What do you think of the Phenolic Carburetor Spacer that PI sells?
They say it can ad an extra 40 HP
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Hi,
It will help prevent overheating of the carb (which can cause poor running).
Worth having a spacer if you haven't already got one.
Make sure you have enough room for it and make sure it comes with new longer carb bolts.
I use a 3mm Edelbrock spacer (which has two oblong holes) so I can keep the air cleaner below the engine cover.
It will help prevent overheating of the carb (which can cause poor running).
Worth having a spacer if you haven't already got one.
Make sure you have enough room for it and make sure it comes with new longer carb bolts.
I use a 3mm Edelbrock spacer (which has two oblong holes) so I can keep the air cleaner below the engine cover.
My answer?
Repeating what I've read about back-to-back dyno testing, I'll respectfully disagree with Rapier and say that the answer is a definitive "who knows"?
I've seen dyno tests where it has increased hp and tq on one motor, and but not at all on another. Like many such issues I don't remember the specific details but remember the lesson: only putting YOUR engine on a dyno with and without the spacer will tell you if it helps or not. There are too many other variables - intakes, cams, carbs, air cleaner, etc etc etc. Basically, if your airflow is already straightened out and your aren't experiencing heat soak or other issues, then you won't see much gain.
Under the correct conditions - as Rapier says, your carb is hot, or your airflow is not optimal, then it could help. The only way to tell is to try it on your engine and see what happens.
Repeating what I've read about back-to-back dyno testing, I'll respectfully disagree with Rapier and say that the answer is a definitive "who knows"?
I've seen dyno tests where it has increased hp and tq on one motor, and but not at all on another. Like many such issues I don't remember the specific details but remember the lesson: only putting YOUR engine on a dyno with and without the spacer will tell you if it helps or not. There are too many other variables - intakes, cams, carbs, air cleaner, etc etc etc. Basically, if your airflow is already straightened out and your aren't experiencing heat soak or other issues, then you won't see much gain.
Under the correct conditions - as Rapier says, your carb is hot, or your airflow is not optimal, then it could help. The only way to tell is to try it on your engine and see what happens.
4 hole spacers often make small improvments in air flow through a carb because they extend the downstream side of the "venturi" before it suddenly transitions to an open plenum, and all the "pulses" occuring in the plenum. Open spacers are used to adjust the volume of open plenum intake mainfolds, often resulting in additional high rpm power, sometimes at the expense of throttle response. It's always good to have a bit of a non metal spacer between carb & manifold as a heat insulator.
But the true effectiveness of the spacer in your picture will only be determined on a dyno or at least with a stop watch, I never trust the "seat of the pants" stuff. Or advertising.
Caveat Emptor.
Your latin friend on the DTBB, George
But the true effectiveness of the spacer in your picture will only be determined on a dyno or at least with a stop watch, I never trust the "seat of the pants" stuff. Or advertising.
Caveat Emptor.
Your latin friend on the DTBB, George
What I am going to say goes againt conventinal wisdom. I race a 409 ci small chevy drag car. We had a local cnc shop make us a 1.5 inch Al spacer, open through the center. We noticed an instant throttle response and the car has never stumbled..ever. I have had people tell me that if i remove it...it will help my bottom end power. I sat if I made any more bottom end I could not hold it to the track. I try to think of it as a mini tunnel ram that helps top end, but on my car it helps everywhere. Bolt it on!