Throttle Body upgrade - X-Metal vs BBK

ssjcreeper · Jan 15, 2012

As part of my upcoming N/A build, I'm looking at upgrading the throttle body on my Gen III. From the posts I've been able to dig up, most seem to go with the X-Metal, but there were a number of accompanying posts about idling issues. Some posted about the blade sticking. Anyone have more info/experience with the X-Metal?

Interesting that BBK offers a TB for the Viper, but I haven't seen many posts on it. They've been a brand in throttle bodies for as long as I can remember. Anyone using their twin 67mm unit? They claim 15rwhp on an otherwise stock Gen III, which seemed like a decent gain for the cost.

cubican · Jan 15, 2012

Im using the fastman throttle body and Im very pleased with it, they use our stock unit and then they re work it. http://www.thefastman.com/throttlebodiesSRT10.php

mralbuquerque · Jan 15, 2012

I've been looking at old posts as well, and currently I'm leaning toward the BBK throttle body. Anyone besides BBK see 15 hp from their throttle body?

Canyon707 · Jan 15, 2012

I have used both the BBK and the X-Metal both are good both don't do much

mralbuquerque · Jan 15, 2012

how much hp is don't do much?
thanks

Canyon707 · Jan 15, 2012

I had it dynoed with the xmetal and it was less. can't rmemeber how much, but after a long discussion with the mfg. of the X-metal about dyno's I just left it on and ran it. I did try the the BBK and that was a total disaster until late when they finally got there act together and I am currently using the BBK butand I like it again no change in my times. My drag times are all about the same. so thats about all I can say HP to me is pretty meaningless if it's 10 or 15 HP it won't change your ET. My biggest concerns were proper idle, smooth excelertion. both currently provide that. Your welcome to try out my X-metal see what you thing. Money back guarantee.

fqberful · Jan 15, 2012

The FastMan TB's are the best bang for the buck. Dan's work is second to none.

mralbuquerque · Jan 15, 2012

Hmm, i might take you up on your offer Canyon707. Fgberful i dont suppose you have a dynosheet or anyone for that matter.
Although 10-15 hp is not alot of hp it would hope it would show at least a 1 mph gain in the qtr on a stockish vehicle.

Shandon · Jan 15, 2012

I have used both and prefer the X metal for street use but for track the BBK is my only choice. i sold the xmetal after the car went track only. The BBK is smoother on acceleration.

ssjcreeper · Jan 15, 2012

Canyon, what kind of issues did you have with the BBK? Not really looking for the throttle body to be a big power adder by itself, but a larger one should help the new heads breath. Mostly concerned with proper idling and smooth acceleration. As before, I've read a few posts that said the X-Metal can be problematic which mostly took that off my list. Hoping the BBK or maybe the Fastman would flow nearly as well but without the idling issue.

Canyon707 said:
I had it dynoed with the xmetal and it was less. can't rmemeber how much, but after a long discussion with the mfg. of the X-metal about dyno's I just left it on and ran it. I did try the the BBK and that was a total disaster until late when they finally got there act together and I am currently using the BBK butand I like it again no change in my times. My drag times are all about the same. so thats about all I can say HP to me is pretty meaningless if it's 10 or 15 HP it won't change your ET. My biggest concerns were proper idle, smooth excelertion. both currently provide that. Your welcome to try out my X-metal see what you thing. Money back guarantee.

ssjcreeper · Jan 15, 2012

Thanks Shandon. We need to meet up sometime so I can check out that track monster you've built.

Shandon said:
I have used both and prefer the X metal for street use but for track the BBK is my only choice. i sold the xmetal after the car went track only. The BBK is smoother on acceleration.

fqberful · Jan 15, 2012

Actually lost HP when I tried the x-metal. BBK didn't do a lot in the HP dept, maybe 3hp but it was very smooth and idled properly. Put a fastman on my SRT10 truck and got the same results as a BBK.

SlayerLS1 · Jan 15, 2012

Are you willing to spend money on a few hp with a decent shot of hurting your drivability? I can't speak for these two particular products, but I had throttle issues with a larger (supposedly quality) throttle body on a previous car. I've also heard a lot of other people say the couple hp wasn't worth the fun it took out of the car. Why not improve other parts and if you really need to you can squeak out those last few hp with a throttle body later?

cubican · Jan 15, 2012

Canyon707 said:
I had it dynoed with the xmetal and it was less. can't rmemeber how much, but after a long discussion with the mfg. of the X-metal about dyno's I just left it on and ran it. I did try the the BBK and that was a total disaster until late when they finally got there act together and I am currently using the BBK butand I like it again no change in my times. My drag times are all about the same. so thats about all I can say HP to me is pretty meaningless if it's 10 or 15 HP it won't change your ET. My biggest concerns were proper idle, smooth excelertion. both currently provide that. Your welcome to try out my X-metal see what you thing. Money back guarantee.

hey Canyon707 can you empy your pm box I like to send you a pm.

Twister · Jan 16, 2012

Im gonnahold out on gettinga bbk right now and get the 650 hp package from mopar.

9k seems like a lot but...

Port matched throttle body
Port matched manifold
Essentially fully done stryker heads
Fuel rails ect...

Screw it.. This is what Im doin..

Just the stryker heads plus matched throttlr body and manifold is probally worth 100 hp over stock.

Throttle bodies on gen3s never seem to get positive reviews unless its the ported stocker

Canyon707 · Jan 16, 2012

Ok didn't realize it was full thanks

cubican said:
hey Canyon707 can you empy your pm box I like to send you a pm.

Canyon707 · Jan 16, 2012

ssjcreeper said:
Canyon, what kind of issues did you have with the BBK? Not really looking for the throttle body to be a big power adder by itself, but a larger one should help the new heads breath. Mostly concerned with proper idling and smooth acceleration. As before, I've read a few posts that said the X-Metal can be problematic which mostly took that off my list. Hoping the BBK or maybe the Fastman would flow nearly as well but without the idling issue.

The first BBK was really a poor product with sticky butterflies actually rubbing on the TB itself. They finally made it right but it was pretty bad in the beginning. The X-Metal was perfect from the start never had issues. I just kept the BBK on the car after it was reworked. IN apperance the X-Metal is much nicer looking. performance wise I guess you would have to put them on the same day and same temp and dyno to see the results. Nothing you can feel in the seat.

ssjcreeper · Jan 16, 2012

Twister, I was considering the new Mopar package too. Looks like a decent deal for all the pieces it includes. You might want to talk to Greg Good first. After comparison shopping and conversations with Roe and Greg, I decided to go with Greg's competition heads, cam, lifters, and ported intake. Adding headers, rockers, and throttle body to round out the build. For a N/A build, I couldn't beat the performance to dollar value on Greg's work.

Twister said:
Im gonnahold out on gettinga bbk right now and get the 650 hp package from mopar.

9k seems like a lot but...

Port matched throttle body
Port matched manifold
Essentially fully done stryker heads
Fuel rails ect...

Screw it.. This is what Im doin..

Just the stryker heads plus matched throttlr body and manifold is probally worth 100 hp over stock.

Throttle bodies on gen3s never seem to get positive reviews unless its the ported stocker

ssjcreeper · Jan 16, 2012

Thanks Canyon. I'm still on the fence about a TB. Figured if I have a spare couple bucks it should help the build, but with the number of posts citing issues with aftermarket TBs... I may just stick with the stock unit (or Fastman) for now.

Canyon707 said:
The first BBK was really a poor product with sticky butterflies actually rubbing on the TB itself. They finally made it right but it was pretty bad in the beginning. The X-Metal was perfect from the start never had issues. I just kept the BBK on the car after it was reworked. IN apperance the X-Metal is much nicer looking. performance wise I guess you would have to put them on the same day and same temp and dyno to see the results. Nothing you can feel in the seat.

viperbilliam · Jan 16, 2012

I've had the Xmetal and now have the Fastman: I didn't have any problems with the Xmetal but I followed the directions to the letter, especially the blade alignment. After a couple of years I removed it and had Fastman restore the linkage back to the original TB. I prefer the even finish of the non-polished intake assembly. As for the feel, the Xmetal felt slightly more responsive. The idling was fine with either one.

ssjcreeper · May 21, 2012

Just want to post this up for anyone who happens upon this thread via search. BUYER BEWARE - DO NOT BUY FROM FASTMAN !!!!

I shoulda known better and ordered from a VCA vendor... I knew it, I knew it. Getting ready to fire the car up today to put on the dyno and find out the Fastman TB unit sent to me was for an SRT10 Ram Truck so the linkage is different. No big deal, called Fastman to remedy and he says, "Oh, I didn't know they were different... you can prolly do some grinding and I think you might need to flip the linkage or something, but it should still work". I stated I preferred not to have a hack-job linkage on my car and instead wanted a refund or my original unit back. So, despite acknowledging he didn't know they were different (but then magically offered advise on how to rig it), he flat out refused to refund, despite knowing he sold me a Ram part.

Not only that, but what really pissed me off was a few bold statements, saying "Viper truck, Viper car, it's all the same thing"... and "you should have known that sometimes you gotta do some custom work on parts" and another "I don't know what the big deal is to you, it's the same casting".

I'm sure an SRT10 Ram TB can be made to work, but the prinicpal matter in this is I paid for a Viper component and was shipped an incorrect part... and this "businessman" refused to own up to his mistake and make this situation right. What a shame. That being said, I ordered a new TB from a reputable vendor this time. And that SRT10 Ram TB I'm stuck with... well, I guess it'll be in the classified soon if anyone is interested in one.

345s-bspinnin · May 21, 2012

I would not except such poor business etiquette that well known throttle body vendor. Hopefully your new throttle body is trouble free and gives you a good bump in power.

SFViper · May 21, 2012

That's just BS...you should open a dispute with your credit card company.

sssammm · May 21, 2012

Ive just installed the roe billet throttle body, one great big butterfly, feels very responsive and idles great

Allan · May 21, 2012

sssammm said:
Ive just installed the roe billet throttle body, one great big butterfly, feels very responsive and idles great

I also have the Roe single blade. It's absolutely killer. Been on for about 3 years now, no problems at all.

Slithr · May 22, 2012

I have the x-metal TB (large single blade) on mine and love it :headbang:

Gary installed the blade prior to shipping it to me, and I've never had a problem with it. I liked it so much, I've since tried to order other parts from him, but he (and his manager) doesn't seem to return calls anymore (tried 5 times over 2 months)? Maybe he's out of the Viper business now :dunno:

He owns Evansville Super Bike Shop, maybe he is focused on bikes now?

unreelviper · May 23, 2012

I'm in agreement with you Slither, I've had the x-metal throttle body on my car for 5 years now and I've never had a problem with this throttle body.

Throttle Body upgrade - X-Metal vs BBK

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