There are controversies in the secondary automotive market regarding the purpose of a throttle body spacer in your car. Is it really effective or not? We are sure that when considering increasing power or giving your car better performance or better fuel consumption, one of the things most drivers will encounter is installing a throttle body spacer. So, what is the purpose of a throttle body spacer? Everything will be clear in this article:
What does a throttle body spacer do in your car?
A throttle body spacer is essentially just a metal block that is placed between your intake system and the throttle body to provide better incoming airflow into your engine, which is supposed to increase performance and fuel consumption if you apply and install it correctly. In fact, the main function of the throttle body spacer is to increase the length of the intake manifold (by extending the distance between the rest of the intake and the throttle body inlet) and the volume of the incoming air surface. This will help your engine by more easily combining air and fuel. Almost all throttle body spacers are made of aluminum, so they are usually quite lightweight and will not add extra weight to your engine compartment. You can simply understand the throttle body spacer as a tool to increase the engine’s capacity to circulate airflow.
Normally, a throttle body spacer is not available in your car, so you might consider installing one, but is a throttle body spacer expensive?
How much does a throttle body spacer cost?
The good news is that it won’t be too expensive to buy a throttle body spacer. Currently, throttle body spacers are on sale for $50 to $150, which depends on your car model and the material of the part you choose. There are two types of throttle body spacers: one with a smooth inner surface, while the other has a rough surface. Most drivers assume that the rough surface creates a turbulent effect on the incoming airflow and provides better performance. We see that the price is very affordable. You don’t need to think too much before buying this part. With this price, is a throttle body spacer worth equipping your car with?
Is the throttle body spacer really effective for your engine?
Most of the time, the answer is “Yes.” A throttle body spacer is considered a tool to increase power, torque, horsepower, and fuel economy. It will help direct the airflow into the manifold to increase the volume entering the intake system. Power improvement is one of the main benefits of installing the throttle body spacer. The spacer will increase the air speed and cause an extension of atomization.
So, how much horsepower does a throttle body add? When equipped with a throttle body spacer, the average increase can be 7 to 15 horsepower and torque from 15 to 125 lb-ft depending on the model and with proper tuning and fuel octane rating. However, note that the spacer works best only for vehicles equipped with carburetors and vehicles with single-port fuel injection systems. Additionally, the spacer can increase the volume of the air space under the throttle body, which can help the car reach high RPM.
However, installing a throttle body spacer is sometimes still not a perfect solution for your engine. Although it is claimed that spacers will increase your engine’s power, some automotive experts analyze that adding a body spacer can decrease the quality of the idling process and possibly cause emissions.
How to install a throttle body spacer?
Let’s move on to this part to learn how to properly install a throttle body spacer:
A few tools you need before installing a spacer for your car:
- A socket wrench (7/16″, 7 mm or 10 mm)
- Screws
- Cleaning solutions
- O-ring
- Rags
- Protective glasses and gloves
After preparing all these tools, roll up your sleeves and carry out the process:
Step 1: Disconnect the electricity or the negative terminal of your car battery.
Step 2: Remove the air intake to start accessing the throttle body. You can do this by disconnecting the screws connecting the air intake manifold to the engine. If the intake has a clamp that needs to be removed, use pliers to loosen it.
Step 3: Use the socket wrench to disconnect all factory torque bolts (you can use the 10 mm wrench)
Step 4: Assemble a new spacer between the throttle body and the air intake system. In this step, use a screwdriver and a 10 mm socket to secure the spacer and tighten the bolts. Make sure all bolts are tightened before moving to the next step. NOTE: When installing the spacer, be sure to use Teflon tape to properly seal the threads.
Step 5: Reinstall the bolts firmly. After that, connect the negative terminal of your battery and start your vehicle.
Final thoughts
Above all, installing a throttle body spacer can probably alter the performance of your car’s fuel injection process, as it actually creates a bit more speed going from the throttle body to the intake system. However, sometimes, adding a spacer probably changes the optimization process of your car on certain models. Therefore, consult a professional or read the user manual carefully before installing this part.