For any of the FI developers, would this be something for you to consider? Maybe sell this in a package along with the s/c or t/c unit? Like you said Richard, if you could increase the air flow via FI then boring the throttle bodies would be practical. If I'm understanding something wrong let me know, I have no clue how much labor or whatever would have to be put into this but if this could be a good supplement to forced induction I don't see why FI companies wouldn't attempt to do this.

 

I just realized that you couldn't really sell bored out throttle bodies in a supercharger package, or could you? Do the RX-8's throttle bodies disconnect and would designing new ones be terribly difficult?

 

When the time comes that I'm seeing more then 1.5 inches HG under the t body I'll get a bigger one. Until then everything is fine.

 

It looks like I'm going to have to take the time to type up another technical article. This one's going to be about "Velocity or Volume, which is better?"

 

Aren't the two inter-related, through the Ideal Gas Law for mass flow rate, and the steady-state mass balance equation?

 

Yes, the two are related. The probelm is that too many people like making things bigger when they don't need to. This only slows the air down. What they should be doing is finding a way to make the air travel faster without making anything larger and without causing a restriction anywhere.

 

Not to be off topic, but...

My suggestion is to change the shape of the intake. To maintain a constant velocity is quite hard, and yes increasing the volume is not going to help. I'm not in fluids yet, but when I do, I promise to get more mathematical.

 

Oh no, please don't.

 

to what?

 

Make it look like a duck.

I don't know. It was just the first shape to pop in my head.

 

yeah.

my question was a more sarcastic tone than text could imply at first blush.

my friend, there is next to no marginal gain to reducing the radius the runners turn. enhancing the motor's actual potential for power is going to gain you the most, just like you've always planned to.

 

True. The intake tract was probably designed in such a way that changing the radius will get little, none or even negative gain. Oh yeah, Richard, I don't plan on busting any math anytime soon, so I guess everyone is safe from the sheer power of empirical equations.

 

A bear hugging a duck might maintain a steady velocity. Just a duck... I dunno man. That is pushing it.

 

yeah, it's really too bad that reality isn't a labratory, otherwise those things might come in real handy from time to time.

 

On my '02 Z28, polishing the throttle body gives ALOT more throttle response when used in conjunction with an after market intake, a ram CAI system, and a new MAF. Also, I have the LS-6 intake manifold, from the factory. :D

 

On my friend's Z-28, we did alot of work to the intake side of that car. We ADDED material to the throttlebody, descreaned the maf and did the associated grinding to get rid of those aluminum wall like objects. Can't think of what to call them. Changed to accordian pipe to a smooth rubber one (the home depot mod), installed a new air lid and then revised it's shape to make it flow better. Did the "free" mods for better airflow, etc... The LS1 responds very well to these mods. We did not enlarge the throttlebody or polish it per se. We increased tha airflow through it though. His car is definitely faster from doing all of this. The GM maf sensor also isn't as finicky as the Mazda one. I wish the RX-8 responded to mods like the LS-1 engines do.

 

The Z28 responds so well because GM purposely restricts the Camaro's intake in order to tune it down and keep it from out running the Corvette. If you saw the gigantic baffles on the stock lid, you know.