TBI Spacers - Do They Work?

TahoeMan · February 1, 2002

Anyone have any experience with these aftermarket TBI 1" spacers advertised to "increase performance and fuel economy". They cost about 100 bucks. I've seen them advertised in several mags but have not seen any documented verifiable gains. Replys are appreciated.

AFTER FURTHER REVIEW: I found a post farther down the list! Thanks...anybody else with results good or bad I'd appreciate hearing about them.

95Yukon · February 1, 2002

I got a noticeable increase in torque with the Jet spacer. It seemed to have a bit more without having to downshift. Heard some of the others were noisy and caused a whistling. (Helix power tower and Poweraid) They do help mix the air/fuel mixture, along with creating more plenum volume which will help with the power. But also, I don't have a vortech, mines a '95 so results may vary. I'm "old school" compared to most on this board.

Spacer is coming off in 2 weeks and being replaced with a Whipple.

Nick99Chevy · February 3, 2002

I had a spacer on my '92 350, it worked just as well behind the seat.

TahoeMan · February 5, 2002

Tried installing the TBI yesterday and with the K&N it seems the provided 6mm x 60mm bolts aren't long enough. So, I'll need to find some 75mm (I think). Anybody else had to deviate from the provided installation instructions?

95Yukon · February 5, 2002

I remember seeing some of the spacers which said they weren't compatible with K&N systems..or was that K&N systems which said they weren't compatible with some spacers..? Either way, if the spacer kit came with longer bolts, and they aren't long enough, just try to find some longer ones. I'm assuming the K&N has some kind of thicker than stock holes where the bolts have to go through (?)

Mines older..I just had 1 inch longer bolts to make up the difference for the spacer holding the TBI on, and theres threaded rod inserts which screw into the head of the bolt to hold on the air cleaner assy. (that's on a 95)

djames · February 5, 2002

I think what others and KN have said about the incompatibility is that if you install an FIPK it makes contact with the fan shroud. Then if you try to install the spacer the FIPK won't fit. But the easy fix can go two ways. The no-cost way is to get out the old Dremel and just cut a notch in the shroud. Shouldn't be anything major. The other is to put in a dual electric fan set up which would also free up more horsepower.

TahoeMan · February 5, 2002

95Yukon, did you have to "adjust" your throttle linkage? That makes me a little nervous. In the TPI package was a 1" spacer to raise up the throttle linkage bracket and it seemed rather tight. I haven't installed the spacer yet as I went to a couple of places and they didn't have a long enough 6mm bolt to work with my K&N. One place said they were due for an order Thurs or Fri but couldn't commit on what was coming in...

TahoeMan · February 13, 2002

Just got off the phone with K&N and they strongly recommended not installing the TBI spacer with the K&N Series One as it misaligns the unit and has head room problems. Next stop, ebay...

Remember, my older style '96 Vortec has throttle body face up as opposed to forward pointing on the newer ones which would potentially cause the fan shroud interference...the '96 interference is with the hood and with alignment of the K&N.

95Yukon · February 13, 2002

It didn't call for any change in the throttle cable, but since it increased the angle a bit, I tweaked the bracket to keep it all going in a straight line.

Hope you find some way to make that work or some alternative.

RacerX · February 15, 2002

I agree with Nick99Chevy. I have seen dyno tests with the TB spacer and they show no gains.

zeeya · March 26, 2002

I have been looking at these things for a couple of years, i did see in motortrend where they installed one on a 454 and it did say it had some improvement in fuel economy and low end grunt. They also tested the tornado/tornado, i imagine you know what i am talking about and they did not get any kind of increase at all. zip notta.... The other forum i am on for avalanches have quite a few guys that have put the fipk system on with the spacer, but like mentioned above you have to get your dremel out and notch the fan shroud.

am picking one up this week and do a lot of highway driving and will post findings.

zeeya