Throttle body spacers, do they add HP?

[Haase]

I found an Airaid brand throttle body spacer on parts train.com, it claims to add massive gains in mid range power, as well as overall efficiency. a different brand one claims to add 22 more horsepower. I don't really believe this so I was wondering if anyone else has ever put one on their GS motor, and if so did you notice any difference in power worth mentioning? thanks

 

[99gst214]

How Does a Throttle Body Spacer Work? | eHow.com

Last paragraph explains it. I would like the link showing where someone actually has a flow chart or dyno reading showing gains even remotley close to 20hp. You would be lucky to see 5. It is more for effiecency then anything. You will probably see more mpg then whp!
Hope this helps.

 

[nothingfiction]

From everything that i have read about throttlebody spacers is... they are about as useful as those "cyclone gas saver" thingys. Save some money and just buy the decals saying you have the spacer, those decals give about 10HP a peice on Honda's so i would imagine they couldn't hurt a dsm.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

How Does a Throttle Body Spacer Work? | eHow.com

Last paragraph explains it. I would like the link showing where someone actually has a flow chart or dyno reading showing gains even remotley close to 20hp. You would be lucky to see 5. It is more for effiecency then anything. You will probably see more mpg then whp!
Hope this helps.

His or her description of how they work isn't accurate whatsoever, and these things don't really improve either power or efficiency. Throttle body spacers are a carryover from carbureted engines, in which they both insulated the carburator from heat and altered its airflow characteristics. There's really no equivalent use for them in fuel injected cars, though intake manifold spacers may be a different story.

 

[99gst214]

From everything that i have read about throttlebody spacers is... they are about as useful as those "cyclone gas saver" thingys. Save some money and just buy the decals saying you have the spacer, those decals give about 10HP a peice on Honda's so i would imagine they couldn't hurt a dsm.

If the Honda decal myth is true, then my toolbox is faster then any Honda within a 100 mile radius.

His or her description of how they work isn't accurate whatsoever, and these things don't really improve either power or efficiency. Throttle body spacers are a carryover from carbureted engines, in which they both insulated the carburator from heat and altered its airflow characteristics. There's really no equivalent use for them in fuel injected cars, though intake manifold spacers may be a different story.

Intake manifold spacers or insulators are actually not much better when it comes to price-per-horsepower. I am sure that you know their main purpose is to decrease the temp of the manifold, which in turn raises the density of the air to the valves. Yet this doesn't eliminate heat soaking from the head or heat from the intake charge. It basically is just reducing the time it takes for the manifold to reach its thermal capacity. It can also help reduce the cool down time of the manifold, but other then that, not really worth any big power gains.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

Intake manifold spacers or insulators are actually not much better when it comes to price-per-horsepower. I am sure that you know their main purpose is to decrease the temp of the manifold, which in turn raises the density of the air to the valves. Yet this doesn't eliminate heat soaking from the head or heat from the intake charge. It basically is just reducing the time it takes for the manifold to reach its thermal capacity. It can also help reduce the cool down time of the manifold, but other then that, not really worth any big power gains.

There are few modifications that seem "worth" their price given the performance gain (if any). Intake manifold spacers, however, can significantly cool the intake charge. It's not necessarily true that the manifold reaches the same peak temperature with a spacer as without. There have been numerous test performed using dynamometers to confirm this assertion.

 

[Locke]

When the throttle body valve opens, the throttle body spacer allows a greater amount of air to pass through the valve, increasing the power available to the car.

Must be magic, because it's not physics. Adding a spacer magically makes your throttle body larger? Amazing!

Paul is correct, leftovers from the carburetor era.

 

[Fotowntalon]

I have a hondata IM heat shield/gasket, was around $40 i believe. To be honest my "butt dyno" didn't notice a difference, and i didn't dyno it to see if it actually did anything. I honestly don't see how it could hurt it. Do i think its worth it? Yes, for the simple reasons of, even if it doesn't do anything, it is still a reusable IM gasket.

As for the TB spacer.... you could just send me the $40-$50, and I'll send you an e-mail saying "your car is faster" be about the same thing, and this way you don't have to chance losing any hp to a gimmick.

 

[OblivioAssebit]

I know Jeeps say they gain power from TB spacers. I have a G35 also and the plenium spacer on that added a good 15hp. I could honestly see maybe a 10hp add with an intake spacer. However mine was like $200 so a $40 spacer would be a little worrysome to me.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

I know Jeeps say they gain power from TB spacers. I have a G35 also and the plenium spacer on that added a good 15hp. I could honestly see maybe a 10hp add with an intake spacer. However mine was like $200 so a $40 spacer would be a little worrysome to me.

1. I don't trust your estimation. Sorry, but "a good 15hp" sounds like an exaggerated estimate to me, though I don't doubt it did increase performance which leads me to...
2. Plenum spacers are different than "heat barrier" gaskets/spacers. Plenum spacers significantly increase the volume of the intake manifold whereas heat barrier gaskets insulate the manifold.

 

[Sonic_Eclipse]

Dude, I wouldn't waste your money on a TB spacer, it does nothing for our cars.

I actually bought a bigger TB with a 57mm bore. I love it, not only do I feel a difference in power but it sounds awesome too. Almost like the spool of a turbo, and its loud enough for people to hear outside too.

 

[99gst214]

There are few modifications that seem "worth" their price given the performance gain (if any). Intake manifold spacers, however, can significantly cool the intake charge. It's not necessarily true that the manifold reaches the same peak temperature with a spacer as without. There have been numerous test performed using dynamometers to confirm this assertion.

Correct. I understand and agree with your point. I believe that you would see a more significant increase from an intake spacer on a N/T over a turbo car. Just because even after an intercooler, intake charge temps are still up there. Just simple physics that when pressure is increased, so is temperature. Making it more or less postponing the inevitable. Not by any means trying to prove you wrong, just defending my case.

I picked a bad example with the link I posted earlier. It was not intended to prove anything, just using it as an example to help explain the false theories behind them. Its obvioius that you will never gain 50 hp from a tb spacer.

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

Dude, I wouldn't waste your money on a TB spacer, it does nothing for our cars.

I actually bought a bigger TB with a 57mm bore. I love it, not only do I feel a difference in power but it sounds awesome too. Almost like the spool of a turbo, and its loud enough for people to hear outside too.

Lol have you ever owned a turbo car? I've heard A LOT of intakes with different throttle bodies and even ITB's and I have never once heard an intake that sounds anything like a turbo.

 

[Sonic_Eclipse]

Lol have you ever owned a turbo car? I've heard A LOT of intakes with different throttle bodies and even ITB's and I have never once heard an intake that sounds anything like a turbo.

No I have not. I did say almost I didn't say exactly like one. But I have driven a few turbo cars around as I work at a car dealer detailing cars. Nothing crazy just stupid stupid stuff like the Acura RDX and a few VWs all stock of course. It sounds similar to one of those.

 

[Fotowntalon]

I've herd that TB spacers can actually give a little whistle, i'd imagine that is what he is referring to.

 

[dsm-onster]

I know Jeeps say they gain power from TB spacers. I have a G35 also and the plenium spacer on that added a good 15hp. I could honestly see maybe a 10hp add with an intake spacer. However mine was like $200 so a $40 spacer would be a little worrysome to me.

Yep. a plenum spacer adds MUCHO more volume than a TB spacer to the intake manifold. Very different things. Yes, the plenum spacer DID help a g35 I was working on for a friend. I felt a difference, barely. . . like 10-15hp barely, which is VERY hard to tell the difference BTW. TB spacer? no way. . .

 

[OblivioAssebit]

Yep. a plenum spacer adds MUCHO more volume than a TB spacer to the intake manifold. Very different things. Yes, the plenum spacer DID help a g35 I was working on for a friend. I felt a difference, barely. . . like 10-15hp barely, which is VERY hard to tell the difference BTW. TB spacer? no way. . .

Yeah its pretty crazy how much a little thing like that can help. It may not have been 15 but between my plenium spacer, z-tube, and pop charger, I gained a noticeable amount of top end power.