Is the throttle body filter necessary?

**Centauri** · 02-26-2015

I searched for this, but the search function isn't too awesome around these parts.

Anyways, I'm cleaning my TB tomorrow and was looking at it tonight with regard to getting off the filter. I know the NA 3.8s don't even have them so are they actually necessary on the Supercharged engines? I read conflicting stories about removing the thing.

Thanks guys.

**buickman104** · 02-26-2015

The honeycomb straightens the air flow over the MAF sensor for better resolution. Remove it and the car will feel faster because you will be running a little lean. Then you will knock and the pcm will adjust timing and little extra power will be lost. Just leave it there and let it do its job.

**BrandonHall10** · 02-26-2015

Search for "laminar flow" There's some interesting reading material on the subject. I learned a lot form the few threads I read.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...t=laminar+flow

**Centauri** · 02-26-2015

Thanks guys.

So I assume it's fairly easy to remove the filter once the little ring is removed?

Also, I just wanted to ask if in your all's opinion my filter is damaged or if they all look a little smushed in certain spots?

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resi...nt=photo%2cjpg

Thanks for the replies.

**Scottydoggs** · 02-27-2015

looks fine to me. maybe you can make look a bit straighter when its removed. or flip that spot to the top.

**nos4blood70** · 02-27-2015

Looks undamaged, leave it in there!

**blueguy** · 02-27-2015

Leave it.

Don't be a ricer.

It's not a filter.

It's in place so the MAF gets a smoother reading from airflow.

**Grimsin** · 02-28-2015

N/a 3.8 dont have the honeycomb? My n/a does..

**industrialfish** · 02-28-2015

Originally Posted by Grimsin

N/a 3.8 dont have the honeycomb? My n/a does..

I figure they should. My Firebird's 3800 did at least.

**ExLimey** · 02-28-2015

My 2000 GT had one. It is needed! Your idle would be erratic without it. It is a flow straightener fir the MAF sensor.

**HighOctaneRacing** · 02-28-2015

Originally Posted by Grimsin

N/a 3.8 dont have the honeycomb? My n/a does..

Every 3800 I encountered had one...

**chris99gtp** · 02-28-2015

I don't have one on my car.

**K Slice** · 02-28-2015

Take it out and replace it with one of these!

*Sarcasm

**Russosaur** · 02-28-2015

At least OP asked here and not on a Facebook group. 85% of those guys all say ditch it because they seen no ill effects.

**Travisgt2** · 02-28-2015

Mine has one

**Grimsin** · 03-01-2015

I did have mine out for over a year, overkill even did a tune with it out the screen in for me(which he knew about) and had no issues dialling in a tune, but I did have a very smooth intake on it and got rid of the accordion tubing.
but then i just threw it back in one day for peace of mind

**99GT2dr** · 03-01-2015

I've seen no difference with or without it. Wouldn't go through the trouble of removing since it does nothing for me. Ymmv obviously.

**kissmyss** · 03-02-2015

You can remove it and have your pcm tuned to compensate. I have a ZZP stage 2 throttle body and had Will retune my original Overkill pcm to compensate for the larger tb. When you go with a larger tb, you lose the screen and whatever benefits it provides. Remember performance gains are cumulative and the tb is just part of the puzzle. I monitor my engine using three aeroforce gauges in a pillar pod, have no performance issues and have that quiet smooth sleeper idle.

**GTPpower** · 03-02-2015

It's the maf that needs the screen, not the tb. If you upgrade to an lq4 maf, it should still have the screen.

**kissmyss** · 03-02-2015

My mistake, the Maf on my 05 Impala SS goes into the throttle which is after the screen. I didn't realize the Grandprix's Maf is separate from the tb.

factory tb with screen

Factory tb without screen

ZZP pic taken from their site, their tb is too big for the factory screen to fit.