throttle body spacer on a chevy 350

[bigT5]

i have a 1996 chevy cheyenne with a V8 vortec 350 i was thinking about putting a throttle body spacer and a cold air intake on it just for mileage and some power how much difference would this make and is it worth it? would it make it to lean or rich? or would the computer fix that? thanks for any info

[Schurkey]

Originally Posted by bigT5

i have a 1996 chevy cheyenne with a V8 vortec 350 i was thinking about putting a throttle body spacer and a cold air intake on it just for mileage and some power how much difference would this make and is it worth it? would it make it to lean or rich? or would the computer fix that? thanks for any info

First Guess: Total waste of time, money, effort, and enthusiasm. GM put a cold air intake on the vehicle when it was built. Installing a junk Chinese cold air intake won't make a bit of difference except for looking silly.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by bigT5

i have a 1996 chevy cheyenne with a V8 vortec 350 i was thinking about putting a throttle body spacer and a cold air intake on it just for mileage and some power how much difference would this make and is it worth it? would it make it to lean or rich? or would the computer fix that? thanks for any info

cold air intake can help if you live in 100deg f PLUS temps. below 50 deg f you will use more fuel..

[jdmccright]

I agree with jCat. Not much value (read HP gained per $) in the spacer, but the CAI does give a little. Just remember these things sell well because they are easy to install. But the real bang for the buck would involve more tearing into the engine.

IMHO, the two easiest mods that will give you noticeable gains are a Hypertech or Jet programmed chip, and a free-flow exhaust. Next would be headers. Next could be an intake manifold. Then high flow injectors and high-pressure fuel pump and regulator (this may require an upgrade from the 1st gen vortec injector/poppet valve setup). After that would be a cam and valve lifter set and possibly heads, which in itself would require a new PROM.

I'm sure others have better thoughts and experience, but that's the stepped path that I see. Hope this helps!

[bigT5]

thanks that does help alot i kinda wondered about the intake because of the box and that. i have also hear that replacing the ribbed hose with a smooth one will help is this true? also would a K&N filter to replace the stock one help any? and then one other thing i have duel cherry bombs on it with the cats still on it i just cut the 2 into one muffler off and welded cherry bombs on it would it be worth it to me to cut the cats out and make it a straight pipe? thanks

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by bigT5

thanks that does help alot i kinda wondered about the intake because of the box and that. i have also hear that replacing the ribbed hose with a smooth one will help is this true? also would a K&N filter to replace the stock one help any? and then one other thing i have duel cherry bombs on it with the cats still on it i just cut the 2 into one muffler off and welded cherry bombs on it would it be worth it to me to cut the cats out and make it a straight pipe? thanks

I have the K&N filters in my vehicles . they work good for a much longer time than a paper filter..will you gain any more power NO ! but the filtration and filter life is very much longer ..I have a 1998 and 2000 K&N filters still good...you will need to clean the MAF more often as the oil can get on those small sensing wires..



smooth air intake piping is good but not much gain for the effort .

cold air intakes with the very hot air temps helps the engine create more power ... the engine will operate much better and run cooler when the high heat is out in summer..under 50 deg however the engine will run richer and the fuel will not burn as effectively...MPG will drop...

don.'t mess with the converters ...this can mess up the engine controls

[777stickman]

CAI's, Throttle Body spacers, etc, etc, etc for a daily driver are all money down the toilet. Been there and done that. K&N filter for the stock box, flush the toilet again. Cutting the cats off will most likely give you a CEL and it's probably not legal. If you've got the money to spend, go for it, otherwise save it for the $5.00 per gallon gas prices.

The stock intake is a CAI. But you can make it better by insulating it with a heat shielding material either inside or out.

This is JMHO.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by bigT5

i have a 1996 chevy cheyenne with a V8 vortec 350 i was thinking about putting a throttle body spacer and a cold air intake on it just for mileage and some power how much difference would this make and is it worth it? would it make it to lean or rich? or would the computer fix that? thanks for any info

using synthetic engine oil and transmission fluid you will see a better performance. the MPG will improve slightly also. I was surprised it did work with my vehicles after I was told to try it..I was quite happy ..the vehicles were under 10,ooo miles when I did this..so far no failures ...its a good deal...with your 1996 its a little late for failure prevention ..

[Schurkey]

Originally Posted by bigT5

i have also hear that replacing the ribbed hose with a smooth one will help is this true?

No. Pointless. IF (big IF) there's a restriction, it'd be the small snorkel buried in the fender. The small size was chosen to suppress intake noise at heavy throttle; and it works.

First Guess: it's big enough for a 454, so it's big enough for a 350.

Originally Posted by bigT5

also would a K&N filter to replace the stock one help any?

Not really. Replacing a plugged/dirty air filter with a clean one is fine. Replacing a moderately clean air filter with a "hot rod" air filter is pretty marginal.

Originally Posted by bigT5

and then one other thing i have duel cherry bombs on it with the cats still on it i just cut the 2 into one muffler off and welded cherry bombs on it would it be worth it to me to cut the cats out and make it a straight pipe? thanks

You seem absolutely determined to screw up this truck.

Removing functional catalytic converters is a federal offense. If your cats are plugged or damaged, replacing them with fresh ones would be justified.

How about just doing thorough tune-up work--check the plugs, replace if needed. Dump a can of Techron in the gas tank. Verify fuel pressure. Inspect the plug wires, cap and rotor. Check the timing. How long have the O2 sensor(s) been in use? Maybe new filters--fuel filter, trans filter, air filter, etc. I might change fluids--rear axle, trans, power steering, flush the coolant, flush the brake fluid. Rotate and air up the tires.

There's plenty of LEGITIMATE maintenance you can do, and so little need for eBay dress-up crap; or high-profit-margin "hot rod" parts.