I recently purchased a BBK 52mm throttle body for my LT4, and ended up being really disappointed in the quality of the product.

The most important issue was that the throttle, more times than not, would stick when I backed off the pedal and let it go to idle. It would hang around 1900 rpm and would not settle to the proper idle rpm until I stabbed the throttle and revved the engine. I felt pretty silly revving the motor everytime I came to a red light.

The second, but much less important issue, was that the throttle body plate (with the BBK logo) that came with it was poorly done - it looked like part of the black paint had been sandblasted off of it, so it looked really bad. I wasn't too concerned, as I was going to use the black and red "Grand Sport" plate that came with the OEM throttle body. But, if BBK's plate had looked really nice, I would have considered using it.

I ended up returning the BBK unit and purchasing the Arizona Speed and Marine (ASM) 54mm throttle body. Wow - what a finely engineered product that is. While the BBK unit looked like it was cast, the ASM unit appears to come from a CNC machine. It's billet aluminum, everything fits together tightly and nicely, and it's also very attractive. I'm not usually one for making things pretty - I just like them to be functional. But I really like the flare this good looking throttle body adds under the hood. Best of all, the throttle pedal action with the ASM unit is much, much smoother and lighter than with the BBK unit or with the OEM unit.

The moral of the story is: if you're looking to replace your OEM throttle body, I caution you about the BBK 52mm unit - and strongly suggest you consider the Arizona Speed and Marine product. The BBK product seems popular, and I'm sure many have had good luck with it - but apparently some of them are leaving BBK's production line as faulty units.

 

I have heard other stories like yours. I'm sorry to hear of your problems. Nothing worst then tring to make an improvement and have it be a problem. I installled a BBk on my 86 over a year ago. I have had no problems with it at all. I guess it's just luck of the draw.

 

Mine had a 52MM BBK on it when I got the car...all I can say is, lousy piece...my throttle response is very poor at best...sticky and hesitating...I have and have had this thing worked over to within an inch of it's life and the result is barely acceptable...

Compared to the AS&M unit it is dime store quality both in manufacter and operation...I will be replacing it as soon as I build my motor...BBK's have a place in this world as they are cheap compared to other TB's...anyone looking for quality and top shelf operation needs to look elsewhere...rant over...lol

 

SkunkCar. Was that you at EM yesterday? They put on a BBK 52 mm for me and I had trouble with the plates sticking. Trevor removed it and did a little touch on work on it and has been fine ever since. Still, I don't think that I would recommend it to anyone.

 

Piece of ****!!!!!! Particularly on a forced induction car; I used one on a s/c'd F-body one time and the damned throttle shaft bent at 8 psi!!!! I still cannot believe that Vic Edelbrock will allow his name to be put on it. They're cheap, but that doesn't mean they're good... Pony up and buy either an Accel, TPIS, or AS&M, or one of the various converted 52mm OEM pieces.
-Jeb

 

Has anyone tried the Holley??

 

I had the 52mm holly. plates wouldnt open all the way and would idle to high. Sent it back. Had the stock one done by DRM works great.
regards

 

Hey! Funny you posted this up, I was on the phone with Trevor at EM after he installed your BBK TB, we've both seen teh issue a few times with those...occasionally they can be modified to work but you shouldn't have to do that (in my opinion). Trevor said your car is running great with the HotCam, especially considering it's still running on the stock tune, I was very suprosed to hear how well your fuel trims evened out without any computer adjustment. Get back over to Extreme for another dyno to see how it turned out!

 

Thanks for the heads up, Skunk.

 

Quality wise, mine looks great. It did stick when I first installed it, but a simple adjustment took care of that. The stop was adjusted so that the plates went a degree or so past where they needed to be to fully close. I adjusted it so that the plates were just closed and have not have any problems at all.

 

I bolted mine on right out of the box, no issues to date. The only thing I found was that the studs on the throttle linkage are smaller diameter than the cable ends. Caused no problems though.

 

Out of the box I was good to go. No throttle issues as it does what its suppose to do.

 

"The only thing I found was that the stud on the throttle linkage are smaller diameter than the cable ends."

Ditto here on my BBK 58mm , cut the stud off and replaced with a screw on one from an old Holley.

 

This is my problem now with my car idling too high I also would have to rev the car for the rpm to go down I purchased the BBK 52 mm TB and my car just dont Idle right like the stock TB I totally agree with you and looks like me and you have the same problem whats the site to that other tb you have?

 

I had the BBK 58mm on my car for a day or two, total POS. Never again.

 

WOW!
I guess the poor Ford guys aren't the only ones who think BBK TB's are junk. On the Fords, they sometimes stick off idle, or sometimes even sticking at WOT on high boost blower cars, but the common problem with them is a very annoying whistle when idling...like a small teapot, lol...

Pretty sad they have subpar throttle bodies for all makes evidently. They're prices aren't all that great either...IMHO...

Edelbrock "used to" have a partnership with them on throttle bodies, but finally (and wisely) cancelled that arrangement a few years ago.

 

I have has the BBK 52 on my 88 for about 3 years. Never had a problem. I just bolted it on. I did change the name plate because it was an ugly dull black.

 

I feel like my stock 48mm TB is better than my old "free" BBK which came with my old SR. Now sold, it fetched me $200.

Remember, they use a stock 48mm L98 TB on the Ramjet 502 and GM got just that in hp along with torque.

 

I have a 58mm Holley. Same problem...idles high at a stoplight. I have to kick the throttle to make her come down. Very annoying. I tried playing with it to no avail.

Anyone with suggestions on how to adjust these things to work properly?

 

ttt