Without a doubt, a Chevy Silverado has been one of the best-selling General Motors vehicles. This is mainly because the Silverado has always had more than enough space for both driver and passengers while being more than powerful enough to tow heavy loads. The practicality of the Silverado has also been upgraded with the newest generation model as it now comes with a lot of tie-down points coupled with a large bed capacity. But Silverados have a rougher ride than competitor trucks and their trim levels are not always as giving. One way to fix the former is to make use of a throttle controller.
Throttle Controllers
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How They Work
Throttle controllers are made to be hooked up to your Silverado's ECU which means they only operate on models with motorized throttle and not mechanical. This means that a Chevrolet Silverado throttle controller works by sending a signal to the ECU that is different from what the pedal box would send. With a throttle controller, the signal from the pedal box goes to the controller first and then it's sent to the ECU.
Benefits
You'd think that the way a throttle controller works, it would slow down your Silverado but, in fact, it does quite the opposite. It helps sharpen the throttle response of your heavy truck and thus it makes it perform a lot better. This faster throttle response is what will also make your Silverado use less fuel.
A more refined response means that you can use your Silverado for heavy towing with some extra HP on your side. You'll definitely feel a big difference in how your Silverado feels both on and off the road. This is because you also have the option to set the controller in different modes to fit the style of driving you're doing.
Types of Throttle Controllers
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Basic
When you want a Chevrolet Silverado throttle controller that will only act as a throttle body controller, then a basic controller is all you need. Although there's nothing special about them, that's exactly what makes basic throttle controllers desirable as they are considered to be more reliable. Alongside being a throttle control module, a pedal commander, as it's also called, allows you to create a limited number of modes. But not all of them have this functionality as others come with more than just 3 or 4 modes.
Advanced
If you want something that's going to give you more freedom when it comes to mode creation and selection, then consider going for an advanced throttle controller. Also known as power programmers or power tuners, these controllers are equipped with built-in screens too.
Other than being able to create multiple modes and adjust all kinds of parameters within them, advanced throttle controllers come with special gauges. These can show throttle response time various temperature levels and so on. But what's also interesting is that you can find somewhat will work with your Silverado's backup camera.
How to Install a Throttle Controller in Your Silverado
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1. No matter the type of Chevrolet Silverado throttle controller you go for it will be the easiest-to-install performance upgrade since you don't need any tools or expertise. Not all throttle controllers are installed the same though but the process is mainly the same.
2. First you need to remove the connector that goes to the back of the gas pedal. Then you need to get the cable of the controller itself and plug it in the same spot as the original pedal box connector.
3. Once the above connection has been made, there's one more thing you need to do in order to install your throttle controller. That is to plug in, what is known as the piggyback connector, into the back of the cable you just plugged into the gas pedal. With that done all you need to do is plug the original connector into the piggyback connector and you're done.
4. To ensure that the cable coming from the controller doesn't get tangled between your legs, make sure to route it through the steering column. This way you will conceal the cable and make your dashboard look cleaner. With that done, attach the controller on the dashboard of your Silverado with some double-sided tape and you're ready for the set-up process.
Setting Up a Throttle Controller
1. To set up a throttle controller it's best to follow the provided instructions but again, the process is mostly the same on all controllers. Once you have the controller connected properly, you should turn on the engine as well as the controller.
2. Then you need to follow the on-screen or on-paper instructions to make sure you put the controller in the right mode and select the right type of transmission. Typically, you'll need to select either a number or a letter, that corresponds with the type of transmission your Silverado comes with.
