Tune or Throttle controller?

The dealer won't know it's tuned. Besides, they would have to prove the tune did harm. Plenty of people have tuned brand new trucks and have had warranty service without the dealer even knowing.

 

I do embedded controls for a living. Not on automobiles, so I cannot definitely dispute what you've written.

However, it would be absolutely idiotic if the OEM didn't place a non-resettable counter in the ECU that incremented each time the map was flashed.
If you "disassemble" the code that implements the communication to the program that connects to the ECU, and implements the map flash in the ECU, that might be a way to determine what has been implemented or not. Just because a program may read and write some counter or date means something but not everything...

There is something one should not overlook, and that is the data which is transmitted by the DCIM. You know, big-brother, the OEM can see how the vehicle is performing, and likely detect when there is a new map, whether you are a subscriber to an OEM "connected service" or not.

So yeah, if you're going in for an oil change, or alternator replacement, perhaps even some TSB the dealership is going to perform, maybe on the ECU itself, then you are right, there's no need to exert the effort to determine if the vehicle has been modded or not.

However, if you are in an accident, or there is a reason to perform some forensics to determine if you get a new or rebuilt engine or transmission on the OEM's dime, then it could be very material, and worth some expert's time to do that sort of research.

Likely, a tuner's work leaves breadcrumbs. YMMV

 

I did the KDMax tune well within the warranty and, no problems. In fact, I had the tuner fix my CRAWL glitch (TSB) because it was easier than going to the dealer.

I did the tune because it will tune the accelerator pedal AND tune the genuine performance aspects of the drivetrain. To be fair, having the pedal tuned gives an appreciable difference in feel and I really do like it. The difference is the tune makes real, not just felt, adjustments in performance.

So, why do one when one can do both?

 

Well I have to say. Never got a tune on my 2021 TRD OR. acceleration was so sluggish it sucked I was ready to trade it in with only 7500 miles on it. A friend of mine is a professional formula drifter. He told me about pedal commander. Never new this. I said WTF I got nothing to loose for 300 bucks
OMG it’s a whole new Trucks. Feels like I dropped a 8 cyl in this. Wow shift points are smooth since the acceleration is on point. I actually had to relearn the curve cause it’s so responsive now. Anyone that has a bone stock Tacoma and wany a easy plug and play upgrade. Totally rec this.
Pedal Commander. Has 4 main settings with multiple configurations. I am running mine on a sports mode setting 2.
It has economy, city ,sport ,and sport + with 1-4 + or - configurations. Pic shown here is sport + which I didn’t use yet. Sport is pretty aggressive on its own. That’s all I have to say. My searching is over.

 

x2 just made a big stink about pedal controllers here:

(1) MPG improvements? | Page 2 | Tacoma World

I think the polarization of the product comes down to which part number you have on your actual pedal assembly in your vehicle, and which vehicle you have. I put one in a friends F-150 ecoboost, it was so minimal that we ended up returning it and getting another one for his 370z. In my truck (14' Taco TRD 4x4) its one of the best things I've ever bought, whenever I say that half the people will say im crazy and something about butt dyno or psychological affect. I hate to bring out credentials online but having designed electronics parts for GM Ford and Chrysler and working on building engines and tig welding turbo kits for imports, I know what im talking about when i say its one of the best products I've ever bought.

the mystery now is why it doesn't work on some vehicles and for some people. As for me I smash gas pretty hard maybe if you are driving like a snowbird its not going to feel like much, idk, but i plan to get to the bottom of this because its pretty interesting how polarized the crowd is.

BTW a tune (even full stand alone throwing out the stock ECU) will not touch the throttle controller which is completely separate in the applications I'm speaking of, its not even going to show on Alldata or mitchelle, that would be like showing the inner workings of your ABS module which is not a schematic a mechanic needs to look at.

 

The gentleman on the other thread schooled you on tacoma e/throttle. He is correct.
The only thing to add is that 3rd gen has tps limits per gear.
There is no delay between accelerator and the throttle body step motor.
there is a limit set in ECU how much the throttle plate can be opened
The old demo video you posted is a laughable demo. Try to put ignition On, engine Off and smash the throttle like in the video. TPS won't even move.
Make sure your PC doesn't exceed max voltage limit on throttle body.

 

It’s crazy seeing so much love and great reviews for this product.

I bought one based off this, hooked it up, and 3 of my 4 drives have resulted in a check engine light and a “brake override malfunction”. I sent it back, bought a second one thinking it might just be defective and SAME result. I did it again with a third.

Needless to say, no PC for me.

 

Just installed my Sprint Booster today. Took 5 minutes to install and yep it's a big difference from stock. The throttle is much more responsive and I can actually blip it for down shifts. If you've got a MT and don't want to blow your warranty, pay for a tune or pay for premium gas then I think the throttle controller is a real alternative to a tune. For AT cant speak to it but id expect them to probably enjoy the better throttle as well. That said the tune will no doubt be more fun and probably feel better overall.

 

KDMax tune, without a doubt. Throtle controller doesn't add horse power. Tune was about $340

 

I plan on doing my research, I don't have money to burn lately being that my wife was laid off from her job so floating the mortgage and more payments for things is tough these days, need an extra job all the sudden is not fun.