsepower 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 races past or over it.

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