[narayanang76]

Vayu Bhagwan, aka the god of winds signifies power of air, and his son Anjayeya personifies unimaginable power unleashed through a lot of stories we heard from Ramayana. So when we Indians hear about something called ‘WindBooster’ first thought that comes to our mind may be Anjaneya and Vayu Bhagwan.

Special Thanks to @red_liner and @starter for making me aware and curious with this throttle controller device from Windbooster, during our recent catchup discussions. Even though I wasn’t actively looking for something like this for my Toyota Fortuner 3L 4X4 MT, I started reading about it and watching few YouTube videos reviews from many others. Also, some Team BHP threads on EVC Throttle Controller also helped me to consider this a bit more seriously, to proceed with a buying decision and go ahead with the install. Additionally, the 50% sale that was currently going on the Windbooster Australia website was the final reason for pushing me with this addition to my Fortuner. Also having @redliner also going along ahead with purchase for his Thar CRDe, and he helping me ordering this together was the final nail on my wall.

Justification:
1) Acceleration: My Fortuner is currently 8 years younger clocking 67K kms and its powerful enough for the type of usage and drives that I have so far. So, there wasn’t any real reason for feeling Fortuner being underpowered or to believe that it will need something to boost its driving dynamics. However, I have heard this feedback from many who drove my Fortuner about its linear acceleration, and experiencing that myself, I had asked Nandi Toyota Service guys to check it multiple times and received their standard defensive responses. However, during last 65K service, I had got it checked thoroughly, also got my Fuel Filter replaced, and after that I could feel a bit more life coming back to its driving experience. I had also shared this positive feedback with the Nandi Toyota service guys that I interact with.
2) Driving Style: I am a moderately sedate driver and I believing in maintaining consistent pace on highways rather that hard acceleration and initial pickups. So, I wasn’t looking anything that gives me instant gratification. On this Fortuner I consistently get a FE of 11 to 13 KMPL, during tank fill checks.
3) Gear Shifts: Another observation I had was with my gear shifts. My Fortuner being a Manual car, during shifts to 2nd, 3rd, and 5th gears, I see its rpm dropping and feel mild jerks during those shifts. Now if I take extra care during those shifts, I am able to manage those jerks, so I know it's got to do with my ways of gear shifting.
4) Usage of clutch: During city drives mostly, even though Fortuner has enough torque to maneuver in lower gears, with the presence of speed breakers will force me to further downshift or use clutch to pause and move forward.
5) Modes: Experiencing the driving modes (Eco, iMT) in the recent version of Fortuner, the idea of having this possible in an older version of Fortuner made me curious
6) Acceptance and Presence: Windbooster Throttle controllers from Australia, being widely used across various global countries and its existing presence in India was confidence inspiring
7) Plug n Play install, 100% reversible: Any other changes to vehicle performance, remapping etc. is expensive, and permanent. This Throttle control is a simple Plug n Play device which can be reversed fully.

Alternate options to consider other than Windbooster: I didn’t research/consider them. EVC is popular. Other options are Pedal Commander, Banks Power, Wonvon, iKiKin. GOT Boost in India. Various Chinese options are available through Amazon. Consider their product lineage, international acceptance, support for various car make/models, pricing, support, user feedback and warranty options while deciding.

Windbooster Models: This was a bit confusing, and I wasn’t sure. Windbooster Throttle Controllers are available for different make/model of cars. There are at least 5 different models to choose for my Fortuner, starting with 7-mode entry level model, 5-Mode model, 3S model with 6 modes, 4S model, and their top-of-the-line GT model (with mobile App and BT connectivity). I was curious about their GT / 4S models having Throttle Lock, but with unknown potential complexities decided against it.

Finally went with the mid variant option of 3S model, and the specific version for my Fortuner make/model (IB3S161L). 3S comes with 6 different modes – Normal, Eco, Sport, Sport+, Race, i-Auto. 10 levels of Throttle Adjustability are available for Economy, Sport, Sport+ and Race modes.

Buying Experience: During the research, I saw couple of options available across India, Delhi and Tamil Nadu dealing with Windbooster Throttle Controller. They varied with their prices and warranty offers. Prices varied from 17.5K INR to 27K INR, with 5 years or 2 years warranty. Some of them also offer 15 days trial periods and return in case we don’t like the product.

Their website (https://windbooster.com.au) was running 50% sale during October 2024, so we decided to go with this option as this will work out cheaper compared to the dealership prices. Duty amount on the purchase was unknown at that time, and even with 100% duty, it would work out less than these dealership prices.

Purchase (14K INR): Windbooster Australia Website discounted price was 124.5 AUD. Shipping via UPS cost 27 AUD. Including Conversion charges, Duty and Disbursement fees I spent approx. 14K INR. Entire order, shipping, tracking, delivery process was smooth. During the Duty processing I would have missed their calls assuming them to be Scam/spam calls from courier guys, but later received their email for KYC processing and confirmation.

Installation: Watched some YouTube videos and got the confidence that it can be done as DIY. Checked with few FNG contacts and Toyota Service and decided to try it out myself. Installation was done in 5-10 minutes. Took extra care while removing the existing connector to the Throttle peddle and reattaching it with the Windbooster provided connector. I used cable ties to guide the cables to the display unit.

Feedback/Observations from initial usage:
After getting it installed, I did a 250KM weekend drive on Bangalore STRR and here are my observations.
1) Throttle response changes quickly and changes can be instantly felt without any lag even during mode changes between driving.
2) Overall driving felt more smoother, with visible reduction of jerks during gear shift and ability to cruise on lower gears without knocking/using clutch.
3) FE need to be further monitored, will update back after few tank fills. I assume it can possibly enhance FE due to the overall smoother drive
4) Overtaking is made easier on highways, with plenty of juice remaining even while cruising on triple digit speeds

Insights on Windbooster 3S Throttle Controller Modes :
1) Economy: I didn’t understand why this mode is available, it only further reduces your current driving dynamics with a bit more restricted feeling. It may be useful to cruise on lower speed limited highways and offers better FE, not sure yet.
2) Normal: It is the car’s existing default setting. It can be used to quickly go back to the older days, while giving your car for service to keep raw form / default settings during service
3) Sport and Sport+: To be honest, I haven’t used these modes much yet. Also, couldn’t find drastic difference between Sport and Sport+. Maybe more usage/testing is needed
4) Race: Tested this mode only for short duration the feel was awesome. First time I redlined my car, taking to triple digit speeds more quickly and overtake easily on highways. With slightest tap on A-Pedal the car will surge ahead and gives you the feeling of best is yet to come. I don’t plan to use this mode much except the need to do some quick highway overtakes
5) i-Auto: This is the mode I used and tested the most so far. I really fell in love with this mode. It is said to adapt to your driving style and give you the response when needed.

Summary: This is to share my experience of getting this Windbooster throttle controller device which I wasn’t initially planning. It shows how our discussions with other BHPians can make us get unplanned things and we try them out. I am happy with this addition, having experienced it with my initial usage. I will update back with some more usage and testing of various modes available.

About Throttle Controller (credit to Internet): Throttle controllers, specifically electronic throttle control systems, have been around since the late 1980s. The main task of a throttle controller is to allow the vehicle's engine to respond and accelerate faster. It also stops what's called “pedal lag” (a jerking or jolting movement), which can happen when you accelerate quickly. Throttle controllers can reduce fuel consumption by making your driving more efficient. By using eco mode, you can make your car use fuel more slowly. This can save you money on long drives. However, savings can vary based on your driving style and the type of controller you use.

Simply, this is a device which is added to your Throttle/Accelerate Peddle. It alters your throttle response and using various modes available we can further get a better response. Throttle Controllers doesn’t enhance our vehicle’s power or torque parameters.

Cheers,
narayanang76

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[AsphaltNomad]

Originally Posted by narayanang76

During the Duty processing I would have missed their calls assuming them to be Scam/spam calls from courier guys, but later received their email for KYC processing and confirmation.

Thanks for the detailed info on throttle controllers. I've been wanting to checked if such a device is available for Pajero SFX (2011 model), a quick check on the windbooster website didnot show up anything. Do you have any idea if there is one available? Also can you share how much custom duty was paid?

[narayanang76]

Originally Posted by AsphaltNomad

Thanks for the detailed info on throttle controllers. I've been wanting to checked if such a device is available for Pajero SFX (2011 model), a quick check on the windbooster website didnot show up anything. Do you have any idea if there is one available? Also can you share how much custom duty was paid?

I see Pajero and Pajero Sport listed on their website, not sure about SFX. Maybe they follow a different make/model details in AUS. Best check with their support team to confirm.

Also, I could see the 50% discount sale is still going on.

Duty was 77% in my case (for Individual imports).

Cheers,
narayanang76

[pcpranav]

Originally Posted by narayanang76

...
Windbooster Australia Website discounted price was 124.5 AUD. Shipping via UPS cost 27 AUD. Including Conversion charges, Duty and Disbursement fees I spent approx. 14K INR.

Originally Posted by narayanang76

...
Also, I could see the 50% discount sale is still going on.

Duty was 77% in my case (for Individual imports).

thanks for all the details, do keep posting on long term experiences. I have same car Fortuner 3.0L MT4x4, and in future may think on getting this.

Query : on their website, I see only Australia location when I try add to cart. How do you select India location and address for calculating shipment ?

A bit of OT, but still about basic maintenance :
Since you mentioned changing fuel filter did make some positive change.
I have been regularly changing the diesel fuel filter every 10K KMs, buying Purolator / Elofic / Bosch aftermarket part from Boodmo (I stopped using all filters from Toyota : saves cost and I far increased my frequency of changes & cleaning).
Air filter : Once a month (or after a long trip), I visit my nearby washing center, use their pressurized air hose to clean the air filter myself to remove all the dust. It hardly takes 5 minutes, and a clean air filter makes a difference. Air Filter also I change ~10K KM. I also apply some pressurized air on the engine bay & radiator/condenser areas to cleanup all the dust.

regards,

[narayanang76]

Originally Posted by pcpranav

thanks for all the details, do keep posting on long term experiences. I have same car Fortuner 3.0L MT4x4, and in future may think on getting this.

Query : on their website, I see only Australia location when I try add to cart. How do you select India location and address for calculating shipment ?

Thanks. I don't remember exactly, but I could select a country as India and add my address, then it showed shipping charges. It was 27AUD for shipping.

Originally Posted by pcpranav

A bit of OT, but still about basic maintenance :
Since you mentioned changing fuel filter did make some positive change.
I have been regularly changing the diesel fuel filter every 10K KMs, buying Purolator / Elofic / Bosch aftermarket part from Boodmo (I stopped using all filters from Toyota : saves cost and I far increased my frequency of changes & cleaning).
Air filter : Once a month (or after a long trip), I visit my nearby washing center, use their pressurized air hose to clean the air filter myself to remove all the dust. It hardly takes 5 minutes, and a clean air filter makes a difference. Air Filter also I change ~10K KM. I also apply some pressurized air on the engine bay & radiator/condenser areas to cleanup all the dust.

regards,

Surprisingly Toyota guys have a longer period for fuel filter replacement in their schedule, and I dont even remember when they had changed mine last. When I said I wanted to change my fuel filter during my 65K service, first they said there is no need to replace it, but I insisted. And when they were changing it, they sent me a picture of the poor condition of my old fuel filter to make me feel cool: In our place where fuel is mostly contaminated/adultered, we need to change fuel filter much more frequently.

Cheers,
narayanang76