Throttle Response Units…. Thoughts?

My 06 GTO uses throttle by wire and has much snappier response but it also has the power to back it up. The Runner is a slow turd no matter what you do and when I turn my foot to race level foot mashing power, it responds to it...but it's still slow.

 

It was never engineered to be a fast suv. Its not a sports car and I honestly don’t think its as slow as people make it out to be on this forum. If you are comparing it to say a Nissan 370z, SS, GT or something then yes its slow.

 

It Seems to me that a quicker throttle response would be nice on a 4runner. That's why these are purchased.

 

Question: For all those who are currently using their foot only, have you ever owned a throttle signal device and why did you get rid of it?
Edit: doesn't matter what vehicle it was employed on, just curious why you didn't like it.

 

Had a Pedal Commander for a couple years. Great little upgrade and was very pleased with the increased pedal sensitivity. I recently sold it because I swapped over to a Banks Pedal Monster as I feel it has overall better safety features than any other unit (there is a video out there showing which units have/don't have certain features and benefits). I feel that the Banks unit has smoother responsiveness than a Pedal Commander as well. If I ever buy another 5th gen, a throttle unit would be the first thing I install. It definitely changes the driving experience.

You will hear a lot about people not liking these units - mostly coming from people who have never used one. Majority of the people who have actually installed one loves them, me included.

 

I had a PC on my Runner for 3 years. I turned it off one day and found that I didn't miss it because I can stomp on it for the same effect so I gave it to someone on here after having it off for 3 months. It was jerky at part throttle and at low speed maneuvering. Yes you can turn it down but why mess with it at all? Yes I know some vehicles come with something similar from the factory but this isn't one of them since it's a slow turd at all times.

 

I've driven many cars with them when I turned wrenches and I get why some people like them, but all they do is modify the pedal input signal to be more aggressive on tip-in and sharp inputs. It's nothing you can't do yourself with right foot control but if you don't want to make the effort, they do serve their purpose.

The 4Runner doesn't have great response but it's not the fault of the throttle; it's a 5 speed transmission and not a lot of power. If you want a real improvement, buy a supercharger or throw some 4.56s at it.

 

I've often wondered what the 4.slow would be like with the new transmission going in the 6th gen. I know it doesn't make the low end torque that the turbo-4 will but gearing and a quicker shifting transmission would probably make a difference.

 

Never had a PC so no review/opinion here. I found that on my Sprint Booster it does great in Sport mode, does exactly what I need it to do. When I turn it off I notice it immediately. My truck is a heavy 5800 lbs, so the lag is more pronounced, especially in head winds.

 

They all do the same thing which can be done with your foot. I had it in City 2 or something and that was after backing it down because it was too much off the line. Race mode just floors it at 1/4 throttle which may beat out a single cam Honda for the 1st 30 feet. The best part is when people mount it on their dash but it's bluetooth.

 

I have no problem using my foot, but this is my point exactly. To get the 4Runner to speed up quickly a few miles an hour at 70 mph, I have to get the throttle pushed half way down. Then the trans goes right to 4th gear, raising rpms, killing mileage and creating a lurch. That's perfect for people that like that, but for me I would rather slip through traffic, rather than stomping and lurching.

 

Very little difference. 6-speed transmissions are typically a 5-speed with double OD so assuming it's the same as the Taco, the ratios in 1-4 are going to be very similar to the 5th gen.

The 8 speeds are where things get good. Jeep's AT is a 4.71 first (3.60ish for Toyota) so it's basically like dropping 4.88s in your 4Runner.

 

But throttle controllers don't change anything like that. You aren't gaining power nor are you altering the power curve. All they do is change the relationship of pedal position input to output signal and if you move your foot properly, you get the same output signals. Same ECU response, same transmission gear selection, same spot in the power curve.

If you want to pull into traffic at quarter throttle instead of half then that's fine, but you aren't getting anything new you can't do yourself.

 

In my opinion, feet cannot replicate the Throttle Response Unit. Period. Folks are misconstruing this. It’s been clearly explained the valid reasons folks don’t want to push their pedal halfway down, or floor it, or any of these things. Not a single person it claiming it increasing any performance so let’s quit stating that. Trottle units work to increase pedal response time, at all rpm’s, and I like the effect.

 

I gotta take a video when I set my foot to sport. It's pretty rad.

 

Hah!
I don’t doubt that sir
I am pretty great at drums on Rockband

 

This has nothing to with power at all. It's response, and how you apply what power is there. Do you own a throttle controller on a 4Runner?

 

Poser

 

With a Pedal Pretender?

I deleted because I was being a little too much.

 

I don't tend to waste my money so no.

 

So no one has ever tried to jump into fast moving tightly packed traffic from a stand still, stomped it to the floor and buuuhhh, nothing for a half second. Then by the time you're actually in traffic the gap you thought you had is on your ass honking it's horn.
When I get a rental, the first thing I notice is the computer lag. In my opinion it's dangerous. Since the country has been so Mandate happy lately, I move we mandate all throttle lag be outlawed. Forum problem solved, so no more arguments.

 

Oh so you have first hand experience. Thanks for setting me straight, any one want a SB¿ $800 dollars it's yours.

 

SMFH so many inexperienced experts.
Reminds me of all the abuse, ridicule and threats I took because I wanted to make my own health decisions awhile back, and not be mandated into a hospital bed. Hmm, still alive here w no side effects.

 

Try again? Was a dealer tech, CA smog, and ASE master cert. I've seen more than my share of these and I've seen how the system responds to them at a level I doubt you have. You are literally just altering the throttle input signal you are sending to the ECU. That makes the throttle feel more responsive but it does nothing to the responsiveness of the vehicle. Some like the Banks will read the data stream to determine which curve to apply but you aren't modifying anything but throttle signal.

If the purchase makes you feel better then whatever, it's your money. You just aren't getting anything more right foot won't give you.

 

In SoCal we tend to have longer onramps but in donwtown LA, they have the short ramps much like I encountered in Pittsburgh where you get nothing and then you're in a traffic lane. I just mat it taper off after the 1-2 shift and I can merge fine even with all the copium users speeding to get back to snorting.

 

But you do not own one on a 4Runner, with a lot of extra weight. I won't try to insult your knowledge or skills. But you have never ridden in my truck and how I drive. So you can speculate and tell me I'm wrong, but I did not respond to one of your posts like you have no experience. Trying to tell me it does nothing for power is assuming I have no idea what I'm talking about.

 

Edited

 

Not talking about on ramps, just city streets at 30 to 50 mph. Jump on the gas, truck finally lurches, car behind me is on my ass, then the car in front of me takes a quick turn. Happens all the time. It gives me no confidence in throttle response.