I need a tpi throttle body, mine is not well. What I would like to know is who has had good or bad luck with what brands. I see several different brands going from 150.00 for remans up to the 300's or more for new. What have you guys had good luck with? I'm not trying to start a brand war here, I just don't want to buy a know inferior product. This is my first experience with TPI and I searched the site for an answer, as to what most people prefer but didn't come up with too many specifics. Oh I guess I do have one question about size, nobody seems to make a reman or new 48mm, what's up with that? Was the factory throttle blade fit so poor that they all get bored?

Thanks, Rob

 

Recently, my original throttle body leaked vacuum at both ends of the butterfly valve shafts and I had a respected local automotive machine shop install new bushings. This cured the problem; however, the butterfly valves did not close properly. They have eventually seated in with the use of an extra throttle spring and the use of some emery cloth. If I had to do it all over again I would have spent another $100 or so dollars and gotten a new one.

Consequently, I did some research on throttle bodies and what makes them good. There are a few big names making these for TPI engines such as Holley, BBK, Edelbrock, Accel, etc. Size of the bores is one issue to consider which has been discussed here at great length.

The next issue I looked at was the bearings or bushings for the butterfly valve shaft. Most use a bushing to seal the shaft, while BBK uses a bearing with double O rings to seal vacuum. I can not say which is better. My original throttle body from GM lasted about 200,000km and about 17 years before the bushings failed.

I did a lot of research on this issue and did not hear anything negative about any of the big name brands. Recently, I have seen some cheap ones advertised at Summit Racing. I did not research these.

 

I would highly recomend TIPS throtle bodys if you check there web sit the will take your core and give you a bored 52mm for like 200$ i just got mine and opens smooth and the tips air foil is fitted very well they also stnad behind there products even if you bought there t-body second hand like i did.
just my

 

Not Holley. I used a Holley 58mm unit one time. That was enough to send me elsewhere. Like they designed it and sent it straight to market without ever trying it out in the real world first. TPS bound up at various throttle positions (old 87-style TPS with the external arm) and required grinding to clearance it. The throtte arm had no stop whatsoever to prevent opening beyond 90*. Also, wrong mounting bolts were sent with it- they had the wrong thread (metric vs. SAE) and we stripped out 2 of the threaded holes in the plenum trying to install it before we figured out the problem.

Lots of 4 letter words were spoke that day.

TPIS makes a nice piece and they are obviously very proud of it, judging by the price.

 

Hmmmm ok, kinda leaning towards the summit one for $250. It says it has hand fitted butterflies. 90 day warranty vs BBK one year warranty, but also $60.00 less. Anyone running a BBK? Do you like it? I might also call TPIS and see about the reman as watman02 has mentioned, but I'm not sure what my core is worth beings it has flush broken screws in the bottom that.....I can't get out.

 

I have been running a BBK 52mm for my 305 for a year and a half with no issues. The Summit TB looks like a good deal, give it a shot, you should be good.

Just make sure you give them the year of your car cause the linkage is different from 89-92 vs 82-88.
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Broken screws should not affect core value. Most large rebuild shops will have a laser to burn out the old screws.