Simucube Throttle Damper:
a feel upgrade I would miss.

Review disclosure: Simucube supplied the damper for review, and I retained it. My original review notes also list Sim Sport Gadget as a sponsor. The Simucube product link below is not an affiliate link.

I already liked the passive Simucube Throttle before adding the damper. It was smooth and offered the mechanical adjustments I expected, while avoiding the cost of a second ActivePedal. The damper changed the character of its movement in a way I immediately enjoyed. After trying it, I felt I would miss that extra control if I removed it.

What this accessory does

The small hydraulic damper connects the pedal arm to its frame. It smooths quick movements while you press and release the throttle.

This is an accessory for the passive Simucube Throttle, not a motorised ActivePedal or a way to add its programmable force effects.

My interest was in how that damping changed modulation: feeding in throttle or making small corrections without the pedal moving more quickly than I wanted.

The difference was one of feel and control for me. I did not run a measured lap-time or consistency study.

Installation was straightforward

The existing throttle had mounting holes for the damper, and the supplied hardware and Allen key made fitting it simple.

I did not need to dismantle the pedal to install it. Depending on the room around a particular pedal mount, it may be possible to fit the damper while the pedal remains on the rig.

The damping adjustment is made before mounting the unit. I was satisfied with the default setting, so I did not need an extended tuning process to find a feel I liked.

Use Simucube’s installation and adjustment instructions for the exact parts you receive. My review focuses on the experience of fitting and using the accessory.

The change I felt on track

Without the damper, I sometimes found the throttle moved too quickly when accelerating out of a corner or making repeated adjustments.

With it installed, those movements felt easier to control. I preferred the way it helped me feed the pedal in and out rather than make abrupt changes.

The sensation reminded me of the damped throttle on my previous Heusinkveld Ultimate+ pedals. That was a familiar feel I enjoyed, rather than evidence that the two pedal systems are mechanically identical.

The Simucube Throttle had already worked well for me. The damper refined an existing strength instead of rescuing a pedal I disliked.

By the end of the review, I felt the addition made the throttle much closer to my preferred setup. Damping remains a personal preference, so another driver may prefer the quicker movement without it.

Should it have been included?

The original review quoted €117 for the accessory. I thought that was a considerable amount for a small addition to a pedal already purchased separately.

My first reaction was that I would have liked it included with the throttle. An owner who preferred the pedal without damping could then leave it off.

I also understood the case for making it optional. It gives owners a choice, and someone who does not like hydraulic damping does not have to pay for it.

I had no access to Simucube’s production costs, so my criticism was about the value I perceived as a customer, not a claim about the company’s margin.

The €117 figure belongs to the May 2024 video. Check the current product page and the delivered total for your region rather than treating it as today’s price.

My recommendation

If you already enjoy the passive throttle exactly as it is, there is no need to assume that adding a damper will improve it for you.

If its movement feels too quick or you miss the hydraulic feel of another pedal, this accessory addresses that specific preference well. I liked it enough that I would miss it on my own setup.

The price made a blanket recommendation difficult. At a lower cost it would have been much easier to suggest trying it simply out of curiosity.

For someone buying a passive Simucube Throttle for the first time, starting with the pedal alone is reasonable. You can learn whether its existing movement suits you and add the damper later if needed.

For me, it was a well-made, easy-to-fit addition that delivered the feel I wanted. That clear improvement mattered more than adding another accessory for its own sake.

About this article: Adapted from my original review script and video review. Driving impressions refer to the original review period. The official Simucube Throttle Damper listing was checked for the current destination and intended pedal. No discount code is claimed.