2008 3.8 throttle enhancer: which is best?
- Thread starter John Cooper
- Start date
I have a Pedal Commander been using it for 5 years, don't know how it compares to others.
Of course he sells his brand so he needs to make his sound better, does he sell his brand for a Jeep?
They're all basically garbage and every car I've driven with one installed essentially feels just like stock with a marginally different throttle response curve. Personally, a 1:1 ratio is the most logical for 99.9% of driving and is easy to predict. Unfortunately, in the age of "lazy transmission" programming (under the guise of "fuel economy"), poor gearing ratios, and drive-by-wire, you just need to get used to your shift points and learn to manipulate the throttle accordingly.
In the case of the 3.8L, it's a minivan engine pushing a brick down the road. If you aren't regeared, start there...
Yes, of course it's available for Jeeps.
If you watched the whole video, he's not just selling his brand, he's settling a fight that Pedal Commander started with actual evidence of how unsafe they are.
Whoever fixed my title, thanks!!!
Stupid phone wouldn't let me edit at work this morning!!!!
I'm not looking for more power, just throttle response.
I do have plans to regear in the future, probably in the next year.
Stupid phone wouldn't let me edit at work this morning!!!!
I'm not looking for more power, just throttle response.
I do have plans to regear in the future, probably in the next year.
barnettd
New Member
The best throttle response I got on my 2008 JKU X was to go from 3.21 to 4.10 gearing on 33" tires. That woke it up.
The pedal control modules do little or nothing. If you want to improve throttle response, start with tire size and gear ratio. Or (and nobody will be surprised when I say this) a V8 swap.
Our recent experiences are:
2011 JKUR with 3.8L and 4:10 differential gears and an A4 and 35" tires. It feels sluggish. But it's responsive enough for my wife, so she drives it.
2013 JKUR with 3.6L, a few engine mods (CAI, exhaust, 93 octane tune) up from 285 to 300HP, 4.10 gears and a M6 with 35's. It's marginal, especially on the highway and mountain passes.
a 2023 JLUR with the 392 Hemi with a bit of engine work (mostly a premium tune) making 500HP, 3.73 gears, an A8, and 37's. The math says I'd be better with 4.88 or 5.13 gears, but I don't see that happening unless I eventually go up to 40's. As it sits, it will spin all 4 on a hard launch. More Power!!!!! is the answer to most performance issues.
Our recent experiences are:
2011 JKUR with 3.8L and 4:10 differential gears and an A4 and 35" tires. It feels sluggish. But it's responsive enough for my wife, so she drives it.
2013 JKUR with 3.6L, a few engine mods (CAI, exhaust, 93 octane tune) up from 285 to 300HP, 4.10 gears and a M6 with 35's. It's marginal, especially on the highway and mountain passes.
a 2023 JLUR with the 392 Hemi with a bit of engine work (mostly a premium tune) making 500HP, 3.73 gears, an A8, and 37's. The math says I'd be better with 4.88 or 5.13 gears, but I don't see that happening unless I eventually go up to 40's. As it sits, it will spin all 4 on a hard launch. More Power!!!!! is the answer to most performance issues.
Last edited:
Even then it was still grossly undergeared , especially if it had a 42RLE
Im probably going to go to 4.88 with the 42rle. That's my next big thing to do to both the JKU and the TJ will get 5.38 when I do it.
barnettd
New Member
Indeed... there aren't any gear ratios on the market to properly gear the 42RLE, with the exception of stock (or near stock) sized tires. I'm about to rebuild the take-outs from my 2008 (D30/44) and prep them for my daughter's 2010 Islander while she's at school. She'll only ever run 33"s, so I'm going with 5.13's to make overdrive useful and not be so gutless on country roads.
I may just have to Hemi swap hers too lol
I've had my Pedal Commander on my 07, 3.8L manual trans, 35" tires for 5 years. It's been dependable and effective for me.
I initially got it when I had 3.21 gears and it helped to a certain extent. Then I got 4.56 gears and my JKU woke up with the combo of both (I do credit the regearing more, but the Pedal Commander helps tremendously). I usually leave it on Sport. Sport+ is a bit much.
I'd get the PC in a heartbeat again. It helps with throttle response. Although... I've heard the cheaper ones like the Hikeit and others on Amazon have brought luck to others.
Just remember, it's not going to add hp or change your life... but, it has been a game changer for me, especially with the regearing. You DEFINITELY will feel a difference. As far as the Banks video... I'd try the Banks too
.
Get one! Even if it is a cheaper Hikeit one from Amazon and upgrade from there. But, if you're not regeared yet... that's the cat's a$$ right there. But, it will cost exponentially more... As in 10-20 times more than a throttle controller.
I initially got it when I had 3.21 gears and it helped to a certain extent. Then I got 4.56 gears and my JKU woke up with the combo of both (I do credit the regearing more, but the Pedal Commander helps tremendously). I usually leave it on Sport. Sport+ is a bit much.
I'd get the PC in a heartbeat again. It helps with throttle response. Although... I've heard the cheaper ones like the Hikeit and others on Amazon have brought luck to others.
Just remember, it's not going to add hp or change your life... but, it has been a game changer for me, especially with the regearing. You DEFINITELY will feel a difference. As far as the Banks video... I'd try the Banks too
. Get one! Even if it is a cheaper Hikeit one from Amazon and upgrade from there. But, if you're not regeared yet... that's the cat's a$$ right there. But, it will cost exponentially more... As in 10-20 times more than a throttle controller.
Last edited:
^this...
I can't help but chuckle when I see comments like "game changing" and then a sentence before or after say something like "it's doesn't add hp" or "it won't change your life but it's totally worth the risk for what your right foot can do in 2-3 inches". I'm under the distinct impression that many Jeepers have simply never driven in a higher-HP rig, or never drove a properly geared Jeep before.
Throttle pedal response is changing, not throttle response. These devices are, essentially, doing nothing more than pressing the throttle pedal down for you. How this "helps tremendously" has never been adequately been put into words that will make me understand what is "game changing".
It's all about turning your brick into a race car, man. We all should have gotten Corvettes instead.
