Greetings, everyone!
I am running multiple threads currently on the two cars that I own, My VW Polo GT TSI:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...lo-gt-tsi.html
and My much-talked about Honda Brio, which I have successfully converted in to a Honda CRIO, since I am running a 1.5 litre Honda engine in it:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...ty-engine.html http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modifi...injectors.html
As far as I see it, both these cars in their current avatars suit my requirements well, and after all these extensive modifications in less than a year, I have arrived at a balance between what I need, and what they're delivering.
I have owned 6 cars before these, and most of them have drive-by-wire throttle. DBW Throttle basically eliminates the 'cable' driven throttle control, where there is a small crude metal cable that 'tugs' against a mechanical contraption that then opens and closes the throttle body. When I say it's crude, it's actually just a cable connected from the A-Pedal all the way to the actuator which controls the butterfly valve of the throttle body.
Somehow, I have always liked a cable sending my inputs, than actual sensors that exist in DBW cars. The throttle position sensor takes electrical inputs as to how much you're depressing the accelerator and sends electric impulses to the ECU, which then informs the throttle body, and that varies the butterfly opening, along with informing the fueling components to let in more or less fuel. Sadly, all this takes time and is not as direct as you operating via a manual, cable activated throttle body. Also, the sensors dumb down your inputs and sometimes, these silly sensors take their own sweet time and use their silly 8 bit brains to interpret something as emotional as a throttle input. It's just plain sad.
But somehow, emission control and fuel efficiency concerns, along with the reliability of an sensor controlled input, as opposed to a mechanical one, most engines now have a DBW throttle.
Annoyingly, the lag between the inputs and outputs of the DBW throttle leave a lot to be desired.
You JUST can't allow something as dramatic as a throttle input to be dumbed down by a few sensors and expect me to sit quietly about it!
I always wondered if it's the engine that takes time to respond, or the corresponding electronics concerned with that are numb-skulled.
I decided to push the envelope and try a contraption that had been overdone before, but this time around, I had been assured that it was not the 'same old' technology and the statements had some credibility to them.
I am talking about something called a PedalTune by TTS Auto, that specialises in modifying German cars, esp Mercs, Audis and VWs in an unconventional manner, with a maturity that we are yet to see in the Indian market.
http://ttsauto.eu/index.php?route=pr...1&product_id=1
Their products did seem a little new to me to be experimenting too much, but this PedalTune is a simple plug and play device that fits between the throttle pedal and the throttle position sensor, both located in the passenger cabin.
It took me less than 5 minutes to install it on my own, and all I had to do was remove the connector from the TPS and place it into the PedalTune, and the corresponding cable from the pedal tune would fit into the stock connector that goes to the ECU. Easy as Pie.
In the Honda:
![PedalTune: Customisable throttle response-20160820_194316-1.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/modifications-accessories/1551024d1690416513t-pedaltune-customisable-throttle-response-20160820_194316-1.jpg)
In the Polo:
The PedalTune comes with a wired remote that has three basic settings, Economy, Sport and Race. Each setting has 7 different levels of variation. The no. of settings becomes an unnecessary 21, but if you really want the snappiest of responses, I would keep it on full (requires experience, and a lot of respite while pressing the Accelerator)
Well, that's information about the product. Question here is, how did it pan out for me?
I was very very skeptical about the product before I installed it and I always thought it would be just one of those 'forum boner' or one of those 'fake electric gadgetry' type of products that would be more show and less-go.
I installed it in my Polo, as my Crio was at KS Motorsport for some minor work. Started the car and all seemed normal. Nothing abnormal, just a light in the remote. I set the remote to RACE and the top Setting, thinking that it would not make a difference, and set off gingerly by putting the car in 'D' mode.
What ensued cannot be expressed in words. I was shocked at the alacrity with which my throttle was responding. It's almost like someone replaced the DBW with a super sensitive cable operated system. The best part was how early I felt the power! It was unbelievable. The car feels 'lighter,' 'responsive,'and extremely good to drive in the city. I am amazed at how this works, but I can't seem to understand how it can make so much of a difference! My drive is transformed!
Basically, the PedalTune 'fools' the electric drive by wire system into acting quicker, but according to TTS, it's not just that. That can be done by a resistor between the accelerator and the TPS. This system is CLEVER! It sends the right response for fueling, and messes with the ECU's head to do everything, just right. IMMEDIATE power-on-tap makes the car feel so sprightly and almost like someone has replaced the regular fuel with high octane fuel, shifted to sports mode on the gearbox!!!
OF course, the car is not going to be any faster, or there will never be power gains, but how amazing the car drives at part throttle has to be believed!
I have asked for the PedalTune for my Honda Crio now, and I shall gladly update you on the same, but from my current impressions, the 'dumb' Honda DBW system could definitely do with this contraption.
Some dyno figures of the Pedal Tune on an Audi. Somehow, this system gave them impressive power gains. I am speechless!!! I will dyno my Polo this week and come back with my numbers and see if there is any power gains. Well, if there are any, I won't be surprised!
PS: Special thanks to Mr. Naresh Virkar of TTS Auto in convincing me to go in for this product. It took a lot of convincing, as I have seen other types of these 'electronic fooling devices' and they were not my way of improving my car's performance. I heard his claims and asked him to send a unit over. I haven't paid for it yet, but I will be paying for two of these units for sure. One for the Polo and the other for the Crio!
![Smile](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.png)