extreme low idle and throttle body spacer

V6 Technical/Performance Discussions
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stepchyld
Regular Member
Posts: 225
Joined: December 28th, 2004, 1:38 am
Location: E OK

extreme low idle and throttle body spacer

Post by stepchyld »

hey all,
I've two things to address, but separate posts didn't seem necessary.
I know I've a lot of maintenance to do to this engine, and have researched it: cleaning the throttle body, cleaning and adjusting sensors, etc. and plan to do it all soon, after I finish the suspension and front end work.

(1) My gs has a seriously low idle, and I'm wondering if anyone else has had this.

I'll describe:
When warm, it's idle barely registers on the tachometer.
It idles smoothly about 95% of the time, but will occasionally stall if I mishandle clutch and gas (so, a little operator error on an extra sensitive machine). Basically, it doesn't stall out on it's own.
Everything electric works fine, but I don't push it either (no loud stereo at idle for very long).
It's responsive across the rpm range, able to cruise 25mph in 5th gear with ease, and pull from a dead stop in 2nd (though not real swiftly).

I find this combination kinda odd... Anyone else experience this?

(2) My engine has a throttle body spacer on it. I've seen pics of other K8's, but can never see clearly if they have the same spacer. The KLDE I have awaiting rebuild, from a 93 MX6, doesn't have one, so it also seems odd...
93 GS, ATX to MTX swap, chrome 16x7, upper strut bars, SRD LCA bushings.
Upcoming improvements: Tokico/Eibach struts/springs, energy suspension LCA bushings
94 RS MTX, Engine swap completed, ALIVE Again!
95 RS ATX, parts car/project X
davmac
Regular Member
Posts: 551
Joined: January 15th, 2008, 6:45 pm
Location: Twin Cities, MN

Re: extreme low idle and throttle body spacer

Post by davmac »

I think it worth a try to just go the the idle screw and loosen it a bit for higher idle.

Assume:
Timing is good
TB is clean
Idle Air Controller is good and clean
Your throttle position sensor is set - if not search for TPS and do it right with a multimeter and feeler gauge

Re: Spacer - guessing spacer is the stock piece I've seen on K8 or aftermarket. If K8 piece remove it because it is restrictive. If aftermarket then good for you - you'll get a little benefit of cooler TB.
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Proud owner of a Faded Red 92 MX-3 GS
mikeinaus
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Joined: November 2nd, 2009, 3:03 am
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Location: Vancouver, BC

Re: extreme low idle and throttle body spacer

Post by mikeinaus »

my k8 came with a spacer. i dont think its that critical.
stepchyld
Regular Member
Posts: 225
Joined: December 28th, 2004, 1:38 am
Location: E OK

Re: extreme low idle and throttle body spacer

Post by stepchyld »

Timing seems to be fine. I've never tested it, never questioned it.
IAC, TPS, and TB all likely need a good cleaning, evidently, it's long overdue, lol

I just don't fully understand how it can manage such a low idle...

Thanks for the info on the spacer!
I bet this one is stock, since it is also on other K8's. Good to know.
Restrictive if stock, eh? That's not cool.
I've been considering making a phenolic spacer, but with that piece there, I wasn't really sure if that'd be beneficial. Any thoughts?
93 GS, ATX to MTX swap, chrome 16x7, upper strut bars, SRD LCA bushings.
Upcoming improvements: Tokico/Eibach struts/springs, energy suspension LCA bushings
94 RS MTX, Engine swap completed, ALIVE Again!
95 RS ATX, parts car/project X
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