Laggy Throttle Fix! Sprint Booster V3 for third gen Tacoma (Review and Install)

Okay, so I would like to start this thread off by mentioning that the 3rd generation Tacoma throttle response has always been a concern for me since the moment I considered buying a third generation Tacoma. People whine and moan about it constantly. Up until now, I have remedied this problem by toggling the ECT button when more aggressive driving is warranted.

Thanks to the kind folks at Sprint Booster (www.sprintboosterusa.com), I received a unit to help clear up some of the confusion and discussion about this modification. This review will still get my full set of comments and opinions (good or bad) as agreed upon with the dealer. They did not seem too worried, and first thoughts are positive! This review will be updated in the next few days with a review video and additional comments on performance.

Post Summary:
-The install was extremely simple. Takes about ten minutes and requires little tech knowledge

-The V3 has added features that could be very nice if you take advantage of them including a "peddle lock mode" and a "Valet mode" (Has 3 settings to limit power and torque to the engine).

-There are so many possible settings on this thing that you will never need all of them! (This is actually not a bad thing since once you initially set it up, it is really simple to switch between the setting options you want and avoid the rest of them).

-I have not done any acceleration timed tests, and doubt this will actually increase your 0-60 times, but it does make the truck feel much more responsive. The transmission actually shifts slightly differently (at a higher RPM similar to the ECT button being off).

-More thorough review (and video) to come soon!

Installation Comments:
The install is very simple, although I did end up with a check engine light on immediately after install. This was mentioned in the installation manual and unfortunately it was likely my fault as I did not wait the full recommended time after turning the vehicle off prior to disconnecting the stock throttle connector cable. Did not matter too much in the end as I just disconnected the battery for about ten minutes and it went away after reconnecting and has not come back up. I guess they mentioned to wait ten minutes for a good reason, so do not rush this part.

Full Review:
Coming Soon!

I am attaching a brief guide which outlines the installation instructions. This is really a simple install.

 

Have we not reached the decision yet that intercepting the signal leaving a crucial piece of safety hardware on your vehicle and modifying the signal with a cheap piece of electronic snake oil/junk is a bad idea?

 

To each their own, I personally really like the option of a valet mode. Not to mention disabling the pedal can help keep drunk idiots/kids/thieves away from your vehicle. Besides it's a digital signal, it's not rocket surgery.

 

Technically, depending on pedal setting, the throttle will be open more, earlier. Thus more engine power to the ground sooner. Which would then mean a quicker acceleration.

Valet mode option is very handy. Lots of ass hats who like to joy ride.

Keep the updates coming.

 

It doesn't get rid of the safety protocols between the pedal and TB, to the ecu. Only alters the curve. If there was a scenario, the truck would go into limp mode, or have no pedal response. It takes takes away the negative bow of the throttle blade in relation with pedal position. To create a linear 1:1 ratio ,or even a positive bow.

 

So just so you can make sense of the following comments, the controller has 3 "settings" Off Mode (stock), Race mode, and Sport Mode. Both Race and Sport mode have 9 intervals within the mode. There are also 3 valet mode settings and a pedal lock mode (No throttle response when pressing pedal)<-- This would be used more for safety purposes around young children, drunk people, etc. Might also be a mild theft deterrent if they don't realize that they could d/c the controller and plug the throttle pedal back in directly (which most thieves probably wouldn't think of).


Took it for my first (long) test drive this morning and had it in the "Sport Mode" "Setting 7". This kept the shifts about where I would like them to be with normal semi-aggressive driving. The vehicle had more immediate response while on the freeway (55MPH) although I will admit I was going closer to 70 (late for work). Passing people no longer required me to floor the pedal or hit the ECT button.

The race mode (plus setting 9) almost feels a bit too aggressive and tends to put the shifts around 5K rpm. This could be great if you were actually racing, but I doubt most Tacoma owners bought their trucks for racing on the road. I have found that having the sport mode in setting 7 and the race mode in setting 5 gives two good levels depending on what you want for driving experience. These modes are easy to flip between and require a maximum of two button presses to change between.

I want to do a review on the lower side of the spectrum as well for use off-road (Where you want smaller throttle changes with larger pedal presses). This could be useful when you have your head out the window watching your track and don't have as much control over the sensitivity of your foot on the pedal.

Tested the valet mode (in setting 2 and 3) and with full pedal press the truck accelerates about like a Prius, so no fun for the Valet drivers

More info to come!

 

i had the SB for a day but they sent me one with the wrong harness, so i returned it and purchased a Pedal Commander. that was fantastic and actually kept me from selling the truck... that's how unhappy i was with the factory throttle control. i used the PC for months.

i got the Orange Virus tune when it was released and haven't needed or wanted either of these throttle modulators since. but i have been curious what the PC would do on this tune. it's just that the throttle control with the tune is quite linear, so I'm good with that for now.

 

Actually managed to lock my pedal last night while messing around with the SB and forgot the password I set

Dumbass move of the year award... Had to temporarily uninstall the Sprint Booster.

 

I had one these on my Jeep JK.I loved it.It does what they claim.Only had this Tacoma for a week.I would buy another Sprint Booster,but so far Im fine with hittig the ECT button.We will see.

 

Would you say the OV tune is worth it? I saw the dyno chart for it and all the improvements they made in lower rpms

 

worth it absolutely yes. i got it for drivability, not for power. the torque bump is a nice bonus but the throttle is now pretty linear, and that's worth paying for... not to mention ongoing updates.

 

how was the install process?

 

This is true if you take a static snapshot at one moment.

The thing is, even with the booster installed you can push pedal all the way to the ground faster than the actual throttle plate opens. So even without the booster you can match the actual response by pushing the pedal down fast. The booster just makes the pedal throw shorter.

That being said, these boosters certainly make the vehicle feel better and more fun to drive

 

So this means that you are keeping the truck?

 

Hahahahaha oh no!!!!!!!!! This is what you did to me =(

 

I really wanna get into a 4runner. Exploring my options for a swapping a manual onto a 2uz model and transfer case system out of Tundra for full 4wd

 

I just feel less guilty and like I am creating a smaller carbon footprint if I don't mash the pedal to the floor to get a similar response in power

 

i was an early adopter so it was a pita for me. but they have pre registered stuff now. you need to be able to install drivers, find files, and the like. nbd

 

2017 4x4
one of my concerns before buying a sprint booster. If i have one and it is connected to the vehicle and take it to the dealer for some reason will it void the warranty? If i Disconnect the button and remove it can they detect anything in the pcm or ecm Have got some conflicting answers.

 

Dumb question, but with the SB do you need to keep the switch connected permanently? Say I find i like it always in Sport 7. Can I unclip the switch from the wires as shown being connected in the instructions and it always be in S7?