Helix throttle body spacer

[killerkatana75]

I got one from ebay ( tnt motorsports) I can tell a major difference in torque and throttle response, anyone else have good luck with this also?

[Chevy_girl00]

I've been looking into possibly getting a throttle body spacer... can you give me some more information on it... Im still kind of confused as to what it is even. How much do they cost? And what's a good one for a 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500?

[jeverett]

Helix, PowerAid, and a few no-name brands are available to purchase. Usually the prices range from like $35-$75, depending on the brand, and the application. What a throttle-body spacer is, is a 1" thick plate that mounts between the throttle body and the intake. It is supposed to smooth the flow of air between the throttlebody and intake and make the engine get more air. It also gives the air a swirling effect as the air passes through. Usually the effects from having one are increased throttle response, increased mileage, and a bit more power. There is only 1 negative thing that I know of, when installed, it gives your vehicle a kind of whistling sound, like that of a supercharger.

[killerkatana75]

I found mine on ebay and called the company, i paid about 45 after shipping. I can hear the whistling sound, but its not loud and it only does it when the RPMs are high, plus with my straight pipes i dont hear much either LOL

[red00lght]

Killer,

What engine do you have? I was considering the spacer for my 4.8. So many mods....so little time!

[chevytrucks92]

Well I got a Poweraid Spacer for my 1992 Silverado with the 5.7L TBI engine. It costed $82 and I really like it. I just had it installed yesturday, but I can definetly tell a big difference in my truck, especially when going up hill. I don't know how it will do on gas mileage, but it def. has helped my truck.

[killerkatana75]

Originally Posted by red00lght

Killer,

What engine do you have? I was considering the spacer for my 4.8. So many mods....so little time!

I have an 03 with a 4.8 liter...... like i said i paid about 45 and it also took me about 45 minutes to install, only need a 1/4 inch drive ratchet, 10mm socket and i think a 6mm socket for the studs, a straight screwdriver...on the bottom of the throttle body there is a rubber hose.....DO NOT take this off, i thought it was a vaccuum line so i did, turns out it is a tranny fluid line and i dumped half a quart in my garage floor..LOL

[red00lght]

Thanks for the info!

Where do you think you picked up the most power/response.....at low rpms, or up higher? I'm just amazed that a spacer could actually have a significant effect on performance, but I'm going to have to get one now!

[DEEPEE]

Okay. Been hearing a lot about these throttle body spacers and I'm ready to try one out. I have a 5.7 in a '99 3/4 ton 4x4. I have a Hypertech lll programer and K&N air filter without the cold air induction system duct work installed. Also have a magnaflow muff (2) 2 1/2" ins and (2) 3" outs. Think I'll be satisfied with the spacer? Question is...can you get one of these at auto parts stores like Auto Zone or O'Reilly's without having to order one?

[chevytrucks92]

DEEPEE, I'm not sure if Auto Zone sales the spacers or not. I guess you'll just have to call and ask.

I got the Poweraid spacer for my truck. It really seems to help, especially in the low and mid RPM range. I haven't heard any whistling noise yet, but I have 70 Series Flowmasters so I don't think it should be much of a problem if it did start whistling.

There is a couple of hidden things you have to do that I've never seen anyone post before when installing the spacer (atleast on my MY truck). Like for example, the bracket that holds the fuel lines in place that mounts to the Bellhousing has to be taken off, and it will not go back on (it stretches the lines too far apart, and the originally bracket just isn't wide enough), and you also have to re-adjust the passing gear cable (when we checked to see if my throttle was opening up, it pulled hte cable through its slot, no harm no foul however, just put it back in place, and re-adjusted it so it would'nt pull through again). Its only minor little thigns (now again, this is for the 87-95 TBI 350s, I don't know about the 96-99 Vortecs, or the 99-current Vortecs) and it took about 45 minutes to do (and really seems to be worth it man, me and my Dad were both amazed at how much stronger the truck feels)

[jeverett]

Originally Posted by killerkatana75

I have an 03 with a 4.8 liter...... like i said i paid about 45 and it also took me about 45 minutes to install, only need a 1/4 inch drive ratchet, 10mm socket and i think a 6mm socket for the studs, a straight screwdriver...on the bottom of the throttle body there is a rubber hose.....DO NOT take this off, i thought it was a vaccuum line so i did, turns out it is a tranny fluid line and i dumped half a quart in my garage floor..LOL

Actually, that line your talking about is a coolant line that is used to keep the throttle body from freezing during extreme cold weather. Where I live its not but like 50 in the winter, so I unhooked both sides of mine, and used a brass coupler to bypass the throttle body completely. It makes sense though, if you have hot coolant running through your throttle body, it is heating the air, in turn taking power with it. I've read it will add up to 8HP just by doing this, which I can't tell, but it makes me feel better, and its free!!!

[DEEPEE]

Got 'er done. Nothing to it. I installed a Helix power tower. Only thing I need to do is install a short piece of hose to work like a spacer in the plastic line coming from the valve cover back to the air intake duct. I can tell a difference in throttle response and acceleration. No so much as setting your head back on the seat head rest but it's better. As far as the "whistle" I've heard people say that was annoying, I can barely hear it and it only happens during a certain rpm range. The magnaflow muff might be drowning it out some though. Tell you the truth, wish it would whistle just a little bit more. Sounds just like a mini turbo to me. Gonna fill her up today and check the gas mileage. Was getting 14 -15 mpg with a normal week driving just to work and back. We'll see.

[red00lght]

Deepee,

That's funny. I get a bit of a whistle from my MAC intake and I too wish it were louder. It takes me back to the days of my Lightning...which sounded incredible at full boost. It is taking alot of willpower not to slap a blower on the Silverado.

[sigmapolitian]

Do you have to trim the fan shroud when you install the throttle body spacer? And will the K&N FIPK system change this in any way. Meaning if not will the FIPK make me have to trim it, or if so will the FIPK allow me to avoid triming the shroud. Thanks, hope the wording wasn't too confusing.

[DEEPEE]

I read a while back that someone removed the big intake muffler box off that sits over the distributor but was using a plastic coke bottle to cap the hole off. I took mine off. After thinking what to use as a cap, I had a machinist buddy of mine machine me a cap out of teflon stock. This basically acts like a PVC pipe cap. Went with the teflon for flexibility and temperature resistance. This is on a '99 3/4 ton 5.7 4x4. Here's the measurements if anyone is interested in making one. OD=2.900" ID=2.750 Length=1" Machine out of one end a depth of 0.750". This will leave a back wall of 0.250. The side walls that will slip over the nozzle on the intake will be 0.075" thick. I left a small ridge on the OD of the open end about 1/16" wide x 1/16" tall. This will help hold the gasket and band clamp on better. Took the old muffler box off and put this little cap on in 5 minutes. Need a 5/16" nut driver and a 10mm socket to remove on bolt. Use the existing band clamp and gasket. All you can see is from the side is about 1/8" inch of the teflon cap sticking out. Have the K&N air filter only no cold air intake, Helix trottle body spacer, this muffler box off and capped, and run with the air box lid off. She really breathes good now. Quite of bit of difference. After taking off the air box lid, I get a real good "whistle" now out of the TB spacer, man, I like that whistle. Sounds like a turbo when giving it some throttle. Checking mpg right now, I'll post results.