Helix Power Tower Plus

sierriously · January 3, 2004

Just got a Helix Power Tower Plus throttle body spacer and put it on my '02 Sierra. I wanted to get your opinions on what these throttle body spacers are worth.

I am new to your group and as I read the threads, no one talks about these. This is not to fix my issues with the throttle response, or lack thereof, that I mentioned before. It is just something I thought I would try. I have two friends with the V6 that love it...

Let me know if you know any pros or cons.

Also punched the screen off of the Mass Air Flow sensor while I was there, if you have any thoughts.

sjspor · January 3, 2004

Your buddies with the V-6, are they the 99-03 1500's?

MyBigToy · January 3, 2004

This has been beat to death elsewhere, kinda like the conventional versus synthetic oil debate.

I have the Airaid TBS, put it in when the truck was about a month old. I don't believe it gave a lot of benefits, only a little more response at mid-range rpm.

MBT

sierriously · January 3, 2004

Your buddies with the V-6, are they the 99-03 1500's?

One was a '98, the other a '01. Both standard cab shortbed 1500 Chevys...

carl722 · January 5, 2004

I put a helix throttle body spacer in my 97 Z-71 and hve yet to notice any difference on performance and my gas mileage has got worse. The intake whistles under acceleration and I am barely making 11 mpg, I did put in a larger cam but have yet to get the program written and put in the ECM. I got 12 when I first put the cam in before the helix and now I only get 10 to 11 mpg. I may be lead footing more but no noticeable difference. I also have punched both screens out of the MAF sensor.

Ben · January 5, 2004

Theory of how it's supposed to work is to increase the runner length to take advantage of savanging (ram affect) and the swirl is to help the fuel droplets evaporate.

That means fuel mixture up stream. Carb and TBI should help a bit, but on Vortec and the injectors down stream, no help in evaporating fuel droplets.

On the increased runner length, it's got to be tuned to the engine, throttle position, CAM and exhaust.

No single length best other than OEM, as they have played with it for over all. Same for headers...short, large dia tubes best for high rev'ing at WOT...long, small dia tubes best for low rev'ing and partial throttle.

Whistling is not a good thing, as that means vortex, which is impediment and high pressure side and low pressure side. This means impeads air flow.

sierriously · January 5, 2004

I guess my original question refered to the Helix Power Tower PLUS (with the "notches") since it is the new thing from the manufacturer.

I did drive 300 miles today, averaging 80 mph (all interstate), and got 15.6 mpg! I have gotten 16.5 mpg before the TBS and MAFS descreen, but maybe not at that speed.

I don't know, I don't hear any whistling, Ben. I got this TBS because I wanted to see what it was worth, for myself. It can't hurt, right? Or can it?