Posted: Nov 21 2007 at 12:38am | IP Logged

Being new around here, and never having heard of a throttlebody spacer, I was wondering if there were any potential negative effects or possible damage on the engine after using such an item.  I've got a 2004 V6 4X4.  I just thought if it added power and/or increased gas mileage, then why isn't it already a part of the manufacturing process on all vehicles?...

Posted: Nov 21 2007 at 11:31am | IP Logged

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Maxbaby;

The problem with most modifications for fuel mileage is ether they don’t work or they cost more than the fuel they save. Reducing the amount of fuel in the fuel-air mix can some times help fuel mileage but too little fuel in the ratio will lose power, mileage and burn valves and pistons.

... If the truck is in good tune and your driving habits are good there are a few things to do for increasing your mileage.

A. Install thinner smooth light weight wheels and tires for better aerodynamics.

B. Air up tires to max pressure rating for less rolling resistance.

C. Clean the truck up aerodynamically I.e. remove roof racks, get smaller outside rearview mirrors and install front air dam to reduce turbulence under the truck.

D. Lighten the weight of the truck an/or the load.

E. Reduce highway speed, more fuel is used to push air out of the way at higher speeds.

... One day while driving on a six lane Interstate with a strong cross wind I saved several gallons. An eighteen wheeler was doing 70 MPH in the middle lane westbound. I dropped two to three car lengths behind him in the outside lane and ’drafted’ him for 40 miles. The instant fuel mileage gauge in our Grand Cherokee jumped from 18 MPG to 40 and more!

Boosting Fuel Mileage III
http://groups.msn.com/FSJTECH101/fueladditives.msnw?action=g et_message&mview=1&ID_Message=53

Posted: Nov 21 2007 at 10:04pm | IP Logged

Lakota

I agree with the suggestions you're talking about.  I'm just asking about what, if any, potential problems relating to this throttlebody spacer that everyone is talking about.  It just seems to me that if it were that simple a solution to add a few horsepower and a few mpg, wouldn't it already be done, or at least be widely known that such spacers accomplished this?...

When I read about the airaid product, it talks about creating a "tornado" effect, or spinning the air... I could see that being of value if we all had the traditional throttle body fuel injectors where the fuel is mixed with that air as its spinning.  But that device is installed prior to the intake manifold, which means the air then goes thru the 6 different channels of the manifold and then meets up with the injectors just prior to the valves.  It just seems like any tornado effect would have been negated by the time it makes its way through any one of the six channels of the intake manifold. 

Posted: Nov 21 2007 at 10:51pm | IP Logged

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Maxbaby;