Throttle Body Spacer, Worthless Or Worth It?

plainvanilla · June 8, 2007

I want a little boost of HP and Torque when I am towing my Travel Trailer

Right now I can pull in "D" with tow haul mode, at about 57-62 MPH without allot of downshifting.

I would like a little kick up in that part of the power band.

I can pull at and speed, I just feel more comfortable pulling a #4800 trailer well under 65

I have the 5.3 with HD tow package and I am getting about 10.5 MPG

I thought about a Throttle body spacer, but with a dry intake, I don't think I would get much but some nice whistling sound.

I am thinking about a tuner

I think that most any cat-back exhaust would not bring horse power in at that end of the power band and may actually hurt me.

I already run a K&N, but might consider a full cold air intake tube.

I really need to listen to what has worked and not worked for others who wanted the same result.

any suggestions or just be happy with it?

Nytemare · June 8, 2007

HP cost money man...

Get a supercharger and be done with it.

LT headers will give you a boost in the 2000 and up range (about 600-800 bucks)

new cam designed for gains in this range (400+ dollars)

Under drive pulleys may help a bit. (300 or so, frees up like 10 hp or there abouts)

Get a tune (PCM re-flash not a hand held tuner ) from a good company like wait4me so Westers or similar. wait4me is 160 bones shipped to your door. You'll pick up about 10-20 ponies with that and have a better attitude for towing.

A cat back may help you in the towing range as its midrange not off-idle. go for a Magnaflow single out.

trever1t · June 8, 2007

You are correct! A tb spacer will do no more than whistle. For towing I recommend a good aftermarket tranny cooler, a shift kit and servo swap. Maybe a small cam if you want a little more power.

496 XL · June 8, 2007

Wait4me tune on my 8.1 really woke it up,towing as well.

pwall · June 8, 2007

I have a TB spacer on my truck and the only thing it adds is increased weight and a whistle.

One of those days I'll get the energy to remove it.

A wait4me tune was the best dollars I spent. I pull a 6000lb travel trailer and I'm amazed in the difference that the tune has made.

C & A s Dad · June 8, 2007

I want a little boost of HP and Torque when I am towing my Travel Trailer

Right now I can pull in "D" with tow haul mode, at about 57-62 MPH without allot of downshifting.

I would like a little kick up in that part of the power band.

I can pull at and speed, I just feel more comfortable pulling a #4800 trailer well under 65

I have the 5.3 with HD tow package and I am getting about 10.5 MPG

I thought about a Throttle body spacer, but with a dry intake, I don't think I would get much but some nice whistling sound.

I am thinking about a tuner

I think that most any cat-back exhaust would not bring horse power in at that end of the power band and may actually hurt me.

I already run a K&N, but might consider a full cold air intake tube.

I really need to listen to what has worked and not worked for others who wanted the same result.

any suggestions or just be happy with it?

I will telll you what I have done with mine. I am pulling a 6500lb Camper with an 02 Yukon XL, 5.3L and 4.10s. I too pull in D and not OD for several reasons. It eliminates the trans downshifting, keeps it cooler and keeps the little 327 in it's "sweet spot". It pulls great from 2200 on up and I have no problem wiht it lugging down. I tow around 50 to 55 on a regular 2 lane road and keep it at 60 or just over on an Interstate.

I run a True Flow Cold Air Intake which retains the factory air box. It pulls cold air from the fender well. I would say it helped me in my RPM range and helped my MPG a little as well. You have many options for a CAI but I would suggest looking into the Trueflow. They have a great website.

As someone else as suggested, as larger trans cooler may be a good idea for you. I replaced my factory set up with the same stacked plate design but doubled it's size. I am running about 160 to 165 towing in 85 degree weather in some rolling hills. I would also suggest a good syn fluid. I did not notice the year of your truck but if it has Dexron VI, you already have syn fluid. You can search Trans coolers here and find some detail to what I did or PM me.

The other thing I did came from a suggestion found on this forum. Just know that everyone does not agree with this but I believe it helped me and I have talked to some well trained Professional Techs that do agree. Try 93 octane fuel and do so for at least 2 to 3 tanks before you make a judgement call. The PCM retards the timing immediately as the knock sensors detect it. The PCM brings the timing back up slowly until it is told again by the knock sensors to retard it. With 93 octane fuel, the PCM will allow the engine to run with the timing advanced further which will help your tuggin power and maybe even your MPG. I cannot prove it but I feel very strongly that the 93 octane helped me especially when towing in hills.

pwall · June 8, 2007

I use 89 for everyday driving, but like Trey, I use 91 (sometimes 93 when I can find it...most gas stations in Ottawa carry 91, only Sunaco carries 93) when towing. Much better performance.

plainvanilla · June 9, 2007

You are correct! A tb spacer will do no more than whistle. For towing I recommend a good aftermarket tranny cooler, a shift kit and servo swap. Maybe a small cam if you want a little more power.

Do you mean to add another tranny cooler to the one already on the factory Tow package?

plainvanilla · June 9, 2007

I want a little boost of HP and Torque when I am towing my Travel Trailer

Right now I can pull in "D" with tow haul mode, at about 57-62 MPH without allot of downshifting.

I would like a little kick up in that part of the power band.

I can pull at and speed, I just feel more comfortable pulling a #4800 trailer well under 65

I have the 5.3 with HD tow package and I am getting about 10.5 MPG

I thought about a Throttle body spacer, but with a dry intake, I don't think I would get much but some nice whistling sound.

I am thinking about a tuner

I think that most any cat-back exhaust would not bring horse power in at that end of the power band and may actually hurt me.

I already run a K&N, but might consider a full cold air intake tube.

I really need to listen to what has worked and not worked for others who wanted the same result.

any suggestions or just be happy with it?

I will telll you what I have done with mine. I am pulling a 6500lb Camper with an 02 Yukon XL, 5.3L and 4.10s. I too pull in D and not OD for several reasons. It eliminates the trans downshifting, keeps it cooler and keeps the little 327 in it's "sweet spot". It pulls great from 2200 on up and I have no problem wiht it lugging down. I tow around 50 to 55 on a regular 2 lane road and keep it at 60 or just over on an Interstate.

I run a True Flow Cold Air Intake which retains the factory air box. It pulls cold air from the fender well. I would say it helped me in my RPM range and helped my MPG a little as well. You have many options for a CAI but I would suggest looking into the Trueflow. They have a great website.

As someone else as suggested, as larger trans cooler may be a good idea for you. I replaced my factory set up with the same stacked plate design but doubled it's size. I am running about 160 to 165 towing in 85 degree weather in some rolling hills. I would also suggest a good syn fluid. I did not notice the year of your truck but if it has Dexron VI, you already have syn fluid. You can search Trans coolers here and find some detail to what I did or PM me.

The other thing I did came from a suggestion found on this forum. Just know that everyone does not agree with this but I believe it helped me and I have talked to some well trained Professional Techs that do agree. Try 93 octane fuel and do so for at least 2 to 3 tanks before you make a judgement call. The PCM retards the timing immediately as the knock sensors detect it. The PCM brings the timing back up slowly until it is told again by the knock sensors to retard it. With 93 octane fuel, the PCM will allow the engine to run with the timing advanced further which will help your tuggin power and maybe even your MPG. I cannot prove it but I feel very strongly that the 93 octane helped me especially when towing in hills.

Heck yeah, I'm gonna try the 93 octane fuel when towing.

My truck is a 2007 so It might have the syn ATF in it.

I'll look into the trueflow CAI and I think I'm contacting wait4me on Monday and see what they offer

thanks!!

Nytemare · June 9, 2007

I know that the TB spacer don't do a whole lot but whistle, but what about those velocity stacks that supposedly smooth out air flow?? you think they would make a difference.

Sorry for jacking BTW. But I thought you'd like to know if these help too.

plainvanilla · June 10, 2007

I know that the TB spacer don't do a whole lot but whistle, but what about those velocity stacks that supposedly smooth out air flow?? you think they would make a difference.

Sorry for jacking BTW. But I thought you'd like to know if these help too.

I'm not that familiar with the stacks available for injected or dry intakes.

I know that they make HP replacement intakes though.

trever1t · June 10, 2007

You are correct! A tb spacer will do no more than whistle. For towing I recommend a good aftermarket tranny cooler, a shift kit and servo swap. Maybe a small cam if you want a little more power.

Do you mean to add another tranny cooler to the one already on the factory Tow package?

you can do that but I just swapped out to the largest B&M cooler. I placed it below the radiator where the 2 cutouts are on the gmc bumper.

Nytemare · June 10, 2007

I know that the TB spacer don't do a whole lot but whistle, but what about those velocity stacks that supposedly smooth out air flow?? you think they would make a difference.

Sorry for jacking BTW. But I thought you'd like to know if these help too.

I'm not that familiar with the stacks available for injected or dry intakes.

I know that they make HP replacement intakes though.

They look like this,