[cheapo4001]

I am a patient person but today I must be grumpy since I can't find a good answer.

I've spent 8 hours yesterday and 3 1/2 hours today reading all the threads I could about TBS's and what I've found is all sides of the scale as far as mileage is concerned. Some say they are junk and do nothing. Some say they give up to 4 MPG increase. Some say slightly better mileage.

So is there a definitive answer anywhere? Do these things improve MPG or are they snake oil?

(So far I get 13 MPG around town being a grandpa with the gas pedal - I would LOVE to get some peoples claimed 16 or 17 around town!)

Thanks people and sorry for the negativity!

Mike

 

[roy365]

I would say no one REALLY knows, because most people dont just stick a TBS on and thats it. Usually it's accenting a nice CAI and exhaust setup. I think you could consciously do a better job saving gas every day on your own better than a TBS would. Remember they "claim" to is the key word. Try it and see!

 

[RckyMtnTitan]

I have the Helix Power Tower TBS. I did not notice any change in milage, up or down, after installing. Now if it makes a difference with the intake, I am not sure. I bought mine used from a guy here for less then $40 so I figured I would give it a try. I just really like the whistle it makes, worth the 40 for me. But you may find it annoying. If you are going to get one, find it used and for cheap, it is definitely not worth $100. Just my 2c.

 

[yourpapi]

tbs..... nah id rather save my money for ..... burnout mod, tb bypass mod, 170* thermostat mod, and 4 inch ram air mod! all 4 of these combined gives you more out of your money and youll end up saving you some change in the end over the TBS.

 

[Carbeaux]

Hmmm. Let's think about this a different way. How many hundreds of threads have you seen around here regarding mileage for our trucks? Now, since there are that many mileage threads, if a TSB raised our mileage by 4 mpg don't you think that would be big news and you wouldn't be wondering if it really worked or not? Even if it raised our mpg by a consistent ONE mpg, you'd know.

I vote for them being snake oil unless you like the sound. If that's the case, go for it.

 

[HRTKD]

If you were searching the Internet then perhaps you saw my thread over at CT on my results with the ECO-3 after I removed my TBS. I'm not going to rehash all the TBS arguments you've probably already seen. At this point I don't see any reason to put my TBS back on. I don't think it hurt my MPG much but I also don't think it helped it much either. In my opinion, you would be better off getting a Cold Air Intake or swapping out the muffler.

 

[Tmoses]

tbs..... nah id rather save my money for ..... burnout mod, tb bypass mod, 170* thermostat mod, and 4 inch ram air mod! all 4 of these combined gives you more out of your money and youll end up saving you some change in the end over the TBS.

probably the best advice for you!
tb bypass mod and ram air mod are probably better mods to have if looking for a performance and mpg over a TBS! also CAI, aftermarket exhaust, programmer, eco 3 all contribute too and add performance.

i bought the tbs not looking for mpg gains, bc im not really convinced spinning the air and mixing it better with gas can be achieved, to increase mpg when there is a resisting screen that would stop it from spinning!
i dont know really. i dont think any one does, but i got mine bc out the nice whistle it makes 50 bucks isnt bad and anything else it does it just a plus

 

[baseballfanz]

The more I read and research, the less I'm convince a TBS do anything. Look at where it would be and the air has to travel through the intake manifold, by the time it get to the engine itself, I don't think any air would be swirling at all.

 

[Tmoses]

so should they change the name to FDPP? fifty dollar paper weight?

 

[MikeB]

My TBS did nothing but annoy me. I took it off.

 

[TitanGreg06]

My TBS did nothing but annoy me. I took it off.

same here, they are junk and shouldn't be put on fuel injected cars. I got mine used and had it on for 2 days before I took the POS off.

 

[Tmoses]

tbs 0-2 going for the hat trick?

 

[cheapo4001]

If you were searching the Internet then perhaps you saw my thread over at CT on my results with the ECO-3 after I removed my TBS. I'm not going to rehash all the TBS arguments you've probably already seen. At this point I don't see any reason to put my TBS back on. I don't think it hurt my MPG much but I also don't think it helped it much either. In my opinion, you would be better off getting a Cold Air Intake or swapping out the muffler.

Yes I did see your posting on the ECO-3. It was another product I saw that had possibilities. So far I am going to say the TBS is not worth the money. Now on to the ECO-3 but that will not be for a few days down the road (I got burnt out of reading this forum - 17 hours of reading in two days was too much so I had / have to take a break).