Throttle Body Performance Upgrades
Best ways to upgrade throttle body
Best ways to upgrade throttle body
The debate rages on amongst car enthusiasts, but there are a few things that are generally agreed upon when it comes to throttle bodies. A bigger throttle body will usually flow more air, which can lead to increased power. However, it's important to make sure that the rest of your engine is capable of supporting the increased airflow before you upgrade your throttle body. Otherwise, you could end up doing more harm than good.
When you fit a larger throttle body, the engine's reaction is improved, particularly at higher RPMs, owing to an increase in engine airflow. This upgrade also tends to result in a slight increase in fuel economy.
Ported throttle bodies are frequently used in tandem with larger ones to enhance airflow even more. This modification can be particularly beneficial for turbocharged engines. It's intended to shave seconds off your reaction time between when you step on the throttle and the engine actually rotating.
Porting and polishing a throttle body is a relatively simple process that can be done at home with the right tools. If you're not confident in your ability to do it yourself, there are plenty of workshops that will do it for you.
A throttle body's performance is dependent on modifications. When a throttle body is installed, additional horsepower is generally gained. Depending on what other improvements have been made to the engine, the amounts can vary from 5 to 25 HP.
There is also an upgrade called a throttle body controller, which can be used to modify the throttle body's output. This upgrade is useful for increasing performance, but it will not add any extra horsepower on its own. What you will experience though is the slight increase of speed.
The cost of upgrading your throttle body will depend on the make and model of your car as well as the quality of the throttle body you choose. Expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $2000 for a quality aftermarket throttle body.
Replacing a throttle body component is often costly, ranging from $200 to $500 based on the make and model of your vehicle. Because labor for this sort of upgrade is usually inexpensive, expect to pay between $50 and $150 to have the component correctly installed.
The average claim is that a throttle body upgrade can add 5 to 25 HP to your engine. But this number will vary depending on the modifications that have been made to the engine. If you have a stock engine, you're not likely to see as much of an increase as someone who has made other modifications.
Upgrading your throttle body is not going to be the upgrade that makes the biggest difference in your car's performance. If you're looking for something that will give you a noticeable increase in horsepower, you'll need to look at other options.
If your car was manufactured somewhere after 2005, then you should tune your car after a throttle body upgrade. It will save you time and money in the long run. Better be safe then sorry. You don't necessarily need a tune for a larger throttle body, but it is recommended. If you upgrade your throttle body and don't tune your car, you could end up causing damage to your engine.
A tune is generally not needed if you're just installing a throttle body spacer alone. However, if you're fitting this spacer with a new throttle body or intake, or any other associated parts, we always recommend obtaining a tune to get the most out of your modifications.
Upgrading your throttle body to a ported version is only worth it if you have already made other modifications to your engine. If you have a stock engine, upgrading to a ported throttle body is not going to make much of a difference. This type of modification is only recommended for those who have modified their engines and are looking for ways to further improve performance.
The greatest advantage of a ported throttle body over a bored throttle body is the capacity to make substantial power increases at low and mid-range speeds. A bored throttle body will, in the end, produce more power than a tiny throttle body if it is too restrictive for the engine and becomes a choke point.
