throttle body coolant bypass
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Good question.
I am trying to figure this out as well. Some claim HP gains , others say its bogus and only done so that we can add to the mods list.
Does anyone have the definitive answer?
I am trying to figure this out as well. Some claim HP gains , others say its bogus and only done so that we can add to the mods list.
Does anyone have the definitive answer?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Definite answer
There is no definite answer. Vetts from up north need the heat to keep
the TB and everything else from freezing up during winter. Florida cars
don't need the little extra heat. As far a gains, the vette is engineered to run with heat for EPA and many other things. The gain from 1 degree
reduction in heat is very very small, it any.
the TB and everything else from freezing up during winter. Florida cars
don't need the little extra heat. As far a gains, the vette is engineered to run with heat for EPA and many other things. The gain from 1 degree
reduction in heat is very very small, it any.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
When I first got my Vette, I thought the bypass sounded good to me so I did it. After reading a lot about this mod, it's really a no gain as the whole engine warms up anyway. If I were to go up into the cold country, I'd hook it back up. Still, the idea of hot coolant running through the TB just seems like a horsepower robbing thing. I don't think you'll gain anything, you just won't lose anything. Here is a thought, what if your coolant was cooler than the engine temps near the TB? Wouldn't that increase your horsepower due to the cooling effect? Hummmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
Since I did the TB bypass mod, my intake doesn't get anywhere near as hot as before.. Aven after an hour of driving, it is still only wamr to the touch, instead of being superhot before.. Worth it for me.. 
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,043
Likes: 3
From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
I think that the above posts pretty much hit the nail right on the head. The bypass is definitely beneficial when it comes time to remove the TB - it would make it much easier and quicker. In terms of the cold weather necessity, I dunno. How many cars *don't* have coolant running through the TB from the factory? At least a couple I've owned. Do those cars function in cold climates? Yes. However, if GM put it there, it must've been for some reason, so I won't go any further.
As for performance loss, heat is bad - yes. However, how much heat will be actually transferred to the air rushing through the TB just before it enters the plenum? Probably not nearly enough to make a noticeable difference. The warmer underhood air that the engine draws in at idle has already maximized any "heatsoak" that could occur. At highway speeds, I believe the air is rushing by far too fast to accumulate any significant heat gain which could rob HP.
As for performance loss, heat is bad - yes. However, how much heat will be actually transferred to the air rushing through the TB just before it enters the plenum? Probably not nearly enough to make a noticeable difference. The warmer underhood air that the engine draws in at idle has already maximized any "heatsoak" that could occur. At highway speeds, I believe the air is rushing by far too fast to accumulate any significant heat gain which could rob HP.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
Likes: 26
From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Originally Posted by Steel Blue 91
I don't think there will be much gain from this one particular mod, but all the little ones will add up. Also, makes the R&R of the throttle body a lot less messy.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 0
From: Long Island New York
Originally Posted by MrNuke
Since I did the TB bypass mod, my intake doesn't get anywhere near as hot as before.. Aven after an hour of driving, it is still only wamr to the touch, instead of being superhot before.. Worth it for me..
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Miami Florida
This mod is to simple not to do in a warmer climate (I'm in Florida). I also have this mod done on my sportbike; it's one of the mods Honda uses on their race bikes and is part of thier setup manual for the track. This mod along with some other simple mods made a noticeable difference on the dyno for my bike. I believe there is a difference for Vette's also.
Just remember there is no need for a fancy kit when a longer hose from your local auto parts will do the same bypass
Just remember there is no need for a fancy kit when a longer hose from your local auto parts will do the same bypass
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Benoni Gauteng
Originally Posted by MrNuke
Since I did the TB bypass mod, my intake doesn't get anywhere near as hot as before.. Aven after an hour of driving, it is still only wamr to the touch, instead of being superhot before.. Worth it for me..
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 26
From: Somewhere nowhere
the outside air temperture has nothing to do with potential TB icing. The amount of moisture in the air is what can ice with the presure drop across the TB.
it can be 100 degrees outside, and if you have enough of a pressure drop, the air will drop out the moisture, and you will form ice in the process.
it can be 100 degrees outside, and if you have enough of a pressure drop, the air will drop out the moisture, and you will form ice in the process.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Originally Posted by larryfs
it can be 100 degrees outside, and if you have enough of a pressure drop, the air will drop out the moisture, and you will form ice in the process.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Originally Posted by xs650
70F is about the upper limit for icing. The airplane faeries have lots of experiance and knowledge on this topic from close to a century of dealing with carb icing.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 26
From: Somewhere nowhere
one day..., 92 degrees F inside my factory, I was draining the BIG air compressor for maintance. 175psi down to zero. there was a thick layer of ice where the air was hitting as it was draining.
I say if the conditions are right, you can form ice at any temp.
having said that, I did the TB bypass on my F-body, never a problem.
I say if the conditions are right, you can form ice at any temp.
having said that, I did the TB bypass on my F-body, never a problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Just remember there is no need for a fancy kit when a longer hose from your local auto parts will do the same bypass
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Originally Posted by larryfs
one day..., 92 degrees F inside my factory, I was draining the BIG air compressor for maintance. 175psi down to zero. there was a thick layer of ice where the air was hitting as it was draining.
I say if the conditions are right, you can form ice at any temp.
having said that, I did the TB bypass on my F-body, never a problem.
I say if the conditions are right, you can form ice at any temp.
having said that, I did the TB bypass on my F-body, never a problem.
