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TB upgrade

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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 06:53 AM
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From: Atco Raceway in between Pa & Nj 13.073 @ 106 MPH
Default TB upgrade

I was wondering if a TB upgrade to a 52mm is worth the money for a stock LT1 engine, looking for a little better ET at the track ?
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 08:06 AM
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Probly not much if any. The stock 48 pretty much flows as much air as the plenum and runners will allow into the motor. If your OEM one is worn out go ahead but if your thinking about peformance only forget it.
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 08:15 AM
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From: Atco Raceway in between Pa & Nj 13.073 @ 106 MPH
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Originally Posted by HlhnEast
Probly not much if any. The stock 48 pretty much flows as much air as the plenum and runners will allow into the motor. If your OEM one is worn out go ahead but if your thinking about peformance only forget it.
That's what I thought, Thanks.
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 03:43 PM
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I know of a friend who stuck a 58mm TB and felt improvement. Too bad the track times disagreed and it was worse but there it is. Without tuning and other mods, you won't achieve much. The only thing it will do is probably lightening your wallet.
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 03:46 PM
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He probably felt improvement because a bigger TB is going to let mroe air in with the same throttle input. Stock TB's seem to work best on a stock/mild motor
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 04:40 PM
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And for anyone that feels the need to upgrade there's always the CFM ratings. As an example........a 383 at 7000 RPM will need 775 CFM. That about what a 48mm flows. The GM Ram Jet 502 Cu. In. 502 Horsepower uses a 48mm throttle body. The 502 at 5400 RPM uses about the same amount of air as a 383 at 7000.

Here are some real world numbers from a third party flow bench. As you can see the TB airfoil that everyone jokes about is actually a benefit if you're right on the edge of needing another throttle body.

Stock TPI/LT1 48mm Throttle Body w/o airfoil -- 783.0 cfm

Stock TPI/LT1 48mm Throttle Body w/ airfoil -- 821.9 cfm

TPI/LT1 52mm Throttle Body w/o airfoil -- 848.9 cfm

TPI/LT1 52mm Throttle Body w/ airfoil -- 898.8 cfm
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 06:24 PM
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From: Atco Raceway in between Pa & Nj 13.073 @ 106 MPH
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Originally Posted by 1963SS
And for anyone that feels the need to upgrade there's always the CFM ratings. As an example........a 383 at 7000 RPM will need 775 CFM. That about what a 48mm flows. The GM Ram Jet 502 Cu. In. 502 Horsepower uses a 48mm throttle body. The 502 at 5400 RPM uses about the same amount of air as a 383 at 7000.

Here are some real world numbers from a third party flow bench. As you can see the TB airfoil that everyone jokes about is actually a benefit if you're right on the edge of needing another throttle body.
Thanks Sarge, good info.
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 07:03 PM
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Thanks Sarge, good info
Any time my friend and I'm not a "Sarge". That was long, long ago. Just call me "Gunny". Everyone else does.
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted by aklim
I know of a friend who stuck a 58mm TB and felt improvement. Too bad the track times disagreed .
I have documented it here in the past.
I did back to back testing on same day ;
30 runs
1/2 with stock TB
1/2 with 58mm.( because I had it for my 383 project )
L98 /big tubes/ ported intake and plenum / headers
WOT from idle w/2K stall and 3.07's

No difference in ET, 60 ft or speed
Similar 60ft times reflects no loss of throttle response as claimed by some, that having too large a TB will kill bottom end
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Old Dec 2, 2011 | 07:33 PM
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Originally Posted by rodj
I have documented it here in the past.
I did back to back testing on same day ;
30 runs
1/2 with stock TB
1/2 with 58mm.( because I had it for my 383 project )
L98 /big tubes/ ported intake and plenum / headers
WOT from idle w/2K stall and 3.07's

No difference in ET, 60 ft or speed
Similar 60ft times reflects no loss of throttle response as claimed by some, that having too large a TB will kill bottom end
His was bone stock. All he added was a 58mm TB. Did 3 runs with and 3 runs without. Consistently lost ET with.
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Old Dec 4, 2011 | 10:34 PM
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Originally Posted by 1963SS
Any time my friend and I'm not a "Sarge". That was long, long ago. Just call me "Gunny". Everyone else does.
Sorry Gunny, had to laugh. Lots of folks don't exactly know what a "Sarge" really is. From an Army NCO to a Marine NCO, best laugh I had all day.

In 1984 while assigned to 2/327th Infantry, 101st Airborne, I had the opportunity to work with the 1st Marine Recon in the far North of Alaska. Best fighten, most drinkenest, ornery bastards I've ever had the honor of training with. Those were good times.

Last edited by Corvette40; Dec 4, 2011 at 10:45 PM.
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Old Dec 4, 2011 | 11:12 PM
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Best fighten, most drinkenest, ornery bastards I've ever had the honor of training with.
That's funny right there. I was a part of the First in 1966. I had just made boot Corporal. We were playing just west of Chu Lai. That was some good times right there also.
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Old Dec 4, 2011 | 11:23 PM
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With 1963SS no gain.

Most motors require a lot less air than youd think.
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