Pedal Commander / Sprint Booster - everything you need to know about throttle controllers

My hope is that this will be the end-all, be-all, of the always polarizing throttle controller debate. It's such a strange topic, it's very divided and there never seems to be a middle ground. One side is adamant that it is life changing, the other side is adamant that it's useless, and both side **know** they are right.

I did a deep dive into throttle controllers and I think I found a way to make it make sense for everybody. I even broadened my own thinking during the process of writing this. It doesn't matter which side you're on, if you read it from beginning to end it'll probably change your thinking too.

https://aguyagirlandatrail.com/2023/03/08/throttle-controllers/

 

Good shit

 

The graph alone tells the story. Great read

 

Great write up! Makes me miss throttle cables.

 

Great job, well written. Thank you for your efforts. It’s always refreshing to get the truth about something without bias and opinions.

 

Like most ongoing and endless debates in life, the missing middle ground is usually the void between those who are or have actually experienced the object of the debate and those that have not.
Data is good, but in most every debate there is always more to the story than the data. And more to the story than the experience.
That is why the “debate” still goes on!

 

Interesting but I have to disagree that these things are basically a placebo. I have seen enough videos of people who are very doubtful that they do anything be very surprised that they do indeed work. I myself had some doubts and was happily surprised at the difference the Sprint Booster made. It was confirmed by my experience when I disconnected it when I took the 4Runner in for the fuel pump recall. It was such a difference and so sluggish. As soon as it was re-installed my smile returned. These things do absolutely make a difference. Anyone testing them back to back, on and off and through their adjustment range can attest to that.

 

I was trying not to say it… But since you said it.
PC riding down low on my 17 F150, 20 Cayenne Turbo and the T4. All three agree. As well as my wife on first install on the Porsche with her not knowing what I did. “WHOA… What did you do to the car?”
So much for the placebo theory.
Must be some missing data, or faulty conclusion on the all the good data above.
The debate goes on!!!

 

So what you’re saying is you guys liked the FEEL, of it…

 

I think the point of the (well written) article is that there are no hp/tq gains to be had. But that's a different issue than does it make the vehicle more enjoyable to drive because of the throttle mapping.

 

"It takes .2 seconds for your foot to fully depress the throttle pedal. If you have a very aggressive setting on your controller that is going to signal for full throttle at 25% of the actual pedal position, you end up with a request for full throttle in 25% of the time that it would typically take. That equates to .15 seconds earlier. A throttle controller cannot reduce the lag, but it will provide a head start in getting the full throttle request in."

This is what I've been saying. It doesn't actually get rid of the lag. It is just the equivalent of pushing the pedal down faster.

I've never denied the benefits of these products. And, I recommend them to anyone who doesn't like the amount of pedal input required.

Actually, I could see "eco" mode being beneficial on technical obstacles off-road, which is something I hadn't really considered previously.

 

Actually I liked the feel and the actual effect.
Most accentuated on the Porsche that had very annoying Turbo lag. Especially bothersome pulling out in front of traffic. PC erased that on the middle street setting. Actually went too far for street driving on the “ race settings”. And it definitely woke up the 4runner. Call it what you want, but the difference is real and not a placebo. I think the reality is a small improvement on the throttle response, makes a sizable difference on the driving experience accelerating from standstill. And mashing the pedal harder does not change throttle response as some propose.

 

What your describing is not a placebo, it the real difference it how your car feels, but in terms of measurable performance gain, it’s not there. Your enjoying how it feels, not the performance gains.

 

And the endless debate goes on. Im out.
Better things to do today.

 

You know the saying, “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink”

 

Did you read OP's post....?

 

I read the article. My question is - where does the 'technical data' on how the throttle input into the ECM is handled by said ECM and output to the throttle body? Did/does the author of the article work for Toyota as an engineer? No opinion here, just curious. Seems very sure about what the throttle devices can and cannot do to affect the throttle opening time because of the ECM programming.

I run a Sprint Booster, and early on would turn it off for a while, then back on. I can tell a difference, however slight. I also plan to have my 4R tuned, and will remove the SB.

Interesting article nonetheless.

 

You can absolutely tell the difference. The difference is not slight, its punch to the face obvious, it's just the difference your feeling is not equating to an actual performance gain.

The technical data comes from a career of knowledge and know how. I'm not a Toyota engineer, but if want the credentials that qualify me to be able to speak on this: I'm certified by Volkswagen as an Engine Performance, Transmission, Chassis, Electrical, Routan, and e-Mobility specialist, Expert Technician, Diagnostic Technician, and Volkswagen Master Technician. I'm also certified by Audi as Engine Performance, Transmission, Electrical, and Chassis Specialist, High Voltage Expert, Expert Technician, and Audi Master Technician. I spent 12 years in the dealership working up to a shop foreman position. I left when I got recruited into the engineering side. For the next 6.5 years, I worked for Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini (the high end VW group stuff) doing quality testing and development and validation testing of preproduction and prototype vehicles and technology. I started as a prototype vehicle electrician, then technical coordinator, and mechatronic specialist, and by ended up directing winter testing for the North American region. Now I work in aerospace after building and developing components for space flight I now oversee manufacturing. Part of my job is to train, technicians, assemblers, engineers, etc. I'm able to train and certify others as Certified IPC Specialists in all of the following: IPC J-STD-001 (building and soldering all classes of electrical and electronic assemblies), Space Applications Electronic Hardware Addendum to IPC J-STD-001 (building and soldering of electrical and electronic assemblies for Space and Military applications), IPC/WHMA-A-620 (Requirements and Acceptance for Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies for all classes of electronic hardware), IPC/WHMA-A-620 Hands-On (Building Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies for all classes of electronic hardware), and Space Applications Electronic Hardware Addendum to IPC/WHMA-A-620 (Building Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies for Space and Military electronic hardware.

I don't know everything, but I do know a thing or two about a thing or two.

 

Can confirm on the ECO, I've tried and it does make for very smooth throttle inputs off road.

 

That would be a logical advantage, I’ll update the article at some point adding that.

 

Like I said, I was not offering an opinion, just looking for clarification. That seems pretty clear where the knowledge comes from. Thanks for that input.

 

Indeed I did.

 

I really am not on either side nor did I read the article in depth. But one thing stood out to me.

Here it clearly says it cannot reduce lag.


But yet a video is posted where the TB clearly is opening 10x faster.

Here is says you cannot make it open any faster.



Again the video clearly shows the TB moving faster.

 

“I didn’t read it but explain this”

I already did, but you didn’t read it the first time…

 

I didn't read in depth admittedly so no need to get butt hurt.

I see it now.

 

I didn’t read all the stuff but the video test doesn’t run the signal through a ECU.

As a user I can say it did it’s job but you can get the same effect by stomping on the throttle then tapering off as RPMs came up. I ran a PC for 3 years without issues but had it off for over 2 months then removed it for someone else to have. It made low speed maneuvering difficult because it would command too much throttle for ehat you needed. Yes you could adjust but why?

“Hold on folks, I’m adjusting my throttle sensitivity.”

 

Chill folks, Its a write-up / theory. Not based on results of a testing OP did on a dyno or any other tool. Many folks here debate on theories that they tested personally (correction - "they didn't test personally"). And some debate like mad with someone who has done some tests.

 

Not sure why I need to chill not mad in any way.

Was just a questions before reading better. Only some get butt hurt.

 

There’s no chill needed. The video test was similar to the guy that applied voltage to an Avalon’s throttle body and said it’s unindented acceleration.

 

What oil should I use? And what cold air intake?