I bought an ETC from TWPanson several months ago, shortly before the "slim" version was released :tap: In fact I saw the update about two weeks after I installed mine.

What I like about the unit:
Easy to install (I put mine in the little cubby on the lower-left of the tC's dash, and routed the wire through the door seal to mount the control box just under the a-pillar.)
Reasonably priced compared to the Blitz unit
I actually like to auto-revert function, in the mornings I'm a commuting zombie and I like that I don't have to worry about the joyride I took last night.

Does the unit perform as advertised? Yes, mostly (See drivability below)

Am I happy with the unit? Yes

Mods on my 07 tC:
VRD Black upper and lower front grilles
Dr. Isotope Air diverson panel and CAI plate
Redline Tuning hood lift kit
Fujita F-5 Black CAI
NST Underdrive Crank pulley + Lightweight Accessory pulleys and overdrive Alt. Pulley
TWP Electronic Throttle Controller
Stoptech slotted rotors
Axxis Ultimate Carbon Metalic Pads
Stoptech Stainelss Brake lines
Motul synthetic brake fluid
NST Shifter Cable bushings
BC Racing Coilovers
Tannabe Front strut tower bar
Ingalls Rear strut tower brace
TRD rear sway bar
TRD Sport Shifter
Energy Suspension Polyurethane motor mount inserts.
Pioneer DEH P700BT
Infinity Kappa 5.1 Components (Fronts)
Infinity Kappa 6.5 coaxials (Rears)
Dynamat (doors and rear quarters)
Rockford Punch Stage 3 12" Sub
800 Watt Mono Amp

Drivability:
In the two months I've had this installed on my car I've done a couple thousand miles of driving and think I've got the thing pretty figured out. I only use it when I have enough room for fairly throttle-open conditions, The second week I had it on the car, I was cruising on the freeway in SP6 stomped on the throttle and the car bogged, thew a CEL and went into limp mode, I was in fifth going about 50 MPH at the time. I had to exit the freeway the car stalled on my way to a parking lot where I shut it down and then re-started it, everything was normal after that and I left the ETC in Normal mode for the rest of the drive home.

What I've learned since then is that "Sport mode" is not happy with short shifting the car, if you drive it like a grandma, the car will bog, hesitate and generally be unhappy, however if you wring the gears out, and cruise above 3K RPMS the car loves it. I don't have a speed demon but I definitely have better throttle response. I suspect the issue is with my minimal mods, with just a CAI and the ETC I've only got two of the three parts of an effective motor combination, the car really needs an exhaust at a minimum, I've got lots of fuel and air coming into the car but it's being choked coming out, this isn't as big of a deal at higher RPMS where the ECU leaves the exhaust valves open longer but below 3K RPMs it struggles to keep up and the ECU is limiting fuel to keep from running too rich.

To effectively use Sport mode I have to alter my driving from my usual shifting at around 2K RPMS to shifting around 5500 RPMs. While this is fun it's very hard on the gas mileage and not something I'm going to do everyday.

Final thoughts:
Is it worth the money, yes. It gives me another gadget in my car and delivers a pretty big bang for the buck. Is it something I'm going to use every day? No but that's also one of the things I like about the unit, I can leave it alone and still have a tame daily driver with decent gas mileage, but if I find myself on an empty twisty road I can have some fun with it.

-Sean

my bogs down in any mode and i dont know why

my bogs down in any mode and i dont know why


What RPM do you shift at? Took me a while to get the hang of driving it, be mean to it and it will reward you, you know like a hot chick ;)

-Sean

i shift at 4000 but starting from first gear it bogs it to were it stalls my car

That's not good.
Have you tried contaction TWP about it ?

I wonder if any of the boosted guys have the same issues or will i be the first one to test it out with boost.

Sir,

You've got a pm regarding the stall issue. Pls bare w/ us on troubleshooting process. This is necessary to determine if your unit is faulty.

Sincerely,
TWP

my bogs down in any mode and i dont know why

Rus,

I did not which honestly I probably should have.

TWP has PMed me and I will do some work this weekend to see if I can resolve it. Their communication is top notch and I hope to report that things are working as expected shortly.

-Sean

Their communication is top notch and we haved pm so i will let know whats happen

i got the same version,and ive had no issues with it at all,i can shift below 3k rpms in sporting mode with no issues,i never had a cel.........but i normally use SP1 to SP2 for the most part,higher if i need to get onto the freeway,

i got the same version,and ive had no issues with it at all,i can shift below 3k rpms in sporting mode with no issues,i never had a cel.........but i normally use SP1 to SP2 for the most part,higher if i need to get onto the freeway,


You bring up a good point, our ECUs learn over time, I've been using mine as an off/on device, usually at SP4 or higher. The ECU never really gets a chance to adjust to this much fuel under these circumstances.

With this in mind, I've changed how I'm using the ETC. As of Wednesday I've started ensuring I have the thing set to SP2 every time I drive the car, I'm going to do this for another week or so, then advance it to SP3 etc until I reach SP5. I'll report back on how the car does, the bogging has been reduced so I think I'm on the right track.

-Sean

I actually emailed a mod a few weeks ago asking under what conditions I could post another review since the DIY/review i had written got deleted...I never got a response but I'm glad to see there's another review up now. Looks like you were pretty thorough in your review, Sean. Dont have much to add except I was also having the bogging issue. I didnt mention it it my my review because I didn't experience it until I had been using the unit for a while for some reason. Never did figure out the issue because I stopeed using it once I started running a fi/c...yeah heads up the fi/c users, the fi/c prevents the TWP controller from working correctly...I'm sure there is a way around it but I was getting pretty annoyed with the bogging issue so I didnt bother experimenting.
Aside from the bogging issue, while I was using the unit, I was very pleased with it. I really like how many different settings there were allowing one to really fine tune the curve.
I also want to share some graphs I made. While I was using the unit I took some time to map out the shapes of some different modes. The TWP display reads throttle position at the pedal, whereas my ScanGuageII reads the TPS at the throttle body. This allowed me to compare how the the TWP controller changed how the throttle body reacts to pedal position:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb33/acamden/ETC/TPSgraph.jpg

again the the Throttle Position % (y-axis) is given by the ScanGuage II, and the Pedal Position % (x-axis) is given by the TWP throttle controller

As you can see I did not map all the different levels because it took a fair amount of time for each curve and I didn't want the graph to get too crowded...but at least this gives an idea of exactly whats going on :-)

Good work on the graph x Batman x:clap: I thought this controller allowed the throttle to open 100%?

Good work on the graph x Batman x:clap: I thought this controller allowed the throttle to open 100%?

suppously it does, i have it but never really tested it for %100 open throttle i can say though if you put it in SP7 and go WOT is feels like WOT the car moves really quick

I actually emailed a mod a few weeks ago asking under what conditions I could post another review since the DIY/review i had written got deleted...I never got a response but I'm glad to see there's another review up now. Looks like you were pretty thorough in your review, Sean. Dont have much to add except I was also having the bogging issue. I didnt mention it it my my review because I didn't experience it until I had been using the unit for a while for some reason. Never did figure out the issue because I stopeed using it once I started running a fi/c...yeah heads up the fi/c users, the fi/c prevents the TWP controller from working correctly...I'm sure there is a way around it but I was getting pretty annoyed with the bogging issue so I didnt bother experimenting.
Aside from the bogging issue, while I was using the unit, I was very pleased with it. I really like how many different settings there were allowing one to really fine tune the curve.
I also want to share some graphs I made. While I was using the unit I took some time to map out the shapes of some different modes. The TWP display reads throttle position at the pedal, whereas my ScanGuageII reads the TPS at the throttle body. This allowed me to compare how the the TWP controller changed how the throttle body reacts to pedal position:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb33/acamden/ETC/TPSgraph.jpg

again the the Throttle Position % (y-axis) is given by the ScanGuage II, and the Pedal Position % (x-axis) is given by the TWP throttle controller

As you can see I did not map all the different levels because it took a fair amount of time for each curve and I didn't want the graph to get too crowded...but at least this gives an idea of exactly whats going on :-)

Thanks for all the Details Drew, it's also good to know that it's not working with the FIC. You should loan it to Ben to test with his Hydra, once it's back on the road :)

-Sean

suppously it does, i have it but never really tested it for %100 open throttle i can say though if you put it in SP7 and go WOT is feels like WOT the car moves really quick


Agreed, I was playing with a 'Vette the weekend I installed it; not that I won, but it was a lot more than I expected out of the car.

-Sean

Oh good call I'll talk to ben about doin that some time. Also I don't actually recall TWP claiming that the controller would provide the capability to open the TB more than stock... I am certain that they always made it clear that the unit would not provide any hp gains... Just better throttle response and feel...

Oh good call I'll talk to ben about doin that some time. Also I don't actually recall TWP claiming that the controller would provide the capability to open the TB more than stock... I am certain that they always made it clear that the unit would not provide any hp gains... Just better throttle response and feel...

yes exactly, but we can both say for sure or at least i can say it make the car come alive in the higher sporting modes,i think it just allows you to get the full potential of your bolt ons or turbo or even the motor itself t,im just NA with basic bolts on's and use SP2 and SP3 and feels really good when im on the gas and going through the gears,im just hoping the next version will have that memory mode back cause it is a pain sometimes to remeber to switch back to sporting mode after the shut the car off

Yours doesn't remember what setting it was in?? Mine did... Where are you getting your 12v constant from?

Yours doesn't remember what setting it was in?? Mine did... Where are you getting your 12v constant from?

well the first unit it did when it was first released,but after a few weeks i having it,i noticed while in was in the sporting modes,while driving it would convert back to normal mode even though i didnt tell it too,it kept doing it and actually made me stall a few times,so i contacted twp they took care of me and try to trouble shoot the issue i resetted the ecu a few times as well as reprogramed the unit and nothing work,so they sent me a new unit which was the second version without the memory mode i guess they got some nasty emails regrading people borrowing the car and it would be left in SP7 mode and people crash the car or something,so they reprogrammed there unit so when the car it turned off it goes back to stock mode each and every time,but my new unit it working good,gonna pick up the new unit in aug with there new flat display and the memory mode back and suppose to corrospond with the ECU better

the bogging is from the car, not the controller. the fuel cuts on rapid shifts. i can bog mine in any rpm if i kick the clutch too quick. 07up got jacked. and no i dont own this product.

I never experienced bogging because of rapid shifts. Usually happened when cruising in 3rd or 4th at ~3k rpm. Felt like the the controller randomly got set to an Ec mode even though it still read SP4 (or whatever it was set at)... problem went away after I would come to a stop and start moving again though
*shrug*

I bought mine when they first came out. Till this day i love it. I have a Auto Tc, so it makes it fun for me to drive at like SP 5 or higher. i love the quick response at take off. hehe.

I bought mine when they first came out. Till this day i love it. I have a Auto Tc, so it makes it fun for me to drive at like SP 5 or higher. i love the quick response at take off. hehe.

for us 5 speed gies SP5 or higher feels like where driving a auto everything is so smooth

i have mine at SP3 which is plenty im not in no hurry but feels really good,but gas milage it hurts hehehe

I actually emailed a mod a few weeks ago asking under what conditions I could post another review since the DIY/review i had written got deleted...I never got a response but I'm glad to see there's another review up now. Looks like you were pretty thorough in your review, Sean. Dont have much to add except I was also having the bogging issue. I didnt mention it it my my review because I didn't experience it until I had been using the unit for a while for some reason. Never did figure out the issue because I stopeed using it once I started running a fi/c...yeah heads up the fi/c users, the fi/c prevents the TWP controller from working correctly...I'm sure there is a way around it but I was getting pretty annoyed with the bogging issue so I didnt bother experimenting.
Aside from the bogging issue, while I was using the unit, I was very pleased with it. I really like how many different settings there were allowing one to really fine tune the curve.
I also want to share some graphs I made. While I was using the unit I took some time to map out the shapes of some different modes. The TWP display reads throttle position at the pedal, whereas my ScanGuageII reads the TPS at the throttle body. This allowed me to compare how the the TWP controller changed how the throttle body reacts to pedal position:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb33/acamden/ETC/TPSgraph.jpg

again the the Throttle Position % (y-axis) is given by the ScanGuage II, and the Pedal Position % (x-axis) is given by the TWP throttle controller

As you can see I did not map all the different levels because it took a fair amount of time for each curve and I didn't want the graph to get too crowded...but at least this gives an idea of exactly whats going on :-)


I thought that the throttle controller would allow us to gain the ability to actually hit 100% open on the throttle as opposed to the Toyota setting of having the maximum at 80%.

the bogging is from the car, not the controller.


I completely disagree with this statement.

1. You don't own the product so how can you say for sure.
2. The bogging happens to me usually at low RPMs in slow traffic. For example, I'm in fourth and slow down to 35 for whatever reason, then apply the gas (no shifting) and the car bogs and eventually will go. In "normal mode" same gear, same speed, this doesn't happen at all.

the fuel cuts on rapid shifts. i can bog mine in any rpm if i kick the clutch too quick. 07up got jacked. and no i dont own this product.

I call BS, why would you even do this?

I didn't get to drop my battery this weekend, too busy driving the car. Will have to try it this coming weekend.

-Sean

x2 on what Sean said, see my above post for similar experience description

I completely disagree with this statement.

1. You don't own the product so how can you say for sure.
2. The bogging happens to me usually at low RPMs in slow traffic. For example, I'm in fourth and slow down to 35 for whatever reason, then apply the gas (no shifting) and the car bogs and eventually will go. In "normal mode" same gear, same speed, this doesn't happen at all.



I call BS, why would you even do this?

I didn't get to drop my battery this weekend, too busy driving the car. Will have to try it this coming weekend.

-Seangoogle search tc bogging, it's a verry old problem having to do with fuel cut for 07 up. the controller might just trigger the same thing.

google search tc bogging, it's a verry old problem having to do with fuel cut for 07 up. the controller might just trigger the same thing.
i will be driving on the highway and i will let my foot off the gas to slow down alittle then easily hit the gas and it bogs down to where it starts to Stop the car and slow it down....

google search tc bogging, it's a verry old problem having to do with fuel cut for 07 up. the controller might just trigger the same thing.


Well I found two hits on page 1, both for 2009s after tune-ups, nothing on the 07.

I have had similar thoughts about the fuel-cut, but I've only ever triggered it in two ways:

1. Taking a hard turn with minimal gas left in the car (less than 2 gallons)
2. Redlining the car on the track.

I will say that the behavior with the ETC feels EXACTLY the same as how the car responds in 1 above.

-Sean

so did anyone ever find a resolution to the bogging issue? i installed the ver 1 controller yesterday and have noticed the occasional delay in throttle, doesnt really bog too bad but its still kinda annoying. also, does the ecu really need to adjust to a part the should only affect throttle position? idk, ill give it some time

Here are some steps for ATC to better calibrate w/ your ECU.

1. Pls disconnect your battery for 20-30 mins before installation
2.After installation, pls make sure all connection are firm and tight, nothing dangling or loose.
3. Pls go through the programming process step by step. Remember to hold the button longer (Pls refer to millardmt's (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=185548&highlight=throttle+controller&page=4) review #79)
4. Pls start from sp1 and gradually up so that ECU can learn to work w/ ATC.

Sincerely,
TWP

thanks. i really do like the product so far though. easy install and looks nice.

Well I went through and tried to slowly adjust up to SP3, but it's too boggy in rush hour traffic to keep it that way above SP2.

At this point I only use the ETC when I have open road and won't be spending a lot of time at low RPMs.

I will be doing some passes down the drag strip next month, I'll get some comparisons of ET vs ETC settings. If I Can find a safe way to secure my iPhone 4 I'll get some pocket Dyno results as well.

-Sean

1 more question.

Does it happen to MT owners only??

Pls do let us know.

Sincerely,
TWP

Well I went through and tried to slowly adjust up to SP3, but it's too boggy in rush hour traffic to keep it that way above SP2.

At this point I only use the ETC when I have open road and won't be spending a lot of time at low RPMs.

I will be doing some passes down the drag strip next month, I'll get some comparisons of ET vs ETC settings. If I Can find a safe way to secure my iPhone 4 I'll get some pocket Dyno results as well.

-Sean


very interested in seeing drag comparisons, bump

very interested in seeing drag comparisons, bump

If your in town on 10/2 hit me up, I've got a Subie for you to race :)

-Sean

1 more question.

Does it happen to MT owners only??

Pls do let us know.

Sincerely,
TWP

Panson,

From what I can tell no one has done this to an automatic as of yet.

-Sean

mine is auto. only issue is sometimes from a stop if you gently accelerate, you dont get any respense until about 40% throttle. Also, maybe 2 or 3 times i've been cruising and punch it but get no response, but if i let off copletely and gun it it goes away and takes off just fine

watching. i just installed and programmed mine a couple days ago. I'm an auto so i'll chime in when i can

i have a manual 2009 and haven't noticed any of the bogging issues and i leave mine on SP3 or i kick it to SP7 no where in between tho. the only thing i noticed was when you first start the car you have to give it a second to like initialize otherwise u have to push the pedal like 50% to get it to respond.

I replaced my plugs over the weekend (car is at 63K) went with a set of E3 plugs, a definite improvement in throttle response from what I had before in general, I did still get some bogging at low RPMs but it was reduced. considering pulling the TB and seeing how dirty it is after 63K and possibly cleaning it up.

-Sean

i have a manual 2009 and haven't noticed any of the bogging issues and i leave mine on SP3 or i kick it to SP7 no where in between tho. the only thing i noticed was when you first start the car you have to give it a second to like initialize otherwise u have to push the pedal like 50% to get it to respond.

Same with me, when you start your car just wait about 10 to 15 seconds. I stalled before when using EC5 in the streets, and restarted the car to try and get away from all the sham, but it just takes awhile before response is normal again. Also been using this product for probably 2 years now, and i got no complants, besides having to adjust/press it to SP5 every time i turn off the car.

I replaced my plugs over the weekend (car is at 63K) went with a set of E3 plugs, a definite improvement in throttle response from what I had before in general, I did still get some bogging at low RPMs but it was reduced. considering pulling the TB and seeing how dirty it is after 63K and possibly cleaning it up.

-Sean

How are those plugs working for you? I used them in my 2006 tc and they were awful, i replaced my NGK IR's within 50 miles of use. Returned them and got some NGK IRX (Lazers), which were double the price:x. Also used the E3's on my friends 2005 corolla S, and his car started to misfire at higher rpms and even died while the car was in motion. First thing we checked was the plugs, and 3 of the 4 were burnt around the ceramic part, returned them and got IRX's and problem fixed. Also only had 32,000 miles on them.

ive been DD on on SP7 for about a year or so now then mine started getting all messed up but they replaced it right away no questions

lol daily driving with full throttle? careful man

lol it makes it so much more fun to drive thats for sure but its hard to start up sometimes when easing the clutch out of shifting into second
other then that its pretty fun except 1st gear sucks when accelerating because the tires just spin

Can you use the TWP throttle controller and the scangaugeII at the same time?

no because you only have 1 OBD port and the throttle controller plugs into it

What should i get then the ETC or the scangauge?

I believe there are instructions on how to hardwire the etc on to you car for whenever you turn it on on the website where it sells at. Its just 2 wires that takes use of the obd2 so im thinking positive/negative maybe? Check it out maybe yall get it better than i do haha

Can you use the TWP throttle controller and the scangaugeII at the same time?

Yes, either hardwire it to the electrical system, or buy an obd2 splitter.

What should i get then the ETC or the scangauge?

If you have an android phone:http://torque-bhp.com/
You would still need to hardwire or a splitter though.:P

If you have an android phone:http://torque-bhp.com/
You would still need to hardwire or a splitter though.:P

So if i use the splitter thing it will work fine? No need to hardwire?

So if i use the splitter thing it will work fine? No need to hardwire?

Correct, the only thing the Throttle Controller is pulling from the ODB II port is power. If you were to say pull up the center console, ans splice into the cigarette lighter you would get the same results You will need a separate ground, there is a ground point in the kick panel on both sides of the front of the car.

I ran the E3 plugs fine never had an issue, car ran fine with the throttle controller for the last year. Most of the time I jsut ignored it, but I did use it every few weeks. I just sold the tC with the controller in it. :icon_headphones:

-Sean

I just bought this etc the new model it easy to install but i have a problem i dont know how to do the backing connection. Pls help me where can i tap the blue wire for the backkinh connection. Btw the backing connection lets the module know that ur on reverse and it will automatically set ur etc to normal then when u shift to first or any gear it will go back to the last set mode. Pls help me post some pix to on where to tap the wire so its much easier lol. And thnx in advance

just don't hook it up, thats what i did

I need help!!! I installed it follow the step by step but when i tried it it doesnt power up what should i do? I connected it to the obd2 nd the etc doesnt power up!!