Throttle Body, programmer, intake manifold??
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
Throttle Body, programmer, intake manifold??
I have a customer with a 1998 automatic coupe. I dont have as much experience with performance modifications as I do with repairs. He has expressed his want to install a larger throttle body and reprogram his PCM with one of the programmers out there. Would he benefit from doing either, also would you suggest installing a larger intake manifold as well, the "Fast" intake comes to my mind. Let me know what your suggestions are, he already has billy boat bullets, I suggested headers but he is afraid of the noise levels with the bullets. Thanks for your help!
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 1
From: Littleton Colorado
Since he has a 1998, either the newer intake (LS6) or a FAST are good. I've heard people say that the 90mm tb and FAST intake are not needed without head and a cam and more displacement. However, I've noticed that the FAST is being used by more mild builds recently. Price keeps me from doing it, maybe this winter 
IMO it would be OK to go witht he FAST, but a LS6 can be found for around $300 and is an improvement as well. Either intake will not net them a lot of HP, it will get better throttle response and maybe better sound as well. A worthwile mod. IMO lean towards the FAST if they are going to do a H/C in the furture.
The biggest improvement would be a tune. The handhelds are OK, if you know nothing about tuning and there are no experienced tuners around your area they are a decent choice. With a tune you can alter the shifting of the A4, you can make it a lot more responsive and people usually think that is the best improvement on a stock Vette with a A4. Maybe a little power can be found as well, a little more than an intake alone will get you.
Good luck,
Matt
And fill out your info in your avatar, there maybe forum members in your area with experience with both!
IMO it would be OK to go witht he FAST, but a LS6 can be found for around $300 and is an improvement as well. Either intake will not net them a lot of HP, it will get better throttle response and maybe better sound as well. A worthwile mod. IMO lean towards the FAST if they are going to do a H/C in the furture.The biggest improvement would be a tune. The handhelds are OK, if you know nothing about tuning and there are no experienced tuners around your area they are a decent choice. With a tune you can alter the shifting of the A4, you can make it a lot more responsive and people usually think that is the best improvement on a stock Vette with a A4. Maybe a little power can be found as well, a little more than an intake alone will get you.
Good luck,
Matt
And fill out your info in your avatar, there maybe forum members in your area with experience with both!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
The only tuning place near by is New Era Performance, how ever in a business perspective I would not want to take work away from us, so a better option for us would be to use a hand held. The hand helds are only good for one tune correct? I wish that I could also use it for my 03 . He does not plan on doing heads or cam, he first only wanted a TB, would it be smart to do the FAST intake?
. He does not plan on doing heads or cam, he first only wanted a TB, would it be smart to do the FAST intake?
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 1
From: Littleton Colorado
Hopefully some with experience with the FAST will chime in, I'd hate to make a recommendation and have it prove wrong for your customer. But, a TB is kind of a waste without the bigger intake, so either both FAST and TB or LS6 only.
Yes, a handhelds are good for only one car. Maybe look into EFI Live or HPTuners, it takes a while to learn how to tune, but both products have a forum community that can steer you in the right directions. They have different licensing options for different business models, it can be fairly cheap like $100 per car you tune (at the most) for HPTuners. Its pretty fascinating if you like to learn.
Yes, a handhelds are good for only one car. Maybe look into EFI Live or HPTuners, it takes a while to learn how to tune, but both products have a forum community that can steer you in the right directions. They have different licensing options for different business models, it can be fairly cheap like $100 per car you tune (at the most) for HPTuners. Its pretty fascinating if you like to learn.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,029
Likes: 85
From: Palm Coast, FL
The only tuning place near by is New Era Performance, how ever in a business perspective I would not want to take work away from us, so a better option for us would be to use a hand held. The hand helds are only good for one tune correct? I wish that I could also use it for my 03 . He does not plan on doing heads or cam, he first only wanted a TB, would it be smart to do the FAST intake?
. He does not plan on doing heads or cam, he first only wanted a TB, would it be smart to do the FAST intake?I went with an LS2 intake and TP but had to modify my fuel rail to reach over the higher manifold. Using the FAST, you will need to adapt the fuel rails anyway, the 98 has a return type fuel system and the FAST can adapt the rails again, the $$$ may not justify it unless he is going to be doing more mods in the future.
Going with an LS2 TB you will also need a different wiring (2 into 1) connection.
My opinion is to go with an LS6 intake and TB. I think anything 2000 and newer are LS6, just remember when looking for the intake that yours is a “fly by wire”!
Good Luck
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 623
Likes: 11
From: Ankeny IA
If no internal work is being done then I would suggest an LS6 intake, less restrictive filter (such as a Vararam or Blackwing), and headers if he has money left over. A FAST is not worth the money on a stock internal motor over an LS6. A ported throttlebody will not gain much if anything on a stock motor and may introduce idle issues that would not be able to be fixed with a simple hand held.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
I think I agree with everyone, his best option is probably the LS6, just because its going to work and work well, I am also going to suggest a lower tempt 'stat and some water wetter. Which programmer would you guys suggest, I am anxious to play with one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 931
Likes: 35
From: Rowlett, Texas
Agree, agree, agree.
Pop the LS6 manifold on, along with a Blackwing air filter, and open up the fog-light grills for cool air to the filter.
These are very easy, reliable mods, and leave the car as driveable as stock.
Then do a hand-held tune from one of the major suppliers mentioned here. (Yes, you can only do one car with each tuner).
These easy mods should give approx 10% hP gain, and add a really good punch to the midrange.
DG
Pop the LS6 manifold on, along with a Blackwing air filter, and open up the fog-light grills for cool air to the filter.
These are very easy, reliable mods, and leave the car as driveable as stock.
Then do a hand-held tune from one of the major suppliers mentioned here. (Yes, you can only do one car with each tuner).
These easy mods should give approx 10% hP gain, and add a really good punch to the midrange.
DG
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