Rolla. Now you know what I mean - it was a hell of a time getting that darn plug off. I had trouble getting my hands up there.

I contorted half in, Half out on my back. One hand using a flat head screw driver to push that tab.

I was getting so frustrated. Keep at it. Same here - took me a long while to get it off. It was euphoric when that plug came undone. Lol

 

Thanks man. I will have to go half in and half out like you. I was fitting my torso in the footwell barely while resting my legs on the seat. Yeah. it is insane how difficult it is considering the very limited space. Were you able to get the flathead screw driver in that tight space since the tab is facing the passenger side right next to the tunnel?

 

I have no experience installing one of these but maybe take a cheap screwdriver, hanger or piece of metal you can bend to assist getting into that space and accessing the tab.

Hope you get it done so we can get a drive report. Goodluck!

 

Thanks man. Yeah, I will buy a small flathead screwdriver since the ones I have are stubby and big on the handle side. If the tab was facing the driver's side, it would have bazillion times easier. The fact that you cannot see the tab as it is facing the passenger side and also very little room between where the pedal is and the tunnel, makes it difficult from all angles. Anyway, will attempt again and see if I can crack the unplugging. I was also looking forward to seeing how it changes things in terms of throttle opening/closing speed etc. If/when I get to that point, I will definitely write my impressions on it.

 

They also have screwdrivers that have little hooks on them that may work if there is access.

 

You have to press the tab and pull it out so you need a flat surface item like a flathead screwdriver to put the pressure on it. I will try it again next weekend. See if I can crack it.

 

How about using a mini C-clamp to squeeze the tab then you'll have both hands to pry and pull the plug?

 

Thanks. That is a good idea. Only thing is, the clamp to pinch the plug will have to be very small considering the space between the TPS and the diff/transmission tunnel is only about 6 - 7 inches. Maybe, putting it the other way where the screw mechanism is on the other side might be another possibility. I will probably go look for a small size clamp. The SprintBoosster plug is almost identical to the OEM plug so I am hoping testing the pinching force on the SprintBooster plug will be able to show how successful that can be.

 

Both the Sprint booster and Pedal commander instructions tell people not to change its setting while driving or when gas pedal is in use. I'm wondering when this device is on, is it OK to change the Drive Mode **** (the Lexus **** - Eco/Normal/Sport/Sport+) ?

 

Yes, I don't think there should be any issue changing the modes of the car. I have not tried it yet, but SprintBooster recommends changing its modes with the foot off the gas pedal.

 

After bruised/aching shoulders, finger tips having blisters etc. trying to access by squeezing myself into the footwell, I just brainstormed of the various possible angles with which one could approach the TPS plug with the right hand and I discovered a rather simple angle to approach the plug while sitting in the driver's seat. I did not have to use any hardware. Just my right thumb to unplug it. All in all, finally success. I will write about my "secret sauce" way to access and unplug it without contorting your body at crazy angles to get in the footwell.

All in all, success finally. I tested it a bit in my parking garage in race mode 9. Definitely, you feel the throttle a lot more snappier in sport+/manual mode. I have not driven on the roads, but it was not overwhelming even in race mode 9. Just very noticeably sharper giving the impression of a richer, instantaneous torque fill with more access to power earlier. I also nicely installed the controller by the steering while hiding the wire where the dash meets the center console. I will take pictures of the install tomorrow as well.

 

Did you ever capture these screenshots? I would be quite interested in seeing them.

 

Totally forgot, I'll send them to you in a PM so I don't clutter up this thread. Does kinda give me an idea for bumping throttle response in Sport mode though.

 

Can you send them my way as well.

 

Installation: I will try to explain as best as possible since there is a simple and easy way to release the throttle harness from the sensor. Like I stated above, I tried a few times squeezing and contorting myself into the footwell to be able to directly access the harness/plug straight above. The steering were at the highest setting and the seat was at furthest point back. However, due to the clutter and the pedal being right next to the tall transmission tunnel, I simply ended up with bruised and sore shoulders. My fingers from consistently pressing the top of tab to release the plug, had blisters etc. I read many threads on how other people had done it (on other forums), but I could not come up with any new ideas. Once I started thinking outside the box, I explored trying to access while sitting in the driver's seat and sticking my hand under the dash. Two important things are, you need reasonably long arms and also you need to memorize how the tab looks like since you will be trying to release the tab by feel and memory.

I started out by sitting leaning to the right with my right shoulder pressed up against the center console where the shift lever is and then sticking my hand down and up. The key is to access the plug from the left side of the throttle. Not the right side since there is a lot of clutter on the right side and your thumb will never reach the plug. Once I accessed it from the left, my thumb was able to easily reach the tab on the right side of the throttle. I felt the tab and rest my thumb right in the middle where the depression of the tab is. The top of the thumb rests on the raised top portion of the tab. Once the thumb is resting in this position, the thumb can push with a lot of force without flexing unlike the other fingers. You simply push and roll the thumb upwards to push the tab in and release the plug. Anyway, that is the best way I can explain. It is a very simple and easy way to unplug it. Once it is unplugged, plugging it is very easy since there is only way you can plug it in. I was able to plug in both sides without looking and using only feel. However, since you can pull the harness down, you can now easily put a light in the footwell and sit outside the car and extend your arms to plug the controller to the dangling harness and then the other side to the throttle position sensor.

I installed it close to the steering just by the center console. See pictures below. The wire is completely hidden from plain sight.

Impressions: I only drove it in my garage since my car is sitting in the garage till March for storage. To put it simply, it makes the power more accessible instantly. It is like the torque is "front loaded". The net effect is like you have a richer torque fill. I don't believe it feels like just pushing the pedal in more and getting the same effect. Your foot simply does not have the speed, reflexes and precision to get from the pedal to TB as quickly as an ECU sending the signal to open the TB. It is not that simply.

It is just the duration it takes for the whole process from the sensor to the harness to the ECU and eventually to the throttle body that is quickened. It is like everything happens very quickly. I rapidly stabbed the throttle and you can see how the rpm needle jumps around like there is no inertia. Your foot simply cannot make it behave like that all by itself. I will have to drive it on the roads to get a better understanding, but in the garage I did not find race mode 9 (fastest response mode) to be too crazy, but it might be different on the road.

Anyway, here are a couple of pictures. I have a video as well I will upload on youtube when I get time.