Throttle body spacers Do they work?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 999
Likes: 1
From: Willamette Valley Oregon
<ch>
Being an old fangled carb guy, who can set ignition points with his eyes closed, I may be a little confused but it's my understanding the new computer controlled engines add another piece to the puzzle.
It seems I read the computer controlls the air/fuel mix and is designed to work with the engine during a wide RPM range. That includes all the design features (or failures) built into the engine.
To see the maximum affect of changes (including a TB spacer) wouldn't you also have to tweak the computer software?
Being an old fangled carb guy, who can set ignition points with his eyes closed, I may be a little confused but it's my understanding the new computer controlled engines add another piece to the puzzle.
It seems I read the computer controlls the air/fuel mix and is designed to work with the engine during a wide RPM range. That includes all the design features (or failures) built into the engine.
To see the maximum affect of changes (including a TB spacer) wouldn't you also have to tweak the computer software?
Last edited by Aekisu; Mar 20, 2004 at 06:10 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Port Orchard, WA
I'd think the whistling was from a vacuum leak and not the "vortex" of the spacer. If you are experiencing a higher rpm, this may be why. Of course, as Aekisu pointed out, the computer may compensate for the leak by changing the fuel/air mix... but it can not fix the vacuum leak sound...
just my .02
just my .02
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 544
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From: West Virginia
Aekisu, Yes your right, You can't realize the full potential of the motor, unless you can change the air fuel ratio and timing. Whith these motors that can only be done with a chip or program.
Fitter
Fitter
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Joined: Sep 2007
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2004 F-150 5.4
TODAY I REMOVED MY HELIX POWER TOWER, MY TRUCK DOES BETTER, WITH THE POWER TOWER, FULL THROTTLE IN THE SAME LOCATION, I TESTED MY TRUCK, IT BARKS THE TIRES AND AFTER REMOVING THE POWER TOWER, I TRIED MY TRUCK IN THE SAME LOCATION, ANOTHER TRIAL RUN, THE TIRES BARK LOUDER, I CHECKED IT OUT ON THE ROAD, IT SHIFTS A 88 MPH INTO THIRD, MY TRUCK IS SMOOTHER WITHOUT THE POWER TOWER AND A LITTLE QUIETER. THE BEST HELP WAS TWO STAGE 4 FLOW MASTERS A CROSS OVER PIPE, AND THEN I REMOVED ALL THE FACTORY AIR INTAKE AND REPLACED IT WITH THE K&N SYSTEM, THEN WENT WITH HYPER TECH III, THIS TRUCK WILL GET UP AND GO, I WANT EVER WASTE ANY MONEY AGAIN ON THROTTLE BODY SPACERS, A CARB. OR THROTTLE BODY INJECTION, MAYBE IT WILL WORK, BUT NOT ON THE 2004 F-150.
THANKS
DOC
New User
Joined: Sep 2007
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Hey everyone, I want to install a TB spacer on my 04 F250 5.4L 4x4. I was wondering if anyone has installed one of these and do they work?? I can't find one for an 04 but they list one for an 02, are the TB'S the same on these two years? Thanks in advance for your help.
Fitter
Fitter
New User
Joined: Sep 2007
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TAKE IT OFF AND YOUR TRUCK WILL RUN BETTER, I HAD ONE ON MY 5.4 F-150.
New User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5
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In short: SAVE YOUR MONEY AND DON'T BUY A TBS.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Rhode Island
Also, see that button directly to the right of the quote button, that is the multi-quote button. Just click that on each post you would like to quote, and either on the final post you wish to quote, hit the actual normal quote button, or just hit reply, and each message you would like quoted will be there in the message.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
As others have inticated the TB spacers are generally of no benefit on multiport EFI motors with tuned runner intakes. The only motor that appears to benefit is the EFI 460, and not surprisingly it uses a modified carburator intake with a relatively small volume throttlebody adapter. This just under scores the point that this intake is undersized for the motor, but this is not the case with other Ford motors.
New User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8
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From: Asheville, NC
I just installed a Helix TB spacer on my 6.8. I immediately noticed the throttle response. I also have the FIPK from K&N so I'm already breathing better. Combined with Flowmaster 50 series exhaust and this is one mean sounding machine. Love the TB.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 49
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From: central Arizona mountains
Hey everyone, I want to install a TB spacer on my 04 F250 5.4L 4x4. I was wondering if anyone has installed one of these and do they work?? I can't find one for an 04 but they list one for an 02, are the TB'S the same on these two years? Thanks in advance for your help.
Fitter
Fitter
. Been down the t/b spacer road twice on 2 different trucks, NOT a third time 
!!!!
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 551
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From: New Braunfels, TX
+1. TBS's are the same thing as a Tornado in the intake. They both claim to create some sort of swirling vortex in the intake, and they are both worthless garbage. Like skaterbro said, even IF they created this vortex, as soon as it reaches the intake manifold, it gets all broken up as the air moves down the individual runners. The only time spacers work is on carbureted and throttle body injected engines. They work in these applications because the fuel gets mixed with the air, THEN through the spacer, which gives the mixture (not just air like on multi-port injected engines) more time to mix thoroughly and then goes into the engine. On a multi-port injected engine however, you have only air going through the spacer which does not create a better air/fuel mixture, which is the whole premise of this device. Also, like I said before, by the time the air gets mixed with the fuel, the vortex has been disrupted and destroyed by the intake manifold.
In short: SAVE YOUR MONEY AND DON'T BUY A TBS.
In short: SAVE YOUR MONEY AND DON'T BUY A TBS.
Curious;
My brother has a 95 Eddie Bauer 4x4 auto 5.0L Bronco with the TBI system, from what i undersatnd you stated it could/would help him get a lil more go and some better fuel to mileage economy?
Thanks alot,
Boomer
