After a round billet of 6061-T6 aluminum is sawed into smaller chunks, a CNC lathe performs basic overall machining and rough-bores the throttle bore. All the passages, holes, and detailed final contouring are done in a CNC mill. The unit is polished and then hand assembled into a complete unit-in this case, a 75mm '86-'93 Mustang 5.0L unit.
How They Make It: Accufab Throttle Bodies
Modern electronic fuel-injection systems all require a throttle body or air meter to supply air to the engine. Just as a stock carburetor may not supply enough air to keep up with a modified engine, factory throttle bodies may be too small to keep up with a hopped-up EFI engine. Larger throttle bodies are available from aftermarket specialists, but they're not all necessarily created equal. The latest factory throttle bodies have gotten pretty sophisticated, subtly varying the approach ramps to the throttle blades to produce a progressive, smoother response. Drive-by-wire (no throttle cable) applications also modulate the throttle body's opening rate versus pedal movement through the ECM. To maintain the proper feel with this system on high-perf engines with aftermarket high-flow replacement throttle bodies requires considerable research and development. The approach angle into the unit may require changes from the factory configuration to maintain driveability, and the computer may need to be reflashed as well.
One of the original aftermarket throttle-body pioneers, Accufab has been making high-flowing units since 1993. It was the first company to make billet throttle bodies, and according to Vice President John Mihovetz, "We created the big throttle-body market-but unlike some of our competitors, we actually test each new design on an actual engine and car." Accufab also maintains the largest flow bench in the industry and races what it sells. If you need a Ford, Buick Grand National, GM LS-series, or universal four-barrel throttle body, check out Accufab's offerings.
American Racing Buys Weld Wheels
At the end of September 2006, Greg Weld sold his company, Weld Wheels Industries, to American Racing Equipment, but the Weld name, styles, and forged-wheel construction aren't going anywhere. According to the press release, "Weld's operations will be integrated with American Racing, which will continue manufacturing wheels under the Weld brand at facilities in Kansas City and elsewhere. The acquisition will increase American Racing's market share in the automotive aftermarket wheels industry and add important capabilities in the manufacture and distribution of high-performance forged wheels."-Rob Kinnan