simple question TBspacers??? y/n

[89scottsdale03]

ok im having my 350 totally rebuilt... to put it simple, alot of titanium, stainless and ceramic going into a tbi engine... i got a compatible RV cam, flowtech header, going to a flowmaster exhaust system, k&n intake, ect... the tbi is going to be rebuilt as well, but im wondering what else i can do for more hp ect... is a tbspacer even worth the money or just a gimick, also any idea what kinda hp i MIGHT be pushing... all parts are higher end, and i might buy a gear drive for it today as well instead or belt/chain..just a estimate would be nice... and it does have an older performance chip, but that was put in before i bought it help please lol

[97Silverado]

Yes, a spacer will work well on your TBI.

[89scottsdale03]

also the block is being bored out 60 over, what kinda displasment is that now?

[91chevZ71]

works awesome. I bought a CFM-Tech spacer and had it bored to 50 to match my t-body and manifold. The CFM-Tech spacer has a gap between the two bores to allow both banks to draw more equally from the tbi. Don't forget the injector spacer, also.
As for actual gains, probably 20/30 hp/tq. Just a guess. I'll know after a dyno run in a couple days

[AlienTranz]

Post your gains with your spacers installed I'm curious to see the actual numbers. I'm debating on what to do next, cfm tech spacers, or electric fans.
I just put on a msd blaster coil and it seems to run smoother, also I haven't felt that intermittent bump while idling at a stop light.
We'll see if my gas mileage increases any.

[91chevZ71]

ok. I go to the dyno on monday

[doublelow49]

works awesome.
As for actual gains, probably 20/30 hp/tq. Just a guess. I'll know after a dyno run in a couple days

91,

Don't count your chickens b/4 they hatch.

Airdeno has done a lot of dyno testing on tbi spacers and he suggests maybe 2-3 hp gains. Can't find that thread right now, but I'll take his word for it. Maybe somebody has it handy.
Do I have one, yes. Installation, need to raise throttle and TV cable mounts, if equipped, to same height to keep same response. Difference, still debating this; seems to have increase air flow, caused leaning of afr (ve table values). Maybe vac leak, still checking, made other mods at same time (headers, 3 wire O2) still open at present time. Worth it, guess every little bit helps, not ready to take it off yet.
Happy tuning,
Buddy

[BigTruckDriver]

91,

Don't count your chickens b/4 they hatch.

Airdeno has done a lot of dyno testing on tbi spacers and he suggests maybe 2-3 hp gains. Can't find that post right now, but I'll take his word for it.

Happy tuning,
BuddyI dont remember seeing any numbers for the cfm tech type spacer......

[doublelow49]

I dont remember seeing any numbers for the cfm tech type spacer......


OK, dude, here you go. I think airdeno has tested them all, but won't name any brands b/c of proprietary interests. So read the thread and make your own judgement.

Buddy


http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/general-discussion/performance/212063-tbi-spacer.html

[doublelow49]

I dont remember seeing any numbers for the cfm tech type spacer......

Bigtruckdriver,

Never mind, re-reading the thread, I see you've already been there. So do have you anything pertinent to add??

To any other interested parties,

It's got some good info and worth the read. From memory, I mis-stated my first comment, so let me correct what airdeno said.

"airdeno - in some cases yes 2-3hp, in some 5-10hp and upto
26lb/ft or torque difference at the rear wheels..."

Buddy

[BigTruckDriver]

OK, dude, here you go. I think airdeno has tested them all, but won't name any brands b/c of proprietary interests. So read the thread and make your own judgement.

Buddy


http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/general-discussion/performance/212063-tbi-spacer.html
Dont get me wrong there will not be 20-30horses gained by the spacers . Maybe 20 foot pounds in torque,MAYBE. I know that, I was just saying there were no comments on testing a cfm type spacer which is totally different than the others. I dont think there will be a 30 horse power gain with it either. But I would like to know what if any ????

[bowtiejack]

does the cfm one whistle at all?

[91chevZ71]

yeah, I'm being optimistic. I gotta tell ya, though...noticeable pickup between 1000 and 2300 rpm. Of course, I might lose some top end but I rarely get over 4000 rpm. My a$$ doesn't lie, though...definitely more torque...lol

[91chevZ71]

no it does not whistle. Another factor *maybe* is that my engine has the manifold and t-body bored to 50mm along with the spacer. It might amplify the gain a little more than average

[hornsfan10609]

I wish it was... I like mine, and usually when you spend so much money on a product, it's mostly all in your head. In the past two weeks, I installed a CFM-tech TB spacer, injector pod spacer, adjustable fpr, msd blaster coil, and msd blaster ignition box(5 series). It ran much better, but today I put in an open element air cleaner(edelbrock) and it's a completely different truck. It's louder and it runs a lot quicker it seems like. I haven't had a chance to do another 1/4 mile run because it's raining, but whenever it's dry again, i'll see what improvements i'll get. After I did all the intake and fuel and spark mods, my engine was still getting choked by the factory intake and only a K&N filter. Now with the open filter and my same K&N it really runs like a champ, since it's getting the air it's always needed.
Also, no the CFM tech spacer doesn't whistle at all, the ones with the "helix bore" do, and that is crap, it doesn't help anything.

[91chevZ71]

You never know what kind of results you'll get. I sound like Forrest Gump

Anyway, if it makes any difference, the spacer had smooth surfaces before it was bored, coarse afterwards. same with my manifold and T-body. This could be aiding in the atomization of fuel and increasing efficiency, but I could be pissing into the wind on that one.

[BigTruckDriver]

No whistle with the cfm spacer. Motor runs smoother ,better throttle response and idles smoother too. No 1/4 mile times(its a sub),no dyno either but it burns rubber like never before!!!! :eek:

[scoobytuff]

20 lb/ft of torque increase wouldn't be bad depending on what you paid for the spacer.

[91chevZ71]

I think it was like 80 bucks from CFM Tech and 30 to get it bored here locally

[scoobytuff]

If they were $20 I might go for one, but $50 and up. I can think of other better ways to make power. I think you could probably make one yourself( if you have a good selection of tools). If people can port and polish heads at home then a TBI spacer can be made. Then again it may be worth it to some people just to spend the money. I'm cheap, I would try to make it!

[BigTruckDriver]

If they were $20 I might go for one, but $50 and up. I can think of other better ways to make power. I think you could probably make one yourself( if you have a good selection of tools). If people can port and polish heads at home then a TBI spacer can be made. Then again it may be worth it to some people just to spend the money. I'm cheap, I would try to make it!I agree but if you dont have a "good selection of tools" (machine shop) than 60 and up to 100 bucks is what I could see for buying a spacer. There is also only a few ways to make horse power(induction,exhaust,and drivetrain IMO) and adding to your induction is a very good one, one you should not short change ,IMO. Taking care of where your money goes is fine but being cheap is just being cheap!j/k

[scoobytuff]

Well I work at a machine shop. I write cnc programs. It could be done without machine shop access trust me. It could be made from a phenolic material or some other plastic. That would be cheap and would not require machine shop access.

[elcaminobill]

Its interesting the hear that you guys are getting low end tork with a spacer. The magazine articles I have read claim you gain top end and sacrifice low end. The exact opposite of what most trucks need.

[Tbi-MAX]

Its interesting the hear that you guys are getting low end tork with a spacer. The magazine articles I have read claim you gain top end and sacrifice low end. The exact opposite of what most trucks need.

hmm, i dont read many of them articles, cause they are a bunch of chit chat... top end? hah.. more bottom end than anything else.. and it was the best 30$ ive spent as far as a mod. it is a pain in the arse to install, if your fuel lines are bolted down to the bellhouse case (stock)..

it was a immediate seat of the pants difference, as I left my mechanic after needing his help to finish the install, cause of those fuel lines... but once you get it on, with new gaskets and all, and make sure nothing leaks fuel.. then your good to go! i will not drive without one again, especially on a TBI..
the interesting thing about this mod, you dont need to give the truck much gas at all on the pedal to get going...

i mean, just barely tap the gas, and its gone... this was with my 350, and i have a 383 now. so my throttle blades are practically closed, while i can be doing 40-50 mph... thats like 15-20% open..

i dont think a tb spacer adds any hp, but it sure adds torque!! :D


here is a pic of my spacer on my 383
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/5532/dsc01233eb1.jpg

[johnnyr]

I did a Mod on my 1995 GmC Sirrea with a 305 that made a big difference, I took the air box off at the end of the air filter housing & just put a tube from a 1988 pickup onto it it did away with the box & my truck runs a lot better. I can hear the TBI sucking air now like a old 4 barrell holley, so I know along with the K&N air filter that is getting more air. I'm still trying to make up my mind on spacers, some say they help some say they don't.