GR86 Overly sensitive throttle mapping - Solution found :-)

[Conscript]

Yes it makes use of a lot more of the pedal travel and therefore removes 90% of that 'on/off' feel that it can give. Double check but I am pretty sure they'll accept returns within 14 days if not happy with the product, it would have to go back to Germany but for the cost of some airmail it sounds like its worth a try.
If you're in the Surrey area (Woking) give me a shout as you're welcome to take a look before buying, on that note, they have regular sales so I saved quite a bit. I paid £150 for the XLR5 and £50 for the bluetooth controller, to be honest unless you want to change the settings on a regular basis then the app works well enough and I think it comes with an analogue wired controller as standard. For me I havent even paired the bluetooth controller as dont have a need for it.

Thanks, I may take you up on that. I'm in Kent, but Woking isn't too far for a tryout.

 

[sim61]

For anyone interested in this, the price is currently reduced to £179 for the XLR5.

 

[Conscript]

Hmm. Tempting.

 

[Conscript]

Curiosity got the better of me and I ordered one of these. It arrived today. Fitting and setup was easy. I've only taken the car for a short run around the block, but it does seem like the throttle is smoother and more progressive (using the Eco mode without any fine tuning). Sport feels a bit like stock. Race feels far too aggressive. Was worried that it would dull the response too much and make pulling away from a standstill harder, but thankfully not. In fact, probably makes it easier as you can be a bit more positive with the throttle without worrying about over revving.

Bit early to make a full judgement yet, but I'm going to run with it for a week or two and see how I get on with my normal driving routines, around junctions and places where I've found the OEM throttle to be a bit of a hindrance, etc. I figure if I can forget the box is plugged in and it makes driving more comfortable, then that will be a win.

 

[benzz280]

Curiosity got the better of me and I ordered one of these. It arrived today. Fitting and setup was easy. I've only taken the car for a short run around the block, but it does seem like the throttle is smoother and more progressive (using the Eco mode without any fine tuning). Sport feels a bit like stock. Race feels far too aggressive. Was worried that it would dull the response too much and make pulling away from a standstill harder, but thankfully not. In fact, probably makes it easier as you can be a bit more positive with the throttle without worrying about over revving.

Bit early to make a full judgement yet, but I'm going to run with it for a week or two and see how I get on with my normal driving routines, around junctions and places where I've found the OEM throttle to be a bit of a hindrance, etc. I figure if I can forget the box is plugged in and it makes driving more comfortable, then that will be a win.

Do try heel n toe and see if the box made a difference there since on stock agressive map it tends to overrev making it hard to match engine speed sometimes, for me at least.

 

[Conscript]

Do try heel n toe and see if the box made a difference there since on stock agressive map it tends to overrev making it hard to match engine speed sometimes, for me at least.

I did give it a quick try once, and it seemed more difficult as the pedal needs more of a jab...however I was never very good at heel and toe anyway, and I wasn't really driving in anger. I'll try and get out for a more spirited drive at the weekend and see how it feels when I can be more positive with it.

 

[Noel McC]

Interesting development - thanks for posting!

Hi - grab a cuppa...

So a side subject of 'Jerky acceleration when cold?' which might help those who like me feel the throttle is too sensitive and aggressive in many situations. For me it is a bit of a pain when driving in traffic or slow situations and a jaunt across Wales showed it up in my opinion that it really lacked the tactile mid corner adjustability that you really want from a sports car, especially if like me you were driving in the wet and cold!
Long story short its been a bug bear of mine since day 1 and has caused me to contemplate selling the 86 many times as it just wasnt that enjoyable for me.

By chance I came across Race Chips and specifically this throttle mapping product https://racechipuk.co.uk/racechip-xlr5-controller-toyota-gr-86-zn8-from-2021-2-4-234-hp-172-kw/
So I thought I'd take a punt and see what happens after chatting to the company, while the aim of this throttle controller is to sharpen throttle response and give a more sporty feel, it also said it could reduce the sensitivity by using the 'eco / eco+' mode...

Long story short, took about 2 mins to disconnect the factory throttle link and insert this XLR5 controller. Then about 5-10 mins to set it up via the app, basically you map the minimum and maximum throttle position and the XLR can then use that range to amend/adapt the throttle according to the setting you set.

It defaults to 'sport' so I set sport to the 'eco+' level which is the most docile throttle setting and after trying it with eco+, eco and sport settled on eco+ as my default. The throttle now opens gently and progressively, you can hold specific revs and ease acceleration out of a corner without the factory 'on / off' feel.

I also took the car for a service a few days later and removed it in seconds, no problems were thrown up from the service so as per the company claim, once removed its not traceable.

I took the car for a 'test drive' once installed and for the first time in over 2 years kept looking for more roads to drive rather than just getting frustrated and going home! Its smoother overall too in delivery, I wouldnt say it is as good as a Porsche throttle but I would recommend it if you feel the 86 throttle pedal is too sensitive or not adjustable enough.
I did also get the 'controller' which didnt work so I sent it back, I dont actually think you need it unless you want to change the set up while driving and not use the app.

Thanks, I’ve one ordered.

 

[Noel McC]

I did give it a quick try once, and it seemed more difficult as the pedal needs more of a jab...however I was never very good at heel and toe anyway, and I wasn't really driving in anger. I'll try and get out for a more spirited drive at the weekend and see how it feels when I can be more positive with it.

@Conscript Well, how do you like it now? I’ve ordered one

 

[Conscript]

@Conscript Well, how do you like it now? I’ve ordered one

Pretty good so far. Still using the Eco setting, and it does make the car easier to drive smoothly and without having to be super delicate. I went for a drive this morning and while you have to adjust a little to giving more throttle input, I do think it's smoother and easier to modulate. Tomorrow I might try the fine tuning option above Eco and see if that's better.

 

[GRistopher]

Yesterday I was accelerating from traffic lights up to speed in a 40mph zone. not quickly. However, when i changed into third, the revs / torque continued to increase, despite me applying gradually less throttle. almost felt like the throttle was stuck on. I'm guessing this was because my decrease in applied throttle wasn't actually doing anything as I wasn't moving in the top few % of the pedal travel.

The XLR5 is becoming a more enticing proposition.

 

[benzz280]

Yesterday I was accelerating from traffic lights up to speed in a 40mph zone. not quickly. However, when i changed into third, the revs / torque continued to increase, despite me applying gradually less throttle. almost felt like the throttle was stuck on. I'm guessing this was because my decrease in applied throttle wasn't actually doing anything as I wasn't moving in the top few % of the pedal travel.

The XLR5 is becoming a more enticing proposition.

i think thats rev hang and dont think xlr5 can fix that issue

 

[Noel McC]

Pretty good so far. Still using the Eco setting, and it does make the car easier to drive smoothly and without having to be super delicate. I went for a drive this morning and while you have to adjust a little to giving more throttle input, I do think it's smoother and easier to modulate. Tomorrow I might try the fine tuning option above Eco and see if that's better.

@Conscript Cheers... I got and fitted mine today. I am Running it in Sport mode. And I like it. The setting up calibrating of the fully closed and fully open positions is what I think makes the throttle more far linear over the pedal travel. The modes then adjusts the responsiveness.

 

[Noel McC]

@SJR202 Thanks. I got one. I like it. The calibrating setting the fully closed and fully open positions of the throttle is what I think makes the throttle nicer and more linear.

 

[Noel McC]

My thoughts exactly. If the car can actually report throttle position beyond the current 50% or so of range and this tool can use that range then fantastic. If it's just altering the curve within the same range then I can see some benefit, but not as much.

@kalniel An XLR5 has to be taught your fully closed and fully open throttle positions. This is how it then fixes using the whole range of the throttle pedal travel. I like mine. SPORT mode is even an improvement over not having the XLR5 fitted.

 

[kalniel]

@kalniel An XLR5 has to taught your fully closed and fully open throttle positions. This is how it then fixes using the whole range of the throttle pedal travel. I like mine. SPORT mode is even an improvement over not having the XLR5 fitted.

That's dependant on the sensor reporting the position so that the tool can register it.. if you're saying the pedal sensor does indeed report values for the whole reach of travel then amazing. I'd have expected it not to bother, given so much isn't used and it adds tolerance not to.

 

[Conscript]

@kalniel An XLR5 has to taught your fully closed and fully open throttle positions. This is how it then fixes using the whole range of the throttle pedal travel. I like mine. SPORT mode is even an improvement over not having the XLR5 fitted.

I'm still using Eco at the moment. I tried Eco-S (which is one 'up' from Eco I gather?) and it didn't feel quite right. I might try the main Sport mode, but I think that will be too sharp. Eco is good and definitely makes driving smoother, but I do miss having it be a bit more responsive sometimes, but perhaps I've spent so long being delicate with the throttle I just need to get used to it. No pleasing some people

 

[Noel McC]

That's dependant on the sensor reporting the position so that the tool can register it.. if you're saying the pedal sensor does indeed report values for the whole reach of travel then amazing. I'd have expected it not to bother, given so much isn't used and it adds tolerance not to.

@kalniel It definitely uses more of the throttle pedal travel.

 

[Noel McC]

I'm still using Eco at the moment. I tried Eco-S (which is one 'up' from Eco I gather?) and it didn't feel quite right. I might try the main Sport mode, but I think that will be too sharp. Eco is good and definitely makes driving smoother, but I do miss having it be a bit more responsive sometimes, but perhaps I've spent so long being delicate with the throttle I just need to get used to it. No pleasing some people

@Conscript I think that Eco S is basically Sport. Even in Sport I feel the very first part of the throttle is more controllable. Sport seems to tie in with the cam timing changes, I feel the car is more drive-able at high rpm as well. I like it. Eco seemed a bit to tame but can see people liking it, especially in traffic.

 

[Conscript]

@Conscript I think that Eco S is basically Sport. Even in Sport I feel the very first part of the throttle is more controllable. Sport seems to tie in with the cam timing changes, I feel the car is more drive-able at high rpm as well. I like it. Eco seemed a bit to tame but can see people liking it, especially in traffic.

Well I tried Sport on the way home and it felt better than Eco S. But still a tad sharp. I switched to Sport Eco and that seemed a bit better. Hard to tell where the modes overlap! But yeah I guess different modes tie in with the engine tuning slightly differently.

I agree, Eco does make it much more relaxing to drive daily but you lose a little of that sporty feeling. I'm still not entirely sold on this yet, I need to find a mode I can settle on for everything, I'm not a fan of multiple driving modes and stuff, so I don't want to be switching constantly.

 

[Noel McC]

Well I tried Sport on the way home and it felt better than Eco S. But still a tad sharp. I switched to Sport Eco and that seemed a bit better. Hard to tell where the modes overlap! But yeah I guess different modes tie in with the engine tuning slightly differently.

I agree, Eco does make it much more relaxing to drive daily but you lose a little of that sporty feeling. I'm still not entirely sold on this yet, I need to find a mode I can settle on for everything, I'm not a fan of multiple driving modes and stuff, so I don't want to be switching constantly.

I pull off and start off in 2nd gear in Sport mode. @Conscript That's it sussed for me. I only use 1st gear on hills and/or if I have 2.7 people in the car.