How a Throttle Body Spacer Improves Engine Performance
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Drivers who are looking to customize their vehicles with aftermarket parts, or others who just want to know more about what's under their hood, may be looking at information about a throttle body spacer for learning more about how throttle accessories relate to speed and acceleration in a modern car or truck. Knowing more about throttle parts also helps auto enthusiasts understand how car systems have evolved so much in past decades.
What Is a Throttle Body Spacer?
A throttle body spacer is an addition to a throttle that works with the air intake system to deliver more air into the engine and thus increase performance. In older carburetor style engine setups, according to some auto experts who have been around for a while, the throttle body spacer was used to manipulate the air in a way that affected how the fuel was mixed. These days, a throttle body spacer will generally affect the air intake in fuel injected vehicles. It will help get more air into the engine for enhanced combustion.
A Throttle Body Spacer and Engine Performance
Through adding to the rush of air into the engine, a throttle body spacer can increase performance in a vehicle. Shops who routinely install these aftermarket additions have reported up to 18 horsepower gains in some vehicle types or up to a 25 foot-pound gain in torque. These kinds of gains can be detailed for a specific vehicle using manufacturer specifications.
Considerations for Adding an Aftermarket Throttle Body Spacer to a Vehicle
Although most throttle body spacers are generally guaranteed to be street legal, check with the manufacturer to get specific approvals for this engine add-on. Many of the throttle body spacers on the market are also approved by the CARB (California Air Resource Board) to be emissions legal in the state of California according to emissions controls.
Vehicle owners looking into the legality of adding aftermarket parts will find they enjoy some rights under the law for customizing a vehicle without compromising an existing engine warranty. Make sure your throttle body spacer addition or any other customizing will not void a warranty by looking at the specific conditions of that warranty before installing your aftermarket parts.
An aftermarket throttle body spacer needs to be compatible with the cold air intake for a vehicle, since its role is to facilitate air inflow. If you have an aftermarket cold air intake installed, make sure that the throttle body spacer is compatible before buying.
With the appropriate considerations, it shouldn't be a problem to find a throttle body spacer that will boost engine performance without compromising the integrity of the fuel injection system. For those who like engine "modding," this can be a worthwhile project, and one that helps the car owner discover more about how the engine system works. Be sure to take all precautions, including turning off systems and avoiding contact with the engine fan, when working on your vehicle. Never work under an unsupported vehicle and always seek clarification from the owner's manual regarding safety.
