Sprint Booster

Sprint Booster/Shift Sense Pro just installed...me like Little pricey but feels like I got a new ride

 

def set it, temporarily, to stock in the rain

 

To my surprise, I just got Sprint Booster unit last night. I installed it in my truck per the directions and took it for a test spin. I can definitely tell there is a difference in the way the truck responds to the gas pedal, but it is like the gainman said. It seems to simply amplify the signal coming out of the pedal assembly. The lag in the throttle opening and producing a faster rpm ramp seems to still be under the control of the ECU.


I tested this by disabling it and stomping on the gas pedal and watching the tach on the dash. I got the typical response from my truck, about 3/4 second delay then the tach begins to climb. I did the exact same test with the SB in race mode 5 and got the same results. I then went for a drive several miles and played around with truck trying (wanting) to produce a faster response from the truck. The SB didn't seem to do anything that couldn't already do by just pressing the gas pedal harder.


On my way to work this morning I purposely put myself in the situation a few times where I wanted to overtake the car in front of me. This is the primary reason I purchased the SB. I could not get better results with the SB than I could before. There was still a delay before the truck would respond.


I did notice that was throwing more gravel in my driveway. I suppose that I would get used to this if had the thing a while. Again, I can throw gravel without the SB if wanted by simply pushing the gas pedal harder.


I thought that the SB was going to help my throttle response time because of the video with the demo gas pedal and throttle body. Sprint Booster does NOT do for your vehicle what that demo does. That demo is somehow rigged to be misleading. The throttle responsiveness is controlled from the ECU not directly from the signal of the gas pedal. The ECU takes into account speed, RPM, what gear you are in (Automatic), and probably several other variables to make the decision of how fast to open the throttle.


I am really embarrassed that I did not do my research before I coughed up the money for the SB. Now that I’ve looked into it a little bit I understand that the gas pedal is just two potentiometers that are mechanically tied together. Two separate three wire circuits. The second one is there just for redundancy. If they fail to give voltages that correspond with each other the ECU will kick the throttle back to idle until the problem is resolved.

One member made the comment that the SB might take a lag out that is created from the pedal itself. This does not make sense for a couple of reasons.

1. Why design a pedal with a delayed response that you are going to connect to an ECU??? Let the ECU create the delay so you can program it exactly how you want it.

2. If the SB is able to decrease this delay I must know how that is electronically possible. There are two simple voltage feedback signals coming from the pedal. If there is a delay in these signals coming from the pedal how is it possible for the SB to “Predict” where your foot actually is on the pedal. Does it detect an acceleration in the pedal then purposely overshoot the voltage to try to anticipate where you are going with it. Is there a mini camera that looks at the actual position of your foot to send more voltage to the ECU?


Now that I’ve bashed the thing I have to put some positive feedback about the Sprint Booster.

1. On the setting Sport 3 I did enjoy driving a little better!!! I found the pedal response to be a little more intuitive. (This small improvement is not enough for me to pay $300 and keep a non-OEM piece of hardware wired to the electrical system of my truck) I think I will just practice how I drive my truck.

2. I can understand how a person with a manual transmission might get better results when running through the gears. If that person feels like the response is more intuitive (Or they have ankle flexibility problems). They might do a better job shifting.

3. It looks like it is well made.

4. Simple and intuitive controls.

5. They shipped it to me really fast (less than 2 days)


I am glad for the people that love the SB. Enjoyment while driving is not something that cannot be calculated or measured. It’s an opinion about how someone feels during the experience. In this case perception is 99% of the truth. The company is not ripping people off if the people are satisfied with the product.


Even though I've already decided to return the SB and get my money back (Wish me luck!!!) I will go ahead and drive with it for the rest of the weekend. If my opinion changes or have any new experiences with it I will post again.

 

I was almost ready to order one judging by feedback from users..
I figured it would remove the throttle lag but now I’m back on the fence.

 

The real reason for the lag is because of programming in the ECU. Faking out the signal from the gas pedal cannot get rid of it.
I’m going to try to get a software update from the Toyota dealership.
More to come.

 

Excellent write-up Dwntyme229 regarding your experience with the product.
.

 

my take....you only have to move you foot a fraction of the distance to get the response of "flooring it" (the larger the number the quicker to full).

blue = stock
red = sprint booster
(non-technical chart, lol)

so much so, that in any adverse road conditions i have do set it back to stock.

 

Drive by wire systems like the Taco have very few options for genuine response improvement, and all require changing how the ECU responds to inputs the way e.g., OVTune does.

This is like putting Ducati branded gel grips on a Harley motorcycle: it feels different and it's expensive, so one equates that to "it's better/faster". Pricey-placebo effect.

Double down and actually change the PID maps. That makes a genuine difference that's measurable on a dyno or track.

But if quick/fast is what you really want, why are you driving a pickup truck instead of a Ducati or Tesla S?

 

My wife got me one for my birthday, if i don’t like it I’ll send it back, you have 30 days. I’ll post what i find out in about a week

 

Just installed one on my 2012 Tacoma 5 speed manual...makes a world of difference. It does fit the manual transmission truck with the emergency break with the twist handle

 

I recently bought a 2020 with the 6spd manual and the lack of response from the gas pedal when trying to rev match is driving me crazy. When I test drove this abomination I thought "I just need to get used to it. I'm sure it will get better as I learn how it feels"... Man was I wrong.. 3000 miles later and it just seems like it gets worse.... When trying to rev match, I can depress the clutch and press the gas pedal to the floor and the revs only climb 500 or so by the time I need to complete the down shift. When sitting in neutral you can press the pedal to the floor and then let it back up smoothly counting out a full second for the press, and the revs only go up to 2000/2500... Rev matching above 2500 RPM seems hopeless... Has anyone with a manual noticed any improvement in this behavior with the sprint booster? I've always wanted a manual toyota 4x4 since the first 4runner I rode in back in the 80s. They were so bad ass back in the day.. But I'm starting to think that buying this truck was the biggest mistake I've ever made.... I hate to think I'm going to be one of those old guys who refuses to drive anything newer than 20 years old...

 

I have been using the Sprint Booster and its awesome. Gained a few in the mpg after adjusting to the setting of Sport mode #7. Its the perfect setting for me, no more mashing the pedal and it makes driving my truck even more fun than it was. I highly recommend one.

 

I love mine, i have it set on sport 4. It makes a huge difference and money well spent you will love it.

 

Wouldn't that have been your third?

 

I have been using one continuously for two years. While I agree that it does not get rid of the initial ECU lag, it’s still a great product that improves the drive ability of the truck. It does not feel like a dog in any way, especially combined with ECT (which I ALWAYS use ).

What I have found is that you cannot just mash the gas from a dead stop. Instead I gently gas it up to ~2500-3000 rpm and then ramp up the rpms assertively from there. Once you get into the higher rpms it really goes.

 

Anyone who say this doesnt make a difference in throttle lag also thinks there foot is faster than an electronic circuit. Give me a break. They also think they can spin their tires on stock

 

OK So I read all 8 pages and either didnt see or forgot by the 7th page which is better SB or PC?

 

From what I have read on here the PC will give some people fault codes. I have not read anything about the SB giving anyone problems.

 

SB is the orginal designer, 3 year warranty, smaller and easier to conceal plus once you set it you can remove the unit.