Is a throttle body spacer worth the money on a 4.3 vortec? I've read alot of things both good and bad about them. Anyone have any suggestions???

Everything I've read, they are worth more as a paper weight than actually installed on a 4.3.

Everything I've read, they are worth more as a paper weight than actually installed on a 4.3.


100% correct. From what I've heard from anyone that had a vortec engine they're almost useless. I say almost because they make a whistling sound that I guess some people like.

the noise is about it.... they actually heat up alot, idk if it makes any negative effects but it doesnt help much at all.

Now I'm gonna go against popular opinion here. I had one on my old Noma, altho it was a tbi motor. I noticed a small, and I mean small, improvement in mid range throttle response, and I also noticed that no matter how hard I drove the truck, I always got 19 mpg. It was pulling 17 after I chipped it, 19 after I put the spacer in. Just my .2 cents.

Adding the spacer will increase the intake manifold volume. Taking away a bit of torque off the bottom and giving a bit of HP at higher rpms.

I dont know if it helps at all but I GOT ONE and think it looks cool under the hood!! :jest:

Now I'm gonna go against popular opinion here. I had one on my old Noma, altho it was a tbi motor. I noticed a small, and I mean small, improvement in mid range throttle response, and I also noticed that no matter how hard I drove the truck, I always got 19 mpg. It was pulling 17 after I chipped it, 19 after I put the spacer in. Just my .2 cents.
On a wet intake manifold some, and again very little, power can be found. Any thing made in the past decade will have a dry manifold.

On a dry manifold dynos have shown a LOSE of power due to heat retention.

If you really want a spacer tap it for nitrous and you will more then make up for the heat retention. Its the only thing they are good for. :judge:

I Just Installed One On The 05 Hoe And The Wife Said Gas Mileage Went Up About 2 Miles To The Gallon.

Thanks for all of your opinons, sounds like I will stay clear of them. Thanks again

I dont know if it helps at all but I GOT ONE and think it looks cool under the hood!! :jest:
makes a sweet sound to.some times its annoying though :thumb: