- 01/27/2017
- 1 Min Read
- By: Michael Hallock
How to Install a Porsche Throttle Body on a P1 Volvo
As a P1 Volvo owner, I often feel that my car is a mutt of an automobile. Half of the parts on my suspension are stamped FoMoCo. I have Mazda 3 front calipers with Focus ST rotors, while I also have Jaguar Super V8 rear rotors and a Ferrari wheel bolt pattern. So why not include a Porsche part?
As it turns out, the 2002-2005 Porsche 911 throttle body (part number: 98660511501) is a direct bolt-on replacement for the Volvo unit.
The 65mm Volvo throttle body is more than sufficient for a stock T5 engine, but with an upgraded intake manifold and larger intercooler piping, the stock throttle body becomes a bottle neck in the system.
Despite the Porsche throttle body only being 70mm in diameter, that is still a 13% greater surface area for air to flow through.
The images below show the Porsche throttle body (left) compared to the Volvo throttle body (right).
Though the Porsche throttle body has a slightly smaller lip for the intercooler hose to connect, there is still sufficient room to fit the hose and band clamp. Whether you have the stock rubber hose or an aftermarket silicone option, it may take a bit of stretching to fit the hose over the larger diameter. However, I can confirm that both the stock rubber hose and the Elevate hose will fit with a little coaxing. The trick is to be patient and make sure it is seated evenly to the throttle body before tightening down the band clamp.
Extended screws will also be required for installation of the Porsche unit. Some aftermarket intake manifolds make use of different screw threading, so double check your threading prior to purchasing the screws. The Elevate intake manifold requires M6x1.0 threading, 50mm long.
Throttle Body Removal
Step 1. Disconnect the battery and do NOT reconnect it or attempt to start the vehicle until the throttle body is reconnected and secured in place.
Step 2. Remove the band clamp and slide the intercooler hose off.
Step 3. Remove the four screws that hold the throttle body to the intake manifold.
Step 4. Disconnect the wiring plug to the throttle body.
Step 5. Remove the throttle body from the car.
To install the new throttle body, just follow the removal instructions in reverse order.
Driving Impressions
Around town, the 5mm larger throttle body does not give any noticeable improvements. But anywhere near wide open throttle, the car takes off quicker and pulls stronger. With a larger throttle body, more air is being released into the intake manifold. This is great when paired with aftermarket manifolds which are designed to optimize air flow into the engine. However, the stock manifold still hinders that flow, so an upgraded throttle body may not show significant results on a stock setup.
If the Porsche throttle body is not an option for you, I would still highly suggest using these removal instructions for a routine throttle body cleaning. The CRC Throttle Body & Air Intake Cleaner does wonders for removing dirt and grime stuck to the butterfly valve. Even just cleaning the throttle body every 60 thousand miles can salvage a few horse powers that may have been lost with time.
