Progressive throttle opening

[MooJohn]

Me again - just thinking out loud.

I was making sure my throttle body was clean (and it was almost like new) and I noticed the blades opened progressively. The second port doesn't begin to open until about half throttle.

This has been discussed on the Mark VIIIs here relatively recently:
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=82331

It was mentioned there that the Gen 2 Marks open both at the same time just as the Cobra does. I wonder why they left the Conti to the old way even after the IMRC system was done away with?

I can only assume that midrange power would be much improved, that we wouldn't have to use as much throttle to net the same amount of power. Of course WOT would be no different.

Ideas and thoughts are appreciated!

 

[MooJohn]

Naturally the part is Continental-specific. The throttle body used on the Mark VIII and Cobra has the butterflies hinged on the other axis. If it would work, it isn't the easy plug and play swap I was hoping for.

Looks like I can always grab another stock Tbody to modify the linkage on to get he second butterfly opening sooner. It's kind of like adjusting a 4 bbl carburetor I guess.

 

[chris2523]

yeah, mark viii's are also progressive opening.

this is because most of your time is spent at low throttle input. so this slow, progressive opening allows for more resolution. ie, a large input has a small output. so you can be more precise with your throttle.

but when you go to higher throttle, if your me anyway, you just smash it open, no need for the high resolution, a WOT command will do just fine.

adjusting the throttle blade opening will net you no more power whatsoever. will the power come on earlier and more linearly? yes. but, you will lose some of you resolution, or throttle input accuracy.

 

[MooJohn]

No complaints at WOT so I guess if I want more power I'll just give it more gas. It's the same advice I dish out on other forums when people want to add electronics that ramp up the pedal output on cars with electronic throttle. On the plus side, Ford's throttle body coating is nice - there was zero buildup at 85k miles and I know the old people who owned it since new never touched it.

It looks like the only gains to be had will be on the exhaust side. I want to keep it pretty quiet so I'm thinking of 3 in pipe with a better Y at the rear, feeding two stock Mustang mufflers. That should uncork the flow a good bit while keeping sound levels low and it's not all that expensive.

I may be the only one hotrodding a Continental but it won't deter me