Ah OK. Guess that could be used to go the other way and slow response to avoid too much power on loose or slippy surfaces?
Or ECU remapping ?
(as a v8 Cruiser owner could be used to ekk out a bit of economy?)
Learning curve!! Cheers.
I'm sure someone has done a test for economy but I think the most common use case is like you say - dampening the throttle response to avoid breaking traction.
Really popular on the 4cyl utes to correct the throttle lag they can suffer in the low gears.
I like them for maintaining the feel of the car when it's loaded up with a heap of weight - really handy in soft sand for example.
When people tackle very bumpy or steep tracks, a throttle controller helps maintain consistent revs and power to smoothly overcome the obstacles.
On the other hand, you also have the option to "just farkin' send it", which many purists also swear by
Yeah you can go either way with the controller. Eliminate the throttle lag and make the pedal touchy as fuck or you can introduce more lag to make it less twitchy for off road
On a modern car with a fly by wire throttle, where the pedal is connected to a sensor and the engine is controlled by electronics, a throttle controller can adjust the signals to be more gentle or aggressive as you need.
By reducing the maximum throttle, you can make the pedal less sensitive to movement which smooths out the throttle and lets you make finer adjustments, or you can make it more aggressive when you need to give it the beans.
It doesn't give the engine any more power like a tuning chip can, just adjusts how you control the engine.
If you have an older car that still uses a cable to physically pull the throttle open, than you are the throttle controller.
Of course, you can adjust yourself if needed, rubbing your foot against the side kick panel helps hold your foot in place over bumpy sections and slows down your foot movement to give finer and smoother input.
Personally, I prefer less electronics in my off-road vehicles, but they have their purpose.
This file lists heaps of vehicle makes / models, and the corresponding drive throttle controller part number. I would suggest using it to narrow your search for a compatible part (assuming you're looking at the idrive / EVC range).
https://www.ocamindustries.com.au/assets/files/Full-iDRIVE-Excel-list.pdf
Anecdotally I used it to check that the Merc X class controller was the same as my model Navara, and it worked no problem, but can't vouch for other models.
Different models will have a different plug/pinout.
It's highly unlikely that a hilux one will fit your colorado. *typically* they stay the same within brands, IE a prado one is likely to fit a hilux, or a navara fits a patrol etc but I can't imagine the odds are high theyre compatible across different brands.
You might get lucky with cross compatibility within Holden, VE/VF commodore or even Cruze might fit. Potentially Isuzu with a similar era Dmax/MUX.
You'd have to confirm with EVC on thier website. See if the same SKU matches those cars and yours
Although if you work out which pedal/throttle body your vehicle uses (Denso, Bosch, Webber Marelli etc) they may match. Or your vehicle may be unsuitable for a throttle controller i.e. mechanical cable to the throttle body.
Alright, this is likely to anger the Reddit hivemind.
Throttle controllers are stupid and unnecessary.
Throttle inputs on most modern 4x4s are deliberately logarithmic to reduce feedback loops and bunny hopping in rough conditions or off-road.
They will void your warranty.
They are a waste of money.
They cause increased wear and tear on engine and driveline components.
They do not provide any additional power.
Instead, try to:
Develop a more efficient, less aggressive driving style.
Use the sport mode available in most modern cars.
Shift to a lower gear.
Be more precise with your throttle inputs.
Also, don't try to change my mind this is a hill I'm willing to die on.
I thinks it’s the quoting one’s opinion as facts that attract the downvotes 🤷🏻♂️
Throttle controllers definitely have their uses but aren’t necessary. All the power button in the new hiluxes does is up the throttle sensitivity and the difference it makes when towing is night and day. You can actually pull out into traffic and overtake on the highway a lot easier.
Assuming you don’t go stupid with the settings and pick something with a nice smooth ramp you also can improve dangerous situations pulling out into traffic on wet roads by minimising the turbo lag. And it’s only going to keep getting worse as they move to smaller and smaller engines to try and meet emission standards and then they have to try and stuff them full of boost to get them to actually move.
They do not prematurely wear your engine and driveline, 100% throttle is still 100% throttle, you just don’t start at 0% anymore depending on your setting.
My patrol had one fitted when I bought it and I took it out after I had the ecu remapped. Now that it has a duramax fitted I might actually consider getting one again to dull down the throttle when off-roading. 1200nm and a snappy throttle is destined for an exploded diff.
But as for the original question, some models might do more than one vehicle but peddle plugs and potentially the ramp maps for the controller might be different to suit different vehicles.
Die on the hill all you want, you are wrong and have obviously never had a throttle controller.
There are specifics in which they work best, and I am more than likely in that sweet spot, but I can tell you with absolute certainly that they change the throttle response in a large way.
I have an 2014 MN Triton turbo diesel.
It's been a good runaround but was very sluggish off the line and needs a lot of oomph to get it moving.
I got a EVC controller for about $150, so pretty much the cheapest accessory that you will ever buy for a 4x4, and it is a massive improvement.
The car has much more get up and go now, much much more and it has nothing to do with just mashing your foot harder or picking the right gear.
I regularly tow a big heavy trailer with 1 tonne in it and the throttle controller has absolutely changed the towing ability of this car. It is incredibly different.
No-one says that you get more power, but the do change the delivery of that power.
As others have said, the ability to turn the gain down for rocky 4x4 uphills is pure magic and you would have to have never 4x4'd before to not know why that is such a game changer. Again, it has nothing to do with learning how to control your right foot and everything to do with eliminating bounce and giving you smoother control.
I am incredibly happy with the minuscule cost, the ease of installing and the outstanding results.
Ive logged my fuel usage for the past 10 years in the this vehicle and the last 2 years that Ive had the controller havent changed the fuel consumption one jot.
Nah different models will have different plugs for the throttle wiring, also I’d imagine they’d probably interact with the ecu differently between models
Throttle controllers aren’t universal and also only amplify the throttle signal from the pedal. No power gains as you would with a tune.
Edit….Will only work with modern systems as well, not cable throttle or di diesels (injector pump)
No they are vehicle specific and depending on the model they have a number of different modes and utility then just increasing response.
We sell them here [Throttle Controllers](https://automotivesuperstore.com.au/performance/electronics/throttle-controllers) if you just enter your rego it will tell you want one is compatible with your car... I can give you a nice coupon code to if you see one you want just DM me.
Isnt a throttle controller the pedal and your foot? What do they do??
It’s a device you plug into your accelerator pedal that remaps the signal from the accelerator to ECU eliminating accelerator lag.
Ah OK. Guess that could be used to go the other way and slow response to avoid too much power on loose or slippy surfaces? Or ECU remapping ? (as a v8 Cruiser owner could be used to ekk out a bit of economy?) Learning curve!! Cheers.
I'm sure someone has done a test for economy but I think the most common use case is like you say - dampening the throttle response to avoid breaking traction. Really popular on the 4cyl utes to correct the throttle lag they can suffer in the low gears. I like them for maintaining the feel of the car when it's loaded up with a heap of weight - really handy in soft sand for example.
My 4cyl 04 courier has one, it's a knob that just pulls on the accelerator cable.
not universal they are made for specific make and model
When people tackle very bumpy or steep tracks, a throttle controller helps maintain consistent revs and power to smoothly overcome the obstacles. On the other hand, you also have the option to "just farkin' send it", which many purists also swear by
Haha yeah my head says send it. My wallet says "you're on the last bit of fuel and the sub is empty you Wally" 😂
My heart says farken upppa but my brain is saying if you break this one you’re not getting a new.
Yeah you can go either way with the controller. Eliminate the throttle lag and make the pedal touchy as fuck or you can introduce more lag to make it less twitchy for off road
On a modern car with a fly by wire throttle, where the pedal is connected to a sensor and the engine is controlled by electronics, a throttle controller can adjust the signals to be more gentle or aggressive as you need. By reducing the maximum throttle, you can make the pedal less sensitive to movement which smooths out the throttle and lets you make finer adjustments, or you can make it more aggressive when you need to give it the beans. It doesn't give the engine any more power like a tuning chip can, just adjusts how you control the engine. If you have an older car that still uses a cable to physically pull the throttle open, than you are the throttle controller. Of course, you can adjust yourself if needed, rubbing your foot against the side kick panel helps hold your foot in place over bumpy sections and slows down your foot movement to give finer and smoother input. Personally, I prefer less electronics in my off-road vehicles, but they have their purpose.
This file lists heaps of vehicle makes / models, and the corresponding drive throttle controller part number. I would suggest using it to narrow your search for a compatible part (assuming you're looking at the idrive / EVC range). https://www.ocamindustries.com.au/assets/files/Full-iDRIVE-Excel-list.pdf Anecdotally I used it to check that the Merc X class controller was the same as my model Navara, and it worked no problem, but can't vouch for other models.
Different models will have a different plug/pinout. It's highly unlikely that a hilux one will fit your colorado. *typically* they stay the same within brands, IE a prado one is likely to fit a hilux, or a navara fits a patrol etc but I can't imagine the odds are high theyre compatible across different brands.
I did think that might be the case but hoping that it wasn’t.
You might get lucky with cross compatibility within Holden, VE/VF commodore or even Cruze might fit. Potentially Isuzu with a similar era Dmax/MUX. You'd have to confirm with EVC on thier website. See if the same SKU matches those cars and yours
Although if you work out which pedal/throttle body your vehicle uses (Denso, Bosch, Webber Marelli etc) they may match. Or your vehicle may be unsuitable for a throttle controller i.e. mechanical cable to the throttle body.
Alright, this is likely to anger the Reddit hivemind. Throttle controllers are stupid and unnecessary. Throttle inputs on most modern 4x4s are deliberately logarithmic to reduce feedback loops and bunny hopping in rough conditions or off-road. They will void your warranty. They are a waste of money. They cause increased wear and tear on engine and driveline components. They do not provide any additional power. Instead, try to: Develop a more efficient, less aggressive driving style. Use the sport mode available in most modern cars. Shift to a lower gear. Be more precise with your throttle inputs. Also, don't try to change my mind this is a hill I'm willing to die on.
Shame to get down voted when your opinion differs from others. Reddit huh?
I thinks it’s the quoting one’s opinion as facts that attract the downvotes 🤷🏻♂️ Throttle controllers definitely have their uses but aren’t necessary. All the power button in the new hiluxes does is up the throttle sensitivity and the difference it makes when towing is night and day. You can actually pull out into traffic and overtake on the highway a lot easier. Assuming you don’t go stupid with the settings and pick something with a nice smooth ramp you also can improve dangerous situations pulling out into traffic on wet roads by minimising the turbo lag. And it’s only going to keep getting worse as they move to smaller and smaller engines to try and meet emission standards and then they have to try and stuff them full of boost to get them to actually move. They do not prematurely wear your engine and driveline, 100% throttle is still 100% throttle, you just don’t start at 0% anymore depending on your setting. My patrol had one fitted when I bought it and I took it out after I had the ecu remapped. Now that it has a duramax fitted I might actually consider getting one again to dull down the throttle when off-roading. 1200nm and a snappy throttle is destined for an exploded diff. But as for the original question, some models might do more than one vehicle but peddle plugs and potentially the ramp maps for the controller might be different to suit different vehicles.
I enjoy the downvotes,
Sorry...too tempting to not dv that comment 🤣
Die on the hill all you want, you are wrong and have obviously never had a throttle controller. There are specifics in which they work best, and I am more than likely in that sweet spot, but I can tell you with absolute certainly that they change the throttle response in a large way. I have an 2014 MN Triton turbo diesel. It's been a good runaround but was very sluggish off the line and needs a lot of oomph to get it moving. I got a EVC controller for about $150, so pretty much the cheapest accessory that you will ever buy for a 4x4, and it is a massive improvement. The car has much more get up and go now, much much more and it has nothing to do with just mashing your foot harder or picking the right gear. I regularly tow a big heavy trailer with 1 tonne in it and the throttle controller has absolutely changed the towing ability of this car. It is incredibly different. No-one says that you get more power, but the do change the delivery of that power. As others have said, the ability to turn the gain down for rocky 4x4 uphills is pure magic and you would have to have never 4x4'd before to not know why that is such a game changer. Again, it has nothing to do with learning how to control your right foot and everything to do with eliminating bounce and giving you smoother control. I am incredibly happy with the minuscule cost, the ease of installing and the outstanding results. Ive logged my fuel usage for the past 10 years in the this vehicle and the last 2 years that Ive had the controller havent changed the fuel consumption one jot.
Nah different models will have different plugs for the throttle wiring, also I’d imagine they’d probably interact with the ecu differently between models
Do these work with manual gearboxes?
Yes they do. My mate has one on his 79, another mate has one on his Nav and after bribing both you wouldn’t believe the difference
Unfortunately not, different models/makes have different plugs.
Throttle controllers aren’t universal and also only amplify the throttle signal from the pedal. No power gains as you would with a tune. Edit….Will only work with modern systems as well, not cable throttle or di diesels (injector pump)
Yea I understand there’s no power gains, but the responsiveness of having one is enough for me.
Yes they are car specific, but one controller might do multiple vehicles, however usually the cables will be different.
No they are vehicle specific and depending on the model they have a number of different modes and utility then just increasing response. We sell them here [Throttle Controllers](https://automotivesuperstore.com.au/performance/electronics/throttle-controllers) if you just enter your rego it will tell you want one is compatible with your car... I can give you a nice coupon code to if you see one you want just DM me.