Has anyone tried using the single blade throttlebody on our Chevy Small Blocks?

 

Why? 1300 CFM is FAR more airflow capacity than almost any SBC engine can use. The TPI runners, plenum, and intake base are far more restrictive. I would not spend the extra money. Remember, with performance modifications, "Bigger" is not always "Better"! This is a perfect example of "More's Law" or "If Enough is good, More's Better". NOT!!

Spend your money on stuff that will deliver a lot bigger increase in performance. Just like injectors, there is no increase in power just by putting in a set of 35 lb injectors in a stock engine. It just does not work like that! The secret of building any good performing engine is matching the components to the level of performance you are able to afford. If you have a 300 horsepower goal, then why would you install a Throttle body and injectors that will support 500 horsepower. The heads, intake, exhaust and everything else is going to be a restriction. You are creating issues that you do not need to deal with.

In my case, my goal was to retain the original numbers matching block in my 85 El Camino. That meant that I was limited to whatever could be done to a 305 engine. I then decided that I would build a fairly exotic (for a 1985 El Camino) 305, using readily available (inexpensive but GOOD) parts that would support about 300 gross horsepower. The bonus of a "small" engine is that it places less demand on the intake, fuel and exhaust systems to achieve the desired power level. My first and most critical choice was the heads, the "correct" heads are the KEY to performance. Then camshaft and valve train. Then exhaust system. So everything from the head gaskets up on my 305 was scrap! Again, AVOID the "Bigger is Better" trap! 2.080 intake valves and 230 cc intake ports and CNC porting are great on the right engine, but make no sense on an otherwise "stock" engine. Be REALISTIC in your goals! EVERYTHING in that engine needs to work together to make power. So, if you have unlimited money, try one of these throttle bodies, see if it works and give us a report. Otherwise, spend you money on stuff that will really boost performance.

 

Well the question was "Has anyone tried using the single blade throttlebody on our Chevy Small Blocks?".

But you got a point. No need to spend extra money.

 

nope im using a 52 bbk on a 500 hp 383 too much air u loose lowwer rpm tork too little u loose higher rpm HP

 

Interesting.

 

Yes, you are absolutely correct! I am SURE that Someone has put one of these on a stock 305! Just like I remember a bunch of 283 Chevies in my early days with 850 double pump Holleys! I just felt that a Yes/No answer might make some less experienced people think that this was somehow a GOOD idea. I cannot say what this does to the peak power, but I am betting that the smaller throttle body does hurt the tip in, off idle performance and torque. It will not be as bad as a "too big" carburetor, because this is a "Dry" manifold. Like I said, everything needs to work together in a very delicate balance. The best comparison that I can make is that this is similar to putting in a .680 lift 330 deg cam in a stock 305, just because someone builds such a cam which will fit the hole! Just because they make it bigger, does not mean that everyone needs to buy it. But NO I have not tried one of these on my SBC. Thanks!

 

i just dont understand how if you "open up" the breathing capacity, you have less restriction in the TB. I do understand there is restriction in the plenum, runners, heads, exhaust. The best way to go is by matching parts. I do get that. But to reduce every bit of restriction in the TB, why would it be a bad idea? Its like why have a 3" exhaust system out the back when you can just have straight individual pipes comeout of the hood like in the dag racing hotrods?

 

I have a brand new lingenfelter 58 mm throttle body in the classifieds !!

 

I would like to see a back to back dyno comparison of your theory. Someone with an optimized TPI should dyno test the different throttle bodies on the same engine configuration. Those would be interesting numbers. I am going to save my money for other, more pressing issues.

 

im running a monoblade throttlebody on my FIRST intake... throttlebody flows 1076cfm.... the whole system feels great.. before i was running a 48mm throttlebody with edelbrock/slp tpi....

 

http://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-mo...t-results.html


here's the dyno test 52 vs 58mm!!!

 

I have been wondering the same thing. I am close to 400rrwhp and running a 52mm. wonder if i can pick up any hp

 

What about 85-91 TPI SBC engines? Does anyone have similar dyno results for those engines with the different Throttle bodies?