Throttle body coolant bypass???
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,753
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From: Fishkill NY
Throttle body coolant bypass???
First I want to say that this is the best forum I have been in. Evry question or concern get an answer and that is what it's all about. I'm not new to cars but new to the corvette seen. My first was a 1984 cross fire a few years ago. After being on the mopar route for a time, I'm back with a 1991 Corvette and loving it. Now, onto my question....
I know what the Throttle body coolant bypass is I just do not know what it give us in return.. Cooler fuel??? I would think, right? Or am I off base here?
Coming from the old school (non-TPI), I would think this is the same as running a intake riser that has an air gap. AKA Edelbrock
I know what the Throttle body coolant bypass is I just do not know what it give us in return.. Cooler fuel??? I would think, right? Or am I off base here?
Coming from the old school (non-TPI), I would think this is the same as running a intake riser that has an air gap. AKA Edelbrock
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,683
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Re: Throttle body coolant bypass??? (1991C4)
It makes for a cooler air charge entering the engine. The purpose of running the coolant through the TB is to keep the TB butterflies from icing over under certain conditions... but if you live in the sweltering south like I do then that's not much of a major concern 
So down here at least it serves no purpose. Eliminating it is one of those that couldn't hurt, might help...
So down here at least it serves no purpose. Eliminating it is one of those that couldn't hurt, might help...
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 13,710
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From: So Cal
Re: Throttle body coolant bypass??? (A)
I did mine for several reasons. First off everyone said it was the thing to do. Secondly was maybe it would help the motor run cooler, and third was simple, less hoses and conections less chances for leaks. Before radiator clean out and bypass temp constantly fluctuated about 33 degrees. After both it runs a solid 209. Just thought I would put in my 2 cents. :crazy:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,099
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From: PITTSBURGH PA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Throttle body coolant bypass??? (morphious)
it does help power by cooler air charge if you drive in more colder weather in winter you might want to hook it back up :D
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,468
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From: Il
Re: Throttle body coolant bypass??? (CORKVETTE1)
I did the by-pass on my '92 3 years ago. I drive it every day, even in the winter. Never had so much as a hint of icing. Temps are about 8 degrees cooler.
Roger :seeya
Roger :seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,161
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From: Tyler TX
Re: Throttle body coolant bypass??? (CORKVETTE1)
Plus it makes it easier to work on the TB. IF you have to remove it, you don't have to worry about making a mess with coolant leaking out all over the engine.
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 407
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From: San Antonio TX
Re: Throttle body coolant bypass??? (91-Z07Coupe)
If your 91 is like my 87, I just went to PepBoys and got 2 feet of 5/8 hose(make sure to ask for black, they brought out a pale red hose for me at first) and 2 clamps and 2 5/8" heater hose plugs(for looks). Ran it from the manifold(?or was it the top of the water pump) over to the heater pipe, plugged the throttle connectors with the plugs.
Make getting to the thermostat housing bolts easier too. In south Texas, there's little chance I'll need the anti-icing feature :D
Make getting to the thermostat housing bolts easier too. In south Texas, there's little chance I'll need the anti-icing feature :D
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 3,162
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From: Los Angeles, CA.... I know a guy who has a Lambo with Corvette doors
Re: Throttle body coolant bypass??? (1991C4)
I have thought about the possible performance benefits from doing this & came to the following conclusion. It may make a difference when the engine is first started up & fairly cold for the first 5? minutes, but then afterwards I would think that the throttle body would start to warm up to the same temp. as the engine by absorbing the ambient warm air in the engine compartment & by conduction from the big heater(the engine) below it(warm air does tend to rise). Just seems like an excersise in futility(as far as improved performance). Plus I guess I'm just lazy :yesnod:
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Throttle body coolant bypass??? (B R)
There must be some amount of coolant in the hoses and in the TB. When you stop the engine, say between runs, it takes longer for the water to give up it's heat (greater heat capacity) than for the Al; a little longer to cool down.
And I think that the TB must run hotter with coolant going through it.
Also our TPI is a dry intake, fuel doesn't enter the picture until the air stream hits the back of the valves, so we can polish the intake runners here.
[Modified by 65Z01, 12:20 PM 9/3/2001]
And I think that the TB must run hotter with coolant going through it.
Also our TPI is a dry intake, fuel doesn't enter the picture until the air stream hits the back of the valves, so we can polish the intake runners here.
[Modified by 65Z01, 12:20 PM 9/3/2001]
Pro
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 700
Likes: 20
From: Derby Kansas
Re: Throttle body coolant bypass??? (B R)
After the engine is warmed up, the throttle body was too hot to touch with the coolant going through it. After the bypass, it still gets warm, but not so hot that you can't touch it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,252
Likes: 2
From: Silicon Valley Kalifornia
Re: Throttle body coolant bypass??? (1991C4)
Bypassing makes a cooler air flow into the engine. Cooler air=more horsepower. PLUS, reduces the chance for detonation. ...which means you could run a more aggressive spark curve=more POWER.
