Pedal Commander vs. Sprint Booster

[IanB]

One of the first things they teach you in most driving schools is to not to utilize any pedal mapping mode that reduces the amount of pedal stroke for throttle inputs. While "Sport" or "Sport+" modes may give the illusion of a more responsive car. It actually detracts from the driver's ability to modulate throttle in traction sensitive scenarios like going through a turn at speed.

If you are from the grid life as you say you are. You know that a slight variance in throttle can mean the difference of hitting that apex spot on or wadding up your ride against a track barrier. It's no different with this pedal commander. You are only getting an illusion of increased performance with potential drawbacks while driving in low traction situations like when you're offroad.

Have you ever considered that the factory Toyota throttle mapping gives the illusion of an unresponsive, underpowered vehicle, and this product can correct for that? Nobody here has put forward a theory that this increases power, or causes faster acceleration, or anything of the sort. Those that have them and have provided their thoughts simply say it makes driving the truck subjectively better.

Surely you aren't suggesting that you can't improve upon these trucks from the way Toyota shipped them out, right? Isn't that why we're all here?

 

[Mutant138]

Great discussion , from everyone ! Question, what made you choose Pedal Commander over Sprint Booster?

I didn't even know about the sprint booster to be honest. I just trust the pedal commander name because I've seen them in alot of applications. Someone was selling it lightly used for a steal on a local FB group. I made contact immediately, bought it in a parking lot, and installed it site on scene. It's been there ever since.






Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[JAXJeremy]

I have not read about any installation issues with the Pedal Commander , but do recall reading that with the Sprint Booster there were issues with the connector/wiring pressing close to the heater pipe. Have all these issues been resolved with Sprint Booster's latest design?

It's tight in that area under the dash where the module harness is connected and you'll have to watch the routing of the wires away from the coolant lines..also recommend you let the vehicle cool off a bit before doing it, those lines are super hot..in any case, once you get up under there you'll see the best way to run the wires and the zip ties make it easy to keep them away from the lines.

 

[snif6969]

I just got a PC (it could have been a SB, price made the decision for me).

Wow it's a great difference ! If you're on the fence, order one, try it... but you won't return it !

 

[Crikeymike]

I've been running a Pedal Commander in my 2014 4Runner since January, and have no regrets. Never had any CEL or anything like that. I usually leave it in city mode as it helps with on ramps and traffic driving around here. Occasionally I switch to sport mode and you can feel it right away.

Oh, and don't forget, you can turn it "off" to standard Toyota settings at any time if needed.

The change this thing felt for ME, is it's like the bigger tires aren't affecting the acceleration as much anymore, and my MPG's didn't change up or down. So better acceleration, felt like I was getting into traffic much easier, and no decrease or increase in MPG (which is what I expected). I still get 16.7MPG in my daily commute.

Oh, and I never had an opportunity to try Sprint Booster, but my bet would be that they're probably 99% the same thing.

 

[Mutant138]

I've been running a Pedal Commander in my 2014 4Runner since January, and have no regrets. Never had any CEL or anything like that. I usually leave it in city mode as it helps with on ramps and traffic driving around here. Occasionally I switch to sport mode and you can feel it right away.

Oh, and don't forget, you can turn it "off" to standard Toyota settings at any time if needed.

The change this thing felt for ME, is it's like the bigger tires aren't affecting the acceleration as much anymore, and my MPG's didn't change up or down. So better acceleration, felt like I was getting into traffic much easier, and no decrease or increase in MPG (which is what I expected). I still get 16.7MPG in my daily commute.

Oh, and I never had an opportunity to try Sprint Booster, but my bet would be that they're probably 99% the same thing.

A drop in MPG would only occur if you started driving more aggressively. All it does is change the throttle output per pedal input. If anyone says their mpg dropped it's because their enjoying the newfound response too much lol.

I have heard from several people running 35+ and re-gears that the pedal commander is a game changer. Basically giving stock MPG with the added benefit of the pedal mapping.

 

[ElectroBoy]

I’m pretty happy with my Sprint Booster. It works as advertised. The only downside is the expense. If it was below $100 I would have bought one a lot sooner.
Once I figured out my desired setting I rarely change it. Just to tweak it up or down a notch occasionally. I didn’t see the need for a Bluetooth feature like the Pedal Commander.
Here’s a post with a few notes and pics on how I installed the module and the control pad.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3038731-post232.html

 

[HoustonT4R]

Hey guys. Just bought a pedal commander with Bluetooth.

What is a nice hidden spot I can mount it?

 

[83Mule]

I was a skeptic..got a PC for $256 on Amazon and popped it in in 10 minutes (took the time to wrap the heater lines with aluminized tape, a layer of insulating foam tape and then another wrap of aluminum) and mounted the unit at the bottom of the dash below the key. Set it on Sport 1 and WOW! MUCH better than the sluggish stock feel. Told the Wife I put a Supercharger on it and She should drive careful until She is used to the ''POWER'' LOL!olice:

 

[JAXJeremy]

I keep switching the settings tried sport, then sport +1 for some reason it just didn't feel right to me in stop and go traffic. Today I moved it back to city +2 and that seems pretty good.

the main thing I'm looking for is that toe in responsiveness. I expect the throttle to open with a the slightest amount of input..

 

[t6pilot]

Installed a sprint booster on my new 18 about 6 weeks ago, easy install and does everything that manufacture says
I was so impressed I installed one on my 09 Carrara S, it does make a difference

 

[SlickTRD]

Just installed PC27 over the weekend and it does make a difference in how the car behaves and feels. Throttle inputs are more sensitive and feels more "normal" in city mode.

Choice of PC over SB was due to eBay 15% coupon last week because when I searched for either a PC or SB no one was selling a SB for 4Runner on eBay.

PC advantages appears to be more modes and bluetooth enabled. SB advantages seem to be smaller size and a set-and-unplug switcher for stealth.

PC's eco mode looks interesting because this might be a good mode for snow. I'll give eco mode a try in an empty lot during the winter.

 

[Wasatch]

Sprint booster is one of my favorite mods that i've installed on any of my vehicles. I'm an engineer and I was SUPER skeptical of people's reviews, but after installing it, I'm the one that sounds like I'm drinking the koolaid.

Feels like you have more HP and the 4runner just feels quicker. These boosters have such fine control that you can tailor it to your exact preference.

 

[sinks88]

F it! You guys just convinced me! I bought one!

 

[tpetsch]

Yea, but there is no way that both of these units create the "sense" of better/quicker power off the line, or faster, more direct power transfer while driving/passing without the penalty of increased fuel consumption. Right? ...I mean if the throttle butterfly is opening faster/sooner than your simply consuming more fuel, getting less miles per gallon. It's for this reason that I'm keeping mine stock, I'm getting 19 MPG on average which I'm pretty happy with, don't really feel comfortable with idea of getting less than that.

 

[JAXJeremy]

my guess, the stock mapping/throttle response requires the extra input and is feeding fuel even before the vehicle begins to move. Would be easy enough to test by running a comparison, one tank of gas on stock setting the other using the PC (what setting would be the big variable). I ran through two tanks of gas before installing the PC and after installing didn't notice any change in consumption.

 

[IanB]

Yea, but there is no way that both of these units create the "sense" of better/quicker power off the line, or faster, more direct power transfer while driving/passing without the penalty of increased fuel consumption. Right? ...I mean if the throttle butterfly is opening faster/sooner than your simply consuming more fuel, getting less miles per gallon. It's for this reason that I'm keeping mine stock, I'm getting 19 MPG on average which I'm pretty happy with, don't really feel comfortable with idea of getting less than that.

I don't have one of these devices (yet), but I believe the re-mapping of the throttle pedal sensor will allow you to achieve the same results by providing LESS throttle pedal input, providing the sensation of a more powerful, more responsive engine than before. A side effect will be the transmission will be more eager to downshift at the same pedal input level, and should better match your intentions when driving moderately or aggressively, requiring less throttle input to feel like the truck is on the same page as you.

Those that have installed them have reported +/- 1 mpg change, which is negligible.

If you read through the threads, there are essentially ZERO negative reviews. The throttle response on this truck is lazy and unresponsive from Toyota, and simply "pushing the pedal further", while free, does not fix this problem.

 

[Superjet]

Call me a fan boy or whatever.
I installed my PC and my mileage increased by 1mpg to 17.5.
Setting city +2

 

[Wasatch]

I have no idea how / if my mpg has changed after the install, but I do know that my smiles per mile have increased significantly. :zoom: