1" tbi spacer. What all is needed for this? - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

STRIKER911 · 05-09-2009, 01:15 AM

K well the speed bug bit again. Could have been that crap lookin chevrolet corsica that beat my Camaro on the hwy. Yes, stock lo3's are that bad. Wow.

Anyways I am looking into a 1" tb spacer. Tried to get the guy down to $30, but will only sell for $40. Is that a good price for a used one?

Also what else is needed? Thought you needed more then just the spacer? I asked said seller if their was any brackets to lower the cables. He said no, but the bracket I have now would work if I bend it. Anyone done this?

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89junkyardgta · 05-09-2009, 01:36 AM

I did the spacer deal (AirAid) on my 350 TBI truck. With an open element K&N, headers and good exhaust and an upgraded ignition system, I didn't see a big gain. I found that it moved my peak torque up in the rpms, which is exactly what you don't want when trying to move a 4000lb+ vehicle from a dead stop. I know, the thirdgens are lighter, but I wouldn't do it again unless I was going for more speed and had gobs of torque down low to begin with. I had to modify a stock bracket, it wouldn't work right otherwise, screwed up the shift points something horrible. I guess I could have *tried* to make it work or maybe I had brain freeze that day and didn't see a way to bend the bracket, but the cables were on quite an angle and it didn't look right. I paid $125 CDN for mine a few years ago, so the price is ok. If you don't have a better coil, wires and high flow air filter with an open element, I would put ALL of those on before playing with spacers...you will feel the difference more so than with a spacer. The spacer did improve my mileage ever so slightly though on the highway. Just my

STRIKER911 · 05-09-2009, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89junkyardgta

I did the spacer deal (AirAid) on my 350 TBI truck. With an open element K&N, headers and good exhaust and an upgraded ignition system, I didn't see a big gain. I found that it moved my peak torque up in the rpms, which is exactly what you don't want when trying to move a 4000lb+ vehicle from a dead stop. Just my

Ok well thank you. I am just trying to get some more power; like now. May just wait on it then.Thanks again.

robertfrank · 05-09-2009, 11:12 PM

I did the same thing on my car and like he said there wasn't much of a huge gain but off idle to mid range torque did improve. For a stock vehicle you could benefit for every little bit you can get but your money could be better spent elsewhere. What exactly have you done to your car? I think as of right now the best bang for your buck would be a set of gears. Throw a set of 3.42's with a eaton posi and watch the grin on your face get bigger, lol it will make a much better improvement on how the car feels.

STRIKER911 · 05-10-2009, 01:38 AM

Ok ill hold off on it then. Maybe I might find one cheaper later on.

Kevman · 05-10-2009, 09:17 AM

When I rebuilt my TBI I put an injector spacer in, seemed to run better, but I also put new filters and blased the TBI unit with carb cleaner until it was like chrome...

fernando rs · 09-24-2009, 01:17 PM

Hey did you guys have trouble lowering the idle speed after installing the tbi spacer? I installed mine yesterday and my idle speed is at 3000. What do i need to adjust to correct this? Any pointers would help.

89junkyardgta · 09-24-2009, 01:25 PM

Your throttle cable is probably jammed. You need to raise the TV/Cruise/Throttle cable bracket on the intake up an inch to go along with the spacer, otherwise the geometry is totally out. Don't drive it like that, your trans TV cable is probably all messed up too...you'll be shifting too early and wreck the trans.

fernando rs · 09-24-2009, 05:44 PM

I checked the throttle/tv/cruise/cables none of them were under any stress. I backed off on the idle control screw and it only dropped till 2800. If I backed up on it any more the throttle plates in the tbi would close completely and get stuck closed.I also tried backing off on the timing, untill the idle rpm was to about 800. But this made the car run like crap and backfire.I also trie to readjust the tps sensor but I dont know if its possible on my 1992.I dont know what else I should try?

89junkyardgta · 09-24-2009, 08:04 PM

Ok, I just wrote a big long message for nothing. With the engine off, go pop the hood and yank the air cleaner off. If the throttle blades are open, a cable is short. That was my experience when I did this mod on my truck. If the throttle blades are closed, then I am going to suggest maybe a vacuum leak? Let me know and we'll go from there.

fernando rs · 09-25-2009, 11:02 AM

Orite, Im gonna double check the vaccum hoses & the cables and raise the cable bracket.Thanks for the help man ill let you know if i get it fixed.

89junkyardgta · 09-26-2009, 12:00 AM

Well, should check and make sure the cables are binding the TBI by checking if the blades are open before going any further with it.

kkingsrulee · 09-26-2009, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertfrank

I did the same thing on my car and like he said there wasn't much of a huge gain but off idle to mid range torque did improve. For a stock vehicle you could benefit for every little bit you can get but your money could be better spent elsewhere. What exactly have you done to your car? I think as of right now the best bang for your buck would be a set of gears. Throw a set of 3.42's with a eaton posi and watch the grin on your face get bigger, lol it will make a much better improvement on how the car feels.

Hey robertfrank, can you link me to exactly what you recommended? The posi and 3.42's, I want to know where I can get them from and how much.

Also, is this something I could do on my own? I have heard before that it is difficult, it gets complicated, having to do gear lash and everything.

fernando rs · 10-01-2009, 01:18 PM

Hey i got it fixed yesterday.I raised the cable bracket, and bought new tb gaskets. The lower gasket was leaking. Changed it and the rpm dropped to about 1000 in park.Thanks again for your help. I was getting ready to give the spacer away.

89junkyardgta · 10-01-2009, 08:37 PM

You are welcome....its a nice change to be right! Is that 1000 rpm cold or hot? Should be around 800 hot from my experience in Neutral or Park, around 600 I think in gear....but that's based on a truck TBI...not sure if the car ones run a little different. Glad I could help. Cheers.