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throttle body spacer worth it?

2K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  figgie 
#1 ·
I was seeing if any body here has actually used a spacer. An noticed any thing is it even worth anything?
 
#2 ·
If it's a good price then maybe... and you should only do it in conjunction with a CAI. I didn't see/feel any difference in acceleration or mpg.
Also be aware that some brands of spacers might make a 'whistling' noise, which is a hate it or love it type of thing.

I would spend that money on a low temp thermostat instead or save for a Volant intake if you don't already have it.

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#4 ·
If it's a good price then maybe... and you should only do it in conjunction with a CAI. I didn't see/feel any difference in acceleration or mpg.
Also be aware that some brands of spacers might make a 'whistling' noise, which is a hate it or love it type of thing.

I would spend that money on a low temp thermostat instead or save for a Volant intake if you don't already have it.

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What is the benefits of a low temp thermostat?
 
#6 ·
A low temp thermostat fools the engine's computer into running richer (as if the "choke" were on), thereby providing marginally more gas to the engine (without the downside of a choke plate restriction), and thus more power. It also adversely affects gas mileage and pollution. I first noticed this phenomenon when my new '89 Bonneville 3.8 v-6 seemed to run faster and smoother when cold. And then I noticed the Corvette aftermarket was selling low temp thermostats for unspecified reasons, but obviously for more performance. So I installed a 180 deg. thermostat (205 deg. is std.) and it worked! But, of course, it was running around in "open loop" mode all the time. Given the location and labor involved in changing out the CTS' thermostat, it's probably not worth the effort.

I have an '84 Avanti with the '84 Camaro 305 210hp engine; Avantis have always been prone to overheating, so one thing I did was go down from a 205 deg t-stat to a 195, with no ill effects.

In the olden days ('50s-'60s) engines routinely used 160-180 deg. thermostats with no ill effects.


PS- I share mmvvt's cynicism about throttle body spacers. These things have been around (in various forms) since at least the first gas crunch in '73. I've been on the lookout for anything that really works since then, and still am. You might get a little more midrange torque out of it (due to slightly longer intake runner length), and it looks easy enough to install, but don't expect blazing performance and much better mileage (otherwise known as the "J.C. Whitney Effect"). Cadillac is not about to leave that kind of power untapped for so little effort.
 
#7 ·
A low temp thermostat fools the engine's computer into running richer (as if the "choke" were on), thereby providing marginally more gas to the engine (without the downside of a choke plate restriction), and thus more power. It also adversely affects gas mileage and pollution. I first noticed this phenomenon when my new '89 Bonneville 3.8 v-6 seemed to run faster and smoother when cold. And then I noticed the Corvette aftermarket was selling low temp thermostats for unspecified reasons, but obviously for more performance. So I installed a 180 deg. thermostat (205 deg. is std.) and it worked! But, of course, it was running around in "open loop" mode all the time. Given the location and labor involved in changing out the CTS' thermostat, it's probably not worth the effort.

I have an '84 Avanti with the '84 Camaro 305 210hp engine; Avantis have always been prone to overheating, so one thing I did was go down from a 205 deg t-stat to a 195, with no ill effects.

In the olden days ('50s-'60s) engines routinely used 160-180 deg. thermostats with no ill effects.

PS- I share mmvvt's cynicism about throttle body spacers. These things have been around (in various forms) since at least the first gas crunch in '73. I've been on the lookout for anything that really works since then, and still am. You might get a little more midrange torque out of it (due to slightly longer intake runner length), and it looks easy enough to install, but don't expect blazing performance and much better mileage (otherwise known as the "J.C. Whitney Effect"). Cadillac is not about to leave that kind of power untapped for so little effort.
Ya I replaced my thermostat a couple months back an it was such a bitch! Ill just get a cai!
 
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