Is this a flow restriction plate?

[mfides]

Does anybody know what is this plate intended for?<BR> <A HREF="http://mfides.dyndns.org/mx-3/rplate.jpg" TARGET=_blank>http://mfides.dyndns.org/mx-3/rplate.jpg</A> <BR> <BR>It is mounted as stock between the throttle body and the intake manifold.<BR>Is seems to be a restrictive element as the output port plate as it has a rounded small air passage of smaller diameter compared to the output port of the throtle body and the intake of the manifold (which are oval and match if you remove the plate).<BR>Maybe a late hour limitation mounted by mazda guys for homologation or has other (more venturous) function??<P>Ive removed mine to see and the car definitely seem to run better , but not sure to be because of the plate removal as I cleaned all the throttle body passages in the same operation... [img]shrug.gif"%20border="0[/img] <P>Miguel Fides

[pelado]

It probably ran better because of the cleaning.<P>It's just a spacer plate and if you look closely then you'll see that it's a little larger than the throttle plate so it's not a restriction.<P>I'm not certain of it's intended purpose but I know it seemed to place the TB far enough away from the throttle cable bracket to take up some slack. I ran out of adjustment on the bracket without using it. [img]shrug.gif"%20border="0[/img]

[mfides]

Ive been driving more this evening with the plate removed and I am starting to think that the car really performs better in mid and high range and the plate is crap. <P>The accelerator cable slack is not a problem as it can be easily adjusted again to spec.

[pelado]

Maybe on your car but on mine without the plate I was at the end of adjustment.