AWESOME off the line throttle response

My first reactions to the new Airaid Poweraid Throttle Body Spacer is wow! The torque increase is amazing from a stop to about 3000 RPM and Airaid claims up to 4mpg better mileage. I received this yesterday at work and was jumping out of my seat wanting to go home and install it. I decided to do a write up on the install process and tell you guys a bit about it. This install was a bit easier since i had the TRD CAI.

This is what you start out with.

Start by removing the negative battery cable, this allows time for your computer to reset while doing the install. Remove the two 10mm bolts from the top of the engine cover, take it off and set aside.

Now remove the MAF sensor wire harness by squeezing down on the clip and pulling back. Also remove the valve cover breather hose on the front of the intake tube. You wont need to remove the long vacuum hose. Now you can unscrew the (4) hose clamps that hold the intake tube in place.

Place the intake tube back next to the fire wall. Unbolt (4) bolts on the throttle body and place the bolts somewhere out of the way. Place the Poweraid spacer between the throttle body and intake manifold there will be a "TB Side" marked on the spacer this side goes toward the, you guessed it, Throttle Body Side along with the supplied gasket.

Reinstall the (4) new bolts and washers that were supplied. Be careful not to over tighten, its only brass fittings in there!

Now reinstall the intake tube, tighten hose clamps and reinstall MAF sensor into its connection and the valve cover breather hose. The Airaid instructions now go on to say reinstall the engine cover, i decided to leave it off, I like looking at all the engine parts. Now reinstall the negative battery cable and your ready to feel the benefits. this is the finished product with no engine cover.


The Verdict: This is a great addition. Throttle response is amazing and fuel economy should increase, just haven't gotten to drive long distance yet, but the actual science behind what this does for your intake and air mixture makes complete sense.
This is where you can get one: http://performanceparts.com/part.php?partID=449683

 

hmmmm... I got one of those a couple years ago thinking it would help. I certainly didn't get the 4mpg increase as I never even got the EPA estimates until they lowered them. I didn't get any improvement until I swapped to an AFE Pro Dry filter. Suppose I should take the TBS off sometime and see if there's a difference! It's been on 2 years now, long before the truck was broken in so I have no idea if it really does anything. Just been too lazy to take it off to compare.

 

Yes the 4mpg increase is a high end guesstimate that Airaid says is a possibility of getting up to..... I do have the CAI and Exhaust helping me get great throttle response and hopefully better MPG's

 

what exactly does the TB spacer do? Im sure i could look it up but figured one of you guys would have a simple answer.

 

The general consensus is that they do nothing.

 

Airaid does not promise any HP gain or definite MPG gain. here is their direct quote
"The benefits you will see are tremendous torque gains between 800 to 2500 RPM, and potential increases in your fuel economy, depending on driving conditions."

 

If it isn't proven on a dyno by them then they're full of crap. If it really gave "tremendous torque gains" I'm sure they'll want to prove it.

 

No dyno = no proof.

 

Hmm this is the first thread I've read that has a positive review of TBS's.

I have yet to see anybody explain the physics to me on why this would improve anything.

Anybody got any dyno charts with and without a TBS? What about 0-60 and 1/4 mile times with and without one of these?

 

Hmmm, I saw one these gizmos at the local auto parts store....I can't remember which aisle it was in...oh wait now, I think it was in the 'Snake Oil' aisle.

 

^Good luck with that. Over the years in all the forums I've been a member of I've never once seen hard (independent) proof. Waste of money, IMO.

 

Torque is a number- and fuel economy is MPG gains- You got hosed for 120 bucks...and it sounds like you should get your butt dyno calibrated.

 

They would make a good paper weight! Or even better...a beer holder.

 

or u can use it as a weapon when u catch crack heads stealing ur cats!

 

That's too much effort. I prefer to just shoot them (hey, why have a concealed carry permit then?).



Bottom line here is, like I said, I've never seen hard evidence that these things do anything. BUT, if the OP is happy with his mod, that's all that matters to him.

 

How very diplomatic of you. I would have to agree.

 

It doesn't help that people like me (who bought one before really reading a lot about them) are too lazy to do back-to-back tests to see if there's a difference. Maybe I should actually get around to doing that sometime....

 

http://www.truckblog.com/story-444-fuel_economy_myths_throttle_body_spacers

http://fuelsaving.info/turbulence.htm

 

It allows the fuel more time to atomize, allows the air to cool off somewhat before coming into the engine. It doesn't do much for madern FI engines or dry intake engines. Only TBI and carburated engines see a difference