Aloha to you all

I recently purchased a '13 GS 350 F Sport and it's been just amazing so far, such a beautiful and smooth car (70K miles, nebula gray, very good condition from previous owner)

The car is smooth and powerful, but I find the gas pedal is very mushy, especially at low rpm's. I realize the engine is only somewhat powerful and not especially high-torque, but I wish the pedal had a lighter feel. I have always had a light foot, possibly due to driving primarily manual cars for most of my life. I'm not looking for burnouts or any over the top acceleration off the line, just a lighter and crisper response from the pedal. I find myself feeling almost guilty about shoving the pedal down toward the floor so hard, and still not being rewarded with a very immediate response.

From what I've read, it seems a throttle controller might help me to enjoy the car more. Please know that I realize the improvement would be all about feel, and that I'm not expecting any increase in 0-60 or horsepower.

In my research, I've come across some people commenting on long-term issues that may come up from using one of these devices. The most concerning ones were about some sort of voltage overload incurred by the controller. However, it seems like there are many more people who have had no problems than those who have.

Would greatly appreciate any feedback that others can give me regarding the long-term usability and any problems they've had with these devices.

Thanks in advance for all your help

 

Aloha to you all

I recently purchased a '13 GS 350 F Sport and it's been just amazing so far, such a beautiful and smooth car (70K miles, nebula gray, very good condition from previous owner)

The car is smooth and powerful, but I find the gas pedal is very mushy, especially at low rpm's. I realize the engine is only somewhat powerful and not especially high-torque, but I wish the pedal had a lighter feel. I have always had a light foot, possibly due to driving primarily manual cars for most of my life. I'm not looking for burnouts or any over the top acceleration off the line, just a lighter and crisper response from the pedal. I find myself feeling almost guilty about shoving the pedal down toward the floor so hard, and still not being rewarded with a very immediate response.

From what I've read, it seems a throttle controller might help me to enjoy the car more. Please know that I realize the improvement would be all about feel, and that I'm not expecting any increase in 0-60 or horsepower.

In my research, I've come across some people commenting on long-term issues that may come up from using one of these devices. The most concerning ones were about some sort of voltage overload incurred by the controller. However, it seems like there are many more people who have had no problems than those who have.

Would greatly appreciate any feedback that others can give me regarding the long-term usability and any problems they've had with these devices.

Thanks in advance for all your help

 

Aloha to you all

I recently purchased a '13 GS 350 F Sport and it's been just amazing so far, such a beautiful and smooth car (70K miles, nebula gray, very good condition from previous owner)

The car is smooth and powerful, but I find the gas pedal is very mushy, especially at low rpm's. I realize the engine is only somewhat powerful and not especially high-torque, but I wish the pedal had a lighter feel. I have always had a light foot, possibly due to driving primarily manual cars for most of my life. I'm not looking for burnouts or any over the top acceleration off the line, just a lighter and crisper response from the pedal. I find myself feeling almost guilty about shoving the pedal down toward the floor so hard, and still not being rewarded with a very immediate response.

From what I've read, it seems a throttle controller might help me to enjoy the car more. Please know that I realize the improvement would be all about feel, and that I'm not expecting any increase in 0-60 or horsepower.

In my research, I've come across some people commenting on long-term issues that may come up from using one of these devices. The most concerning ones were about some sort of voltage overload incurred by the controller. However, it seems like there are many more people who have had no problems than those who have.

Would greatly appreciate any feedback that others can give me regarding the long-term usability and any problems they've had with these devices.

Thanks in advance for all your help

 

Throttle controller is fun when it's new but eventually it will damage your throttle position sensor and lead to an expensive fix. There are threads about it. The oem throttle controller has a tolerance and sending hi current to it all the time will lead to premature failure. It doesn't increase hp, but takes out some milliseconds of lag, making the pedal more responsive. You might have to turn off traction control to get the full benefit.

 

Thanks for responding!

I totally appreciate your perspective. It seems though that there would be a flood of people posting online talking about this if it were that prevalent, but I've only read about a few issues. These devices have been out for 10 years plus correct?

Anyone else care to weigh in?

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ler-issue.html

iamsammy84
"So I have used the Apexi Throttle Controller for almost 9 months and last month I have been having issues with my car. The trac off will turn on and my check engine light will turn on. I will lose power on the pedal and will not accelerate. If i turn off my engine and turn it back on, I will gain power back on the pedal. Here and there the check engine light will turn back off and on. Yesterday morning, the acceleration pedal wasn't working at all so I ended up towing it to the dealership. They concluded that it was because of the Apexi Throttle Controller that messed up the volts on the sensor? I haven't heard anything bad about the Throttle Controller doing this. Has anyone had a similar problem? They are asking for $900 to replace the sensor."

I guess it depends how often or hard you use it and what mode, but don't be surprised if you eventually have to replace the throttle position senor.

 

The throttle sensitivity is boosted as a part of the D3 Performance tune I have loaded. Its variable based on Eco, Normal, or Sport mode. You may want to get in touch with them to see if they have anything for your car.

 

These are throttle-by-wire cars. Are you running in ECO, normal or Sport mode? Sport will get you the quickest acceleration and turning off traction control will keep some of the nannies at bay.

I have other cars with way more power than the GS and throttle in the GS is not a problem. I have no problem hitting the mat and letting the GS do what it wants. It takes about 2 seconds for me to get used to switching between ECO and Sport. I get the same MPG in ECO or Sport as a result.

 

Do you feel the same in Sport/Sport + mode? If yes see my response below.

I have had the Apexi throttle controller for almost 3 years now. Since I installed it I have not had 1 issue, maybe I am one of the lucky ones so far ? I just leave it in the red mode and never once switched it to any other mode. In my opinion it does help with the throttle response a little bit but nothing very significant.

Another thing you may want to look at if you want to spend the money is a tune. I know a lot of people on here say a tune is a waste of money. True to a certain extent it is a waste of money and doesn't add significant horsepower but in my opinion I think it helped the most with the throttle response along with daily drivability and the 7200 redline is fun to rev up to sometimes.

I have both the throttle controller and tune. I can tell you from experience on sport/sport + can be very touch. I guess to compare its like being in a lower gear in manual car the throttle response can be sensitive (I understand what you mean when you say you come from driving manual cars. Nothing gives the response of a manual car. I do miss driving a manual car having driven them as a daily most of my life also).

 

If I may from years of this and with Lexus's. I am no expert but I can at least add from direct experience, instead of just saying I heard. If set up right the Throttle Controllers will improve response and 0-60, 1/4mile and more times.

Some Tunes work, some tunes do not. It depends on the Mods you have , or not and who did the Tuning for results. RR Racing, Sector7, D3 Performance all have done very well on Lexus Tunes. Prior to this years back, Unichip did very well on Lexus Tunes if done by a Unichip Tuners that could Dyno Tune. The D3 Tune does have the Throttle enhancements in it, and it feels and performs alot better that the Stock. I can speak on this one because I use it and have had changes done that I know are working very well, along with that fact that a few others and myself have compared and spoken about it. Also the Toyota Camry Guys that have the D3 Tune all confirm the same.

The GS crowd here is kinda more interested in Coilovers and other at $1900 than increased hp. Just 2 weeks ago I drove my Friends 2015 GS350 with the RR Tune to compare with my car back to back. He also drove mine. Prior to the RR Tune He just got, my car would walk away from any speed or standstill from his. After driving his car we have not had a chance to match up again yet. On a safe Track environment only of course. I have no affiliation with D3 or any other in any way shape or form for the record. Unlike the set Tunes I have the D3 Pro Tuner that I can make changes myself. At this point I have not make too many as I am waiting to put the car on the Dyno with other Mods to get it dialed in all the way.

D3 has a new updated enhancement that now used the Lexus Sport selector to add performance with the Tune when placed in sport mode, but dials back the aggressive tune with Normal and Eco. I did not waste any money. If you search you will find that 99% of the others in the IS350, RC350, GS F, IS F, RC F all love the tunes they have along with the rear few in the 4th Gen forum here that have it. A few problems maybe, but very rare. With the Tune I have installed, as BMGS has said, the drivability, and smoothness with the GS is just so much that better than stock.

 

Ok some nice responses thanks to all. I guess to elaborate I should say that I have looked into the tunes and it seems like the results are not that jaw-dropping and they're like $1K and up. I'm not looking to race anyone or red line my car all the time.

I just don't like the sluggishness in the low ends, which it seems a controller may help with.

Anyone else out there who has one and can say whether or not they had any long-term issues?

I am well-acquainted with the 4 driving modes in my car and definitely see a difference when using them. I like the feel of the acceleration and steering best in Sport + so I generally drive with this. I use the paddles pretty frequently as well. I'd like something closer to the immediate response I feel when I'm using the paddles without having to shift if that makes sense. I realize there's always a trade off when driving a manual vs automatic.

 

cool

which GS year and model do you have? Mine is a '13 F Sport FWD (6-speed)

 

In my Sig, 13 GS350 Lux. They are Not $1k up for GS, but it seems the TC is more the way you may want to go. No Tune on a N/A non Turbo car does 60hp. lol!

Here's the 3rd Gen GS Sector7 Tune Dyno.

 

You mean AWD? These cars only come RWD or AWD

 

Ah yes one point for you there bravo!

Yeah just a brain cramp there its RWD indeed.

It's funny since I'm been thinking about this so much now the car seems like it's responding better when I step on the gas. I think it knows I'm talking about it.