"Fastman" TBI help our vans ?

[RamVanMan]

Can anyone say if this 'Fastman TBI' modified throttle body mod can help our vans ? I have no clue, but hope someone here can say. The basic idea seems to be to increase flow of air & fuel - like a bigger carb.

I gather that quite a few "other" Dodges that share our basic engines (Ram Trucks, Dakotas, Durango's & Jeep Grand Cherokee's) are installing these items.

They are cheap enough ($ 250-300) and install quickly - 30 minutes the site says. There's a link on the Dodgetalk front page or at www.fastman.com.

Can anyone comment or wanna be a guinea pig ? :help:

Regards, David B.

PS: Oops I wonder if they're CA smog legal for all us trapped in the Socialist People's Republic of California....

[Dodgevanman]

Dan Arcand (The Fastman) is a sponsor on Dodgetalk. You can go to the Advertisers' index on the site and ask him directly. I personally haven't changed over, but RAM MAN with his 3.9L V6 van says it really wakes it up. I've read about alot of the guys changing over and it made a world of difference.

[RAM MAN]

it DID make a difference,

here's the thread with before and after pics of the TB

http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65612&highlight=fastman

I also added the K&N round air filter at the same time to help overall

Lets be realistic, this one mod alone will not turn my bread box V6 van into the 440 fire breather my Road Runner is, but = it made a nice positive improvement

For me, I could stomp on the gas and then wait (for what seemed like forever) to get going

Now I can hear and feel the difference

IMO = fastman is the way to go

no regrets

BTW, this is the 2nd one I've own .... I was so happy with the way it helped my 98 Ram Quad Cab truck (318 / 5.2) that I didn't hesitate to do it again in this Ram Van !

[RamVanMan]

Hey Ram Man,

Good to hear your report. Saw the pictures on your linked thread - very nice. It appears that the unit would flow more smoothly, and more volume - is that the basic idea ?

I wonder if installing the Fastman TBI affects CA smog specifications or not ? :help:

Am I correct in thinking it only changes airflow ? Is the fuel injected through or after this unit ?

Appreciate your input - I'm on a 'ultimate MPG quest' as you may have noted, with the E-Fan install, syn AFT and now this looks like a super easy engine mod.

I noted Ram Man you did it on your Ram truck that has the same 5.2 my van does. How significantly did it 'wake up' your 5.2 ?

Take Care, David B.

[RAM MAN]

yes

IMO, on my 5.2L I could tell the difference right away

[DANVAN]

I put one one, I felt more power, dont know about more mpg. Put a K&N air filter in at the same time.
It is an easy job to do, the worst part is the dog house removal.

[Dodgevanman]

It changes airflow.

This throttle body only meters air, no fuel passes through it like the old TBI systems.

[RamVanMan]

Great input, guys thanks ! I've got one on order - this is too simple & cheap an engine mod, for the results given, to overlook.

Should complement the performance Amsoil air filter & opened up exhaust, I hope....I'm still shooting for 20 mpg....dreaming ??? ;)

Regards, David B.

[stev]

Dave,

If you reach 20mpg with the mods you have done, I'll be in line to wake up my 318 (5.2L) too.

The key here is, the cost of fuel to save ($3.05/gal) vs. the cost of the mod parts. If the mod would increase by 2mpg, then it's a no brainer to purchase this item. The mod parts would pay for itself in the year.

And the power for towing would really make me smile much more too. :)

Stev

[RamVanMan]

Thanks guys - Ram man, Dan & Nate - thanks to your testimony, it's on the way - gonna be a long 2 weeks to wait !

Stev, For me, I think that 20 mpg # is a dream - but 18.5 might be possible. Aerodynamics is the hang up - my van is a high top (medium, not super high like handicapped vans), so that might be my limitation - but it's fun to try.

You have low tops, I think from your pic - so you very well might make 20 mpg.

Low grade 87 octane here is $ 3.23 / gal, down .20 in a couple a weeks. Consider yourself a little fortunate.

It's still way high - and scary how fast it could go way, way higher with the rumblings in the middle east - Iran, Iraq and Israel. One blip and it could be $ 5 +/ gal, overnight.

Sad, too that we don't have (much in the way of) our own domestic sources of oil - we fund the those who wish to harm us (& our allies) with every tank we drive !!

Better MPG, good for each & all of US(A) together, eh ?

Best to all, David B.

PS: the e-fan is super - my mileage hasn't gone up, but now we're using the A/C, so that probably equals 1.5 mpg increase, for compensation sake.

[Denim]

I also got the throttle body from Dan. There was a definate improvement in my '92 Maxivan with a 5.2.

[stev]

Denim,

An improvement in what? Power ... mpg ... responsivness ... ???

[Denim]

The thing I noticed right off was the quicker response. No lag. Does seem to have more power. As far as gas mileage, I never bought a van for gas mileage, so I really never paid attention to it. I guess it would help, if I could keep a lighter foot on the gas pedal! LOL

[RAM MAN]

The thing I noticed right off was the quicker response. No lag. Does seem to have more power. As far as gas mileage, I never bought a van for gas mileage, so I really never paid attention to it. I guess it would help, if I could keep a lighter foot on the gas pedal! LOL
ditto

I added the K&N round filter to compliment it at the same time

[Elajten]

It changes airflow.

This throttle body only meters air, no fuel passes through it like the old TBI systems.
Does´nt this work on a TBI 318 -88?

[gsmagnum]

Elajten,
I don't know if he modifies the older type of TBI's with the injectors on them.
The old Wet Throttle Bodies like yours actually should benefit from the spacers that aren't worth a damn for our dry Throttle Bodies.
The helix type spacers are for better mixing of the fuel and air mixture as it goes through it.

[Dodgevanman]

Good point Grant. The old TBI units act more like a carburetor, so yes a spacer may help with more low-end grunt.

[RAM MAN]

if you try a spacer = let us know how it works out for you !

[MuskratJames]

PS: Oops I wonder if they're CA smog legal for all us trapped in the Socialist People's Republic of California....

I hear ya...I was born and raised in California and love the place to death (within reason, of course), but I gotta agree that the smog nazis have y'all in a bind. It's the reason I got into classic cars instead - I only ever drove those there just so I wouldn't have to tangle with the treehugger laws there.

Anyway, glad you asked. I had been thinking about these as well since A. I like power and B. I was thinking about making my van into a tow rig and living in a travel trailer when I get out of school as opposed to tossing money into the whole apartment thing. Anyhow, if they really help, then they'll definitely be on my list of mods to come.

[gsmagnum]

I would think the Fastman throttle body would be undetectable by emission-nazis due to it being a modified stock unit.

[MuskratJames]

I would think the Fastman throttle body would be undetectable by emission-nazis due to it being a modified stock unit.

Good point. If it has its CARB cert. #'s and OEM Part #'s, it should be good to go on a visual, and I doubt if it would affect the sniffer test enough to fail, unless the van was already poorly maintained...in which case your first purchase probably wouldn't be a TB anyway!

[stev]

So, David, did you install this yet? Or, are you still moving from CA to TX?

[stev]

it DID make a difference, ... Lets be realistic, this one mod alone will not turn my bread box V6 van into the 440 fire breather my Road Runner is, but = it made a nice positive improvement ...

For me, I could stomp on the gas and then wait (for what seemed like forever) to get going

With the more get up and go, does your V6 cause wheel hop when punching the pedal to the floor? That's the reason I got the Roadmaster Active Suspension kit added to that van besides the help it provides for towing.

[RamVanMan]

So, David, did you install this yet? Or, are you still moving from CA to TX?

Oh hey there Stev, just saw this.

Yes, and Yes. Move is still on - just returned from housebuying trip - Praise God we found a very decent home the wife is in love with. It has 6 bedrooms so the kids are happy, too !

On the Fastman TB, yes it's installed and yes, it did make a positive improvement. Ripping the pavement ? Not exactly, but seriously improved throttle response, absolutely.

I concur about the Smog nazi's - I don't think it would hurt smog test results at all, and it's a 'stealth mod' - maybe like the 'side-gapping' trick - to small to notice, but helps performance.

When our van was smogged upon purchase, the smog guy said 'this Dodge engine is in great shape, it wouldn't run any cleaner if it were new...', so there is some room to spare in terms of emissions, anyhow.

But you guys, do they do smog checks in Tyler, TX or Niagra Falls, NY ? ?

It will be nice to wave goodbye to the California smog nazi's for sure....

Best, David B.

[RAM MAN]

With the more get up and go, does your V6 cause wheel hop when punching the pedal to the floor? That's the reason I got the Roadmaster Active Suspension kit added to that van besides the help it provides for towing.
no

its not neck snapping performance = but the response is sooooooo much better than my stock one

[MuskratJames]

But you guys, do they do smog checks in Tyler, TX or Niagra Falls, NY ? ?

It will be nice to wave goodbye to the California smog nazi's for sure....


No smog checks in Tyler, TX. Guess we aren't big enough yet :D but we still have to do the state safety inspections which in some ways I have found is just as much of a PITA.

I waved goodbye to the Cali smog nazis even while I still lived there...had a classic, didn't need smog checks or certifications :thatfunny