Frank,
I've checked out my throttle bodies and never seen a ridge, and I've got a lot of experience with small block chevy's. I defer to your experience and I agree that a clean, smooth TB could make for a more responsive throttle.
My problem with KS's post, is that she said (and I quote) "Surely as someone who promotes driving schools, you can appreciate a wider curve of available power. Again, not peak numbers, but average.". Where is she getting her facts on a "wider curve of available power". Fred has done a DYNO RUN and has not found this to be true! I've also seen dyno runs that Claude Short Dodge did a couple of years back that said the same thing was true. So there are two souces that say larger/smoother TB's do nothing for power, yet KS is saying they do, and criticizing Fred for claiming otherwise, when his assertions are based in fact. I agree with you, Frank, everyone who posts opens themselves up to criticism, but KS is out of line, and completely lacking in facts to say the things she did regarding Fred's comments. As for not caring who owns/runs this board, well I personally think you should... it's paid for by the VCA. I like the idea of it being open, but KS is admittedly NOT a Viper owner (and I assume has little or no experience with Vipers), and she also has NO facts, and yet critiques Fred's factual dyno results? Gimme a break. There should at least be some basis for the retort other than "your facts dont matter cuz my car feels faster".
Chuck,
KS is not a guy - it's a woman... at least she claims to be. She also made a pretty snippy response to JonB in another thread, criticizing him for being upset that some kids were causing him the run-around. KS has been combative and a bit snippy in every single post of hers that I've seen. I'm happy to see owners of other marques here, but to be an arrogant guest is to be an unwelcome guest.
One thing I'd like to say to EVERYONE reading this thread, is that David Wilks is expressely NOT saying that these throttle bodies will provide any gain in power. I think he is doing the right thing. For $125, that is a GOOD price for a port/polish job on TB's, and if Dave (the guy who DOES the work!) isn't claiming they produce any power, why would anyone else argue that?
<FONT COLOR="#ff0000" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by Mike Brunton on December 12, 2000 at 23:26</font>