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-   -   Review: Sprint-Booster throttle mod. (https://www.rx8club.com/far-east-asia-38/review-sprint-booster-throttle-mod-107829/)

gfoo 01-22-2007 10:56 AM

Review: Sprint-Booster throttle mod.
 
For months now, i've been searching for a non FI solution to help improve my low end - from 'air chargers' (which btw doesn't work, at least on RE remapped ECUs); to octane boosters (which also dun work; and those who follow my review site will know i'm a skeptic when it comes to non-FI widgets that promise the world and delivering jack (e.g. magnets; broquet; tornados; etc).

I've had the honor to be one of the first to try out this newfangled mod that promises improved acceleration and a more responsive throttle - a product called 'Sprint Booster.' Yes, it's such a literal name for a product that it sounds kinda silly, and a bit dodgy. Anyways, i was half-expecting some large thingamagig with a turbine or spooler, with a cool gauge attached to it - nope, the Sprint Booster was a dark grey piece of plastic the size and width of a matchbox.

The Sprint Booster (SB), according to the brochure, works only in drive-by-wire cars, and is a device that improves acceleration by continuously measuring and converting the digital signal provided by the electronic throttle control, and providing the ECU with a new and altered signal. SB is installed behind the accelerator pedal thru its oem connector.

The results:

This device blew my mind. Acceleration improved vastly - it actually did increase low-end by quite a margin - acceleration from stop increased vastly - and boy did that feel really good. Gear changes were definitely much quicker and accelerator responsiveness was magnifed. To put it into perspective, even the slightest touch of the accelerator can send the car lurching forward, and even going uphill (my carpark sloped roundabout) becomes even more effortless. Never before have i come across a mod that increased low-end by such a wide margin right off the bat after the install - simply amazing. Caveat: if you are a new driver or if you're a bit of a clusterfuck in heavy traffic, do yourself a favour and don't get this - that's just how much your low-end will improve, and how sensitive your accelerator will be. For the rest of us, this is one cheap mod i highly recommend!

Here's how I think it works:

Drive by wire means that every time you depress the accelerator, electronic signals are sent to the ecu, which in-turn tells the injectors how much fuel should be 'sprayed' into the rotary. The OEM accelerator pedal controller - whether to save power or just a more inefficient design - probably sends signals at slower frequencies. The SB is more like a DSP that amplifies the signal at a much faster rate to the ecu, cutting any lag time between what we want the car to do vs what it actually does. Since i put this on, i've seen via my numerous gauges a -0.2 reading on voltage - it could be an anomaly or a coincidence, but if that was true, it probably means that the SB is constantly sending signals to the ecu regardless of idle state.

Conclusion:

This is THE MOD to get, and honestly, i'm so happy with the gain in my low-end that i'm considering not investing in a turbo or SC anytime in the near future. The difference is stark, and is definitely not like those mods which you'll have to search hard to feel even the slightest improvement, if at all. The SB retails for about S$400 and is available at Monster Garage.

murix 01-22-2007 11:21 AM

There are devices that have been doing this for some time. It just modifies the ecu throttle input. Instead of spending the money you can just push the pedal down farther.

DaveCM203 01-22-2007 11:41 AM

:spam:

Spin9k 01-22-2007 11:48 AM

An over aggressive accelerator pedal function does not a power gain make - zero - zip - nada - but if you don't believe that, boy have I got some waterfront property in Arizona I've saved out to sell you cheap! PM me quick before the opportunity dries up! :cwm27:

DaveCM203 01-22-2007 11:51 AM


Originally Posted by Spin9k
An over aggressive accelerator pedal function does not a power gain make - :cwm27:

I would also worry about it on the track. Especialy when wet. A little too much power too quick and around you go. I tend to get a bit aggressive anyway.

Brettus 01-22-2007 11:53 AM


Originally Posted by murix
There are devices that have been doing this for some time. It just modifies the ecu throttle input. Instead of spending the money you can just push the pedal down farther.

heh - thought so . could be time to bring out the meter !

mkl22 01-22-2007 12:00 PM

i rather take the $400 and pump gas....

mysql101 01-22-2007 12:05 PM

I have a $400 product that helps you stop faster. The kit comes with a brick, and twine. One side fits all.

DaveCM203 01-22-2007 12:12 PM


Originally Posted by Brettus
heh - thought so . could be time to bring out the meter !

Is this the meter you are talking about?

:bsmeter:

Brettus 01-22-2007 12:16 PM

ah yes - that would be the one :lol:

lennon 01-22-2007 07:01 PM

gfoo, just like all these bro said, it doesn't increase HP, but a slight increase in low and mid range torque......... Japan has TREC which is the same as the Sprint Booster.....

Emperor 01-22-2007 09:06 PM

Why would it increase torque by amplifying throttle signals? Its like pushing a lift button real hard expecting the lift to come down faster.

Why not spend more and really get a ECU upgrade.

Mole 01-22-2007 09:17 PM

there is no mention of increase torque or bhp...he only sae low end response improve.

lennon 01-22-2007 09:56 PM


Originally Posted by Emperor
Why would it increase torque by amplifying throttle signals? Its like pushing a lift button real hard expecting the lift to come down faster.

Why not spend more and really get a ECU upgrade.

If you uprade your ecu oso cant get that response, amplifying throttle signals ive bigger throttle opening....... I tried TREC once on my turbo, the launch was so powerful, as if i had 500hp on wheel....... But to be true, this is quite a worth mod for NA, you don't drive at high rev most of the time......

StealthTL 01-22-2007 10:00 PM

Measure this.....
 
....and all this is measured by ?

Ah yes, the ever-popular ButtDyno. :boring:

Bring times or a dyno sheet, or stay home.

S

gfoo 01-22-2007 10:22 PM

guys, guys, this mod doesn't do anything to improve HP - nada, zilch, zip. What it does do is make the pedal that much more responsive - launches are quicker and it seems low end torque is better. my best 0-100 time is 9.5, i'll do another gtech run this weekend to see if anything has improved other than butt dyno.

Emperor, i dun really know how this thing works, and that's just my conjecture. i think what it does is increase the signal frequency to the ecu i.e. instead of say 1000instructions per sec, it's boosted up to 2000 ips. something like that. - i could be wrong.

My mods to date:
- RE Amemiya remapped ECU
- Autoexe catback exhaust
- Knight Sports metalit supercat
- RB Revi intake
- Knight sports 4.777 final drive
- assortment of cusco struts/towers/etc
- 8 point grounding linked to impedance stablizer and pivot
- assortment of defi gauges
- gtech
- scanman II canbus/CEL manager
- jdm autoexe front n rear bumpers; INGS sideskirts/spoiler
- Idemitsu rotary or RE Amemiya syn engine oil 30W
- Redline high-temp ATF
- Cusco LSD syn oil

I know a hack and BS when i see one, and on the surface this seems a little too good to be true, but it actually works. Whether you believe it or not, i don't really care coz i'm enjoying my improved low-end - to each his own dudes. Singapore bros (those that i know only hor, not every tomdicknharry), will let you try my ride the next meetup.

Disclaimer: i ain't selling this thing, am a customer that paid full price just like any other, neither do i own shares or have any vested interests with the retailer

INXS 01-22-2007 11:58 PM

Hahahah, so much skeptism. Too many mods in your car that you dont realli know what works and what doesnt..

Love you.

gfoo 01-23-2007 12:05 AM

lol..... this one can tell the diff - i also was damned surprised lor - you know i hate those two three hundred widgets you find in those hack places like mcwell and sung bee auto. i haven't been so happy over a mod. but really, once you get this you have to be much more careful in heavy traffic and esp in carparks. a small tap gives you a huge lurch - almost langa my 8 into carpark retainer wall earlier. now much change driving style

just hope that the gains stay that way - sekali ecu goes and relearn parameters then chialat liao

gfoo 01-23-2007 12:16 AM

Guys, totally understand your skepticism. hey, dun take my word for it. go do a google on 'sprint booster' and do your research. e.g.

http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=163724

I ain't the only one raving about this

N rider89 01-23-2007 12:33 AM

hmmm it doesnt have them availible for mazdas on their web site???

i think this just makes the car go full throtle whenever you press down on the gas

swoope 01-23-2007 12:40 AM


Originally Posted by gfoo
Guys, totally understand your skepticism. hey, dun take my word for it. go do a google on 'sprint booster' and do your research. e.g.

http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=163724

I ain't the only one raving about this


ah,

the crossfire forums.. then it all makes sense now...

beers :beer:

INXS 01-23-2007 12:54 AM


Originally Posted by gfoo
Singapore bros (those that i know only hor, not every tomdicknharry), will let you try my ride the next meetup.


My name is not tom, neither dick nor harry. So can i go first?

gfoo 01-23-2007 02:37 AM

you ah, of course!

allen 01-23-2007 02:48 AM


Originally Posted by N rider89
hmmm it doesnt have them availible for mazdas on their web site???

i think this just makes the car go full throtle whenever you press down on the gas


if u press lightly on the gas petal then the car goes full throttle then wont ur car FC suffer when u are just having a normal drive ( i mean daily driving style)?

INXS 01-23-2007 03:04 AM

I suppose so, but from what gfoo is saying, he has got himself a responsive mod which he is ranting about now. FC is secondary for enthusiast like him..

What he wants next is to conduct a 3rd run with a grey rx8 who won him on 2 occasions.. Hahaha..


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