Sprint Booster

[Happiechappie]

Hi Folks

I came across this gadget recently which (seems to) claim to eliminate the delays between throttle demand and resultant acceleration through "continual monitoring". Has anyone had experience of these devices? and can anybody clarrify if this refers simply to a better demand / output response once the car is rolling, or will it potentially inmprove the dangerous (in my view) delay in taking off from a standing start as you might when entering a busy roundabout for example, or the long kickdown delay. I have always assumed that these delays are features of fluid drives hence are mechanical limitation of automatic gearboxes and not electrical ones. The car in question is an E320 CDI (08).

Many Thanks. Keith

 

[andy@pcd-ltd]

I have fitted a few of these to customers cars and not had one complaint once fitted.

It amplifies the signal from the pedal when pressed.

It does get rid of that delay when pulling out of a roundabout from a standstill as you mentioned

 

[dieselman]

It's not an amplifier, it just moves the feedback position of the electrical signal so the ECU thinks the accelerator has been mashed harder. The accelerator becomes very sharp and runs out of further input at about 3/4 movement.

 

[Happiechappie]

Thanks Dieselman

On the basis of what you have said, it seem like its a lazy mans throttle and that it doesn't do anything you can't do for yourself by pressing harder.......I can see why some prople might say WOW ! when experiencing this. Is this correct, or does it have any positive effect on the drive take up from a standing start.

Any body have any further thoughts. These thing are about £250 ....a lot of money if it doesn't improve the pull away response.

Thanks . Keith

 

[Alex Crow]

my understanding is the same as DM's, you might as well wear platform shoes.

 

[whitenemesis]

You may find this doc interesting?

http://peony888.com/VS/SprintBooster.pdf

"Conclusions
The Sprint Booster is a simple amplifier that multiplies the accelerator pedal
sensor signal, making the accelerator pedal more sensitive. It does not eliminate
any significant delay in throttle response, nor does it greatly improve acceleration
figures. It does not change the adaptive throttle control programming of
electronic throttle control vehicles. It does change pedal “feel”. This change in
feel is interpreted by some as improved throttle response, acceleration, and a
change in adaptive throttle control programming. Considering what it actually
does, it is expensive."

 

[Happiechappie]

Thanks Folks

It was my birthday yesterday....I'll spend mummy's money on something else.

Keith

 

[whitenemesis]

Belated happy birthday Keith

A wise decision IMHO

 

[television]

Taking this one step further one could say it changes the logarithmic curve of the throttle to one that is more linear.

Dieselman and I went over the pros and cons years, as many seem to love the things, but with my driveway on a steep slope and as I have to reverse in my garage there was no way, thank the lord for the way it is.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

my understanding is the same as DM's, you might as well wear platform shoes.

or move the driver's seat forward by an inch!

 

[vintageaxeman]

Sprint Booster? Wouldn't do without it!

My E350 CDI Cabriolet is tuned up to 282bhp, but in conjunction with my SprintBooster it is a STUNNING drive. I love it!

 

[C350Carl]

Isn't this just the same as driving in sport mode?

 

[whitenemesis]

No, the Sprint booster is simply a gain booster that alters the throttle position output. Its the same as if one were to depress the pedal harder and further all the time.

It has no effect on actual engine power.

 

[C350Carl]

Which is what sport mode does isn't it?

From my limited knowledge of Mercs the sport mode alters throttle response and possibly suspension and exhaust note depending on the model. It doesn't do anything to the power.

Or have I got that wrong?

 

[whitenemesis]

Sorry, you may well be correct for the more current models. My thoughts were with the earlier ones, like mine.