Luke Cuenco 03.10.25
As somebody who has spent most of his driving life in vans that prioritized sturdiness over pace, I’ve by no means been identified for tearing up the roads. My first rides—a late 80’s AWD Subaru and the following RAM 1500 —weren’t precisely constructed for speedy acceleration. They had been workhorses, not racehorses, and I realized to understand their regular tempo, and dependable efficiency (I’ve some ideas on the RAM on reflection). In all that point I’ve by no means actually taken the possibility to check out any of the aftermarket throttle controllers on the market. However once I lately upgraded to a 2023 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport with a 6-speed guide transmission and was supplied a chance to check out an Ultimate9 evcX throttle controller, I couldn’t cross the chance up. Whereas the trendy Tacoma’s have loads of energy and refinement on their very own from the manufacturing unit, its throttle response left one thing to be desired—it felt laggy, virtually reluctant as if the truck was hesitant to do what I wished it to. That is one thing that a whole lot of people on the market might need seen with just about any of their electronically managed throttle autos – which is principally each automotive on the street proper now. Trendy throttle controllers are fascinating and generally even useful items of tech you’ll be able to set up your self, so at present we’ll take a look at the Ultimate9 evcX and provide you with guys an thought of the kind of issues it might probably do.
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Is the Ultimate9 evcX Throttle Controller Value It? My Palms-On Expertise
Why a Throttle Controller?
Trendy autos, together with my Tacoma, use drive-by-wire methods the place the accelerator pedal sends digital alerts to the throttle physique. Producers typically program these methods with delays to easy out acceleration, optimize gas economic system, or meet ever-increasing emissions requirements. Whereas these design selections make sense, they will depart the throttle feeling disconnected and sluggish—particularly for these of us who love or are used to the everyday immediacy of guide transmission or bodily throttle/pedal linkage. The EVCX modifications this by letting you management two key points of throttle conduct: Pedal Sensitivity and Throttle Pace. the evcX and its accompanying app can individually change the pedal sensitivity by altering the ratio of pedal journey to throttle opening, making much less pedal enter yield a larger response, or by altering the Throttle Pace by eradicating or shortening the everyday factory-set throttle response delays.
Putting in the Ultimate9 EVCX
Earlier than we get into the outcomes, I’ve to present a nod to how ridiculously simple it was to put in the EVCX. All I needed to do was:
- Disconnect the pedal meeting’s wiring harness.
- Plug the EVCX inline between the pedal and the harness.
- Mount the management unit utilizing the included magnetic or adhesive mount.
- Obtain the app, scan the QR code, and sync the controller.
- The whole course of took lower than 10 minutes—most of that point was spent deciding the place to mount the unit and tidying up the cable. I selected the magnetic mount for its flexibility, and it’s been rock-solid thus far, simply ensure you correctly prep any plastic surfaces in your car in order that the included adhesives will really stick.
You probably have bother with the instructions I offered above, you can too take a look at this useful video from Ultimate9 the place they’ll provide you with some further assist with some visuals.
On the Highway
The primary drive with the EVCX throttle controller put in wasn’t precisely a night-and-day transformation, however I feel it was positively an enchancment. I began with Final Mode at Stage 3, aiming for a setting that I felt like smoothed out my truck’s throttle response with out making it really feel jumpy or unnatural. Even simply on the road in entrance of our home, I seen that the slight delay between urgent the pedal and the engine responding had been decreased. This additionally made shifting gears really feel a bit of extra related, and acceleration was extra predictable—no lag surprises, only a extra refined really feel.
Curious in regards to the adjustability, I used the EVCX app to fine-tune the response in real-time. Bumping it as much as Stage 5, the modifications had been refined however significant. The truck didn’t really feel “sooner,” however the hesitation in throttle supply was additional decreased, making low-speed maneuvering and rolling begins really feel extra intuitive. It was particularly helpful in stop-and-go site visitors, the place smoother throttle management meant much less of that on-off feeling when creeping ahead however I personally was okay with setting 3 which is the place I’ve been maintaining it since I completed all my testing.
At freeway speeds, I examined Stage 6, which sharpened response simply sufficient to make merging and passing really feel a bit extra instant even in sixth gear. It wasn’t aggressive, however it gave the Tacoma a slight edge when choosing up pace, with out making it really feel like I needed to recalibrate my footwork. Once more it is a setting I don’t assume I’d completely hold since I are inclined to give attention to long-term gas effectivity reasonably than passing everybody in entrance of me. Your mileage actually could differ.
Whereas the EVCX has far more aggressive settings accessible, I discovered that the average changes made the largest distinction in on a regular basis driving. The flexibility to fine-tune throttle sensitivity in small, incremental steps utilizing the app made it simple to discover a setting that barely higher responsiveness with out making the truck really feel twitchy or unnatural. It’s the type of change you discover over time, reasonably than an immediate, dramatic shift—however that’s precisely what I used to be on the lookout for as a result of I’m already kind of happy with how my truck drives to start with.
Dialing It In: Modes for Each Scenario
One of many issues that’s fairly cool in regards to the evcX is its versatility. With ten modes to select from, I’ve been in a position to customise my Tacoma’s throttle response for each state of affairs:
- Final Mode is my go-to for metropolis driving and freeway runs. Ranges 5-8 present simply the correct amount of pep, however I personally have discovered {that a} setting of three is ideal for my driving type.
- Launch Mode: This mode is ideal for fast takeoffs. It’s enjoyable to make use of often, however it’s not sensible for stop-and-go site visitors and can be not fuel-efficient.
- Eco Mode: Nice for lengthy freeway drives once I need to maximize gas effectivity. It dampens throttle sensitivity, making it simpler to take care of a gradual pace, it’s virtually an imperceptible change from the inventory throttle configuration.
- Adapt Mode: This mode adjusts throttle response dynamically based mostly on how onerous you press the pedal. It’s excellent for combined driving circumstances.
- Valet Mode: Limits acceleration, making it a fantastic safety characteristic when handing over the keys. Whereas I don’t sometimes use valet service, it does additionally come in useful
- Lock/Unlock Modes: These modes go a step additional, permitting you to disable the throttle solely for added safety.
On a current street journey, I examined Eco Mode over a 1,000-kilometer stretch and noticed noticeable gas financial savings in comparison with inventory settings. In the meantime, Anti-Slip Mode has confirmed invaluable on free gravel roads, offering higher management with out spinning the tires.
You may decide every of those modes with out downloading the app by urgent the left or proper silver buttons on the unit itself. Nonetheless, in case you’re right into a extra visible expertise when utilizing the evcX, you’ll be able to obtain their app to your telephone and you then’ll have tons of choices in addition to a pleasant visible illustration of what your truck is able to doing in addition to what it’s actively doing when it comes to its present throttle settings.
The Human Contact: Why It Issues
One in every of my favourite issues in regards to the EVCX is the way it makes the Tacoma really feel extra private. With the manufacturing unit settings, the truck’s throttle response felt generic, designed to enchantment to a variety of drivers. The EVCX modifications that, giving me management over how the truck behaves in numerous conditions. I used to assume throttle controllers had been making an attempt to purpose for a extra particular efficiency aim however I feel what’s actually happening right here is that throttle controllers are extra about customization reasonably than outright alteration.
As an illustration, considered one of my minor annoyances pre-evcX set up was how a lot throttle I wanted to get into the subsequent gear on lengthy hills at low speeds – that is simply one thing that my model of the Tacoma with its barely totally different gearing struggles with. I do a whole lot of driving up steep hills at low pace so having a bit of additional throttle response is nice for maintaining the truck from stalling by way of the transient deceleration part. Now, with the EVCX, the required pedal stress is considerably decreased, and the RPMs peak sooner, making gear modifications smoother and extra satisfying and the whole lot retains on rolling. So far, I haven’t had any bizarre or surprising modifications in my truck’s conduct aside from that which I’ve put instantly into the throttle controller.
It’s value noting that the throttle controller will keep within the mode that you just final left it in – so while you flip the module off the throttle will keep the best way it’s till you energy up your truck, and your evcX unit and alter the settings from the app. It’s a good suggestion to maintain it useful or in your individual in case you anticipate to be utilizing it rather a lot. Nonetheless, if all else fails, you’ll be able to merely disconnect the throttle controller, and reconnect the throttle the best way it was earlier than and issues will immediately return to regular.
Ultimate Ideas
The Ultimate9 EVCX Throttle Controller has exceeded my expectations in each method – particularly since I had a considerably dismissive view of them earlier than I attempted one out. It’s simple to put in and use and dramatically improves the driving expertise with out risking any everlasting harm or modification to your car. Whether or not I’m navigating metropolis streets, cruising down the freeway, or claiming the moist and muddy hills of Oregon, EVCX lets me fine-tune Tacoma’s throttle response to match my wants with none sophisticated tools. In case you’re a fellow Tacoma proprietor—or actually, anybody who feels their car might use a bit extra responsiveness—this little gadget would possibly simply be what you’re on the lookout for to get that additional little bit of customization out of it.
