Not sure if this should be here or under electrics. Anyway I have just found out some friends of mine have been fitting a Sprint Booster to their cars, not MX5`s, and have all given it a thumbs up, just wondering if anyone on here has tried one on their MX.
Never heard of these before, so just had a read-up about them.
If I’ve got it right, it just maps the pedal (voltage) output to the ECU to give a more aggressive voltage. It will still max out at the same level from the ECU perspective - so no real engine boost as such, just driver perception of increased power from a lighter pedal push.
Yes, this just a tweak to the throttle electronics to sharpen up the response. Mimics the effect of the ‘sport’ button on many modern cars. No extra power, just a twitchy throttle pedal.
JS
One of my friends has an E63 AMG 5.5 bi-turbo and it had an annoying throttle lag which is quite common on fly by wire modern cars, apparently, and this gizmo does away with it, guess youre never to old to learn...…………………………..at 182 pound I <img src="Images/Emoticons/eusa_think.gif" alt="" /> Ill invest in one.
So £182 is about the price difference between 400 gallons of 95 Ron and 99 Ron petrol, in an MX-5 I reckon you’ll have better results.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=1714452
Wait to hear of someone with aSprint Booster driving into a wall.
Don’t forget to tell your insurance company.
My Astra K sports button does like you say just sharpens up the throttle response must admit while travelling it’s make a massive difference when changing gears but setting off in 1st it’s like I’m a new driver way too kean jumping and jerking and it’s only the first touch of the pedal.
I think the MX5 on mine handles throttle response well enough anyway other people have commented the same who have driven it .
Umm…….interesting, had a good look at all the various forums, it appears to have been around for a long time with many varied responses. As for insurance as it doesnt increase power or bhp or anything it just removes the throttle lag I dont think theyll be interested. As it has got as far as V3 and still being sold would it have survived if it was total rubbish. Ill give it go and come back to you with my verdict, has to be done…………………………………………
Most of us enjoy throaty exhausts, induction systems and other self belief mechanisms that provide the misguided idea that the car is more powerful/responsive as a direct result.
Few would deny these improve the driving experience.
A lagged throttle response from the accelerator has the complete opposite effect. If I had a suitably powerful/sporty car with this issue would gladly pay £182 to get over it.
The most enjoyable cars to drive are responsive by nature and in the case of the MX5 are lacking in most other respects. That is the beauty of it - an enjoyable and satisfying drive from power that is barely enough to blow the skin off a rice pudding.
It is all about perception and in the case of poor throttle response, completely unsatisfactory design.
https://www.crosslake.net/~dbipes/sprintbooster/SprintBooster.pdf
Hopefully the Chinese factory designing and making these things is doing so to an appropriate standard. Hard to say without CE Certification being disclosed. Hopefully, it has a failsafe mode. Also make sure you remove it before any main dealer work, if the car is in warranty.
NA and NB owners can improve throttle response through conventional maintenance.
I’ll be interested to hear true feedback on this. Since getting an ND with a slightly less aggressive throttle mapping than the wife’s Focus, she accuses me of “gunning it” every time I drive her car
Prior to the ND I had a Cooper S with “driving modes”. When selecting Sport mode it didn’t just change the throttle mapping, it also lowered the profile that the turbo kicked in (almost as though it was always-on-). There was also a configurable suspension hardening setting. But then, that’s OEM fitted…
One of the attractions of the ND for me was none of this adjustability. Give me the car as is, I have the challenge of just driving it and getting the most out of it!
Hopefully the Chinese factory designing and making these things is doing so to an appropriate standard. Hard to say without CE Certification being disclosed.
From the companies website.
“Sprint Booster has passed successfully the TUV tests (TUV SUD Automotive) and it is certified with European Conformity type approval ( EC type approval mark No e24031712) with regard to Directive 72/245/EEC as last amended by Directive 2006/28/EC.
The e – mark is printed on each device.”
I’ll let someone else check these numbers, if they are still unsure.
TBH, I think OP is being very good about this product with a review awaiting, once he’s had chance to evaluate. Looking forward to reading it. Many thanks Dennis.
Barrie
The Sprint Booster arrived quite quickly from Greece and only took 30 mins to fit. The accelerator pedal has to be removed, its only held in with 2 bolts and that gives access to the plug and socket. Disconnect the accelerator and its simply a case of inserting the Booster which is a plug and socket separated by about 4 inches of cable into the appropriate fitting, the control head plugs into the socket of the booster, it can be left off in which case the setting cannot be changed. That’s it bolt the pedal back and locate the head wherever you like.
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Briefly there are 3 modes,
Off nothing showing
Normal green showing
Red race mode
There are 9 settings in each of the on modes
There is also a valet mode and a security mode where you enter a 3 digit code and the accelerator becomes either restricted or inoperable.
Is it worth the money ?
It`s well made, well presented, 3 year warranty.
In my view I don`t think so, it works exactly as stated, if like me you`re of advanced years and rode a motorbike as your first vehicle back then one of the must have mods was a `quick action throttle`, instead of having to twist the hand grip a couple of inches it cut the movement required to open the throttle. The Sprint Booster reminds me of that, there is definitely less movement needed on the pedal but unless you have a car with the delay or `lag`, as in my friends Merc then I don`t thinks its worth buying.
As a matter of interest on testing I approached a roundabout and there was little traffic, an 18 tonner was entering the roundabout to my right, he appeared to be making a left, no indicators showing, and because of the attitude of the truck I decided to carry on. As I entered he indicated right started to swing my way, I had already committed myself so gave it some welly and that was where the thingy I had just fitted caused me some embarrassment because I hadn`t allowed for the extra boost and the rear spun up and she waggled her rear
Well i`m going to keep it fitted anyway, reroute the cable for neatness, could drill a little hole but i don`t like doing that so we`ll see, if i don`t like it can just turn it off.
Only did a couple of miles, maybe after a couple of hundred will have a better idea....................................