I installed a spacer against the throttle body on Saturday. Wow!! Throttle response is tremendous and there was also a boost in power. Amazing!!!

Has anyone abandoned the factory air cleaner box for a sleaker system? I am toying with replacing the factory installed version for two smaller cleaners attached to hoses or connectors that attach to the throttle body and to attach a filter/breather to the oil cap to get rid of the air cleaner/oil breather box all together.

If anyone has a system to recommend, I'd like to hear about it. Pics will also be appreicated!!

 

That's interesting. A few others here who've shared an opinion said it didn't do anything for performance, and may actually hurt it as now you've done away with the ducting that routes cooler air to the engine.

 

My guess is the original installation/configuration (gaskets, etc.) was faulty to the extent that fixing it is what actually made the difference, the mere addition of a spacer under the throttle body cannot, by iself, result in a 1000% performance improvement like is described there.

 

Gosh - I don't know what to say. The previous gasket was in good shape and all was tight. I can say performance is improved. Throttle response is immediate (it was immediate before but not as strong) and acceleration seems to be more powerful. That's not just in my head either. I can truly feel the difference.

I don't understand enough about the science; some have said the spacer creates a greater sucion of air.

I do like the ride I'm getting. I had once considered getting a new engine. There's no way I'll even consider that as a possibility now. The truck runs great and has all the power I think I'll ever need!!!

The idea of getting rid of the air box and breather and converting to sleaker, re-usable filters isn't a necessary modification. But I thought it might work better that the factory installed system.

I mean it makes sense. It increases the amount of air volume of the plenum that could help make more power, not a bad idea given that some Ford plenums are a tad too small to be ideal. (I know they were on 2v's) If it uses a swirl design it could increase air movement and circulation hopefully translating into less fuel settling on cylinder and port walls. Kind of like the the tumble port type effect as seen on some 4v 4.6 and 5.4 heads.

 

If it gave better performance without a degradation in fuel mileage or emissions, wouldnt Ford design it that way?

 

It's a 1985, so my answer is not necessarily. Now adays, absolutely!

Consider the fact that starting in 1985 Ford mounted the TFI module to the distributor for a few years and ended up in a class action lawsuit. They no longer mount the TFI to the distributor because it overheated and caused starting problems. That's a sure case whereby Ford's design was flawed.

I'm not saying the factory throttle body design was flawed. I am saying that possibly, the spacer makes it work better because it creates greater air flow.

 

hmmmmm...