Throttle Body Spacers

fiveseven z28 z71 · February 19, 2004

I have a 95 1500 Z71 with the 5.7 TBI. I was wondering if anyone else with a TBI motor has installed a throttle body spacer, and what you think of them. I am mostly wondering how effective they are, performance wise and in fuel efficiency. I am mostly interested in the possible fuel savings. I would also like to know what to look for in them and which one I should get if I should get one at all. I prefer reviews by those who have experience with actually using these and being able to notice performance and efficiency increases. I've heard enough know-it-alls tell me all they know about them but know nothing about them.

silverado4800 · February 20, 2004

My only experience with one was with my older 93 gmc with a 4.3 v6. I tried nearly everything on that poor truck. The spacer i put on it was just a straight bore with no spirals or stuff like some of these others.

I will say it seemed to give it a little bit more low end grunt, and i do mean just a little. Gas mileage remained the same. One thing it definitely changed was the throttle, it was harder to press since the angle was different on the throttle linkage. This didn't really bother me since i kinda like a firm pedal.

The only gripe i have with the spacer kit was the hardware. After about 6 months of having it on there i took of the TBI unit and etc. to clean it and do some work. As i was tightening the TBI bolts back up one of them suddenly got really loose. I almost s*** in my pants. I had barely put any force on the wrench, but one of the longer bolts that came with the spacer broke of in the aluminum intake, thats pretty crappy in my opinion.

After an hour of removing the broken piece i was forced to put it all back together without the spacer, i can honestly say i really did not miss it that much. I would give you the brand but i can't remember, it was about 2 years ago. Hope this helps.

BigDave · February 26, 2004

Two of my freinds have them, the one with a 5.7L TBI motor really enjoys it but the other with a Vortec 4.8L says it sucks. I have heard most people on the forum with TBI engines feel that they felt a differenc.

chevy4x4trucks · February 26, 2004

Moving to aftermarket forum....

matt1 · February 26, 2004

I had a 1990 C1500 with the 350 TBI and installed a Trick Flow spacer. It was just a straight through design with no spirals. It helped the most at lower RPM's. I could really notice it when I was in overdrive and going up a long hill. The truck would really hang in there and not have to down shift as often. I couldn't see where it helped with mileage though.

dubbs · March 3, 2004

is there one brand that is better than the other?

SnakeEyeSS · March 3, 2004

I got a PowerAide spacer, I recommend doing these at the same time, about 300-400 bucks total:

Hypertech Stage 2 chip w/powerstat thermostat

Hypertech PowerCharger

PowerAide TBI Spacer

K&N drop in

you'll notice quite a difference, I sure did when I did it!

golfingjoey · June 3, 2004

I have a 1995 k1500 5.0L, and i installed a poweraid throttle body spacer and i have noticed more power and have gotten about 40 to 50 more miles per tank of gas. I'm very pleased with it, and would recommend it.

Weller · June 3, 2004

The only gripe i have with the spacer kit was the hardware. After about 6 months of having it on there i took of the TBI unit and etc. to clean it and do some work. As i was tightening the TBI bolts back up one of them suddenly got really loose. I almost s*** in my pants. I had barely put any force on the wrench, but one of the longer bolts that came with the spacer broke of in the aluminum intake, thats pretty crappy in my opinion.

My friend had a similar problem braking off the bolt. He went back and looked at the instructions. The torque specs on the bolt were pounds per inch.

maroonsilverado · June 5, 2004

i've considered putting one of those on my 91 5.7, but i've never gotten around to it. i've heard some people say they felt a difference and others say it didn't help at all. i'd like to see some dyno numbers to see if it REALLY helps or not. sometimes you can THINK it helps even when it really doesn't. so does anyone have some before/after dyno numbers?