throttle body mod


ihatemybike
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Re: throttle body mod

Post by ihatemybike »

So far it's been done on my '94 and my 2000.
Aaron

2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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k120189
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Re: throttle body mod

Post by k120189 »

as far as i know this works on any strofari thats non-TBI...although if I'm wrong feel free to correct me....
Image

--->2000 RWD 4.3L/4L60E ,3.43 gears.exhaust and throttle body mods.
...gone =(...

-->1998 kia sportage 3 inch lift 30 inch tires under repairs

ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 2224
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
Location: Elgin, IL

Re: throttle body mod

Post by ihatemybike »

Grabbed the blade off a Northstar engine last trip to the yard, didn't bother to check to see if it was the 4.8 L though. Once Grumpy is rolling again, I'll get around to trying it out on Green.
Aaron

2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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k120189
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Location: lenox,MA
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Re: throttle body mod

Post by k120189 »

let us know...my van needs a tune up before she sees road time again...its dumping fuel into the exhaust....going for the usual plug wires cap and rotor first
Image

--->2000 RWD 4.3L/4L60E ,3.43 gears.exhaust and throttle body mods.
...gone =(...

-->1998 kia sportage 3 inch lift 30 inch tires under repairs

Meterpig
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I finally get the smurf thing
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Re: throttle body mod

Post by Meterpig »

I completed this mod. I drilled out the three holes and filled them with JB weld and then sanded it down the next day. I noticed a huge difference a 0-50 percent throttle (Plus or minus). In reading around the s-10 forums, this mod allows more air per throttle position. I don't notice the van jumpy at all but do notice I don't have to put my foot into it all the time for around town driving.

I pulled the dog house for easy access to the intake-but I think for someone who knew their way around the intake area could do it without puling the dog house.

Oh-I also cleaned the MAF sensor (with the special cleaner), plugged off the crankcase hose and cleaned the intake. So, very happy overall.

It definetely takes the van from pokey-to peppy. Need proof? Even my wife noticed the change. =D>
What do you think of my quest to swap transfer cases to the venerable BW4472?
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962

Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz

Meterpig
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Re: throttle body mod

Post by Meterpig »

Here is what it looks like once out.
Image

How I moved the dog house out of the way. My intent here was to avoid removing all the wires from the doghouse.
Image

And...the back of the intake.
Image

This is the nut you need to get a hold of to remove the intake.
Image

It takes a tork to remove the intake bolts.
Image

I did not realize the blade simply pulls up and out...so I took out the intake. Yay!
Image

And the oil coated blade. So I removed the crankcase hose.
Image

All cleaned up and on the vice.
Image

I have no pictures of it with th JW weld-because the battery died. Sorry.
What do you think of my quest to swap transfer cases to the venerable BW4472?
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962

Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz
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MountainManJoe
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Re: throttle body mod

Post by MountainManJoe »

Hopefully you don't get jbweld in your engine down the road. Isn't the idle air hole larger now too?

Meterpig
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Re: throttle body mod

Post by Meterpig »

timelessbeing wrote:Hopefully you don't get jbweld in your engine down the road. Isn't the idle air hole larger now too?

No-I covered all the holes except the stock hole.

Yes, I know the doom and gloom declared on JB weld. Seen it many places on the interwebz. I'll live on the edge.
What do you think of my quest to swap transfer cases to the venerable BW4472?
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962

Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz
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MountainManJoe
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Re: throttle body mod

Post by MountainManJoe »

k120189 wrote:people say its good for 5hp at most
This is completely false. You will not make any more power with this mod. At wide-open-throttle, the manifold pressure is nil, and the shape of the throttle blade has no bearing. I don't think it even matters when it's half open. The throttle body is from a V8, and ample sized for our engine.

Cutting off the diffuser may change how you accelerate, and give you a illusion of more power. But you're just kidding yourself. It's still a 6000lb van and you won't get there any faster. In fact, if I mash my pedal when the light changes, the engine bogs and shifts poorly. If I feather the gas and pay attention to how the engine is responding, I can make it accelerate smoothly, shift better, and I get a good start. Also, in offroad and poor traction conditions, gentle throttle and very precise control is very important. You need to be able to make tiny changes.

The MAF and IAT sensors, and the EGR port are just downstream of the TB, so you're going to be messing with the airflow on them, and hence the mixture. People have reported fouled plugs in the front two cylinder after cutting off the diffuser.

Maybe I'm weird, but I don't have a problem with my throttle, and I don't need to mess with my van to get a fake feeling of power. I get my jollies from skiing, rock climbing, mountain biking and things I can do with my body. :guitar:

Cobra
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Re: throttle body mod

Post by Cobra »

You're not weird we just felt there was a little more we could get out of our vans. I did the mod months ago and there was a noticeable difference nothing spectacular mind you but definitely nothing to complain about
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler

1997 gone

Meterpig
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I finally get the smurf thing
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Re: throttle body mod

Post by Meterpig »

At full throttle, my van hauls ass and shifts fine. I would get that checked out.

As for being a rain cloud on this topic, well, I suppose that's your prerogative. I personally appreciate not having to mash the pedal at every light and intersection to get "normal" acceleration.

This is the first vehicle I have encountered in which the manufacturer has decided to put some sort of restriction in. Makes no sense-I modified it-noticed a difference and now I am happy.

timelessbeing wrote:
k120189 wrote:people say its good for 5hp at most
This is completely false. You will not make any more power with this mod. At wide-open-throttle, the manifold pressure is nil, and the shape of the throttle blade has no bearing. I don't think it even matters when it's half open. The throttle body is from a V8, and ample sized for our engine.

Cutting off the diffuser may change how you accelerate, and give you a illusion of more power. But you're just kidding yourself. It's still a 6000lb van and you won't get there any faster. In fact, if I mash my pedal when the light changes, the engine bogs and shifts poorly. If I feather the gas and pay attention to how the engine is responding, I can make it accelerate smoothly, shift better, and I get a good start. Also, in offroad and poor traction conditions, gentle throttle and very precise control is very important. You need to be able to make tiny changes.

The MAF and IAT sensors, and the EGR port are just downstream of the TB, so you're going to be messing with the airflow on them, and hence the mixture. People have reported fouled plugs in the front two cylinder after cutting off the diffuser.

Maybe I'm weird, but I don't have a problem with my throttle, and I don't need to mess with my van to get a fake feeling of power. I get my jollies from skiing, rock climbing, mountain biking and things I can do with my body. :guitar:
What do you think of my quest to swap transfer cases to the venerable BW4472?
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962

Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz
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