C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

major differences between 52mm and 58mm TB?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 11:22 AM
  #1  
snoopdan's Avatar
snoopdan
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 2
From: Fort Knox
Default major differences between 52mm and 58mm TB?

Looking at getting the Holley throtle body replacement for my 86, what is the primary difference between the 52 and 58mm models besides the obvious?
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 11:23 AM
  #2  
Pwnage1337's Avatar
Pwnage1337
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 190
From: Custer, WI
Default

i don't think there is any difference between the two besides the size. Is your car stock?

58mm would be absolute overkill unless you are running it on a modified motor.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 11:27 AM
  #3  
snoopdan's Avatar
snoopdan
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 2
From: Fort Knox
Default

Originally Posted by Pwnage1337
i don't think there is any difference between the two besides the size. Is your car stock?

58mm would be absolute overkill unless you are running it on a modified motor.
other than headers, and a turbo 350 transmission conversion and 120 shot of nitrous - no head work.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 11:28 AM
  #4  
engle1147's Avatar
engle1147
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Default

Make sure you get the correct year TB app....the linkages are different for a few of the 80's years.

There is a slightly modded BBK 52mm in the F/S section.

Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 11:31 AM
  #5  
snoopdan's Avatar
snoopdan
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 2
From: Fort Knox
Default

Originally Posted by engle1147
Make sure you get the correct year TB app....the linkages are different for a few of the 80's years.

There is a slightly modded BBK 52mm in the F/S section.

yep im aware of the linkage issues. As far as that bbk in the f/s section I don't like that its been hacked on already.

I run a throtle plate for my nitrous, I wonder if one of these Holley 58mm's will allow me to use the plate...I couldn't imagne why not.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 11:38 AM
  #6  
cv67's Avatar
cv67
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Default

Think the stock one would be fine for what youre doing.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 11:46 AM
  #7  
snoopdan's Avatar
snoopdan
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 2
From: Fort Knox
Default

Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Think the stock one would be fine for what youre doing.
really? hmm..that sucks.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 12:00 PM
  #8  
cv67's Avatar
cv67
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Default

Saves money=good
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 12:04 PM
  #9  
snoopdan's Avatar
snoopdan
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 2
From: Fort Knox
Default

Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Saves money=good
no, because i'll spend it on new door panels or carpet
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 12:34 PM
  #10  
ch@0s's Avatar
ch@0s
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
Default

Originally Posted by snoopdan
no, because i'll spend it on new door panels or carpet
Just send it to me, I will send you a sticker you can put on that TB to get you HP.
It says, "Grand Sport"
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 01:28 PM
  #11  
missinganova's Avatar
missinganova
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Default

I love the throttle body threads.

You know what would be great? If someone with access to a dyno could settle and answer these questions with finality.

Run a stock, sound L98 with stock, 52mm and 58mm throttle bodies and record RWHP.

Run a slightly modified L98 (chip, cam, porting, headers) with all three throttle bodies again and record RWHP

Run a highly modified L98 (chip, heavy cam, porting, headers, stroker, NOS or blower) with all three throttle bodies again and record RWHP

You still can't convince me that anything more than stock is needed until you start moving a lot of air.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 01:54 PM
  #12  
coupeguy2001's Avatar
coupeguy2001
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
Default

I'm sure the manufacturers have already done that. check their websites
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 02:43 PM
  #13  
Jonnymac's Avatar
Jonnymac
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,178
Likes: 5
From: Daleville Indiana
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Originally Posted by missinganova
I love the throttle body threads.

You know what would be great? If someone with access to a dyno could settle and answer these questions with finality.

Run a stock, sound L98 with stock, 52mm and 58mm throttle bodies and record RWHP.

Run a slightly modified L98 (chip, cam, porting, headers) with all three throttle bodies again and record RWHP

Run a highly modified L98 (chip, heavy cam, porting, headers, stroker, NOS or blower) with all three throttle bodies again and record RWHP

You still can't convince me that anything more than stock is needed until you start moving a lot of air.
The problem is you can dyno a car ten times in a row without changing a thing and get ten different set of numbers.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 03:09 PM
  #14  
JAKE's Avatar
JAKE
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Default

I found a site where a dyno test was done that showed a power increase of less than 10 when a larger TB was installed, but only within a 1000 rpm band, IIRC 5000/6000. As I recall, it was on an engine with only bolt on mods.

One of the mags did the engine build and test and I'll try to find and post the link.

On a personal note, I've run all three, 48, 52 and 58 mm. Going from 48 to 58 showed me an acceleration increase so dramatic that I swapped it with a Forum member for his 52.

One thing members don't seem to consider is that even though max power may not increase, the fun factor does. When moving to a larger TB, for every incremental increase in throttle opening, more air is allowed to enter the engine (when compared to a smaller TB) which causes the car to accelerate faster. Up goes the fun factor.

In the case of me running the 58, the change from a 48 was so dramatic I decided to move DOWN to a 52 to better be able to modulate the throttle and NOT blast around like Speed Racer.

Jake

Last edited by JAKE; Feb 23, 2010 at 04:51 PM. Reason: Spelling Corrections
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 03:22 PM
  #15  
snoopdan's Avatar
snoopdan
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 2
From: Fort Knox
Default

Originally Posted by JAKE
I found a site where a dyno test was done that showed a power increase of less than 10 when a larger TB was installed, but only withing a 1000 rpm band, IIRC 5000/6000. As I recall, it was on an engine with only bolt on mods.

One of the mags did the engine build and test and I'll try to find and post the link.

On a personal note, I've run all three, 48, 52 and 58 mm. Going from 48 to 58 showed me an acceleration increase so dramatic that I swapped it with a member for his 52.

One thing members don't seem to consider is that even though max power may not increase, the fun factor does. When moving to a larger TB, for every incremental increase in throttle opening, more air is allowed to enter the engine (when compared to a smaller TB) which causes the car to accelerate faster. Up goes the fun factor.

In the case of me running the 58, the change from a 48 was so dramatic I decided to move DOWN to a 52 to better be able to modulate the throttle and NOT blast around like Speed Racer.

Jake
See that's good info right there. I use my car mainly as an 1/8th mile racer so this might work for me if I go all the way up to a 58mm. I've had the picture of a polished holly 58mm on my desktop all day and have been considering the leap.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 04:49 PM
  #16  
JAKE's Avatar
JAKE
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Default

Many times guys only compare what we refer to as "peak to peak" numbers in making TB decisions. When I moved to a 58, I began a new learning curve to re-learn how to control and regulate my right foot. The same pedal pressure I had become accustomed to when using the 48 was out the window. Using that same pedal pressure, I'd blast away from stop lights and had folks looking at me like I was a drunken teenager, LOL

Sort of the same thing happens when comparing head flow numbers. Guys tend to look at and post on the max flow numbers and completely ignore all else, like port volume, mid-lift flow, bore size, etc., all of which effect how the heads will actually perform when installed on the engine.

As I recall the next biggest issue was getting the accordion to fit over the 58.

Jake
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 05:32 PM
  #17  
dogfish246's Avatar
dogfish246
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,588
Likes: 10
From: North New Jersey
Default

Originally Posted by missinganova
I love the throttle body threads.

You know what would be great? If someone with access to a dyno could settle and answer these questions with finality.

Run a stock, sound L98 with stock, 52mm and 58mm throttle bodies and record RWHP.

Run a slightly modified L98 (chip, cam, porting, headers) with all three throttle bodies again and record RWHP

Run a highly modified L98 (chip, heavy cam, porting, headers, stroker, NOS or blower) with all three throttle bodies again and record RWHP

You still can't convince me that anything more than stock is needed until you start moving a lot of air.
I wish there was a comprehensive dyno run/test of all the different mods to a stock engine to see whats real and what fake!

For example, is less back pressure good or bad! (no one answer this)
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To major differences between 52mm and 58mm TB?

Old Feb 23, 2010 | 08:59 PM
  #18  
LT4BUD's Avatar
LT4BUD
Safety Car
25 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by snoopdan
Looking at getting the Holley throtle body replacement for my 86, what is the primary difference between the 52 and 58mm models besides the obvious?
Gain is going to depend a lot on other mods.....but done right the 58 is going to give you more power, done wrong you might actually loose power

I did 58, at that time both were the same price , except with the 58 you need to mod your intake to match...

An old thread showing the importance of doing it right..


http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...plugs-ect.html

I would think the same concept would apply to the L98

Reply
Old Feb 24, 2010 | 07:42 AM
  #19  
snoopdan's Avatar
snoopdan
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 2
From: Fort Knox
Default

anybody know of any good port matching tutorials for the 58mm setup?
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2010 | 08:07 AM
  #20  
ddahlgren's Avatar
ddahlgren
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
Default

Quote 'One thing members don't seem to consider is that even though max power may not increase, the fun factor does. When moving to a larger TB, for every incremental increase in throttle opening, more air is allowed to enter the engine (when compared to a smaller TB) which causes the car to accelerate faster. Up goes the fun factor'


You could just step on the pedal faster..LOL.. Anything bigger than what you need just makes it harder to drive .. What is the point in that.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:31 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE