Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
Originally Posted by danimal
The manual SB cannot be used with the automatic. The automatic SB can used with the manual as a 'lite' version. It sounds as though dynamicS has the manual version which cannot be used with the auto.
Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
Originally Posted by dynamicS
how do you know the manual SB can't be used with the automatic car? are the connectors different???
That's why I asked the question. I don't feel like going through this entire thread to find the info, but somewhere in here there was some discussion about this. Regardless, thanks again for the post.
Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
Yeah I remember reading the same thing that you can install a manualSB in an automatic car, but it's not recommended. It's just way to sensitive for an auto I belive.
I cant imagine MBZ using a different conector on for the throttle. if the AutomaticSB version fits the manual car why not vice versa?
I cant imagine MBZ using a different conector on for the throttle. if the AutomaticSB version fits the manual car why not vice versa?
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Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
You could probably install the manual version for an automatic, but it would probably damage your transmission... your risk and your loss if it does.
Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
Originally Posted by rapitrol
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Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
Originally Posted by FPMartinez
I had sent this before:
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For those of you who have recently inquired about getting another group purchase, I bought mine from slkfans.com for $250.00 including delivery. This guy takes paypal. I got mine in 3 business days. This might save you the time of coordinating a group purchase.
If when you click on the link it doesn't work, just key it onto you browser address.
Here's the link to his site. www.slkfans.com
Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
Originally Posted by dynamicS
how do you know the manual SB can't be used with the automatic car? are the connectors different???
Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
Thanks for clearing that for us.
I'm guessing it will smoke the clutches in the auto tranny, because the transmission computer is not calibrated for the engine speed. The manual Sprint Booster might be putting too much power to the tranny too early, and the solenoids in the valve body may not be opening early or late enough to put the pressure to the clutches in the drum during a shift, this off timing might cause some major slippage and burned clutches.
Kinda makes you wonder about the long term effects on those autostick trannies when using the SB.
I'm guessing it will smoke the clutches in the auto tranny, because the transmission computer is not calibrated for the engine speed. The manual Sprint Booster might be putting too much power to the tranny too early, and the solenoids in the valve body may not be opening early or late enough to put the pressure to the clutches in the drum during a shift, this off timing might cause some major slippage and burned clutches.
Kinda makes you wonder about the long term effects on those autostick trannies when using the SB.
Last edited by dynamicS; 10-03-2006 at 08:22 PM.
Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
Installed the 451A sprintbooster on my 2003 C32, easy, except for getting the connector off, the release clips are pretty small.
I like the roller coaster feel of the sprintbooster. Its a lot more fun to drive, but like it should be. It would be nice if it was switchable. Currently, I put the transmission on W mode (wife mode) when driving with my wife.
Before the sprintbooster, I always turned off ESP, no more. Even with the ESP on, it lays scratch pretty easy.
The whole reason, I like as much HP as I can get, is for the feeling of acceleration, which is easier to access, around town, with the sprintbooster. The transmission downshifts quicker also.
Need to be careful about traction, now, maybe an LSD would help.
Thanks Jody for all your work.
I like the roller coaster feel of the sprintbooster. Its a lot more fun to drive, but like it should be. It would be nice if it was switchable. Currently, I put the transmission on W mode (wife mode) when driving with my wife.
Before the sprintbooster, I always turned off ESP, no more. Even with the ESP on, it lays scratch pretty easy.
The whole reason, I like as much HP as I can get, is for the feeling of acceleration, which is easier to access, around town, with the sprintbooster. The transmission downshifts quicker also.
Need to be careful about traction, now, maybe an LSD would help.
Thanks Jody for all your work.
Last edited by m444; 10-04-2006 at 12:25 PM.
Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
Ok folks, here's my real complaint about the Sprint Booster. It's a decent attempt to fix the throttle lag which it does well. And I can't put any blame on the 1st gear ratio on the 6 speed, that's not the problem.
The problem I am experiencing is that the throttle is not linear when pressing the pedal. I don't have any realistic way to measure it, but it feels like within 1/2"-1" of pedal travel I'm getting power that I used to get at 80%-100% throttle. I just wanted to remove the lag.
I tried resetting the throttle, but it's still taking off too quickly in 1st. Now maybe I didn't do it correctly, so I will try disconnecting the battery over night and reconnect it in the morning. I'll see if this works but I doubt it.
The problem I am experiencing is that the throttle is not linear when pressing the pedal. I don't have any realistic way to measure it, but it feels like within 1/2"-1" of pedal travel I'm getting power that I used to get at 80%-100% throttle. I just wanted to remove the lag.
I tried resetting the throttle, but it's still taking off too quickly in 1st. Now maybe I didn't do it correctly, so I will try disconnecting the battery over night and reconnect it in the morning. I'll see if this works but I doubt it.
Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
Jody: I got home from a hellish few weeks of work in Charleston an hour ago and amongst the stack of mail on my desk, that my wife so delicately piled-up like a garbage dump , was your package with the Sprint Booster. Just to verify part #'s since I did zero research on this product aside from this forum, I received the BDD 451. Is this the correct part for the manual transmission ? If so, I'll install it over the weekend and try to do some back road, midnight testing before my race weekend.
I'm hoping to be jumping with joy if the SB reacts the same way it is doing on DYNAMIC-S' car. If it is not as "TWITCHY" as he is claiming his is, perhaps I'll just trade him mine... He's Los Angeles based, so it wouldn't be a problem...
But verify my product # for me first, then I'll install over the weekend...
I'm hoping to be jumping with joy if the SB reacts the same way it is doing on DYNAMIC-S' car. If it is not as "TWITCHY" as he is claiming his is, perhaps I'll just trade him mine... He's Los Angeles based, so it wouldn't be a problem...
But verify my product # for me first, then I'll install over the weekend...
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Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
Yep the BDD 451 is for the manual transmission and the BDD 451A is for the Auto-Stick.
Happy sprintin!
Happy sprintin!
Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
Originally Posted by dynamicS
Ok folks, here's my real complaint about the Sprint Booster. It's a decent attempt to fix the throttle lag which it does well. And I can't put any blame on the 1st gear ratio on the 6 speed, that's not the problem.
The problem I am experiencing is that the throttle is not linear when pressing the pedal. I don't have any realistic way to measure it, but it feels like within 1/2"-1" of pedal travel I'm getting power that I used to get at 80%-100% throttle. I just wanted to remove the lag.
I tried resetting the throttle, but it's still taking off too quickly in 1st. Now maybe I didn't do it correctly, so I will try disconnecting the battery over night and reconnect it in the morning. I'll see if this works but I doubt it.
The problem I am experiencing is that the throttle is not linear when pressing the pedal. I don't have any realistic way to measure it, but it feels like within 1/2"-1" of pedal travel I'm getting power that I used to get at 80%-100% throttle. I just wanted to remove the lag.
I tried resetting the throttle, but it's still taking off too quickly in 1st. Now maybe I didn't do it correctly, so I will try disconnecting the battery over night and reconnect it in the morning. I'll see if this works but I doubt it.
I actually looked into making something similar to the Sprint Booster some time ago but decided against it. I checked the throttle butterfly movement in response to the pedal and there does not appear to be any delay. I think the lack of response is largely a function of the inlet design which is where I am focusing my attention. The other thing that put me off is that the fact that the ECU’s throttle algorithm is still in play and will still modify the throttle response. It would be yet another layer of software between me and the car and decided it is better to fix the inherent problem (not that I have ever had a really big problem with response) rather than try and mask it.
Just for further information here is the service manuals description of the throttle algorithm:
The PCM recognizes how the accelerator pedal is being pressed and switches between a few characteristic curves.
Eighty percent of the engine’s power is achieved for a pedal travel of about 50% for an aggressive driver and about
40% for a conservative driver. There is no further difference felt above a pedal travel of about 90%.
The characteristic curve for a conservative driver is active after a long drive. Then the accelerator pedal must be
pressed down unusually hard to obtain a higher acceleration level.
Eighty percent of the engine’s power is achieved for a pedal travel of about 50% for an aggressive driver and about
40% for a conservative driver. There is no further difference felt above a pedal travel of about 90%.
The characteristic curve for a conservative driver is active after a long drive. Then the accelerator pedal must be
pressed down unusually hard to obtain a higher acceleration level.
Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
Holy Moley...I just love the feeling of the booster when I'm driving in an area where I can let loose a bit on the pedal. The response is quick and the "fun" factor kicks in, as well.
I think the majority of us have found that extra zip to be well worth the $$. Gas mileage might be less...but I don't care...
I think the majority of us have found that extra zip to be well worth the $$. Gas mileage might be less...but I don't care...
Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
I'm not sure how much gas mileage suffers as a result of the SB. I just filled up since I installed the SB, and I'm sure I'm still above 20 mpg.
Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
Well my gas mileage isn't that bad using the Sprint Booster. I lost about 2-3 mpg from my usual 22-25 mpg city driving.
I think I might be getting use to driving the car now with the SB, but I had to reset the throttle a bunch of times after every trip in the car. It now feels a bit more tolerable after the throttle resets. Doing so has given me a little more pedal travel (about 2" now) and some dampening for my foot.
It really sucks when your in 1st gear and you drive over a little bump or dip in the road, your foot lightly taps the throttle and whoooaa look out!!!
I think I might be getting use to driving the car now with the SB, but I had to reset the throttle a bunch of times after every trip in the car. It now feels a bit more tolerable after the throttle resets. Doing so has given me a little more pedal travel (about 2" now) and some dampening for my foot.
It really sucks when your in 1st gear and you drive over a little bump or dip in the road, your foot lightly taps the throttle and whoooaa look out!!!
Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
Originally Posted by woody
This is why I have my doubts that HDDP will pick up any more time on the track; it may feel better out of the slow corners when winding up through the rev range but on the track you tend to be running at higher revs and using a much narrower rev range. I will happily be proved wrong if he reports otherwise though (Good Luck at the Weekend Derek!).
Originally Posted by woody
I don’t mean to dismiss the SB as it appears to be a well engineered device that does what it claims and I know there a many owners who are very happy with them, I just don’t think it completely addresses the problem. Just my .02.
Thanks for the good will during my next event...
Last edited by HDDP; 10-06-2006 at 12:26 AM.
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Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
I think no matter what application the Sprint Booster is used for (manual or Auto-Stick) it will take some time to relearn the car.
I'm just to the point now where I can drive this under almost any condition without making the car 'lurch' even just a little.
HDDP, if fine control is what you need, then you may be better off without it, but I'm still thinking it will help you as the 'feathering' you need to do will be in the last half of throttle movement where this thing actually has more play. I don't think it's quite 80% in the first 10% of movement as Woody states (remember 85% of statistics are made up on the spot ).
I will say the first bit of throttle response will really surprise you, but what I consider the 'control' area is wider. If I was using more power during my regular driving and not just cruising, the throttle would be past the 'twitch' area.
Again, just my thoughts with the 'Auto-Stick' version. It could very well be that the manual is WAY more aggressive, although I think it's just the learning curve everyone has to go through.
I'm just to the point now where I can drive this under almost any condition without making the car 'lurch' even just a little.
HDDP, if fine control is what you need, then you may be better off without it, but I'm still thinking it will help you as the 'feathering' you need to do will be in the last half of throttle movement where this thing actually has more play. I don't think it's quite 80% in the first 10% of movement as Woody states (remember 85% of statistics are made up on the spot ).
I will say the first bit of throttle response will really surprise you, but what I consider the 'control' area is wider. If I was using more power during my regular driving and not just cruising, the throttle would be past the 'twitch' area.
Again, just my thoughts with the 'Auto-Stick' version. It could very well be that the manual is WAY more aggressive, although I think it's just the learning curve everyone has to go through.
Re: Sprint Booster - A "Must-have"!
MMZ: I installed the SB this morning before I went to the studio, since my car is gutted and everything is accessible (sp) it took two minutes...
I'll take the car out tonight after I get off work, midnight or so, and give it a little test and report the results (my perception).
I'll take the car out tonight after I get off work, midnight or so, and give it a little test and report the results (my perception).