Hopefully, we can use this thread as place where those who have installed Sprintboosters can post their reviews...
<jonymac's review>
BACKGROUND:
I have read all the back and forth between the pro SB camp and the against SB camp. I read the white paper and read all the other car board threads I could find. I decided to take advantage of Dave's 10 day money back guarantee, and decided to be open minded about it. Other than swapping out the turbo, I have done all the other performance mods - RPI exhaust, RPI intercooler, intercooler piping, fujita air intake, Dejon TB elbow, Big Bore TB, Wester's race tune, painted engine cover (I'm sure it helps somehow ) -- still looking for a catless RPI DP though. I grew up with a 66 Mustang with a Boss 302, four barrel Holley, dual exhaust, the works. I enjoy power, throaty exhausts and convertibles.
INSTALL:
Received mine from UPS today (despite blaming Dave unfairly for sending my SB by three legged camel) - dropped my stuff, got out of my big boy clothes and into some play clothes and went out to do the install. Now, I have to say, those who said it takes 3 minutes are either contortionists or midgets, or both. My ribs still hurt from laying across the sill and fidgeting with connectors upside down!
The SB was definitely a tight fit - I installed it by removing the pink clip above the accelerator pedal sensor - (slide it backwards), pressing down on the rear detent and pulling. (I believe there is another thread with pics) I pushed the SB into the connector and then plugged the SB into the car. Took about 20 minutes to figure out how the connectors worked, test fit the pieces and find the right tools to encourage a tight connection. In the end, I just squeezed as hard as I could. I uninstalled it and reinstalled it twice just to be sure I could do it on the fly later if needed. Next go around it should be closer to 3-5 minutes total.
IMPRESSIONS:
Sorry to disappoint you guys out there, but you aren't going to slaughter women and children in a parking lot with this thing. (I went to the local Walmart parking lot to test it and be sure.) There is a definite difference with it installed - no placebo effect AT ALL. If you put two identical cars next to each other and didn't tell the driver the SB was installed, had them drive the non-SB car first, then the SB car, he would definitely crap his pants at the difference!
1st gear is gonna take some getting used to - it was a bit yippy and there is a definite need to feather in the clutch a bit to even things out. 2nd and 3rd gear come on FAST. The thing I can say about this is that not only does the car drive differently, but it will change how you drive the car. I spent about 30 minutes tonight tooling around highways, back roads and parking lots. I am still giggling and grinning!
CLOSING:
The best way to put it is, all the mods I have done have given me a bunch more HP to play with. This device gives me all that power like, RIGHT NOW. I understand the mechanics of, "just push the accelerator further and save some money". Really, I get that. This thing just makes the car damned fun, as if it weren't fun enough already!
I know this review may be meaningless for those who are staunchly in the against SB camp because it can't add HP to your ride. I am not trying to convince you this is right for you, because it most probably wouldn't be if you are dead set against it. In life, sometimes, you just gotta try it to believe it.
For the nice discount gotten in the group buy, I think this is definitely worth the money - but that is just me. I bought all my other performance mods at discount prices - used, slightly damaged, group buys, etc. If anyone can reverse engineer this thing and post pics and a nice How to - that would be awesome! I will definitely be looking at a way to install some sort of intermediary switch to make the car wife friendly - anyone who has ideas here - please speak up!
I for one was on the fence, but willing to try the SB and am happy with the product. It will definitely lead to a lot of spirited driving. The cost of the product will probably pale in comparison to the cost of my future pink slips from the nice man in a pressed blue suit with those flashy blue lights...
__________________
Black Onyx 2009 Saturn Sky Redline
Manual transmission
Black leather
Monsoon stereo
6-disk CD/MP3 changer
Stubby Antenna
"Redline" Wind Restrictor
K&N Air Filter
35% tint, side and rear windows
Last edited by uranium-238 : 04-06-2009 at 07:30 PM.
Bradsky - definitely fun! I drove it in to the office this morning - about a 30 mile drive into DC - it was a BLAST! Still learning how to feather 1st gear, but I got 2nd down now. The car feels (yes, folks there it is - "feels") so quick now! If I got duped and I'm in a dream - please don't wake me up!
Uranium - There definitely is a setting between off and high. When I tried it out yesterday afternoon - the roads were still wet from the rain in our area - no problems there. This morning the roads were dry and I drove it in a mixture of highway and bumper to bumper traffic - again no problems. On one of the roads before getting on 395N I opened her up and as I shifted into and out of 2nd I forgot to pull my foot out of the clutch and revved her up to about 6500 RPMs - for the next few days I will probably look a bit like a 16 year old getting used to a stick shift!
Anyhow, I think this mod really adds to the enjoyment of my roadster immensely. Can't wait to hear other folks' impressions...
Hopefully, we can use this thread as place where those who have installed Sprintboosters can post their reviews...
<jonymac's review>
BACKGROUND:
I have read all the back and forth between the pro SB camp and the against SB camp. I read the white paper and read all the other car board threads I could find. I decided to take advantage of Dave's 10 day money back guarantee, and decided to be open minded about it. Other than swapping out the turbo, I have done all the other performance mods - RPI exhaust, RPI intercooler, intercooler piping, fujita air intake, Dejon TB elbow, Big Bore TB, Wester's race tune, painted engine cover (I'm sure it helps somehow ) -- still looking for a catless RPI DP though. I grew up with a 66 Mustang with a Boss 302, four barrel Holley, dual exhaust, the works. I enjoy power, throaty exhausts and convertibles.
INSTALL:
Received mine from UPS today (despite blaming Dave unfairly for sending my SB by three legged camel) - dropped my stuff, got out of my big boy clothes and into some play clothes and went out to do the install. Now, I have to say, those who said it takes 3 minutes are either contortionists or midgets, or both. My ribs still hurt from laying across the sill and fidgeting with connectors upside down!
The SB was definitely a tight fit - I installed it by removing the pink clip above the accelerator pedal sensor - (slide it backwards), pressing down on the rear detent and pulling. (I believe there is another thread with pics) I pushed the SB into the connector and then plugged the SB into the car. Took about 20 minutes to figure out how the connectors worked, test fit the pieces and find the right tools to encourage a tight connection. In the end, I just squeezed as hard as I could. I uninstalled it and reinstalled it twice just to be sure I could do it on the fly later if needed. Next go around it should be closer to 3-5 minutes total.
IMPRESSIONS:
Sorry to disappoint you guys out there, but you aren't going to slaughter women and children in a parking lot with this thing. (I went to the local Walmart parking lot to test it and be sure.) There is a definite difference with it installed - no placebo effect AT ALL. If you put two identical cars next to each other and didn't tell the driver the SB was installed, had them drive the non-SB car first, then the SB car, he would definitely crap his pants at the difference!
1st gear is gonna take some getting used to - it was a bit yippy and there is a definite need to feather in the clutch a bit to even things out. 2nd and 3rd gear come on FAST. The thing I can say about this is that not only does the car drive differently, but it will change how you drive the car. I spent about 30 minutes tonight tooling around highways, back roads and parking lots. I am still giggling and grinning!
CLOSING:
The best way to put it is, all the mods I have done have given me a bunch more HP to play with. This device gives me all that power like, RIGHT NOW. I understand the mechanics of, "just push the accelerator further and save some money". Really, I get that. This thing just makes the car damned fun, as if it weren't fun enough already!
I know this review may be meaningless for those who are staunchly in the against SB camp because it can't add HP to your ride. I am not trying to convince you this is right for you, because it most probably wouldn't be if you are dead set against it. In life, sometimes, you just gotta try it to believe it.
For the nice discount gotten in the group buy, I think this is definitely worth the money - but that is just me. I bought all my other performance mods at discount prices - used, slightly damaged, group buys, etc. If anyone can reverse engineer this thing and post pics and a nice How to - that would be awesome! I will definitely be looking at a way to install some sort of intermediary switch to make the car wife friendly - anyone who has ideas here - please speak up!
I for one was on the fence, but willing to try the SB and am happy with the product. It will definitely lead to a lot of spirited driving. The cost of the product will probably pale in comparison to the cost of my future pink slips from the nice man in a pressed blue suit with those flashy blue lights...
the 350Z folks are able to tune this out in their chips too. I see no reason why it wouldn't work on the Sky. All you are doing is removing the nanny that keeps wheel spin from happening in first gear so you don't lose traction and give it a drive by cable feel.
the 350Z folks are able to tune this out in their chips too. I see no reason why it wouldn't work on the Sky. All you are doing is removing the nanny that keeps wheel spin from happening in first gear so you don't lose traction and give it a drive by cable feel.
No, that's not what it is doing. Go read the other thread about this, it's changing the pedal's response curve.
Any "nanny" devices are downstream from the pedal, and therefore still active.
__________________
Black Onyx 2009 Saturn Sky Redline
Manual transmission
Black leather
Monsoon stereo
6-disk CD/MP3 changer
Stubby Antenna
"Redline" Wind Restrictor
K&N Air Filter
35% tint, side and rear windows
No, that's not what it is doing. Go read the other thread about this, it's changing the pedal's response curve.
Any "nanny" devices are downstream from the pedal, and therefore still active.
sounds like there is room for improvement then like the 350z, you can activate different modes by clicking the cruise control buttons a certain number of times so you can do this pedal response curve with one click, two clicks gives you no nannies, and the third click is stock.
Took a break from it for awhile then came back to it and finally got it in and secured fully. The trick for me, for anyone else having trouble with this, was pushing it in as far/hard as I could and then wiggling it back and forth as I continued to push it inwards.
Initial thoughts are entirely positive. Most of what I think about it has already been said by others, but if I could add something I guess it would be to question how it is that can it feel this much faster without actually being so? The difference it makes is so hugely noticeable, with 2 like cars there's absolutely no way you wouldn't be able to tell which car had a sprintbooster and which didn't.
My biggest endorsement: I'm looking forward to the commute home tonight.
__________________ 2008 Saturn Sky Redline | GM Stage Tune + BSR Tune, RPi Stage 2 IC, Solo High-Flow Cat, GMPP Air Intake, Fujita Polished IC Pipes, GM Turbo Cat-Back Exhaust, ReBAR, Eibach Pro-Kit Springs, Konig Again 5 Wheels, 245/45 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 Tires
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) -- still looking for a catless RPI DP though. I grew up with a 66 Mustang with a Boss 302, four barrel Holley, dual exhaust, the works. I enjoy power, throaty exhausts and convertibles.
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