I recently took out the airbox, MAF sensor, and the box that leads to the TB to clean and check everything out after reading how a dirty TB can hurt performance/gas milage. After i took it all out i noticed that my TB is kinda dirty (had some dirt and a little layer of dirty old engine grease). I sprayed some Simple green on a paper towel and cleaned around TB all the way up to the TB plate (?) and pushed them open just slightly and cleaned it. Looks ALOT better. After doing this i cleaned the air cleaner box wich was dirty as hell (also put in a new K&N) and then part of the openings of the MAF sensor and the box leading to the TB. I notice on that box (leading to the TB) that there was a plastic center divider, what is the purpose of this? I cut mine out because it seems like the air would move around it and most would slam into the middle of the TB instead of the ports. After putting everything back together I took her out for a spin. I seem to have a little more throttle responce at normal driving, WOT seems to pull a little harder off the line and lower speeds and I notice a good differenence going WOT at speeds about 45-50. Here's my questions:

1) Was what i read right about a dirty TB really hurting perfomance/gas milage? Just want to make sure Its not all in my head....But i dont think it is.

2) Did cutting the center divider peice on the box leading to the TB help or was it there for a purpose?

 

I doubt it's your imagination. But I'd guess the difference you're feeling is due more to the higher air flow of the K&N than the cleaning. More air makes a big difference.

As for that divider, I figured the theory behind that was to divide and direct air flow to each side of the throttle body. But it seemed to me like it was more of an obstruction instead.

Now for even more response, replace your entire stock intake with something less restrictive. You'll really feel that!

 

Thanks for the reply. I plan on making my own custom CAI this summer. Do you or anyone else recomend a bigger hole in the bottom of the airbox? I notice there's just a small hole there now, If so any pics of it being done? I dont want to screw it up. Thanks again.

 

There's a pic somewhere on these boards. I think it's in a tech article about air flow rates for the intake system. I saw it posted in a topic thread recently during a debate about MAF screen removal.

The bottom center area of the can had maybe three or four holes drilled through it, each a bit larger than a quarter, I'd guess. It looked pretty simple, so no worries.

 

Just wanted to make sure I was on the same page as everyone else...

My air flows in the top center, through the filter, then from the can, through the MAF then to the box, then to the TB. Everyone else is the same right? So you would want holes in the bottom center, and not the actual can.. right?

Maybe I'm lost somehow...

 

TheMysticWizard, yes that right. Holes in the bottom center to get more air into the filter, through the can, into the MAF, into the plastic box and finally into the TB.

 

Man I gotta build a custom CAI.

My thoughts on it were as follows...

3" PVC 90* elbow at boot at TB, 3" PVC towards where stock air can is, MAF on end, then another 90* elbow on the other side of the mad, connected to another piece of PVC, which goes down below where our stock air can sits, then a K&N cone filter on the end of it.

I know PVC isn't the best material, but I'm pressed for money, and I figure it's gotta be better than my stock setup.

How does it sound? Is there room under where the air can is now? That would put the filter right inside the bumper wouldn't it?

 

Sounds like a good CAI to me, just gotta make sure everything is cut right for a good fitting. Dont know if your were going to do this or not but cutting holes in the bottom of where the airbox used to be would still be a benifit. BTW you'll have to shave off the tall poll that the airbox usually screws onto. Goodluck and post pics.

 

I might actually build this in the next few days, I gotta stop by Home Depot and see how much parts are going to cost me, then maybe I'll do it. I need to make sure my idea will work out by looking at the car also.

 

That poll/rod is simply screwed into the bottom, so just unscrew it, don't cut it off. Besides, if you're only modifying the stock intake by drilling new holes, and you're planning to reinstall the can, you'll need that rod again. You'll be drilling the new holes around where that rod screws into the bottom.

Mystic, the stock intake sucks air into the middle then sends it outward through the filter(opposite of traditional intakes). That's why the new holes go through the bottom center, similar to the way it comes in from the top center. If you cut the sides of the can, air will pass around the outside of the filter instead of through the filter. So unfiltered air(and worse) will get sucked into the MAF and intake.