Carb Spacers, anyone using them?
 

I was looking at a friends engine compartment yesterday, he had added carb spacers on both engines ( other wise stock, 330hp, 454s). He said he added those and increased the timing 3 degrees.

Would this do anything?
carb spacers

This place has a bunch of them and talk for maybe 20hp increase. That's cheap hp for about $100.
Which ones are best? Alum looks the best. They say the Phenolic or the Phenolic wood ones are the best.

Any thoughts?

If they are in a champion they won't help.. HAHAHAHA... Just kidding is it Carl's boat.

They are a crap shoot. Helps some, hurts others. You wont see any speed increase but you might find better low/mid power. If your running a Holley with power valves, they can upset that circuit a bit and cause a stumble in transition. This can be fixed w/a proper power valve though. I have pretty much the same engine as you but mines painted OMC gray. I got good results with a Wieand Stealth intake manifold but nothing when adding a spacer to it.

Out on a limb here but I think many gains on otherwise stock are due to slight leaning out. Only way to know is with a GPS on the same day. Get the bolts ready and swap it right on the water so you can test back to back.

FFO, yep it's Carl's boat. You going to be parked next to me again? I think I'm putting in the barn next weekend.

I've got 454 mags, with Qjet carbs.... that would be a pretty easy swap out on the water, hmmmm... Maybe take a timing light too. That would be another easy test. As long as I don't drop a bolt.

If you do run one, go with the 4 hole. It will give a stronger signal to the carb. Then again, you have stock motors so it really won't be worth the time. That's assuming you could even find one for a quad.

BTW-the most I've ever seen was 13hp. And the next spacer design caused the engine to loose hp! It's a real crap shoot.

How does a spacer work in changing the peak torque RPM range, and does it affect idle? I am trying to get a little more hp on the top end, and I had heard that sometimes a spacer will help on the top end. I had also heard the were old school, and no one uses them any more. What is the scoop.

BTW -- 454/425 crate motors with new cams that a well respected member here said would get me another 25hp or so up high.

Payton hope to be in this weeking . See you soon.

My motor liked them, worth about 10hp on the dyno. They can be tq killers though, never know until you give them a try, every motor combo is different. I run an open 1". It tailed off with a 2"