throttle body?

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

i purchased a helix throttle body spacer for my 4.0l ohv about 2 years ago. i paid $90 for it. i don't believe i noticed any performance gain. but im wondering if it would be best to take it off? i mean its already installed, not hurting anything, but i got a volant cai and with the throttle body spacer it makes the cai closer to the front of the truck, and it sits higher on top of the radiator. the only thing its causing is when the hood is shut the under side of the hood kinda hits the cai. not a lot, but you can see a mark from where it touches. does anyone think it would actually be better with it off? i hear a lot of negative things about throttle body spacers. but if it won't give me any mohorse power/torque with it off, i'll probably just leave it on. so any comments would help please.thanks.

 

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

21 views and no input?lol. i mean the only way to really know is with a dyno. it won't be enough of a difference to really feel.

 

[dogfriend]

I have never understood how a throttle body spacer is supposed to do anything on a port fuel injected engine. (BTW, I'm a mechanical engineer, so I have a decent understanding of how engines are supposed to work.)

If I were you, I would take the thing off to get more clearance between the hood and air intake (so that the rubbing doesn't eventually break something), and try to sell that spacer to some unsuspecting soul on eBay.

You wanted an opinion, you have one.

 

[celly]

I think you're answering your own questions!

 

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

dogfriend

I have never understood how a throttle body spacer is supposed to do anything on a port fuel injected engine. (BTW, I'm a mechanical engineer, so I have a decent understanding of how engines are supposed to work.)

If I were you, I would take the thing off to get more clearance between the hood and air intake (so that the rubbing doesn't eventually break something), and try to sell that spacer to some unsuspecting soul on eBay.

You wanted an opinion, you have one.

well on the inside of the spacer theres like swirl grooves or what ever.its supposed to make the air spin to go through faster/better i guess.but yea, i agree i think i should take it off so my cai fits like it should. then try to sell it for as much as i can.thanks for the input!

 

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

celly

I think you're answering your own questions!

lol, yea i pretty much am. im just wanting some opinions and answers about taking off or keeping it on. i answer my questions to see if anyone agrees or can add something.

 

[2000StreetRod]

tapered spacer?

I can think of only two instances when a throttle body spacer could improve the performance of our Explorer fuel injected engines. The first is to make up for Ford not providing an adjustable throttle cable. A spacer between the throttle body and the intake maniford inlet port could remove the slack in the throttle cable allowing wide open throttle when the accelerator is floored. The second is to make up for a mismatch in port size between the throttle body outlet port and the intake manifold inlet port. A tapered spacer that provides a smooth transition between the two ports will reduce turbulence allowing more airflow. Your swirling capability might help to better mix air with fuel if there were any fuel there to mix - which there isn't. I have "combs" on my stock gasket between the throttle body and the manifold. I think the combs are supposed to reduce intake noise. I plan to replace the gasket (which restricts airflow) with a tapered spacer when I install my 75mm throttle body http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249607. I suggest that you remove your spacer.

 

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

celly

You said it yourself. The TBS does nothing, so it's not hurting anything to be installed. I'd probably sell it, but you'd have a hard time doing so on this site. eBay might find a sucker, er seller.

yea i'll put it on craigslist first.i might find some young guy that don't know any better and be like "man this spacer will add 50 horsepower!!!!" lol

 

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

2000StreetRod

I can think of only two instances when a throttle body spacer could improve the performance of our Explorer fuel injected engines. The first is to make up for Ford not providing an adjustable throttle cable. A spacer between the throttle body and the intake maniford inlet port could remove the slack in the throttle cable allowing wide open throttle when the accelerator is floored. The second is to make up for a mismatch in port size between the throttle body outlet port and the intake manifold inlet port. A tapered spacer that provides a smooth transition between the two ports will reduce turbulence allowing more airflow. Your swirling capability might help to better mix air with fuel if there were any fuel there to mix - which there isn't. I have "combs" on my stock gasket between the throttle body and the manifold. I think the combs are supposed to reduce intake noise. I plan to replace the gasket (which restricts airflow) with a tapered spacer when I install my 75mm throttle body http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249607. I suggest that you remove your spacer.

yea all that makes sense to me. i don't know what i was thinking when i bought this. i saw it in jc whitney i think,then i read the claims and benefits and thought for $90 this will be great! on the back of the box it came in they got a dyno graph on a 2006 diesel that gained 26 horsepower from this. i think i'll take it off, drive it for a a bit and see if i can feel a difference. if not, im selling it. i mean if for some reason it is helping and i can tell, i'll throw it back on. so thanks for all your input.