I might be wrong, but I think I recall Ron mentioning something about how the plate shaping is a NASCAR trick. In fact, I've always suspected that though Ron brought us this tech, that the sneaky NASCAR mechanics, and such guru's as Smokey Yunick, could or would have done something similar-(if they even knew of it!)
I remember reading of something that happened in NASCAR about 50 years ago. As a Mopar nut, I picked this up someplace in the Mopar world...the legendary 426 Hemi engine, back in the late 60's, was beating the pants off of too many other Nascar racers. so, the rule makers decreed that the 426 Hemi had to run with a restrictor plate under the carb.,to limit airflow to the engine. Guess what, the Hemi tuners did something that actually made the Hemi's produce MORE power, with the plate!!
I never read or heard of what the "something" was. That crowd is as secretive on that stuff as can be.
Was it throttle shaping, or something akin to the Groove? I don't know. But those boys had all kinds of tricks up their sleeve. NASCAR's roots are in the days of the moonshiners in the South, who did anything they could to outrun the Law on back country roads in their modified cars. Instead of Revenueers, or the Sheriff, the Nascar mechanics and teams had to work around the rule books--and a trick or two, like our Mods, seem to fit right into their bag o' tricks!
Back to today- Dodge put that bevel edge on that throttle plate for a Good Reason, be sure of that. Now, this plate and Hemi engine are in a truck. I think that that shaved back edge might be there to boost off-idle power and throttle response. Maybe, just maybe, it's a throwback to Dodge's days of glory. Picture a 1969 Dodge Daytona, King Kong 426 under the hood...This winged beast (you could actually buy the street version at your Dodge Dealer, 426 Hemi, rear deck inverted wing spoiler, extended aerodynamic nose and all...) Imagine the sight and sound as this legendary machine exits a high banked turn at Talledega, and roars into the straightaway, passing other fierce competitors...!
Were the throttle plates in the big Holley atop King Kong shaved and shaped to boost the power coming out of those high bank oval turns at Nascar tracks? Well, those Dodge Boys did Something, for sure!
Whatever the story was, today we have a New Kind of Glory to use and share with the World!
Tracy G