RX Performance's Ported Throttle Body Review & Installation Tutorial(for LFX engines)
 

:happyanim: :happyanim: :happyanim:

First off - I have to admit, the tutorial is going to be short and sweet. This is by far the easiest throttle body I've ever had the pleasure of working with. No vacuum lines, no coolant lines, no mechanical linkages, just ONE electrical sensor and 4 bolts.

The throttle body fresh out of the package:
Attachment 408150
Attachment 408151

Installation:

Tools:
1. 10 mm Socket w/ Socket Wrench
2. Flatblade Screwdriver


Step 1. Remove the engine cover.
Attachment 408152

Step 2. Unhook intake elbow from throttle body. For my Cold Air Inductions cold air intake, it was just a matter of unscrewing the clamp and moving the elbow out of the way. Your mileage may vary.
Attachment 408153

Step 3. Under the throttle body is the electrical sensor. There's a red piece of plastic which needs to be pulled out, use the screw driver to push the tab back. Once it's back all the way, you can push down on the plug where the plastic piece used to be against and then slide towards the passenger side to get it to slide out from the throttle body.

Step 4. Using the 10mm socket wrench, remove the 4 bolts around the perimeter of the throttle body. The bottom right bolt is kinda hidden, but it's in there.
Attachment 408154

Step 5. Hold new throttle body in place and reverse steps 1-4. :sm0:
Attachment 408156
Attachment 408157



Comparison:
Attachment 408154
Attachment 408155




Review:
Install was a breeze. After installing, I drove it around the block but not that far yet... literally just finished installing it 10 minutes ago. :laugh: I'm trying to be as unbiased and not give into placebo as possible. It seems like I don't have to rev as high to get the car to start moving in 1st gear. I actually squealed the tires a little bit when I pulled out of my subdivision because I'm used to giving it more gas. Taking off from a stop in 2nd gear seems to be nicer too, as it doesn't seem to lug at first like it used to. All in all, for a quick trip around the block it *seems* better, but I'm going to drive it to my parents' house to drop the car off for a week so I won't have much more feedback for a little while. All in all, I think this was worth the price! :w00t: :chevy: :drinking: :thumbsup: :respekt:


UPDATE:
Drove the car to my parents' house to drop it off with my dad for a week while I have a company vehicle. I used 2nd gear to take off and WOW what a difference. There was absolutely no lugging at all taking off from a complete stop. It takes off confidently and smoothly. That was the most impressive change. Very cool!

Couldn't be easier! Just wonder how long I'm gonna have to wait to get mine, gonna order after next paycheck got some OT coming! Pls update feedback after you get some miles on it.

Drove to my parents' house, about 10 miles away with plenty of lights. It was pretty surprising how much stronger the car seemed to pull. Every stop I took off in 2nd gear and it accelerated MUCH better than it used to before the ported throttle body. That's a VERY noticeable improvement.

Nice write up. Looks like you are taking the right approach at making more power.

Thanks for the report and the pictures...... looks like its easier to install than the CAI . I guess I need to order and go ahead and get on the list.:thumbup:

Why do you feel the need to take off in second gear? Keep it up and I'll bet you'll be doing a write-up on how to change a clutch before too long.

Thanks for the write-up and pictures.

John B.

Are you saying 1st gear is no longer useful? Just wondering why the need to take off in 2nd. I do that in my friend's 06 Ion where 1st gear gets you to like 5mph before needing to shift into 2nd (exaggeration).

((The following has nothing to do with the TB -- just wanted to state that none of the below is a result of the TB, this is how my car has always felt since I bought it))
I've never felt 1st gear to be of any use, to be completely honest. I've always had to FORCE myself to use 1st gear and over time I've finally gotten to the point where I can almost keep up with city traffic during rush hour when the light turns green. Otherwise it's embarrassing that the light turns green and the huge SUV next to me that's an automatic takes off like a bat out of hell and I'm barely moving :laugh:

After driving my car around for a week last time I had a company vehicle my dad likewise commented that he felt 1st gear was useless unless you're winding it out to 4-5 grand just to get going. He told me to use 1st gear anyway, but he at least understood why I was just taking off in 2nd all the time. If you're trying to shift at 2-3k, 1st gear is completely useless. With the ported throttle body, though, 1st gear might be even better if I'm trying to keep the RPMs down... honestly didn't get to drive it enough to really know for sure. I'll have my car back this coming Tuesday evening so I'll be able to report back then. We'll see if my dad notices any difference -- it's been about a few months since he drove my car last, but my mom has a 2012 LFX 2LS (automatic) so he knows how the 2LS drives.

Thanks for the great pictures and the first "official" un-biased opinion on the TB! Keep us updated.
This one is on my list now.

I went and saw Tracy today and had my throttle body and catch can installed. Let me just say it was a noticeably better ride home, around town, from dead stops, to pretty much everything. I couldn't be any happier with such a cheap mod to do that makes such a big difference.

Pete from VMax always does great work and good to see this newest creation of his is living up to his reputation. Looking forward to more impressions.

Sweet review! Thanks for your time to post up your personal thoughts on it!

Now if we could only start to see more of em ship out...... :)

Thanks again Sir!
Ivan

I dropped my core off at FedEx this afternoon so hopefully that should help them get more churned out. :D

I've got mine on as of a few minutes ago. All I've done is start-up, but I have no CEL and it runs fine. I'll report back later today.

The used TB is back in the box and ready to ship to RX so they can make more awesomeness for the next car on the list.

John B.