trucku
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- January 25, 2005
- Messages
- 2,015
- Reaction score
- 5
- City, State
- Queens, New York and living in Budd Lake, NJ now.
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2002 Explorer XLS 4.0 4x4
HOW TO: Throttle Body Mod on 2002 sohc 4.0
I have decide to see if I could modify the throttle body for some better airflow. I figure any gain in mpg is a good gain.
I am getting just barely 19mpg on the highway with this truck. I suppose its not so bad since she is a 4x4 and that leads to a huge factor in mpg.
I decided to mod the throttle body, because few weeks ago I had the intake tube off and noticed something interesting, a bunch of vanes. I guess they have them there to smooth out the airflow IMO they just take up space. The leading edge is also flat and is 1mm wide. That is turbulence right there.I measured them and it there are 11 lengths 1mm wide and 12mm long. that is 132mm square of surface area taken up in the throttle body and not including the little tiny vanes on the top half.
I decided not to try to mod the shaft at this point. If i mess this up I will would be in a dilemma , so I will keep it simple and see what happens.
I have a cheapo little saw I bought for 2 dollars form the 99 cent and up store, so I used that to for my cutting. I don't have a dremel tool.
I did not have to cut completely through each little plastic vane. I just scored them well and straight as I can and pushed on them with my thumb. If they didn't break I just went at it a little more. I was able to break them right off right on the cut line.
I secured the throttle open with a zip tie.
After I cut them all both from the bottom and top of the inside of the throttle body, I used some small files to smooth everything out.
IT took a long time, because I took my time. I didn't want to get crazy and score up the inside of the throttle body where the plate sits when at idle. I don't want any air bypassing around and causing issues.
Here it is done. I used some compound to polish it the best I can inside. Again this was all manual labor since I don't have a dremel tool. Notice I also cut the 2 screw ends sticking out past the shaft.
I am happy with the outcome. Again I did not want to get risky and try to cut the shaft and shorten the screws. Maybe when my extended warranty runs out. I don't want to void anything.
use your file carefully and don't gouge the inside of your throttle body.
I will post my mpg gains if any from a highway run to Long Island this weekend.
I have decide to see if I could modify the throttle body for some better airflow. I figure any gain in mpg is a good gain.
I am getting just barely 19mpg on the highway with this truck. I suppose its not so bad since she is a 4x4 and that leads to a huge factor in mpg.
I decided to mod the throttle body, because few weeks ago I had the intake tube off and noticed something interesting, a bunch of vanes. I guess they have them there to smooth out the airflow IMO they just take up space. The leading edge is also flat and is 1mm wide. That is turbulence right there.I measured them and it there are 11 lengths 1mm wide and 12mm long. that is 132mm square of surface area taken up in the throttle body and not including the little tiny vanes on the top half.
I decided not to try to mod the shaft at this point. If i mess this up I will would be in a dilemma , so I will keep it simple and see what happens.
I have a cheapo little saw I bought for 2 dollars form the 99 cent and up store, so I used that to for my cutting. I don't have a dremel tool.
I did not have to cut completely through each little plastic vane. I just scored them well and straight as I can and pushed on them with my thumb. If they didn't break I just went at it a little more. I was able to break them right off right on the cut line.
I secured the throttle open with a zip tie.
After I cut them all both from the bottom and top of the inside of the throttle body, I used some small files to smooth everything out.
IT took a long time, because I took my time. I didn't want to get crazy and score up the inside of the throttle body where the plate sits when at idle. I don't want any air bypassing around and causing issues.
Here it is done. I used some compound to polish it the best I can inside. Again this was all manual labor since I don't have a dremel tool. Notice I also cut the 2 screw ends sticking out past the shaft.
I am happy with the outcome. Again I did not want to get risky and try to cut the shaft and shorten the screws. Maybe when my extended warranty runs out. I don't want to void anything.
use your file carefully and don't gouge the inside of your throttle body.
I will post my mpg gains if any from a highway run to Long Island this weekend.