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102mm Throttle Body Options

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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 01:20 PM
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Default 102mm Throttle Body Options

I'm finding a lot of info but its leading to more questions. I have a 2008 (first year LS3) So I'm seeing that the TB on mine is from an LS2 and opens backwards? But most of the 102mm options say for LS2 & LS3. So all good on that front? No compatibility issues? As I've seen "gold blade" & "Silver Blade" options for sale in the classifieds where the LS2 style was one color and not compatible. Almost looks like there used to be a difference and now the modern options work for both.

Can anyone easily explain/ simplify?

What Makes a Nick Williams 102mm a $65x part?
Is there something wrong with the 102mm same style (drive by wire) Throttle bodys on the Electricbay for 1/3rd this price in the $200 range.

I don't mind paying for quality/value. Just not looking to pay any unnecessary vette taxes. or waste time and money buying junk and learning hard lessons to go with my new 102 Intake manifold.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 02:25 PM
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The $200 ones are made in China. That should be all you need to know about them.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Texasthunder
The $200 ones are made in China. That should be all you need to know about them.
So is my iphone. I'm not one to defend china over american made products but was the OEM Throttle Body made in america down to the circuits? Seems a little on the short sighted side of things to ./thread cause the cheaper product was made where everything else comes from. Largely due to american companies making that decision for us. Just like the american sellers on eBay selling this stuff. They benefit as well. I appreciate the input. An if the primary difference is Nick Williams is cranking out his throttle bodies on American CNC machines with american billet and employing american labor and sourcing then fair enough. I'd be surprise if they weren't even more expensive.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 04:44 PM
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Nick Williams throttle bodies have been polished by hand to help improve airflow through the TB. I don't know what the difference between gold and silver blades is.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 05:00 PM
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C5 & C6 require Drive By Wire Throttle Bodies. Nick Williams are the only DBW 102 MM TB's
that I know of. Unless you plan to make excess of ~670 HP @ the flywheel I would use the
OE LS3 TB with a V-Max Velocity ring to eliminate the lip at the plenum entry of the FAST 102
Manifold. This will allow for easier tuning especially at idle, part throttle and low speed driving
transitions. The OE 90 MM flows 1150 CFM and made 592 RWHP for me. A 102 is worth
~6-8 RWHP @ ~600 RWHP.

Silver Blade are LS2 rare and expensive, Gold Blade are OE LS3 & Cheap!

The ~$200.00 102's I have seen were all cable driven,
If someone knows of DBW 102 TBs less than $450.00
that are legit I would love to know.

Last edited by Navy Blue 210; Nov 21, 2018 at 05:10 PM.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 05:33 PM
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All over Ebay
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Navy Blue 210
C5 & C6 require Drive By Wire Throttle Bodies. Nick Williams are the only DBW 102 MM TB's
that I know of. Unless you plan to make excess of ~670 HP @ the flywheel I would use the
OE LS3 TB with a V-Max Velocity ring to eliminate the lip at the plenum entry of the FAST 102
Manifold. This will allow for easier tuning especially at idle, part throttle and low speed driving
transitions. The OE 90 MM flows 1150 CFM and made 592 RWHP for me. A 102 is worth
~6-8 RWHP @ ~600 RWHP.

Silver Blade are LS2 rare and expensive, Gold Blade are OE LS3 & Cheap!

The ~$200.00 102's I have seen were all cable driven,
If someone knows of DBW 102 TBs less than $450.00
that are legit I would love to know.
I have a VMax TB and a friend that has done some work for them. But had no idea the transition ring was a thing. Much appreciated that will at least prevent the delay of install, sounds like I might not need one at all. I figured the difference would be greater from a physics standpoint the tip in throttle getting that much air that much sooner filling the larger manifold faster ect ect. But results dont lie.An if it ease's tuning in all those areas might save the cash and run.

Agreed that there are DBW 102mm TB's all over ebay that look just like mine and say they are for both LS2 and LS3 applications. Which is what confused me.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 09:24 PM
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I have NW102 and I got it for looks. The HP difference is less that the margin of error on the dyno.
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 02:15 AM
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Not sure why Chinese parts EVER get brought up on an American sports car forum. Pretty silly, save up and buy quality.
I run a Made in USA company, and have a built C6 w/quality American made mods that work well; so I might be biased.

For reference, my NW 102 made almost 10hp all the way through on my H/C LS2. Pretty damn solid increase.
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 02:21 AM
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Anyone who has in mind “Vette tax” should go talk to someone who owns a McLaren, that way you can wake your first world @ss up! lol
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 12:04 PM
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Wow yes I realize that if I had purchased a car that is several orders of magnitude more expensive that aftermarket parts would also be even More of a premium. I’ll work diligently to wake my *** up and stay woke. I didn’t coin the expression “Vette Tax” I’m sorry it’s so offensive to mention, I learned about it right here on the forums.

Please continue to educate me while making the case in the tech/performance section of the American car forum that your not sure why anyone would EVER want to compare/discuss parts. Just buy American. Got it!



Originally Posted by HC Mechanic
Not sure why Chinese parts EVER get brought up on an American sports car forum. Pretty silly, save up and buy quality.
I run a Made in USA company, and have a built C6 w/quality American made mods that work well; so I might be biased.

For reference, my NW 102 made almost 10hp all the way through on my H/C LS2. Pretty damn solid increase.
Navy-timd-Mike, thanks for the experience and actual help, I’ve already called my buddy from VMaX (Chris) and getting a transition ring for the Vmax to 102 and it’s even all American Made parts!

Last edited by 2K8LS3; Nov 22, 2018 at 12:07 PM.
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by GTP2K1




Navy-timd-Mike, thanks for the experience and actual help, I’ve already called my buddy from VMaX (Chris) and getting a transition ring for the Vmax to 102 and it’s even all American Made parts!
Very nice!
I did not mean to come across that way Brother...I’m sorry about that.

Currently I’m doing my level best to run an ethical, American product based company. For the past 1 1/2 years I’ve been having all kinds of problems with the Chinese stealing our IP and using it against us illegally. But still no excuse!
I sincerely hope you can accept my apologies.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving Brother!
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Old Nov 24, 2018 | 09:17 PM
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Originally Posted by HC Mechanic
Anyone who has in mind “Vette tax” should go talk to someone who owns a McLaren, that way you can wake your first world @ss up! lol
I went from a Porsche to a Corvette and the cost of parts dropped by 40%, I have added 2 Mustangs and the new one has parts prices at about 70% of the Corvette part prices, but now I added an old Mustang, and parts for it are almost free.

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Old Nov 24, 2018 | 10:24 PM
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Wonder how many Corvette's are in China.....
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Old Nov 24, 2018 | 10:58 PM
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Originally Posted by 2K8LS3
I have a VMax TB and a friend that has done some work for them. But had no idea the transition ring was a thing. Much appreciated that will at least prevent the delay of install, sounds like I might not need one at all. I figured the difference would be greater from a physics standpoint the tip in throttle getting that much air that much sooner filling the larger manifold faster ect ect. But results dont lie.An if it ease's tuning in all those areas might save the cash and run.

Agreed that there are DBW 102mm TB's all over ebay that look just like mine and say they are for both LS2 and LS3 applications. Which is what confused me.
The electronics are different in the gold blade TB.I tried one on my 2008 LS3 that came with a silver blade LS2 TB..Ran like ****....Damn GM!!
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Old Nov 24, 2018 | 11:29 PM
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Aside from being hand polished, I'm pretty sure it's the same exact throttle body.
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Old Nov 25, 2018 | 12:42 AM
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Originally Posted by 2K8LS3
I'm finding a lot of info but its leading to more questions. I have a 2008 (first year LS3) So I'm seeing that the TB on mine is from an LS2 and opens backwards? But most of the 102mm options say for LS2 & LS3. So all good on that front? No compatibility issues? As I've seen "gold blade" & "Silver Blade" options for sale in the classifieds where the LS2 style was one color and not compatible. Almost looks like there used to be a difference and now the modern options work for both.

Can anyone easily explain/ simplify?
Originally Posted by Cherokee Nation
The electronics are different in the gold blade TB.I tried one on my 2008 LS3 that came with a silver blade LS2 TB..Ran like ****....Damn GM!!
Originally Posted by Mark Leger
Aside from being hand polished, I'm pretty sure it's the same exact throttle body.
The silver blade TB was used up through '08. Starting in '09 the ZR1 required TB's to open the opposite direction, so they used a gold-colored blade to be a quick visual identification. It's like opening a door. You can push it open or pull it open. You can't replace a push open with a pull open and expect to walk through the same way.
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Old Nov 25, 2018 | 01:14 AM
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Originally Posted by HOXXOH
The silver blade TB was used up through '08. Starting in '09 the ZR1 required TB's to open the opposite direction, so they used a gold-colored blade to be a quick visual identification. It's like opening a door. You can push it open or pull it open. You can't replace a push open with a pull open and expect to walk through the same way.
You got that right.
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Old Nov 26, 2018 | 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by HC Mechanic
Very nice!
I did not mean to come across that way Brother...I’m sorry about that.

Currently I’m doing my level best to run an ethical, American product based company. For the past 1 1/2 years I’ve been having all kinds of problems with the Chinese stealing our IP and using it against us illegally. But still no excuse!
I sincerely hope you can accept my apologies.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving Brother!
All good man no hard feelings. It's too easy to forget we all have our struggles, I'd no doubt feel similar if the the Chinese were stealing from me directly. My only retort was/is in the name of open discussion,
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Old Nov 27, 2018 | 08:57 PM
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Originally Posted by HOXXOH
The silver blade TB was used up through '08. Starting in '09 the ZR1 required TB's to open the opposite direction, so they used a gold-colored blade to be a quick visual identification. It's like opening a door. You can push it open or pull it open. You can't replace a push open with a pull open and expect to walk through the same way.
Did they do away with different colored blades and start making them compatible with both LS2 and LS3's ? Seems that's what the majority of throttle bodies on the market advertise now.
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