When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I was a skeptic until I installed one in my 2017 F-150 Lariat back when I first bought it. I was completely surprised at the results on my truck (Coyote 5.0L). It's Bluetooth and there’s an app you install on your phone that lets you adjust the throttle to 4 different main modes: Eco, City, Sport, and Sport+ Then, in each of those modes you can incrementally dial it in another four increments upward or downward in that mode. It's a big difference on my truck but I'm curious if anyone has tried it on their C7? I just bought one for my C7 and I’m going to give it a try. I agree with everyone, the C7 has a great deal of off the line response already and I can’t imagine improving it. I've posted a couple photos below so you get an idea of what it and the App look like.
Again, if anyone has done it to their C7 please post a comment and let me know what your experience was. I'll post some install pics after I install it and follow up with some comments on my experience. My car has the PDR so once I get it set up I will try a couple of 0-60 runs with it off and again with it on in sport mode and see what sort of difference it makes if any.
This is the new one for the C7. It comes with a mount and all that so you can use the buttons right on the unit to change the settings but since it's bluetooth now, I just tuck and zip tie it up under the dash and use the APP to control it.
This is the App I control the one in my F150 with. Once you set it in the App is stays in that setting until you change it. The next time I start my truck it just powers up in it's last setting. If I ever want to turn it off I just hit that power button on the main screen in the App and I am back to factory throttle response.
This drop down menu kind of explains the settings.
Ok, so hope to install tomorrow...we'll set what it does (?)
That's my F150 with the installed Pedal Commander in the background.
Well, it took all of four minutes to install it... I took it for a short drive but it’s raining here. I can certainly feel the increased throttle response but unfortunately it’s been raining here for two days so I can’t do a proper launch without the wheels constantly spinning every time I touch the accelerator pedal. So, my first impressions will have to wait until I get some dry weather. In the meantime I put a short video together on the on box and install. I hope to update it with some PDR video once the weather is cooperative.
I bought one with the bluetooth option,. It is controlled with an app on my phone, so it is tucked under the dash and is not visible. Took 2 minutes to install and required no calibration. PC49bt is the one I got for my 2018 GS M7. It is easy to adjust and enhances the responsive feel of the gas oedal.
I would buy it again and I still would go with the bluetooth option so the controller box doesn't have to be mounted anywhere on the dash.
Right, I don’t even think you can get the non-Bluetooth version of the Pedal Commander anymore. Both of the ones I have are the Bluetooth versions And I have the actual unit zip tied and Tucktaway on both cars.
No calibration on the Pedal Commander, one of the reasons I didn't go with the Vitesse myself. It also has 36 incremental adjustments so it can be fine tuned for your desired throttle response.
Ok, finally a dry day and a chance to drive my C7 with the Pedal Commander I installed 2 days ago.
First Impression: Holy Crap!
Before I left for work today, I set it the Pedal Commander to "Sport" (not Sport+, just Sport) and I put my car in sport mode. I went to pull away from a stop sign with a normal and reasonable pedal force (not flooring it) to about 1/4-1/3 pedal and there was an immediate response... tires squealed and car started to fishtail so I eased off. No doubt about it, same if not better resoponse than I got with my F150 5.0 Liter after installing it. I had a 35 mile ride to work and played with it. Response at 70+ MPH in taffic, passing, etc. was fantastic. I touch that pedal and the response is immediate.
So, while I still want to find a safe stretch of road to try the 0-60 comparison with it on and with it off and capture on the PDR, regardless of that outcome, I am happy with it. Worth every penny and still the most bang for the buck on any mod to date.
Combine your TC w/ this TB and make the feel-good it even better
For you guys/gals w/ throttle controllers, regardless of brand;
1) Do you feel an abrupt change (jerk) in power delivery at about 33% throttle?
2) Is your tip-in accurate?
3) Have you gotten a hiccup (hesitation + surge) in performance shift mode?
I know they respond faster, I've used Vitesse TC before, but; do they respond smoother and controllable?
If no, this is why:
Throttle Controllers (TC) change the pedal mapping, not the actual throttle response. In other words, it sweeps the OEM curve (green) at a higher rate (faster) but not any smoother. Whichever problems you had at part throttle will remain.
If you look at the knee (bend) on the OEM curve you'll see the driver only has 8 degrees of blade travel to go from part throttle (gentle slope) to power throttle (steep slope), traversing that range faster will make the transition more abrupt yet, and less predictable. It works almost like a switch that goes from little response to too much response.
On the other hand, our throttle bodies not only increase the slope (response) at part throttle, but also make the knee much wider (17 deg), and accelerating the car is more of a continuum in which you can gradually control speed w/o the switch-like action. That makes actual response not only faster but accurate and predictable.
Not advocating for taking TC's out of the equation, just saying; fix the hardware (throttle body) then adjust the pedal map w/ the TC, if you still think it needs it, and you'll find your sweet spot.
I replaced my throttle body with a BMS ported and it smoothed things out, eliminated the lag and made it feel much more responsive at launch. I also added the Pedal Commander and with it's 32 different mode settings I have found the perfect one (City +3) that provides responsiveness above what it had but not abrupt. I found my sweet spot and I am very happy with it.
So the question is...Is it worth the money and is it comfortable for normal driving and does't void your warranty?
As far as I am concerned, yes. The comfort level is not an issue because it's adjustable. You can make it mild or wild with respect to responsiveness. If I want it wild I put it in Sport+ mode and tweak it up. If I set it to City++ mode it's very comfortable yet more responsive than stock. The response level is super adjustable. There's no warranty issue because it piggy backs in between the electrical connection to the accelerator cable so when you unplug it, it was never there. It doesn't "write" to the car's ECU or any other computer so it's like it wasn't there....
As far as I am concerned, yes. The comfort level is not an issue because it's adjustable. You can make it mild or wild with respect to responsiveness. If I want it wild I put it in Sport+ mode and tweak it up. If I set it to City++ mode it's very comfortable yet more responsive than stock. The response level is super adjustable. There's no warranty issue because it piggy backs in between the electrical connection to the accelerator cable so when you unplug it, it was never there. It doesn't "write" to the car's ECU or any other computer so it's like it wasn't there....
Thanks for your feedback. I just ordered one for my 2013 GS. I was initially debating between this and the Sprint Booster. So we’ll see.