How To: Chevy GMC 5.3 Vacuum Pump Delete

Chevy GMC 5.3 Vacuum Pump Delete

Government mandates have produced some weird engine features over the years in a quest to improve fuel economy. One of those features is cylinder deactivation.

I don't deep dive into the whys and how's of deactivating cylinders but suffice it to say it's just not a great idea. One reason? You lose engine vacuum when it switches to 4 cylinders from 8 which means you would also lose brake assist at the brake booster.

Now you understand the purpose of the vacuum pump...

This is not a complex device, but as these vehicles age, they become another failure point. This truck in particular had a rattle in the front of the engine down low and I suspected the vacuum pump to be the culprit. I was right.

Now, there is more to this. I REALLY disliked the Active Fuel Management (AFM) and couldn't wait to disable it. In fact, this is a REQUIREMENT if you plan to delete your vacuum pump and it MUST be done first.

Here is rough step by step walk through covered in the video above:

1. Find a tuner in your area that has HP Tuners; they can disable the AFM so it will no longer function. There are plenty of other tricks they'll be able to do as well! Again, this has to be completed BEFORE you delete the vacuum pump.

2. Purchase the parts outlined in the video description. The PnP Tech Works manifold is REALLY well made.

3. Install the manifold.

4. Remove vacuum line at pump and make new one as shown.

5. Verify brake function BEFORE removing the vacuum pump.

6. Remove vacuum pump and install plugs in block that fed oil to the vacuum pump. DO NOT START THE ENGINE UNTIL THESE PLUGS ARE INSTALLED!

I'm so glad I did this and the brakes feel just the same as they did before removing the pump. A junk part is gone (was starting to seep oil) and the truck is just a bit simpler.