I realize there are numerous posts already on this subject, I think I read them all prior to making my decision to buy the Sprintbooster. I also read the old “white paper” that is floating around that somebody did a nice job of documenting and attempted to provide a lot of good scientific detail in a less than scientific way (trying to match exact pressure for each test pushing pedal with foot) that the SB provides little to no improvement over the quick and heavy foot method.

The most common debate has two clear sides/opinions:

Those who have not tried it – “It is worthless, you can achieve the same by just pressing the pedal harder”

Those who have installed it – “It is excellent, truly enhances the driving experience in this car, should have come out of the factory this way”

I am now part of the installed group. I love the way this cars pulls now without having to mash the pedal, it is much improved over the stock, sluggish feeling. For the not so great price of 339 bucks, this part truly changes the way the car drives, not only from a dead stop, but on the highway where I do about 70 miles per day. Passing in the 65 – 80mph range is quick and deliberate – there is basically no delay when kicking down to pass and the pedal travel is minimal to engage the lower gears.

To be completely fair, there are a couple things I think could be improved:

Feels cheaply made – especially the switch to go to the different modes. For what the build cost vs. purchase cost is, I wish it was made “more sturdy” (however, it is nice that you can set it and just remove the switch and it will retain that setting).

3 modes – clear, green, and red - stock, sport, and race is what they are calling the modes. I think green and red are too similar, I actually wish the green (sport) mode was a little more mild – more in between stock and race to provide a wider range of driving choices.

Bottom line – do not knock it until you try it – I have had this car for 6 months, this week I have not been able to wipe the smile off my face while driving it, very much improved…Still need to mount the switch, and snapped a quick pic after detailing right after the install.

 

I know I want one .

 

i think the worst thing bout the sprintbooster is that you'll see your gas meter racing down while your rpm racing up

 

A fairly-approached and well-written discussion on a subjective topic. But, by your own words (above), have you not also validated the first group's position that this is really just an electronic pedal masher?

 

Yes, I do not disagree with that and even they (Sprintbooster) state that in so many words on thier site:

Faster Throttle Response
Sprint Booster makes your car's throttle respond faster to your foot. As a result, your gas pedal actually achieves a full throttle response 25% sooner than the stock configuration. Even if you have a 'sport' button, Sprint Booster will quicken the throttle response time. By making the throttle respond faster to your input, you will feel as though your car has more muscle than it really does!


• Sprint Booster does not increase Horsepower.

• Sprint Booster does not reduce your 0-60mph times.

• Sprint Booster DOES make your car 'FEEL' faster.

While I was hoping not to start this debate again, I knew by posting it would start all over no biggie...All I can say is the car is SO MUCH more exciting to drive with it installed - I drive everything I own hard, and was a pedal masher in this car also, making it perform by pounding it when I wanted it - Now even while driving normal (in my standards - I do 100mph at least once a day on the hwy) the car feels quick even during normal driving...I know, hard to explain unless you try it - and it is controllable as you get used to it - I wish you lived near me so I could let you drive it...

 

It does work, it really makes the car more enjoyable if you're into fast driving. Basically, it eliminates all those times when you aren't flooring it. Why wouldn't you want to floor it all the time? What in the hell is wrong with you?

I had one on my CLK500 and it was great. Not sure if they make one for the CLKBS but I'm sure it would scare the **** snacks out of me.

 

"... on the highway where I do about 70 miles per day. Passing in the 65 – 80mph range is quick and deliberate – there is basically no delay when kicking down to pass and the pedal travel is minimal to engage the lower gears."

That's an added benefit ... the kickdown is related to TPS, and the SB will get more throttle for the same pedal input, downshifting more readily.

Sprint Booster White Paper

Test Car: 1999 Mercedes Benz SLK 230 with a manual transmission.

Fig's 1, 3, and 4 are the most important. They show how stock TB response is non-linear (curved) in a bad way and lags pedal motion, especially in the first half of pedal travel, contributing to a laggy downshift. Fig 3 shows how TB response with SB is now linear (like a direct cable), and is a multiple of pedal motion (ie gain). This maxes out the TB at about 3/4 throttle.

Figs 3 & 4 show the SB with a linear "gain" of 1.3 . Even with a linear gain of 1.0, still more peppy than stock. In Fig 1, the blue pedal motion curve would be the same as the TB motion curve.

Most of the paper is an argument that a 0-60 time will be quicker. It may let you drop .005 sec's, but in reality it does nothing for 0-60 or 1/4 mile times. No increase in power.

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I have had the "old" sprint booster on my 2008 and now on the 2011 and although it does make an initial difference, the car will adapt itself back (although not exacty as without the SB). so i still have to do the "reset" once in a while.

Perhaps this isn't the case with the new 3 mode SB.... would one ever take it out of the red/sport mode?

 

I've got a tune, sb, and had a high performance exhaust. Sb by far was the the best investment. I was going to trade my car in a month ago for a clk amg but it was not as much fun-responsive as myc c350 with sb. Sounds crazy, but true...

 

Now that is some statement Glovemoney- I was considering a tune prior to purchasing the SB, but still have some concerns with "digging in" too deep on this car at this point (28K miles). Are you saying the SB was the best investment based on the bang for your buck or just that it was the most noticeable change in driving performance?

 

Usually the tune makes the car feel faster cause most get it after they had the car a while, it resets the ECU as they flash it to the new code so when u get it back its responsive and has a few ponies to boot. The SB is totally different, just gives you the quickness in the pedal like more pep is there. Anybody thats in NNJ is welcome to check my 350 out w all the goodies and see how it drives compared to theirs. I did my tune at 900 miles in May and started getting on it when I got it back and break in was close to over, so I never really felt the difference. I do know that I pull a fat car length on stock 350s from a dead stop so she is faster than stock

 

I had the original Booster and it was fun I think the one to switch is better since there are times that you hear the car rev and you would like to adjust the speed at times. The best time to really use it would be when changing lanes especially. I sold mine but it was fun to have.