Has anyone got one of these?

[94Luke]

I remember reading about them in a magazine a while ago, but I haven't really seen anyone using one, what do you think?

http://www.sprint-booster.co.uk/

Do you think it what really make a big difference? Or just have a placebo effect?

[pitsirikas]

I (use to) have one of these.
BIG difference in every gear at low RPMs.
Recommended for cars with bigger exhaust and aftermarket intake...
Not recommended for remaped cars...

[RedRobin]

Recommended for cars with bigger exhaust and aftermarket intake...

Not recommended for remaped cars...

....Isn't that a bit of a contradiction? - If an aftermarket performance exhaust and air intake are fitted, a remap contributes a lot. And vica-versa.

[pitsirikas]

....Isn't that a bit of a contradiction? - If an aftermarket performance exhaust and air intake are fitted, a remap contributes a lot. And vica-versa.

You are absolutely right.
I'm talking about cars with an aftermarket performance exhaust and aftermarket air intake fitted but not remaped.

[BeezerDiesel]

I know a guy who has one fitted and was considering one myself a couple of years ago, but the price of them for what they are is very, very high. All they do is kid your throttle pedal sensor into thinking your foot is nearer the carpet than it is.
I read a review of one in Audi Driver magazine a while back and they said it was actually better suited to a remapped car than a standard one due to the power delivery characteristics.
They don't give any more power or torque what so ever, all that happens is the throttle will open wider for less movement of the accelerator pedal. Great fun in some situations, bit of a headache in heavy traffic and loads of wheel spin in wet weather. Maybe worth it for £25 but not for what they charge for them.

[RedRobin]

^^^^
Sounds very much as if this gizmo interferes badly with driveability.

Having a 'big' exhaust and intake is wasted without a remap as well, imo.

[tony_danza]

As mainstream tuners map the throttle from the ECU for better response, I'd image this in addition would then make it un-usable... maybe what they mean?

[pitsirikas]

bit of a headache in heavy traffic and loads of wheel spin in wet weather.

These are exactly the reasons why it's better not to install it in a remaped car.

[RedRobin]

....

Sounds to me that it's better to go for a full remap where more than just the throttle is 'tuned'.

[cmdrfire]

Fail.
Please do not install aftermarket units that interfere with electronic signals from original equipment. This is dangerous, stupid, and/or pointless.

[pitsirikas]

Having a 'big' exhaust and intake is wasted without a remap as well, imo.

Once again absolutely right...
But... I used it for about a month untill i decide where to go for remap.
Revo, PowerLogic, APR or MTM.
Now with PowerLogic stage 2 installed no need of any booster...

[BeezerDiesel]

As mainstream tuners map the throttle from the ECU for better response, I'd image this in addition would then make it un-usable... maybe what they mean?

What this does is take out the dead bit of pedal travel before the engine wakes up a bit, so to speak. Or put another way reduces the point at which WOT is achieved. Best way I can describe it would be like having the throttle response of a 205 GTI.

I had an early tuning box on an Ibiza TDI about 12 years ago (when VW were making dull GTIs and I decided I needed to experiment with go-faster Diesels for cheap fun) and this had a similar accelerator pedal response. Almost like turbo lag in reverse! Breathe on the throttle pedal on off it went - fast! You just adapt your driving style to suit but it does make for some rapid driving in on-off throttle situations.

[BeezerDiesel]

....

Sounds to me that it's better to go for a full remap where more than just the throttle is 'tuned'.

Nail on head, although the Sprint Booster can easily be used to sharpen up the re-map further. It's easy to be sceptical about these things until you try a car with one on. I have and they work but there's no way they're worth the money. Second hand ebay bargain and maybe it would make sense.