The 5th generation of Dodge trucks, consisting of the Ram 1500, combine luxury and technology with a 4WD frame in ways that would have been unimaginable in earlier Rams. Not only is it one of the highest regarded examples of niche performance trucks, but with a powerplant lineup that even includes a supercharged, 702HP version of Dodge’s legendary 6.2L Hemi, it’s also one of the most powerful production vehicles of any kind, anywhere.
However, with an average gross vehicle weight (GVW) of over 5,500lbs, these Dodges are also incredibly heavy trucks. Add to that a towing capacity that can, depending on the trim, exceed 12,000lbs, and it’s easy to understand why this isn’t a vehicle you want to experience throttle response lag with.
Throttle lag, in the form of engine hesitation or dead spots in the power curve, isn’t new to the 1500 Ram. Previous generations of Ram owners have wrestled with throttle lag problems too, but it’s the last thing you’d expect from a Hemi-powered vehicle. Fortunately, there’s a simple aftermarket solution that’s designed specifically to allow these powerful Dodge engines to respond to throttle commands the way drivers want them to.
Better Throttle Response for the Ram 1500
If you’re experiencing throttle lag with your 5th generation Ram 1500, then you know that straight-line acceleration is only part of the problem. How snappy your steering is, and, if you have an automatic transmission, when you can expect it to kick down, are all tied to how responsive the throttle is. That’s why more drivers than ever are turning to Ultimate 9’s 5th generation Dodge Ram Electronic Throttle Control unit as the ultimate cure for throttle lag. Their EVC throttle controller provides all-new reference points for your truck’s Engine Control Unit (ECU) throttle mapping, effectively removing the delay between the moment you press the accelerator and the time it takes for the engine to respond. It doesn’t enable you to apply “more” throttle, and it doesn’t have any effect on how much horsepower the Ram’s able to produce.
It simply signals the engine’s throttle body to open quicker; because that minute variation responsive in the opening can make all the difference in the world when you need to change lanes, pass, or are towing a trailer. The EVC Throttle Controller for the Ram 1500 consists of only 2 components: the in-line mapping module and controller display unit. This latest generation of the module, however, now features 4 customizable modes:
- Factory Mode – In factory mode, your truck’s throttle is going to perform under the ECU’s factory throttle response settings.
- Ultimate Mode – This mode offers 9 performance settings that are ideal for putting the full range of Ram 1500 V8 horsepower to use when you’re moving at interstate speed, when you need to merge, or when you’re towing heavy loads.
- Eco Mode – This mode has 9 settings that moderate throttle response for times when you’re taking your Ram 1500 off-road, navigating uneven surfaces, or you just need to feather your truck’s torque to minimize wheel slippage.
- Automatic Control Mode – This mode is unique to EVC’s Dodge electronic Throttle Controller, and is designed to automatically choose the optimum setting based on the amount of pressure being applied to the pedal in “real-time.”
With these 20 custom settings available to choose from, you’re no longer restricted to the ECU’s discretion about how quickly the throttle should respond, even when you need it urgently. EVC’s Throttle Controller returns that decision-making ability entirely to you, the driver, because you’re the ultimate judge of how much throttle is needed.
Why You Have Throttle Response Delay
The thing that’s important to remember about throttle response delay is that it doesn’t indicate that your truck has a defect, or that it’s actively working against you. The factory-mapped, electronic throttle control Dodge installs in its trucks is tasked with delivering the best possible combination of performance and economy inside 3 basic guidelines:
- To prevent the truck from being operated in a manner that could cause bodily harm;
- To prevent the truck from being operated in a manner that could damage the powertrain; and,
- To adhere to fuel economy and emissions standards.
It ultimately means that along with reading the amount of pressure you’re applying to the pedal, your truck is also processing information from a host of different engine and powertrain modules based on parameters such as:
- Your wheel speed;
- Your transmission’s performance;
- Your engine’s load and RPM;
- The amount of airflow already passing through your throttle body; and,
- The powertrain’s adaptive memory from the engine’s first 50 warm-up cycles.
There’s a lot of information being analyzed at all times, and it can lead to an unwanted throttle response lag or delay at a moment when you may need to accelerate instantly. With the Ram’s powerful engine roster, having the horsepower on-demand to get you out of any situation should never be a concern; and with the EVC Throttle Controller, it never has to be.
Installing Your Throttle Controller
An EVC Throttle Controller can be installed in minutes, requires no tools whatsoever to install, and plugs directly in-line with the Ram’s under-dash wiring. It also doesn’t override any of the Ram’s other electrical or safety features. In fact, the most difficult part about installing an EVC is deciding where to mount the controller’s display unit. From beginning to end, the install only takes the following:
Disconnect the Ram’s accelerator pedal from the harness connector to the throttle position sensor;
Replace the sensor’s connector with the matching connector from the EVC module at the rear of the accelerator pedal;
Plug the EVC module’s other matching connector into the harness end for the throttle position sensor;
Mount the adhesive-backed controller display unit to the location you want; and,
Connecting the cable from the controller unit to the newly installed module behind the accelerator pedal.
It’s that simple; and with its intuitive set-up and instructions, you’ll be on the road and marvelling at the chance in no time at all.
The Conclusion
At the end of the day, installing a throttle control unit isn’t about making your truck faster or more powerful than it already is. 5th generation Rams have horsepower and torque to spare: it’s just a matter of ensuring that you’re able to tap into it when you need it … and not a fraction of a second later.
An EVC Dodge Ram Electronic Throttle Control unit from Ultimate 9 is going to put all that power at your immediate disposal at just the push of a button. It’s the best, and most effective performance modification you can make to your truck, and you’re going to notice the difference from the first time you drop the pedal.
