throttle spacers - do they add any power

[easy_rider]

Hi!

Does anyone has a personal experiance with throttle spacers?

Can they add any power to cars with EFI (such as JK)?

http://www.quadratec.com/products/17008_006.htm
http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/07-08-Jeep-JK-Wranglers-AFE-SilverBullet-Throttle-Body-Spacer-p-16812.html
http://www.sparktecmotorsports.com/ts11419.html
http://www.moparsupercenter.com/airaid-poweraid-jeep-jk-with-3-8-throttle-body-spacer-310-616310-616.html

It is not big deal. I am just ordering some other parts from Quadratec and consider to ask them to add this into the box. 10 HP for $ 60 - $150 could be nice (if it works).

Also thinking about Superchip or Jet Perfomance Module.
http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/engine/154_0911_jeep_jk_wrangler_tuner_shootout/hypertech_superchips_unichip.html

MARTIN

[MOP44R]

Mate the simple answer not really... Some say the engine runs better and the power is noticeable but at the end of the day all its doing is lifting the throttle body an inch or so off the manifold allowing for very slightly more cooler air to be sent into the engine, the smoother running is down to slightly more room for back pressure allowing for a smoother intake stroke on the valves. But we are talking small, small enough not to worry about it.

Best engine modes on virtually all engines petrol and diesel is a non restrictive high flowing exhaust from motor, turbo or cat back, cleaner cooler air like from a snorkel and a programmable chip which basically all it does it tell the engine to accept more fuel and air giving it more power but its great gains for the cost especially torque and way better then a $60 spacer.

[easy_rider]

thanks for an advice, ... actually just a click from ordering high flow MBRP OFF ROAD at Back Exhaust

http://www.rippmods.com/2007_2008_Jeep_Wrangler_Off_Road_Cat_Back_Exhaust_ p/s5518blk.htm

already have snorkel and K&N filter, chip will follow once exhaust on the car

[tonysrich]

I put a throttle body spacer and a K&N performance air filter on my JK. Thespacer is supposed to add 24hp but I think that is widely optimistic.

I've been having overheating issues with my JK lately so I threw out the sound deadening acoustic blanket thingy that sits under the hood. The last thing my JK needs is any kind of insulation above the engine. I get a great induction noise now, a real roar that sounds really hot but a glance at the barely moving speedo and tacho needles tells the true story, not much difference really.

As MOP44R said the best method to increase performance without seriously modifying the engine is to get it breathing efficiently. The easier the air comes in and the exhaust gas goes out the easier it is for the engine. I reckon that you will only see a significant increase in performance if you do both ends, intake and exhaust. A performance air cleaner like K&N and a throttle body spacer won't produce any real benefit on their own without a performance exhaust and vice a versa. It has been my intention all along to get a custom exhaust to complement the spacer and air filter but as we all know money is always the limiting factor.

But as far as I'm concerned the best plug in performance item for available the Wrangler, both JK and TJ (as well as the Commander and Grand Cherokee) is the Jeep FlashPac programmer from Superchips https://www.superchips.com/ (https://www.superchips.com/). It can retune your engine for different types of driving. It has a number of alternate tuning programs preinstalled on it which can be updated from the net. You just plug it in to the computer port on your car and download the one you want for the driving that you are doing. It takes a good 5 minutes but you can do it while airing down.

It's supposed increase engine performance too but I can't really notice a huge improment in power but you wouldn't expect too much just from retuning. For me the real benefit is that it changes the shift points. The JK has a reasonable bottom end and middle range but it dies in the arse in the top end and the standard shift points only make it worse by only downshifting at the last possible moment, when the thing's just about reved out . The performance tune on the Flashpac lowers the shift patterns so that the car shifts down much earlier keeping the engine in the meatier part of the rev range. On top of that it can do a bunch of other stuff too, like recalibrate your speedo for bigger tyres.

As far as I know no one imports them to Australia as yet so they are only available from the states for $350US ($423AUS). Considering the automotive instrument fitter I went to wanted to charge me a one time only fee of $400 just to recalibrate my speedo for my engineers cert I reckon it’s a bargain.

But be careful buying one online. The Superchips online shop wanted to charge me $300 just to ship it hear to Oz! I eventually got mine from Auto Truck Toys www.autotrucktoys.com (http://www.autotrucktoys.com/). I can’t remember exactly how much, around $450 I think including shipping but shop around to see how low you can get it for.

[Steve F]

Throttle body spacers can work (a bit) on vehicles with a poorly designed intake plenuem with typically not enough volume. The early XJ's benefitted from the spacer as well as the TJ's (maybe all of them) but the later XJ's had a redesigned inlet manifold that had a larger volume and got no benefit from the space, basically there was already enough air in the intake and the increased volume wasn't needed. I'd guess the JK is at least as well setup as the XJ when it comes to the intake mnifold volume, surely Jeep didn't go backwards with the JK ;)

Cheers
Steve

[Wooders]

My 2cents, I personally think they are snake oil.
Firstly on an injected engine, the fuel is injected into the cylinder itself - not mixed in the throttle body as in a carby.
Secondly, the airflow is then split 4/6/8 different directions - so any that claim to have a "vortex" or similar swilling of the air is likely to be negated - not to mention that there's often some squarish corners to negate.
Third, whilst there might be some initial benefits, the ecu will "learn" this and adjust the mixture etc and lessening any benefits.

If they are straight through they can induce a whistle, also they should be matched to the Throttle body (which usually tapers).
Lastly the airflow in&out will only be as good as the most restrictive part of the entire system.

Where you might get some benefit is:
The TB is spaced a little further away from the heat - ie cooler air = Denser air = more bang.
Your wallet is now lighter and the power-to-weight has been improved ;)

Anyhow if you have some $$ burning a hole in your pocket by all means do it - but keep realistic expectations.