Topic: Does a Throttle body spacer really do much?

[colorado_jeeper]

The reason i ask is because i just put on a 4.0 TB and took off the spacer i had on. I have a CAI already, so there is more airflow there, and now with the bigger TB is a spacer going to be a noticeable difference in performance?

[Jeffy]

Yes, it lowers the power band which will give you more usable torque.

[colorado_jeeper]

Ok, thanks. Follow-up question, Does the helix design on the inside of the spacer make a difference?

[Jeffy]

Ok, thanks. Follow-up question, Does the helix design on the inside of the spacer make a difference?

Not sure but that's what I have.  I haven't bothered to hone out the intake, TBS or stock TB.  I would imagine that it would help but it's more like fine tuning then anything else.  More then likely, it will allow the engine to breath better when WOT or even 3/4 and you'll be able to break 4000RPM's without trouble although I can do that now with some different tuning.

[oldjeep]

There's a thread on here somewhere about a guy who did actual dyno runs, and I believe that his best results came when he had bored the helix out of the spacer

[oldjeep]

There's a thread on here somewhere about a guy who did actual dyno runs, and I believe that his best results came when he had bored the helix out of the spacer

Here's the thread
http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php/topic,424.0.html

[Bounty Hunter]

I think the helix is too tight and the airflow too great for the helix to offer any benefit.  Seems more like a gimmick to me.

[jfrabat]

Ideally, you would want laminar airflow (this means no turbulence at all) to go straight into the cylinder.  This would mean a polished surface with very few and slight bends, but considering the intake manifold, this is impossible.  As for the vortex inducing TBS, I have yet to see one that really works, but at least the he helix ones (I have one on because I could not find one without it) do not block the flow of air as the tornado ones do...

[dwtaylorpdx]

Numerous folks with dyno time to burn have proven there is no real gain or loss to teh ones with or without some grooves...

Racers try everything and nobody swears by the helix style ones...

Most nascar heads do not have polished intakes only exhaust, they even machine micro grooves to stop laminar adhesion to the intake runner.
Sometimes course bead blasting is used as well.

Dave

[mjmudd]

I am actually looking for a little more top end speed to make highway driving a little easier not so much low end torque.  So will adding a 4.0 TB and helix spacer to my 2.5 make much difference in the top end or driveability in 5th gear?

Mike

[knotts89]

i put the spacer on first and their was a little difference but u can really tell after the 4.0 tb i feel like it helped mine on all around but really gears were the only thing that made it alot better on the hwy

[Bounty Hunter]

I am actually looking for a little more top end speed to make highway driving a little easier not so much low end torque.  So will adding a 4.0 TB and helix spacer to my 2.5 make much difference in the top end or driveability in 5th gear?

Mike

I wouldn't worry about the helix bore, it doesn't do anything.  The air is moving too fast for it to be beneficial.

I'd recommend using a 62mm throttle body and matching spacer, as well as grinding the intake manifold opening to 62mm.

[mjmudd]

Now if I am letting that much more air into the engine, don't I need to open up the exhaust as well?  Although the exhaust looks relatively new, it appears to be same as stock.  Is there a way to open that up cost effectively?  I don't really want/need to change the sound or buy an expensive cat-back system, just want to maximize the mod I am doing...

Thanks,

[jfrabat]

If you take out some of the restrictions via a high flow cat and cat back, you shoul dbe just fine...  You can, though, go for larger injectors later on...

[dwtaylorpdx]

The stock exhaust is not too bad really, I think you'd need a cam to really need the extra exhaust.

Youd notice more taking the back seat out and the spare tire off...

Dave