Throttle Body Spacers

Tuning the length/shape of an inlet manifold is proven technology.
However it makes the assumption that the original design wasn't optimised...unlikely on a modern car....

Basically a moving column of gas has momentum, (plus angular momentum if its spinning) this can be used to ram air/fuel mix into a cylinder even when the piston is on the way back up.

If you had a very old single cylinder 2 stroke, then playing around may be worth while. Or if you are tuning this engine for a very specific purpose/rpm.

Otherwise, save your time and send me your money.

Del

I remember *nostalgic moment approaching* in the late 60s most motorbikers would fit carburrettor spacers because of the reduced heat transmission from the cylinder to the carb...

The same as fitting 'trumpets' to the inlet to your Amal carb...

John

There are spacers that go between the throttle body and air cleaner that claim to add a swirl that helps to get better fuel and air mixtures. This would seem to be possible only when at WOT (wide open throttle) or very near. Throttle body spacers that go under the throttle body or carburetor, would be able to change the efficiency at WOT. But only at a specific RPM. Adding more space under the throttle usually will lower the RPM that an engine makes torque at. There are reports that the GM throttle bodies were restrictive between the throttle body and the injectors on the early throttle body injection systems on the v6 and v8 engines. In these engines it was possible to remove the injector housing and add spacers to raise the injectors. This was supposed th aid air flow. I thought that only a 3/8" stack of gaskets was needed to pick up the air flow. What was the application you had in mind.

Good explanations! I'll add a secondary benefit to the spacer-typically less engine heat is transferred to the carburettor and this reduces the volatile pressure in the fuel bowl-thus greatly reducing the possiblity of a vapour lock.

Best Regards,

Ing. Robert Forbus

Huh? run that over me again??

Vapour lock in the carby fuel bowel? How? most carbs I have worked on are vented to the intake above the butterfly, so if there is any pressure, it will escape then get sucked into the induction as you open the throttle.

And I thought vapour lock was in the galleries of the carby or fuel lines...

Chuck the carb, and inject the bugger ;o)

My intention was to take that technology and apply it to a paintball bolt using compressed air. Nothing to do with cars, but looking at the technology being used in any industry and think outside the box.

you mean rifling the barrel to get a "Spin" on the projectile?

look up Rifling -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifling

Not rifling the barrel. I'm not looking to spin the ball in anyway cause then it would turn into that of a curve ball. I'm looking at it in terms that a burst of air like what a grenade makes wastes too much energy. So if i was able to make a vortex of air it would offer more power and consistancy. THEN possibly with a rifled barrel with the right amount of twist rate offer better trajectory. Just trying to think of something to get more bang for the buck. I should draw something to illustrate my idea.

The best way I can think of that offers more energy using a vortex is like a forge. Some use a tube and the gas circulates creating more heat using the same amount of energy. Or like the turbine engine on a jet, creating more thrust.

turbine uses vortex to get more thrust?

where?

In a turbine, you have alternating compressor and stator vanes, the compressor as it spins, makes the air rotate in the disc as it passes thru, the stator blades straighten the air flow before it hits the next set of compressor blades, the same arrangement in the prime mover at the other side of the combustion chamber.

Your trying to get more gas charge as you fire the paint gun?

adding holes to "suck" in extra air will get tricky, and may end up defeating the original design, you may need to look at increasing your charge capacity, or a different propellant, like gas injection and ignited, or wrap the charge cylinder in a heater loop, or peltier devices, and inject liquad-air into the chamber, the heating of the chamber will convert it into much more pressure ;o)

There is only so much energy in the timed shot of compressed air. You are dealing with a hollow tube closed on one end. Without drastic changes to the barrel I don't think you will gain significant improvement. Why don't you concentrate on a longer timed release of air into the barrel.

If Im not mistaken, many paintball models use venturis to improve how the gas acts upon the ball - I think you may be essentially reinventing the wheel when it comes to your idea.