Depends - do you spend time past 3/4 of the pedal travel? If so, no, if not, yes.

All the SprintBooster does is reduce the pedal travel by a bit less that 1/3. Calling that improved throttle response is a bit misleading IMHO, but sounds a lot better in marketing material than "reduces the pedal travel".

 

I think the best description is a mix of our statements...

The Sprint Booster does not affect pedal travel, but it does affect the signal sent by the pedal to the ECU, amplifying the response. Throttle response (in the traditional sense of physically altering the throttle body) is not directly altered. However, the ECU does open the throttle faster based on the altered signal from the Sprint Booster.

By all accounts, you cannot replicate the affects of the product by stepping on the pedal harder/faster.

 

Oh really? Think you might want to test that, considering you supply no input that the pedal can't, and on your last generation product, didn't supply more voltage on either channel to the ECU than the pedal did without the SprintBooster.

x-axis is voltage on primary channel to ECU, y is pedal percentage depressed, including the kick-down button.

EDITED : Not 100% clear, but this is with the older, single mode SprintBooster, not the new dual mode.

 

Fair enough. Please note that I'm not with the manufacturer, so my interpretation of the graph and the feedback from SB users is based on my experience as a third-party provider.

I can see exactly where you're coming from based on that chart - the voltage is there if you stomp on it. The product is sending more voltage earlier, but levels off at the top, indicating that beyond the 2/3 depression point you're seeing no gain. However, I wouldn't assume that the SB is able to provide any more voltage than is available - it's simply altering the signal to deliver it earlier.

There's no doubt that the product alters the way the throttle response feels, though. Those that are using the product have repeatedly reported that the sensation is far different than simply stomping on the pedal.

Because the SB was developed in response to widespread complaints about throttle lag due to drive by wire systems, it's probably important to recognize that the problem area is off-the-line acceleration. From a stand still, getting on the pedal will result in a noticeable lag between depression and vroom... Amplifying the signal will therefore be most noticeable at that early stage. This is consistent with the reports from Sprint Booster users.

Now, because effects of the product are not something that can be measured by HP or torque gain, it's difficult to provide empirical proof of performance. I'm happy to hang my hat on the positive reviews and awards the Sprint Booster has received, though.

 

I haven't with mine, virtually the same and I usually have mine in sports mode.

 

Allow me to provide an owners perspective.

First, I have installed the Sprint Booster 2 on my 2006 C55 AMG. My comments are therefore limited to the way it affects my car. While it seems plausible to me that the way it might impact another car (with throttle lag) would be similar to the effect it has on my car, "waking up" a motor with 362hp might produce a more significant impact than say waking up a motor with 250hp. That being said, the impact is always going to be "relative" to the way the car reacts before installation. Therefore, in that regard, the "difference" might well be similarly meaningful.

I have had mine installed for a few days now and in my opinion it "completely" changes the response of the car when you press the accelerator. Previously, the car would be sluggish off the line and then all of a sudden "bang" it would take off. Unless you got into the throttle, the response was somewhat uninspiring - disappointingly so IMHO. With the sprint booster on, the car responds almost immediately when you press the accelerator, and as you give it more pedal the power comes on in a "very linear way".

The 2nd gen Sprint Booster gives you the ability to switch between three modes: no boost (clear); high boost (red); and mid level boost (green). I drove the car for an hour yesterday switching between the three modes and the difference with either boost mode (green or red) engaged and clear (stock) is "night and day".

This is the most important point. There was "no way" for me to replicate the feeling I got with the sprint booster engaged versus stock mode - no matter how I tried to alter my push on the pedal. While I understand that part of the reaction with the sprint booster engaged is getting the effect of a more pronounced push on the accelerator with less push of the pedal (e.g., 1/4 travel equates to more than 1/4 pedal travel in stock mode). However, it's the way the power is delivered which is different.

With the sprint booster engaged, the power delivery feels very linear, with more acceleration coming from each little bit of incremental effort on the pedal. In OEM mode, it's like Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (very little impact from the initial push of the pedal until you hit a point and then it feels like you have floored the accelerator). My wife has often complained asking me why I am driving like a maniac. The problem has been it is either little acceleration or tons of acceleration. I have often found myself apologizing to passengers in my car and pointing out that I'm not trying to drive like an idiot. It's just the way the car behaves.

Again, I don't know how the product works technically, so I can't argue on the science. I am just providing an owners perspective.

One last thing, I too was a "non-believer". It seems plausible to me that perhaps all you get is the same effect you would get by pressing the pedal harder. So I held off buying the sprint booster until recently. Now that I have it, I am disappointed that I remained a non-believer as long as I did. I could have enjoyed the benefits of the sprint booster a long time ago had I taken a chance on it when I first learned of it. If you are like me - geez, these naysayers have a point - I would suggest you stop wringing your hands over this decision. Buy it and try it out. It's the best couple hundred dollars I have ever spent on my car (any car). And, it's risk free (as long as you do not get it on a group buy). Even then, I would suspect you'd be able to resell it on these forums or on e-bay if you wanted - although I can't imagine anyone installing this product and ever wanting to go back to the stock configuration.

 

+1
Uh, yeah....what he said....

 

I know this whole Sprint Booster thread is old news but I just installed one and feel compelled to comment about it. In a word, wow! For something that is 300 bucks and plug and play (in 10-15 mins), I can't say that I have ever felt better about a a car modification that I have done (and I have done many). My C55 feels like it has enormous torque off the line and despite what some people think, you cannot replicate the feeling by simply stepping harder on the pedal. One, it takes a second for you to do that, and two, after stepping down hard, it takes some time for the computer to register. All I know is in "red" mode, the car has incredible power. Maybe it's power I already had but the fact that I don't have to floor it makes the power so much easier to attain and more functional IMO. For all the naysayers out there, I can certainly appreciate if you don't want to spend 300 bucks but don't knock it until you try it. I can assure you, it's well worth the money. Go pick one up and try their 30 day return policy. You won't be sending it back!

 

You can also get a tune which fixed the throttle response lag + gives a few more usable HP.

 

It doesn't happen to help with the 1500 jerk does it?

 

+1000. The SB is worth its weight in gold. After 4+ years of ownership, I once again look forward to each drive in my C55. Power delivery is smooth and linear - no more "on-off" switch accelerator pedal. Should have been this way out of the factory. Best couple hundred bucks I ever spent on my car.

 

+1000. The SB is worth its weight in gold. After 4+ years of ownership, I once again look forward to each drive in my C55. Power delivery is smooth and linear - no more "on-off" switch accelerator pedal. Should have been this way out of the factory. Best couple hundred bucks I ever spent on my car.

 

+1/2, I have the old style SB on the C32 and like the "throttle response." In lieu of this, I'd spend a few hundred bucks more and get a tune and a NEW Code 3 style pulley when produced.

Make no mistake, the SB feels great, BUT it DOES NOT make your car any quicker. ONLY mods will do that...............

 

NO, it does not (at least my old style does not do away with the 1500 RPM "jerk." )

 

I don't think anyone debates the issue of whether it adds hp or tq - it does not. However, it "totally transforms" the feel of the car. Much more efficient access to the power and torque the car already has. If my SB died out of warranty, the very first thing I would do is buy another one.

 

Does the sprint booster eliminate the adaptive tranny? Does the ECU reset make a difference after the sprint booster is installed?

 

I put one on in February and am very happy I did. Technically it adds no power but the car no longer has that "laggy" feeling in part throttle use and feels downright explosive in daily driving now. At anything less than near WOT, the car felt soggy and I had to jam into the throttle to get strong acceleration, which was annoying and impractical in urban driving as the surge would come on all at once. Now, the car shoots along nicely with light throttle movements.

In sum, the SB is probably not necessary for someone who has a lot of open space or who goes to full throttle often. But if you drive in traffic regularly, it's fantastic and well worth the money, IMHO.

 

I think you said it best - I feel like my car is "downright explosive" in normal driving. Whether you are driving in the city or on the freeway, your C55 will feel like a whole different car. People can argue up and down about whether it makes your car quicker. Bottom line is, your car will be quick.

This may be the best $300 mod I have ever purchased. And I'll just note, that I have spent countless thousands on my Porsche 911 (full exhast - headers, cats, cat back, software, etc.) and I'm not sure anything has given me this kind of satisfaction! I know I sound like a commercial but it's a must have for any C55 owner.

 

I'm not sure if I can live without mine. On the odd occasion, I switch it off (newer model) just to see how life used to be and it's absolutely horrid! It's more like driving an old C180.

If you guys don't have one fitted yet, procrastinate no more... just go and get one!

 

I need to add that with the SprintBooster in, it doesn't eliminate the other annoying problems such as the torque converter locking up on 2nd gear or the gearbox wanting to shift into higher gear too soon. At least, a little nudge the gear will drop down and way you go

 

Sprintbooster fans, has anyone used it long enough to tell if there are any reliability issues? I know that it only amplifies the throttle voltage, but has anyone had it on long enough to see any problems or side effects? Thanks!

 

I've had mine since this review:

https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...ck-thread.html

 

In my opinion, there is no need for the ECU reset anymore. The power is there not only immediately, but linearly (i.e., every incremental push of the accelerator pedal gives you more power). Without the SB it was little acceleration until you hit a point and then it was full acceleration. Kind of like a light switch.

Like joeljp said, I have turned mine off a few times just to "feel the difference" and it is just stunning. I can't believe they let this car out of the factory the way they did. The SB or something like it (whether done by adjustment to the ECU or otherwise) should be mandatory on any AMG leaving the factory.

 

Will BE quick or feel quick?? Big difference. I have the SB and do like the feel of the throttle now. Car still runs the same qtr before and after the SB. Call it what it is, its a great tool for making the throttle feel more responsive. It does NOT ^^^ (see post above) actually make it quicker. Note that one can get a Jerry Tune for 399.00 on a C55 and that my friends will apparently NET you + 20 HP. Now that's something you can feel!!

 

I think the distinction here may be that Newzchspy is making his case based upon a quarter mile time - certainly a scientific way to do it (assuming conditions were the same for 1/4 mile runs with and w/o the SB). So WOT with SB to WOT w/o SB he says no difference. So that is true on a C32. Maybe true on a C55 or maybe not, we don't know unless there is anyone out there with a C55 who has done quarter mile with and without a SB who can talk from hard data.

Anyway, assuming that there is no real difference in quarter mile times, does not mean there is no actual difference in quickness in normal street driving. This is for the reason Slater126 gave below. At anything other than WOT, there is both an actual and a perceived difference in quickness.

With a second generation SB, you can play around all day with the SB on and the SB off and you will see that the difference is "night and day" - in all but perhaps WOT application. I don't know about everyone else, but most of my driving is not done in WOT mode. With the SB, there is simply no need for that anymore. Plus, you eliminate the light switch operation of the stock accelerator pedal.