Sprint booster install... (BMW 330Ci)

[97tbird]

the Sprint booster just eliminates the response-lag of cars with drive-by-wire electronic throttle and gives you immediate response and better and easier downshifts quicker.
(IOW it just makes the pedal respond AS IF it was a normal throttle with a cable linkage)

Most people call it a gimmick, but I like it - it has a OFF, REGULAR and AGGRESSIVE mode, and all i want is the regular mode...The car feels very nice now, and nice to have no lag and wait time before it wakes up when I push the gas pedal now...

Got it off Ebay for $175 shipped: (normal price is $300 - WAY overpriced) Installation was easy except for getting the gas pedal assembly off.

Review with pics:

Sprint Booster module

Gas pedal off:

SB between the ECU wiring and original gas pedal wiring

Controller (unlit: Off - factory settings, Green - improved sane level of throttle response, RED: Scary sensitive throttle response)
I need to mount it somewhere accessible - This is pic shows without mounting

My review of different modes (S means the 'sport' mode of the BMW Steptronic):


Red - pretty wild - definitive "jumping" when hitting pedal, takes off like a maniac - hard to park

Red+S - Scary - won't use this mode unless I am showing off to someone - downshifted when I didn't even try to; revs way too easily for my taste.

Green - Nice, smooth improved response - wakes the car up in a NICE manner, no lag anymore, takes off when I push the pedal, and downshifts easier for passing, and just overall, reacts quicker - JUST what I was wanting - very nice for around down and cruising - this will be default mode.

Green + S - as above but more 'rowdy-ish' and fun-ish; might do this around empty neighborhood.

 

[HerrStig]

I'd want to know what's in it before risking an expensive ECM.

 

[97tbird]

I did a lot of research about it - it really doesn't do anything TO the ECU, it just sends a boosted signal from the gas pedal potentiometer.

It has been around for a while - more than a decade I think and there haven't been any reports of any mishaps, so that's why I tried it.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Cool.

I know it makes a lot of sense on a slushbox, but would there be any benefit to it on a manual trans car?

 

[97tbird]

People say that it does improve the response on a manual, (there are 2 versions for manual and auto), BUT that the effects are much more enjoyable and perceivable in an auto.

That said, a lot of BMW guys with manuals have installed it, but it's clearly the auto crowd that seem to 'enjoy' it more

 

[LeakySeals]

They work. The Weapon-R I-Throttle is very popular on Toyota Nation. Many good reviews. 16 different settings.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I have similar problem with the S2000, it wants to stall pulling away from green lights when the engine is less than 1500-2000 rpm.

Turn out the problem was with the map sensor connection, drivers on S2000 forums just whacking the map sensor with a mallet and it fixes the problem for a while, after that someone came up with the idea of using zip tide the keep the map sensor in its place securely.

The cost of a zip tide is 5 cents and 1 minute to install.

 

[gathermewool]

There is definitely such a thing as too responsive a throttle. Even stock, the most aggressive setting on my STI, Sport #, takes a while to get used to driving around town, and makes in-traffic driving a major pain.

Stock, we have three modes: Intelligent, Sport, and Sport #.

I-mode is good for snowy days, since it's very easy scroll up and spin all four wheels in inclement weather. S-Mode is linear. S#: 50% accelerator pedal position is ~ WOT (so, X2)