Rivalries form the fabric of Aussie culture. From sporting clashes in different divisions to the longest rivalry in the country’s short history – that between Holden and Ford. The brands are iconic motoring mainstays, that dominated the market for well over half a century. You either drove a Commodore or a Falcon. Anything else was frowned upon.
Both Ford and Holden showed off their muscle while battling it out in Australia’s “Great Race”, the Bathurst 1000. And Commodores dominated the scene for much of the 1980s. About that time teams were experimenting with electronics and fuel injection and throttle controllers came about to help with faster lap times. Eventually, all the racing tech made its way into production models. Cars became faster and lighter and made better use of available power.
While Holden no longer makes cars, Commodores are plentiful on the streets. German sourced and rebadged Opel Insignias introduced turbocharged 4-cylinder petrols that came close to the 210KW V6s of the standard Aussie models, though far from the 304KW V8s in later versions of the SS VF Commodore. The larger engines prove that displacement is still king. Pushed along with a bespoke Commodore throttle controller, the cars have comparable 0-100 times to more pricey European rivals.
Throttle Controllers and Why They Matter
Throttle controllers removed the need for cable-actuated throttle. In older Commodores, a mechanical cable opened the throttle valve in the carburettor to the same extent that the acceleration pedal was pressed down. This provided the right mix of fuel and air for combustion. The downsides were the time it took for everything to happen. Later cars soon moved to drive-by-wire systems that not only improved throttle reaction times, but in conjunction with more precise fuelling saved on petrol. ECUs guaranteed that all the separate systems worked in harmony.
Throttle controllers manipulate the signals from the sensors placed near the acceleration pedal and throttle valve to improve how fast the car reacts to driver input. While no Commodore is a slouch, who doesn’t want a more responsive vehicle? Because all Aussie made cars are naturally aspirated, building up the revs to the redline is effortless, with lower consumption as an added bonus.
Other electronic systems work in unison for cleaner acceleration that removes the jerkiness during gear changes, and adjusts the throttle to the driving conditions. Traction control, ABS and Electronic Stability take input from the modified signals the throttle controller sends to the ECU, to make changes to braking or wheel spin. Acceleration is not only faster, but also smoother as a result.
Throttle Controller Modes and Settings
A Commodore throttle controller has different modes that can be adjusted in incremental settings. All this while driving. If you want a better throttle reaction, then dial the controller into performance or ultimate mode for a quicker get-up and go from a standstill, or when you need that extra push and shove while overtaking. The benefit here is that there is no obvious hesitancy and the car reacts instantly. Just be careful going higher through the settings, especially on the bigger V8s.
Big engines sip a lot of fuel. If you’re driving your Commodore on a daily basis, rising fuel prices can hurt the back pocket. With the car in eco or economy modes, the throttle controller cuts down the throttle response. This is useful in several situations. When in heavy traffic, driving on slippery or wet roads, or with a trailer or caravan at the back. You’ll avoid the sudden burst of torque, dangerous wheelspin and jumpiness in towing. There is such a thing as too much throttle, and at the wrong time, this can be dangerous.
Many throttle controllers for Holdens, including the Commodore based Calais and Caprice, have an auto mode if you’re too focused on the road to change settings. This takes readings of how you drive to adjust how crisp the throttle is. It will also automatically change between modes, say when exiting the motorway and coming to a packed junction, moving from ultimate to eco modes. Dial into auto for effortless acceleration, and crisp deceleration when driving through different urban settings.
Are Throttle Controllers Worth It?
This is the cheapest performance gain for any Commodore. It gives drivers a better feel through the wheel, as the throttle is instantaneous. And you’ll know how to react if conditions change fast. On-board safety systems perform better, as a result, meaning more confidence in varying situations on the road. In addition, throttle controllers don’t impede on other performance upgrades like ECU tunes or remap, but go hand in hand to make the car even more responsive. With the option for adjustability, you get better control at all times.
What’s more, controllers are perfectly safe, and don’t raise or cut horsepower figures. Meaning they’re totally legal. Installing a controller is a straightforward process taking a few minutes, and no tools or other modifications are needed. This is a plug-and-play product that brings out the best in your Commodore. Just make sure not to have too much fun.
