How to Buy the Right Throttle Body

March 20, 2025

5 min read

March 20, 2025

5 min read

A throttle body controls the flow of air coming into the engine. If your throttle body is worn out or deteriorated, the engine can’t do its job properly. You could experience a rough idle or stall out.

It takes less than 30 minutes to replace a throttle body. You could first clean your throttle body or buy a rebuilt or new unit. In either case, start by checking out our detailed how-to video and article - opens in new window or tab. . Also, learn what a throttle body does and when it needs to be replaced - opens in new window or tab. .

Buying a Throttle Body: What to Consider

A mechanic holding an old throttle body next to an engine, with the supply line still attached. — Deciding to replace a faulty throttle body with a new or remanufactured unit comes down to budget.

Back in the day, cars had carburetors. A carburetor is a mechanical device that feeds the right amount of fuel into your engine as it draws in more or less air. Throttle bodies are built into carburetors. Electronic fuel injection made carburetors largely obsolete, and new cars haven’t come with carbs since the 1990s. Today’s cars need throttle bodies in one of two basic types:

Drive-by-cable: Older cars usually have a drive-by-cable throttle body. This mechanically operated system connects the throttle body directly to the accelerator pedal with a cable. With these systems, the simplicity allows for easy repairs and inexpensive replacements.

Drive-by-wire: Most newer vehicles use a drive-by-wire system for their throttle bodies. When you step on the accelerator, sensors send a signal to the car’s electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU then tells the throttle body to open or close accordingly. Electronic throttle bodies, which are more complex, can be more expensive.

Whichever kind your vehicle has, you’re locked into that design. You can’t easily switch an electronic throttle body for a mechanical one.

Throttle bodies are typically made from cast aluminum or billet aluminum. The cast bodies cost less, but the billet bodies are more durable. Billet bodies are often made on CNC machines allowing precise dimensions.

How to Find a Throttle Body That Fits Your Car

A mechanic wearing a black nitrile glove, holding a throttle body that’s been removed from the intake. — The eBay Parts Finder makes it easy to find the exact throttle body for your vehicle.

Two throttle bodies might be the same size or look the same, but that doesn’t mean they are interchangeable. How the throttle body mounts in your car is specific to your engine.

Enter your vehicle’s year, make, model, engine, and trim to the eBay Parts Finder - opens in new window or tab. . That will limit searches for throttle bodies that fit your vehicle. This eliminates any guesswork, although we suggest that you double-check a parts number against what’s in your vehicle’s repair manual.

Throttle Body Replacement Cost

Two throttle bodies sitting on a workbench. The unit on the left is old, and the unit on the right is new. — Always consider the warranty period when shopping for remanufactured OEM throttle bodies.

Electronic throttle bodies for popular vehicles are usually around $100. A drive-by-wire throttle body is commonly more expensive. Expect to pay between $100 to $400 for a new one. For boutique brands with heavily integrated electronic controls, those prices can jump to $600 or more for high-quality OEM versions.

Buying a replacement from a trusted brand like ACDelco, Bosch, Dorman, and Pierburg ensures that you won’t have to replace it again for a long time.

You may also have to purchase the gaskets that go between the throttle body and the intake manifold. That can cost you between $5 and $60.

You might also be tempted to purchase an upgraded throttle body designed for your vehicle. A larger throttle body allows more air into the engine. More air with more fuel equals more power. But there are factors that limit how much air your engine can use effectively. Without modifications to the engine’s intake or cylinder head, a bigger throttle body doesn’t necessarily mean more power. Typically upgrading to a larger throttle body requires other engine modifications to reach peak performance.

You might also be able to save money by opting for a rebuilt or remanufactured throttle body. They are completely taken apart, cleaned, conditioned, and put back together. Just remember that there is some risk with quality compared to a new OEM- or OE-level part.

You might be able to get away with cleaning your existing throttle body with throttle body cleaner instead of buying a new unit. A can of cleaner costs about $10.

Other Parts to Buy With a New Throttle Body

A 1980-1987 Cadillac 4.1-liter TBI200 Rochester throttle body rebuild kit, displayed on a white background. — Rebuilding a throttle body isn’t a task for everyone. Consider the extra time spent when considering the DIY rebuild route.

Throttle body position sensor: If your vehicle has a drive-by-wire system, the throttle body will not function without an operational throttle position sensor. The sensor is what communicates with the car’s ECU. While changing out the throttle body, you may also need to swap in a new sensor.

Throttle body gasket: You should also replace the gasket that goes between the replacement throttle body and intake manifold. If a gasket does not come with your new throttle body, you should order a new one. Many gasket kits come with everything you need.

Throttle body cleaning kit: Cleaning your throttle body periodically keeps it working properly and removes any carbon buildup and gunk that can impede its movement. Cleaning kits come with the necessary materials.

Throttle body rebuild kit: If you want to overhaul your throttle body instead of replacing it, you need the right collection of parts. A throttle body rebuild kit assembles those components into a single package.

About the author

Michael O'Connor

Michael O’Connor is a Bay Area writer who grew up restoring classic cars. These days, he works on his 1979 Fiat Spider. Michael is an alum of Sonoma State’s Creative Writing program. He began professional auto writing in 2015, contributing to AutoList, CarGurus, Endurance Warranty, Safe-Guard, and other car sites.

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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.