Throttle body spacers??

[Dirtyfingers]

Can anyone explain to me what the gain is with a throttle body spacer? It seems weird that a piece of metal spacing gives a small hp gain, can someone explain the science behind it?

 

[awpsome]

Sorry, but to straight to the point. Does not work.

In "theory" the science behind is it the "extra space" it provides after the MAF so you have uncalculated air the should "move" the torque curve but it doesn't work. Also it's "vortex" it's make is unproven IMO.

I had one that was on the truck from the previous owner. I took it out and felt ZERO difference. Also coming from a previous 3rd gen I still felt no difference in going up to it and after removing it.

I think I still might even have it in the garage somewhere. If you'd like to give it a "try" 20$ and its yours.

 

[fun_runner]

The only reason I bought mine was because it was on the clearance table at Summit Racing. I bought it more for looks. It was red so it matched a few other things in my engine bay at the time. Like mentioned before tho, no real performance gain.

 

[mikebontoft]

Just a carryover from throttle body injected/carbed engines. It's probably between that and people justifying why theirs worked that makes it so confusing. They supposedly worked on those systems because the air and fuel entered the intake together and the spacer allowed for better atomization of the two or something.

since fuel enters the system in the lower manifold, it really wouldn't make a difference unless your spacer is, say, 5" thick....then it's a change in plenum volume and air velocity, likely for worse.

 

[KidVermicious]

Can anyone explain to me what the gain is with a throttle body spacer? It seems weird that a piece of metal spacing gives a small hp gain, can someone explain the science behind it?

They don't work on modern motors. They may have some benefit on carbed motors and early EFI motors that inject fuel into the intake plenum/throttle body, but there's really no gain or point to them on a motor that doesn't mix air and fuel until the combustion chamber.

To the best of my knowledge, all of Toyota's truck motors since the 22RE have been direct injection. All you'd do with a spacer is induce a little throttle lag.

 

[Dirtyfingers]

Nah I was never impressed by them, I just want to know why a lot of people are so gung ho about them

 

[Adventure Copan]

Tried it on our Tundra we had and no real noticeable difference (possibly a very slight throttle response and some cool air noise).

-Daniel Kent

 

[Dirtyfingers]

That's what a bunch of people say is for the more throutier noise

 

[98OzarksRunner]

In theory they increase the plenum volume (the air volume of the manifold after the throttle body but before the runners begin). That (in theory) should result in a little more low-end torque. However, the amount of increased volume from a spacer like that would be so minimal it wouldn't make any difference. The only way it will make your truck faster is by lightening your wallet.

 

[JWaldz]

Can anyone explain to me what the gain is with a throttle body spacer?

They're colorful paper weights, that's about it...

 

[Dirtyfingers]

I agree with paper weights. Hey arkrwlr what do you mean when you say your runner is duel locked?

 

[Robb235]

They don't work on modern motors. They may have some benefit on carbed motors and early EFI motors that inject fuel into the intake plenum/throttle body, but there's really no gain or point to them on a motor that doesn't mix air and fuel until the combustion chamber.

To the best of my knowledge, all of Toyota's truck motors since the 22RE have been direct injection. All you'd do with a spacer is induce a little throttle lag.

Wait, so the 5vz-fe is direct injection? I had no idea. I have never taken apart this motor.

 

[KidVermicious]

Wait, so the 5vz-fe is direct injection? I had no idea. I have never taken apart this motor.

Huh. Sequential multiport, if you believe Wikipedia. Learn something new every day, I guess, and now I'm wondering if my 22RE is direct injection too. I may have got my definitions messed up.

Anyway, my point is that the fuel isn't dropped directly into the throttle body and mixed right there, which is where the throttle spacer is supposed to do the most good.

 

[JWaldz]

I agree with paper weights. Hey arkrwlr what do you mean when you say your runner is duel locked?

It's locked in the front and rear

 

[shootmymime]

now get this, (just a thought) would a throttle body spacer help with SC engine THAT has the 7th injector directly behind the throttle body in the intake?

by theory, the spacer should help but prob like everyone else says, "not enough to notice"

but so far everyone is correct in their claims, spacers spawn off carbed motors. ive got one a 1 inch spacer on my mustang.