LS3 throttle body measurement

Zedn · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2011, 05:05 AM

Hi all,

I dont suppose anyone has an LS3 throttle body that they can measure the hole in the butterfly on? I just bought one second hand and it looks like the hole may have been drilled out. Perhaps if you can just try some drill bits and tell me what fits?

Thanks for the help.

Liam

Modena · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2011, 05:14 AM

I don't think stock ones have holes;

Hole in throttle body blade - Corvette Forum

Google Image Search for LS3 Throttle Body

Zedn · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2011, 05:29 AM

Crap!

You appear to be correct. I bought it off ebay and it said it was as removed from a VE Maloo. That will stuff up my idle and who knows what it will do to emissions.

boxhead · #4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2011, 06:00 AM

Can you silver solder the hole?

Or maybe normal solder?

Jerry Clayton · #5 (**permalink**) 10-19-2011, 06:30 AM

You can put a rivit in the hole

Zedn · #6 (**permalink**) 10-19-2011, 12:55 PM

Dave, my only concern is that it might warp the butterfly if heated.

Jerry, dont you thing turbulance might be an issue with a rivet?

David Hodgson · #7 (**permalink**) 10-19-2011, 02:11 PM

Maybe a piece of thin brass shim and a solder iron instead of flame.

Tenrocca · #8 (**permalink**) 10-19-2011, 04:20 PM

Didnt your engine come with a TB Liam?

boxhead · #9 (**permalink**) 10-19-2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zedn

Dave, my only concern is that it might warp the butterfly if heated.

Jerry, dont you thing turbulance might be an issue with a rivet?

Yep, the heat was a concern for me, hence I added to try with normal solder and a big soldering iron.

Doubledip · #10 (**permalink**) 10-19-2011, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zedn

Crap!

You appear to be correct. I bought it off ebay and it said it was as removed from a VE Maloo. That will stuff up my idle and who knows what it will do to emissions.

put a decent cam in it

how big is the hole?

Zedn · #11 (**permalink**) 10-19-2011, 11:33 PM

Hi Andrew,

No my crate motor didnt come with a TB. LS3s were scarse when i bought it so i didnt complaint too much. Also it is not a regular crate motor as it came from a W427 HSV.

Double Dip, the hole is about 5mm. In you experience do you think it will make much difference to the idle?

Dave, i have some bars of solder. I was thinking about trying some light heat on the butterfly to warm it up and then melt the solder and rub it on. Kind of like lead loading. If i leave a thin amount on each side of the butterfly when i file it smooth, it should plug the hole without falling out. Not sure if it will work though.

I could always use some nead it. I dont think that would really do any damage if it did come loose unless i was unlikely enought for a valve to close on it.

Aussie Mike · #12 (**permalink**) 10-20-2011, 12:11 AM

The butterfly is aluminum. You will have a hard time soldering it.

Just try it out before you go changing it. There may be enough adjustment in your idle air motor that it's not an issue.

Cheers

Zedn · #13 (**permalink**) 10-20-2011, 01:30 AM

Hi mike, pretty sure LS3 is brass or copper. Its gold.

Aussie Mike · #14 (**permalink**) 10-20-2011, 02:20 AM

Possibly anodized?

Gaz64 · #15 (**permalink**) 10-20-2011, 02:32 AM

The holes are only meant for early engines without electronic throttle control.
Larger cam etc makes life difficult for a limited IAC valve and programming.

Later electronic throttle bodies don't have holes.

Modena · #16 (**permalink**) 10-20-2011, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zedn

Hi Andrew,
Also it is not a regular crate motor as it came from a W427 HSV.

huh? Don't W427 have LS7?

gjkrv8 · #17 (**permalink**) 10-20-2011, 03:23 AM

I think Liam means its the motor they pulled out of a standard HSV when they inserted the LS7's. I think I read that HSV had a heap of these LS3's as a result of building the W427's. Rgds Gregg

Zedn · #18 (**permalink**) 10-20-2011, 05:07 AM

Yes, they were the LS3s removed. Still has the fluids in it. No TB but does have the clutch.

Mike, I dont think its anodized as i can see the hole is gold right through. Do you think using some nead it would be a bad idea? I was thinking if i was to spread it out a bit on each side it would lock it in kind of like a rivet.

Doubledip · #19 (**permalink**) 10-20-2011, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zedn

Double Dip, the hole is about 5mm. In you experience do you think it will make much difference to the idle?

the idle will be fairly high with this hole...

so you have a Brass bladed throttle body... make sure you have the correct ecu for it then..otherwise you will have problems

they drill holes in them to get the engine to idle at a decent speed when a big cam is inserted...

Zedn · #20 (**permalink**) 10-20-2011, 01:04 PM

I hope i have the correct ECU. I was told it was out of an LS3 with securities removed.

I was told this TB is also off an LS3.

Does this sound correct? Is there a number on the ECU to look for?