What are the symptoms of needing to clean the I/C core?

I have an '02 L with about 25K miles (3K of them mine). The L is stock + K&N panel filter and cobbled *** Flowmaster cat-back that I'm pining to rip out of there. No chip (coating still on the board), no tuner, no pulley (yet), stock PCM as far as I know

I just finished an oil change and while under the hood I pulled the throttlebody boot to check out the condition of the upper intake. The blades were slightly darkened and I had a small amount of oil on the bottom of the bores. With the blades open, It did not look like it tracked more than a couple inches past the blades.

Are there any symptoms for needing to clean the core? Things like sooty tailpipes (got em), cutting out at around 80 (changed fuel filter today also), losing to a Camaro SS due to the above (did that one yesterday)...

Thanks in advance for the help - an all the guideance to date,
Herb

 

From what you describe, I woudn`t think your I/C is soaked with oil. As far as losing to the Camero, I chip and 4lb pulley would leave those cars in the dust. It only takes a few mods like the ones mentioned to take your truck from lazy to crazy. Extra boost would definitly make your motor injest some oil.

 

It is a lot of work to go through. I would plan on installing something to filter the blowby.

If I were you I would hold off untill you start getting into the mods and track racing.

As far as the street goes, or the track for that matter, there will always be someone somewhere faster with more money.