SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)

Sprint Booster...necessary on later models?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-01-14, 11:08 PM
  #1  
430keeper
Driver
Thread Starter
 
430keeper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Sprint Booster...necessary on later models?

Did the later models of the sc430 get an improved
throttle response so that a sprint booster isn't
necessary ? Or can the later models benefit too?
Old 10-02-14, 09:54 AM
  #2  
JohnnyCake
Racer
 
JohnnyCake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: DC
Posts: 1,637
Received 51 Likes on 38 Posts
Default

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but in my humble opinion, no car benefits from a sprint booster (also called a pivot throttle controller).

All those things do is fool the engine into thinking you are pushing the pedal harder. Meaning at half pedal action, the engine thinks you are at full pedal action, for example. But you could achieve the same result (and save $300) by just pressing the pedal farther yourself.

The downside is that now the full range of the pedal action is no longer used. In the example above, with the sprint booster, pressing the pedal from half to full range would result in no change in throttle. This means your ability to make small changes is compromised because you have reduced the overall range of the pedal action.

To me, they are basically "snake oil" but obviously not everyone agrees.
Old 10-02-14, 10:12 AM
  #3  
Slingshot1
Driver
 
Slingshot1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 121
Received 6 Likes on 1 Post
Default

Let me get a drink, this could get better than "the best oil" thread!
LOL
Old 10-02-14, 10:14 AM
  #4  
bacardi11
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
bacardi11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: N.J.
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

JonnyCake
I think I like the snake oil way. that just my opinion of the sprint boost. Sling I know I know.

Last edited by bacardi11; 10-02-14 at 10:17 AM.
Old 10-02-14, 10:51 AM
  #5  
mrblister
Pole Position
 
mrblister's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Pa
Posts: 2,624
Received 64 Likes on 56 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by bacardi11
JonnyCake
I think I like the snake oil way. that just my opinion of the sprint boost. Sling I know I know.
I have the sprint booster and find that if I had a do over I would of not installed it but since I went to great trouble to hide it in the ashtray and made it look like it was OEM I just kept it. Most of the times when I d.rive I have it off since I am not looking to drive it jack rabbit style
Old 10-02-14, 11:02 AM
  #6  
toffee123
Driver School Candidate
 
toffee123's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: CA
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Mine is '05 and I have never driven a post '05. Can anyone verify what did Lexus do to the throttle in '06? How is the result? can we retrofit on pre '06 models?

I really want to have a more responsive throttle, my '05 sometimes felt like having turbo lag.
Old 10-02-14, 11:08 AM
  #7  
mrblister
Pole Position
 
mrblister's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Pa
Posts: 2,624
Received 64 Likes on 56 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by toffee123
Mine is '05 and I have never driven a post '05. Can anyone verify what did Lexus do to the throttle in '06? How is the result? can we retrofit on pre '06 models?

I really want to have a more responsive throttle, my '05 sometimes felt like having turbo lag.
As far as I know the diff between 2005 and 2006 was the 2006 was a six speed trans and I think electric controlled . I am pretty sure the drive by wire was the same for all the years . The thought behind drive by wire and not direct linkage was that it should be the same. Drive by wire was tied in to the engine ecu and was they way to go. Linkage was not as reliable and was subject to mechanical adjustment and wear and tare
Old 10-02-14, 11:58 AM
  #8  
430keeper
Driver
Thread Starter
 
430keeper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I have to agree with johnnycake...it puts all the travel in the 0 to 50% pedal
range. I would, however, like to see a unit that is staged...one that gives
more response early when you need it, but turns more linear and less
agressive as you speed up....the problem is, its overall non-linearity
could lead to some pretty squirrley driving behavior.
Old 10-02-14, 12:02 PM
  #9  
mrblister
Pole Position
 
mrblister's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Pa
Posts: 2,624
Received 64 Likes on 56 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 430keeper
I have to agree with johnnycake...it puts all the travel in the 0 to 50% pedal
range. I would, however, like to see a unit that is staged...one that gives
more response early when you need it, but turns more linear and less
agressive as you speed up....the problem is, its overall non-linearity
could lead to some pretty squirrley driving behavior.
When I do you use my sprint booster I SET IT at SP1 and that more then gives me the pedal sensitivity that I like. Does it really make a difference if not that much. I never go beyond SP! indeed it feels really funny at those higher settings
Old 10-02-14, 01:01 PM
  #10  
bacardi11
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
bacardi11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: N.J.
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

I set mine on the highest setting and that it.
Old 10-02-14, 05:44 PM
  #11  
doodles714
Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
doodles714's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: California
Posts: 80
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

The Sprint Booster allows for much better driver input. For around town driving I keep it in 3rd with the SP on the first (green) setting. Not great for fuel economy but who's counting. Also works great for those mountain climbs.
I wouldn't drive this car without it.
It's the best $300 you can spend and if you want you fuel economy back, for a long highway trip or whatever, you just turn it off.
Old 10-03-14, 05:15 AM
  #12  
LexBrett
Lexus Test Driver
 
LexBrett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,076
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 12 Posts
Default

Sprintbooster completely changed my car. Went from pressing on the gas and waiting for 1 to 2 seconds for the throttle to kick in to almost an instantaneous pop from the wheels. The only downsides are the decreased mpg and tendency for wheels to break loose under the highest setting. End of story. Get it.
Old 10-03-14, 12:58 PM
  #13  
430keeper
Driver
Thread Starter
 
430keeper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Hey Lex, what year of sc430 do you have ? Does the booster remember your last setting
when the car is off ?
Old 10-03-14, 01:27 PM
  #14  
mrblister
Pole Position
 
mrblister's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Pa
Posts: 2,624
Received 64 Likes on 56 Posts
Default

Mine remembers the last setting but when you restart the car you have to turn it on. Once on it will go automatically to the last setting when you turned it off.
Old 10-03-14, 03:14 PM
  #15  
ShawnOk
Pole Position
iTrader: (1)
 
ShawnOk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,169
Received 89 Likes on 76 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by LexBrett
Sprintbooster completely changed my car. Went from pressing on the gas and waiting for 1 to 2 seconds for the throttle to kick in to almost an instantaneous pop from the wheels. The only downsides are the decreased mpg and tendency for wheels to break loose under the highest setting. End of story. Get it.
Yes, it remember the last setting used. Therefore, you can even unplug the programming unit (the box) when the setting is either green or red and the car will continually stay in that mode.


Quick Reply: Sprint Booster...necessary on later models?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:56 PM.