Engine/Transmission/Performance Adders Chat about your engine, transmission, nitrous, superchargers, turbos, and tuning.

Throttle Body Spacer, expected gains?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 08-10-2009, 05:35 AM
Frosty LS1's Avatar
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Indiana
Posts: 744
Default Throttle Body Spacer, expected gains?

Hello, found another cheap mod that might get power gains you can feel. I have a 2003 Monte Carlo SS (3.8 N/A) and on www.pfyc.com I found a throttle body spacer for $115. It claims to improve low to mid range torque and horsepower, and fuel economy. I expect the gains to be small, but it claims, and one review from the site say you can feel the difference. I was wondering, what are the expected gains in HP and Torque for this mod? And are there any downsides to adding this?
 
Attached Thumbnails Throttle Body Spacer, expected gains?-finest-wax-job-ever-009.jpg  
  #2  
Old 08-10-2009, 07:13 AM
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 432
Default

i have done lots of reading on the MCF and other sites on wether or not to add this mod to my list and my determination is it doesn't get you much gain anywhere, at least on V6 engines. on the LS4's they work well because the intake manifold is very restrictive and it gives the air a little more velocity to overcome the crappy design, but on the V6 montes, i have read reviews that they don't really do much. the s/c 3800s may be a different story but i see here you have an NA. i would save the money and maybe put it towards a custom tune or another mod that will net you positive results.
 
  #3  
Old 08-10-2009, 08:01 AM
ChibiBlackSheep's Avatar

Monte Of The Month -- August 2014
15 Year Member
10 Year Member5 Year Member3 Year Member1 Year Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Southeast PA
Posts: 25,136
Default

Save your money and get a CAI. That's the true way to bring more air in. The TB spacer really isn't going to do much. And for that price, I'd rather just upgrade / port your TB instead of just spacing it. But the TB on our cars is fine until you start getting heavily modded.
 
  #4  
Old 08-10-2009, 05:19 PM
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,961
Default

TB spacer is definitely a waste on a 3800. The only reason I reccomend them is to have an easy place to tap for nitrous without having to drill the car itself- but even then $120 is steep.
 
  #5  
Old 08-10-2009, 05:35 PM
ChibiBlackSheep's Avatar

Monte Of The Month -- August 2014
15 Year Member
10 Year Member5 Year Member3 Year Member1 Year Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Southeast PA
Posts: 25,136
Default

Plus if you REALLY wanted a TB Spacer, ZZP sells one for less than half that price.

But again, it's a huge waste of money.
 
  #6  
Old 08-10-2009, 05:54 PM
MAMONTE's Avatar

Monte Of The Month -- January 2010
10 Year Member
5 Year Member3 Year Member1 Year Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 8,464
Default

Waste of money!
 
  #7  
Old 08-10-2009, 07:56 PM
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,147
Default

I had the one from ZZp and is a waste of money. It is just a 1/4 inch thick piece of plastic that if you ask me restricts air flow because when i had it installed on my car part of the spacer was hanging into the inlet of the UIM. Looking like it was blocking air flow.

Save your money dont buy it.
 
  #8  
Old 08-11-2009, 11:58 AM
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 565
Default

It's a waste of money.

If you want decent gains and want to stay N/A, the HV3 upper intake insert from ZZP is a good choice. Combine that with a 2.5" downpipe, cold air intake, some higher ratio roller rockers, and a tune and you'd be looking at a nice little increase in power.
 
  #9  
Old 08-11-2009, 06:24 PM
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,961
Default

Originally Posted by 03SS/00GSE/93LX
It's a waste of money.

If you want decent gains and want to stay N/A, the HV3 upper intake insert from ZZP is a good choice. Combine that with a 2.5" downpipe, cold air intake, some higher ratio roller rockers, and a tune and you'd be looking at a nice little increase in power.
Or do a top swap for the same price, and end up with more power.
 
  #10  
Old 08-11-2009, 10:31 PM
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 565
Default

For sure... Lot more work though.
 


Quick Reply: Throttle Body Spacer, expected gains?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:37 AM.