I had zero intentions of modifying my car at all as I will be trading it in this Summer when (hopefully) my Z06 arrives. That said we all know there is a slight throttle hesitation that GM actually builds into the car (I suppose to make sure we don't do anything stupid). It is not as noticeable on the street but really shows itself while Autocrossing. I had the Soler Throttle Controller on my my previous C7 Grandsport and loved it so I installed on my 2021 C8. As with my previous Vette...a huge difference in throttle response. In fact so much I would recommend this as your very first mod! I'm a really big guy that can barely move when working in the footwell, but even then I had the whole install done in less than 30 mins using just one 10mm socket. I know it does not show on the Dyno but the "feeling" of instant power is much more noticeable and completely customized to your driving style. The Blue Tooth integration to my phone (my previous Soler TC did not have this option) is quite honestly an amazing upgrade.

If you never worked with Soler before let me state that you would be hard pressed to find better customer service anywhere in the industry. Top notch product, top company with top notch customer service. I highly recommend.

NOTE: Before anyone asks....NO, I am not sponsored by them, nor did they ask me to write a review.

 

My experience with Soler is that they go above and beyond, Good customer service.

 

 

I had the Soler Ported Throttle Body on my 2017 Grand Sport. Great product. I did not have (or believe I need) the Blue Tooth Throttle Controller increased throttle response device they now sell. The ported throttle body would take longer than a 30 minute install. Took me twice that just to install an oiled cotton low restriction air filter!

Did yo install their modified Throttle body

 

I did, along with a ported intake manifold at the same time, since they come out real nicely as a pair without having to disassemble the intake or airbox. The pair pretty much lifts straight up off the engine and was, if anything, less tedious than swapping air filters. Much easier job on the C8 than it was on the C7. I had a Soler TB on my C7 and now C8.

 

No, I am only going to have the car a few more months so this is the only modification I was going to do with it as it is easily reversible in about 15 mins. Too be honest the TC makes sure a huge different I actually would NOT install them at the same time because it would be hard to tell what mod is giving the seat of the pants improvement. Both help with throttle reaction/sensitivity but bang for the buck with time install and customization I think this is the absolute must have mod for everyone. The difference is substantial. NOTE: I know it is NOT....but it feels substantially more powerful when you take all of that throttle lag out.

 

FWIW here is a graph of what the throttle controller actually does, which is nothing you can't do with your foot! BUT yep feels like you have more power because depending on how it's adjusted, pressing the throttle pedal 1/2 way could actually be more like full throttle!

However the "ported throttle" is much different and does in fact decrease the inherent delay in response. Since my business involves transient flow response (in MIG welding,) I made a PDF for my C7 that may be of interest: http://netwelding.com/Soler_Mod_TB.pdf

This is not Soler but another throttle controller. They all do the same thing. In Touring GM sets Throttle control to a slow grandma initial acceleration with smaller gas pedal opening. BUT all have max set at MAX when your foot is to the floor! When set in Z Mode it's must faster, probably linier.


Funny, my 1st car was a '41 Ford I stuffed in a modified Olds engine. But the engine was higher than the flathead it replaced so I brazed an extension on the throttle arm. Only had ~1" total travel from idle to full throttle. When floored it was ~1 inch above the floor. Was a bit tricky to drive but soon learned! That light car was quick!


Ported Throttle Body Harder To Understand. But Basically When Throttle is Instantly Opened, it Takes A Short Time For Air To Flow at Max Speed. PDF Has A Lot Of Pics. This is One.

 

Thank you for the info, and yes I am aware of what the TC and Ported TB do for the car as I have had both on several cars I have owned over the years. My point was NOT that the Ported TB does not eliminate lag...its just the the TC gives instant response (pending on settings) and eliminates the perceived lag down low with sloppy pedal feel. My point was bang for the buck and ease of install and removal I think the TC is a no brainier. I have also use the Soler Ported and reconfigured TB as well...and like their TC, top notch product!

 

Great write up. As far as I'm concerned, the Soler TC is a must have.

So my question is......what of the 36 individual settings do you like? Me, I like SP-5 which is for me throttle rapid fire and with this current setting, have never even closely felt the desire to try any of the, "Ludacris" settings.

 

I was on SP-5 as well, but for driving around town I honestly felt it was abit too responsive! I am currently at SP-2 and I think it is perfect in areas of traffic. When I get to the track this weekend for Autocross will likely be in SP-6 or 7 I think will be prefect. Ludacris is just, well Ludacris! It would flat out Dangerous (IMO) to drive around town in that mode!

 

Does the SP-2 let the DCT throttle down without revving up close to redline. At SP-5 setting seems way overly high revving for the DCT.

 

I'm honestly not sure as I pretty much exclusively drive in "Manual" mode

 

Without the added throttle response electronics it get close to Redline as it downshifts (in Track, which is also the fastest OEM throttle response) when braking aggressively.

I used Manual Mode for the 1st month to get past my ~60 years of ONLY having a 3rd pedal in my DD! Stopped when after the 500 mile break-in my everyday leaving a stop sign at the end of the rural road I live on and merging into often heavy ~70 mpg traffic the upshift paddle was out of position in that 90 degree turn. Hits redline at ~35 mph in 1st in the blink of an eye. No fun hitting the Rev Limiter with traffic coming up fast behind. In the summer (actually much of the year now) it's packs of traffic going to and coming from Myrtle Beach to I95 South!

I now use Z-Mode Powertrain set to Track (Ride set to Sport.) Coming home don't want folks to have to slow significantly for me so I brake hard. In my prior C7 Grand Sport would have been in 5th gear (never found a use for 6th and only used 7th on the interstate, which I seldom take.) With it's 7 speed would downshift to 3rd for that turn to our 25 mph limit road. In the C8 I just apply the brakes hard and it downshifts from 5th to 4th to 3rd in the blink of and eye, rev matching each downshift (if going ~75 mph it starts in 6th gear!) I call that Rev Match Music! It gets close to redline! Lots of fun. There is a way to have it skip a gear but why bother, sounds so good!

 

Interesting, I'm going to try out your SP-2 in hopes to see if the DCT get's off the redline and keeps the Engine/DCT off of redline over abuse. Or maybe I should get into Manual mode more often than just once in a great while.

On a side note, today I tried out the OEM setting.....once you get use to the touchy instant throttle response it's nearly impossible to go back to stock, just boring.

 

Out of curiosity since you brought it up, I did put it in SP5 and "auto" mode and you are right. It seems to really hold that gear much longer than normal. For lack of a better description its like it is in Track+ mode in that setting. Not so dramatic in Sp-2 though. And yes I agree 100% the response in stock mode makes the car feel sluggish and unresponsive by comparison.

 

Thanks, that's great to know and headed to that SP-2 direction soon