Thanks for the info Cowtracker.

Where does one get a throttle body spacer, or does one have to make one's own?

Where does one get a throttle body spacer, or does one have to make one's own?

I made mine out of wood, but I think I have one corner of one side not quite perfectly flat.  That, and being a little discouraged about the compression, kept me from putting it on yesterday.  There's not a lot of room under there.  The one I made is about 1/2".  I think I could get maybe 3/4" without too much worry of smacking the air cleaner housing on the hood.  Now, after a 2" body lift, then I could go 1" spacer, or more

I've never cut or worked with the stuff, but I have thought about buying some phenolic material and trying to make one out of that.  I can't remember if I've seen one for sale anywhere or not -- but I don't think so.

BTW, I think I'd see more improvement with my Throttle Body Injection than someone with the newer Multi-Port injection.  And imporvement is relative.  I'm assuming I'll be pushing the power curve up the RPM scale.  Which would give me a little less HP/TQ at the lower RPM and a little more at the higher RPMs.  That's fine for me, 'cause most of my travelling is highway.

I would add that I have been an auto tech for 18 years and done a lot of heavy duty work (engines internal)

Do you guys have anything in the shop (like a light/scope) that lets you see in the combustion chamber (say through the plug hole) to evaluate the rings & valves?

yes they do make a scope that has a flexible neck for the lense,  these tools are pretty spendy$$$! I have always sidestepped the expence,since it is a diagnostic tool and really won't fix anything. it's very dificult to pass these expences on to the customer.
as long as the valves are set properly(you could back off the adjusters 1 turn and retest compression 2 b sure) there is realy no way around pulling the head.

Also: Good news for you spacer makers
aluminum  can be cut using the same tools as wood(this includes ALL BUT the cheapest chinese tools)
Aluminum will dul things a bit faster than wood but it works just fine.... cutting oil helps too..

I've seen wooden TBI spacers before, so I figure that there wouldn't be a problem with the material... A block of aluminum is expensive (lots more than I want to spend ). Also, since I might try making a wooden one, is there any sort of wood I should specifically use? Hard, soft, medium?

jerryp58, how did you make yours? Which tools did you use?

Also about the torque at the higher end, does that detract from the power I already have at lower RPMs, or does it leave that portion alone and just increase the top end?

Also about the torque at the higher end, does that detract from the power I already have at lower RPMs, or does it leave that portion alone and just increase the top end?

I just used pine and ordinary had tools for mine.  I'm not sure if there'd be any soaking in (the fuel into the wood) problem but figured it was worth a shot.  A lot of people use spacers made of wood (even plywood).

I've never priced it, but that's good to know about the aluminimum; may have to check out eBay for some blocks of AL.  I think there are different types of phenolic material.  It's a little pricey too, but sometimes you can catch a good deal on eBay.  All in all, I wonder how much material matters for throttle body and MPI systems.  My understanding of the advantage of the insulating characteristics of the spacer was that it would keep fuel in the carburetor fuel bowl(s) cooler allowing a denser mixture.  Can't see as you'd have that effect with a FI system.

I would guess YES, that you may increase both HP and TQ, but it will be at a higher RPM and that your HP and TQ at lower RPM would likely drop a little.  From everything I've read, spacers are a crapshoot and thickness needs to be played with.  I think the largest group of users were originally drag racers.  I guess moving the power band up the RPM scale helped allow the tires to catch at launch while extra power was added as you got further down the track.  I think playing with the spacers gave performance improvements/losses in tenths of a second.

Hrm... I just wanted a little extra kick in my Tracker without shelling out hundreds of dollars on headers and cams... Also, if you have pictures, could you post them?