Sprint Booster

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Hmmm, I find it interesting that there seems to have been little or no discussion on this forum or on VWvortex regarding this item.

To those who have actually tried this part:

1. Do you have any comments on how well it worked for you?

2. How did your car respond after installing this part?

[FarrisK]

Originally Posted by Too Cold NB1.8T

Hmmm, I find it interesting that there seems to have been little or no discussion on this forum or on VWvortex regarding this item.

To those who have actually tried this part:

1. Do you have any comments on how well it worked for you?

2. How did your car respond after installing this part?

Which item? The "Sprint Booster?" What is it?

[FarrisK]

Found it:
SprintBooster Power Converter - www.SprintBoosterSales.com

I've heard of these before. They don't really do anything powerwise. All they do is remap the throttle position sensor so that:

0% pedal input = 0% throttle input
10% PI = 15% or 20% TI
50% PI = 75% or 80% TI
75% PI = 100% TI
and
100% PI = 100% TI

Basically the same thing as pushing harder with your foot. Not worth it at all.

[Fowvay]

For those of you not aware of what a sprint booster does it is simply a piggy back or replacement module for the throttle control on your drive by wire accelerator.

With a drive by wire there is a built in delay between the time you move the pedal and the computer reacts and moves the throttle plate. With a the "Sprint Booster" in place it quickens this time period giving you more of a cable feel and quicker reaction times. This in turn improves initial acceleration and part throttle response. There are multiple stages available from stock reaction at part throttle to near instantaneous at all 4 settings (1/4 1/2 3/4 and 4/4 throttle).

It doesn't give you any more power it just lets you get to it quicker. The only downside is that it does make the throttle a bit jerkier and not as silky smooth. However the benefits seem to far out way the negatives.

This isn't a snake oil gimmick but a truly cool mod. I haven't bought one yet but it's on my wish list that's for sure.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

I greatly appreciate the responses to this thread so far and I am aware of the conclusions reach by some who have performed scientific data logging experiments, however, as stated initially, I am looking for input from people who have actually used the Sprint Booster, how well it worked for them and the difference in how their vehicle responded with and without it installed.

[Fowvay]

Head over to the smart forums. This is an extremely popular mod. The smart has horrible throttle response and this turns it from a slug into a fun lil car with awesome response. Now if they could just fix that lazy ass transmission.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Well since I started this thread, four days have passed with about 84 views on it, however, only two different people have had anything to say on the subject but apparently neither of them have used the product so they cannot offer any feedback from a users stand point, strange.

Since no one seems to have any real findings to offer at this point, I will share mine with everone.

I have had the Sprint Booster plugged into my car for about a week now and I can tell you without doubt, contrary to those pedal to TB response time tests some have seen, "It does work", so far I have experienced no side-effects or fault codes etc.

Due to the increased speed/response of the throttle body to E-Gas pedal, the acceleration and engine response (no power increase) of my car has improved dramatically, in my car this enhancement is well worth the money, it has turned a car that already accelerated quickly, into one that now feels like it's trying to leap of the ground, especially at higher speeds, I press on the pedal on the freeway and the pull is insanely quick and hard, this is the real deal not placebo .

This is a perfect example of why the scientific approach such as data logging, time measuremet and other such tests should not be the ultimate considerations in determining the validity of such upgrades, there are many pieces to a pie and no one piece is any more important than another.

[sledge0001]

I am interested as well to find out how these work on my car. I read the thread but didn't really have anything to contribute other than I have heard good things from the guys over @ abdracing about these units. I believe the quote was the first time they put one in they almost hit a wall or curb in the parking lot.. I forget which but the point is that they thought it was a great quick and easy mod.

[Genifer Teal]

Originally Posted by FarrisK

All they do is remap the throttle position sensor so that:

0% pedal input = 0% throttle input
10% PI = 15% or 20% TI
50% PI = 75% or 80% TI
75% PI = 100% TI
and
100% PI = 100% TI

I think you mean the gas pedal position sensor. Remapping the throttle position sensor (do they even need one for a stepper motor?) would mess with the A/F ratio until the computer corrected for it. Sounds like the same thing could be done with a resistor and diode. Perhaps that is what it is. The resistor to increase the sensor output and the diode to keep it from exceeding max and throwing a code. Still a nice idea.

Edit: Holy Crap!!! I just looked how much these cost! I hope there is more to it, otherwise somebody has a great way to make money (short of printing it yourself). The more I think about it, it it needs to affect the rate of change - not how much it changes - so I don't think it could be that simple.

Gen

[FarrisK]

Originally Posted by Genifer Teal

I think you mean the gas pedal position sensor. Remapping the throttle position sensor (do they even need one for a stepper motor?) would mess with the A/F ratio until the computer corrected for it. Sounds like the same thing could be done with a resistor and diode. Perhaps that is what it is. The resistor to increase the sensor output and the diode to keep it from exceeding max and throwing a code. Still a nice idea.

I think you're right. From what TooCold wrote, I think there must be more to it than I initially though. I'd be curious to get one in my hands tear into and look at.

[Fowvay]

Did no one bother to read my explanation?

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

But of course I read your posts Fowvay, your first response (out of all the replies) is the only one that supplied to the point, true information regarding the function and validity of the Sprint Booster, thank you...

[vdubbugman53]

im so happy to have a cable attaching my foot to my TB....but should i have gotten a DBW i would pick this up for sure. a jerky throttle i can deal with and from what i gather from you too cold i dont think you will give a hoot either...try it out and post a review

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

In case anyone missed it in post #7 where I said: "so far I have experienced no side-effects or fault codes etc.", this means no side-effects.

With the exception of reaction speed I have experienced normal throttle function in every other way, my throttle operation remains smooth, not at all jerky or glitchy.

[vdubbugman53]

i missed post #7 fooooo show

[Motown Philly]

Thanks for the heads-up TooCold. I thought I had recently read a quick installation in one of the Tuner magazines like Import Tuner, but when I just rifled thru my latest stash of magazines, all I found was a full page ad in European Car. Nevertheless, I will keep an eye-out in case I come across it again and let you know if there is any helpful info in it.
I did a quick "Google" and noticed GMP sells it for $396, but I thought the article I read mentioned it was around $200, but that sounds like to big of a difference.
Thanks again,
Phil

[Genifer Teal]

Originally Posted by Fowvay

Did no one bother to read my explanation?

FWIW yes. You give a nice explanation of what it does. I do not see an explanation or any theories of how it does it.

Gen

[CA Solt]

OK -after having this installed for about 6 weeks, I have this observation to offer:

An operator induced jerky acceleration can occur when pulling from a stop, especially when the engine is cold.
I have done a throttle adaptation in the hope that it would smooth out -no dice.

I do reiterate it is an operator induced phenomenon due to the combination of the sensitivity of the device, and the resultant attempt to re-modulate the acceleration curve.

Bottom line -I'm having a bitch of a time getting used to the hair trigger response that Sprint Booster gives you.
Damn Drive By Wire throttle!

To be fair -this add on does what it says and provides more throttle response at all points on the curve.

Does anyone have this same issue, or can anyone offer a solution?

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Originally Posted by Genifer Teal

FWIW yes. You give a nice explanation of what it does. I do not see an explanation or any theories of how it does it.

Gen

I don't know if you will find anything other than theories and opinions as to how this unit works, I would imagine that is under Patent thereby protecting that information.

As far as I am concerned, as long as it does not cause any issues with any on board systems (which I have not seen) and continues to perform like it has, I personally don't care how they did it...

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Originally Posted by CA Solt

OK -after having this installed for about 6 weeks, I have this observation to offer:

An operator induced jerky acceleration can occur when pulling from a stop, especially when the engine is cold.
I have done a throttle adaptation in the hope that it would smooth out -no dice.

I do reiterate it is an operator induced phenomenon due to the combination of the sensitivity of the device, and the resultant attempt to re-modulate the acceleration curve.

Bottom line -I'm having a bitch of a time getting used to the hair trigger response that Sprint Booster gives you.
Damn Drive By Wire throttle!

To be fair -this add on does what it says and provides more throttle response at all points on the curve.

Does anyone have this same issue, or can anyone offer a solution?

As with any performance modification, it is necessary for the driver to relearn how properly operate the vehicle, at this point I have learned with second nature to approach the throttle with better precision and less aggression, as a result I do not experience said jerkiness etc.