Its a fairly common complaint. If you drive aggressively more often the 'learning' ecu should speed it up some.

 

Also search the site. There is at least one thread with comments from someone who has a throttle controller who loves it

 

One of those someone(s) with Throttle Controller is me.

Here's your choices for a HUGE improvement in Throttle Response

Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Throttle-Co...troller-E-Drive-Accelerator-Booster-For-Corolla-DMax-Camry-SIrion-/152505089323
Or just search "Camry Throttle Controller" There are a few brands out there, but this one is identical to Weapon-R's version.

Weapon-R I-Throttle: Website for 2X the ebay unit which is identical... or just search for sale on this forum or the internet. You'd be better off getting the Ebay version. I have two camry V6 (07 Ebay Unit & 11 Weapon-R) that perform identically.

-TiM

 

One of those someone(s) with Throttle Controller is me.

Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Throttle-Co...troller-E-Drive-Accelerator-Booster-For-Corolla-DMax-Camry-SIrion-/152505089323

-TiM

So, you would say this is worth the money? Is this basically an electronic shift kit?

 

sounds like the OP's describing the common lazy downshifting problem that according to Toyota, didn't start until 2007 but i assure you was present in 06, and probably 05, since that's when they went to the 5 speed transmissions.
tony

 

I think the main reason they did this was because the 2GR-FE V6 engine was used in both Lexus and Toyota with next to no changes for years. They had to put in some "Granny Mode" changes to the Camry's powertrain - just they put way too much Granny into it. Get that throttle controller and you'll understand why Lexus has the POWER/SNOW switch already built in. Your camry was just missing this feature that the i-Throttle and variants add.
Super easy to install but that grin and HUGE power feel will be hard to hide! :grin: >

 

interesting...have seen multiple posts and tsb's saying the trans needs a kit to change the gear shifting to get rid of the lag/neutral hang time on downshifting but this is the first i'd heard that a throttle controller would fix it. will need to investigate further.
tony

 

Toyota can't make good drive by wire systems with their V6 cars.
My Lexus GS350 is no exception. There is some throttle lag, but its not as bad as the old Lexus ES330 with the 3.3L I had before.

 

UPDATE!
Thanks everyone for their input. I got the Weapon R Throttle controller and here is my cut and dry conclusion: Throttle response in the zero to 50ish mph range was SIGNIFICANTLY improved. So much so that any rain means i have to turn it back to "normal" mode. Highway driving...eh. There used to be nearly a 3 second lag waiting for downshift when applying full throttle at highway speeds. I would say that lag has been cut in half. So the lag is still a bit annoying but at least i can pass more confidently. I will say on my 02 V6 camry I have absolutely zero acceleration lag and honestly prefer driving that over my girlfriends 08.

 

UPDATE!
I will say on my 02 V6 camry I have absolutely zero acceleration lag and honestly prefer driving that over my girlfriends 08.

Thanks for your input on the throttle controller. Now I know there's a potential solution for these Toyota accelerator pedals that feel so unresponsive.

Curious you mention the 02 V6 has little lag, despite it being drive by wire?
I was considering the Gen 5 V6 as a beater car, but am worried about the lag. Haven been through the Lexus ES330 with terrible tranny and throttle lag, I a bit hesitant to try one again only to get fed up with it in stop and go traffic...

 

Honestly my 02 V6 truly has no lag. I smash the pedal to the floor and it immediately accelerates. Now, keep in mind it's still the slower car. I think I have 190 or 200 HP, where the 08 has 270. But, strictly speaking throttle response, my 02 responds in less than a second. I've even timed it (as best I could) And, at 50mph, my 02 downshifts in about .8 seconds, where as my girlfriends 08 literally averaged anywhere from 2.5 to 2.8 seconds before kicking in.

 

guys, are you talking about a lag in engine rpm rise when you push the pedal to the floor or are you talking about a slowness in the transmission to downshift?
tony

 

The lag of throttle response. Which seems to be a slow response from the transmission since once it actually kicks in, the engine is balls to the wall. It takes way to long to find the gear it's looking for when full throttle is applied.

 

that's what i thought - a lazy transmission downshift at wot. cause a throttle lag would lag even in park in the driveway at wot.

since we're trying to address a transmission shifting problem or design feature to make shifts more smoother, or whatever reasoning toyota used when they put this crappy 5 speed trans in their cars in 05, seems like you'd need to address that with a shift kit or something specific to the trans, rather than an engine throttle controller, which deals with a component of the engine.

we call it 'butt dino' when something 'feels' like its an improvement but i hope someone can explain how an engine throttle controller can make the transmission shift correctly - as it's confusing to me.
tony

 

It absolutely is the butt dino effect as far as real power goes but the breaking traction under 50% throttle is not just perception, that is real. And I can't explain it mechanically but basically with the throttle controller the concept is that at 50% true throttle, it's tricking it into a higher percentage based on the power level you select. And by no means is the "lag" irradiated. It's just noticeably improved.

 

Plan your passing maneuvers more accordingly.

If it is a slow to downshift transmissions, verify your vin for any drivetrain TSBs or recalls. If all are complete, install a VB mod:
http://www.sonnax.com/parts/3502-zip-kit
http://www.transgo.com/products.php?homeinclude=catalog&category_id=186&parent_id=45&product_id=274

Fresh fluid helps transmission to be more responsive too.

I don't care for throttle modules. All they do is trick the drive-by-wire to think that the throttle is further down than it is. Learning ECU becomes more aggressive since it controls how quickly the TB opens.

I'd rather have the TB punched out and cleaned up:
http://www.maxbore.com/

Btw, if engine is dirty from bad fuel/oil, or out of tune from clogged air filter or worn sparkplugs, or instigating knock sensor from bad t-stat/radiator/coolant/fuel line, then I would start there 1st.

Toyota drive-by-wire has improved. My '08 2gr has lag when punched to the floor. My '11 doesn't.

 

Good Info, but...

Plan your passing maneuvers more accordingly.

......

Fresh fluid helps transmission to be more responsive too.

I don't care for throttle modules. All they do is trick the drive-by-wire to think that the throttle is further down than it is. Learning ECU becomes more aggressive since it controls how quickly the TB opens.

Btw, if engine is dirty from bad fuel/oil, or out of tune from clogged air filter or worn sparkplugs, or instigating knock sensor from bad t-stat/radiator/coolant/fuel line, then I would start there 1st.

Toyota drive-by-wire has improved. My '08 2gr has lag when punched to the floor. My '11 doesn't.

So all of this is excellent info, but likely way beyond the ability of the majority of us. I can completely agree that there's a near 90% chance people don't EVER change out their Trans Fluid as a scheduled maintenance item and if they do, it's a partial drain and fill as described over and over on this forum. (I've done this on my 07 Camry V6 and it was pretty easy and certainly did improve Trans feel, but the downshift problem remained)

I can't stress enough how incredibly simple it is to install the Weapon-R iThrottle or similar type item. It truly is plug&play. I hard wired mine to the OBD-II Diag connector's wires which was the hardest part - added a whole 10 minutes to the install. :grin:
Now as far as the "Butt Feel" our fellow TN members have expressed, I can only partly agree with this one. Yes, the trans lag is still there, but not nearly as "Butt Clenching" as it used to be making expected/planned/unplanned Freeway Passes. My 2011 Camry SE V6 was a very smooth sailing vehicle before I added the iThrottle so Toyota has certaily addressed some of the known trans/throttle issues or maybe just tuned them up for the SE model; but now with 150K+ miles on it, it is a very different & much more pleasing to drive car. I know deep down it's still a Camry and no Camaro killer, but for my daily driver, adding a throttle controller was the easiest choice.
Next up is the trans fluid exchange. This car has a real trans pan while my 07 XLE V6 did not- so still debating a full pan drop and filter swap. I really hate unscrewing and re-tightening all those small bolts. Way too many areas for small leaks. I've heard of others adding an inline filter between the radiator and trans on other cars- not too sure on that one for the Camry... Either way, the lack of filter on my 07 and it has 200K miles on it, I'd be willing to say a filter is somewhat unnecessary on modern aluminum trans. Just swap out a few quarts (typically ~3 quarts using the fill/drain bolts) every 20K miles or so and you should be good to go.

It is however really good to know there are valve rebuild kits out there. :smile:

 

Had this conversation in my thread. People use pedal boosters such as weapon r and pedal commander. I use Sprint Booster V3