A sprint booster is a tool that intercepts the signal between the engine management and the accelerator lever by the wire throttle on the fly. It receives the signal from the lever, modifies it, and transfers the signal to the engine management.
There are several other names for it like pedal box, wind booster, electronic throttle controller, pivot controller, throttle controller, idrive, plug and go module, throttle remapper, or pedal commander.
There are numerous claimed benefits like a dismissal of throttle delay, durable and quicker engine response, strength to unleash the actual potential of the engine, and more reliable performance. In this article, we will discuss the actual benefits of the sprint booster and more importantly, the problems that one can face with the sprint booster.
When actually deciding on any accessories, it is better to analyze everything from a dubious position. All the accessories have one or more disadvantages associated with them.
Therefore, it is safe to assume that the sprint booster must also have problems associated with it. So, before deciding to invest in a sprint booster let us look at all the advantages and disadvantages of a sprint booster.
The Problems with a Sprint Booster
When your car is installed with a sprint booster, the full potential of the accelerator lever is not fully used. With the tool, there is a massive dead zone where the voltage sent by the lever to the engine management is absolute, which is 100%.
In technical terms, it means the precision in the throttle control is lost. Secondly, the capacity to make minor adjustments to the throttle is also lost. Also, the resolution in the engine management is reduced. Your control to feather the throttle is also taken away from you.
If you have a jerky driving style or use more throttle while driving then more fuel will be used and the mileage of the car will be reduced. Moreover, the chances of accidents with the car also increase. Then, the car will wear out more compared with smooth driving.
Additionally, the sprint booster promotes poor driving habits like braking hard for starting and stopping in traffic or accelerating hard rather than steady or smooth driving. Then, this tool actually makes it challenging to control your car.
With the sprint booster, the foot movement caused by bumps or vibration alters too much greater accidental changes to throttle as compared to standard engine management without the tool. Moreover, the capacity to make minor changes to the throttle is reduced which feels like a beginner has to drive over difficult terrain.
So, while offroading, many sprint booster users deactivate their devices. On the contrary, many cars do the exact opposite function of a sprint booster to improve precision control when low-range driving is involved.
These limitations of the sprint booster are also present while on the road but they are more noticeable while offroading. This is due to the simple fact that precision in speed control and torque is more important while offroading.
One more evident problem with a sprint booster is expanded rev hang. The ECU, when the vehicle is coming off full throttle, will express a higher lever position for an increased duration as the lever travels through the dead zone at the top of the range in sprint booster.
For avid drivers, this could be very irritating during coming off for corners and/ or changing gears. The increased rev hang will be the same as the time saved by the sprint booster, that is 100ms r 0.1s. And similar to the improvement in the throttle response, the increased rev hang is too small to detect.
Real Advantages of Sprint Booster
The primary advantage is that you do not need to press the accelerator lever as hard or far to gain the acceleration you need. This saves some foot energy for you. You do not need to change your driving style after connecting a sprint booster to the car’s system.
This booster will allow you to prevent operating the throttle in a jerky manner. This tool improves the reaction time of the engine machine to the accelerator pedal.
The reaction time is the time that the engine machine reacts to it. It is also the extra time to push the lever a little more, provided that you are already pushing it. For example, suppose your car takes an extra 100 ms for the accelerator to throttle from 50% to 100%.
This is only possible if your accelerator is already initiated from 0% to 50%. But, all drivers wish that the acceleration from 50% to 100% is less than 100 ms, this is only possible with a tool like a sprint booster in the car. Again, without the sprint booster, the reduced throttle might break traction.
This can be avoided by installing the tool. Therefore, to save 100 ms or saving the effort to move your foot harder, you can install a sprint booster in your car.
Is Sprint Boost Worth It?
When one sits to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the sprint booster, it is largely based on the individual’s choices and preferences. In our opinion, sprint boosters are not that beneficial, if you have sufficient connection of your foot and leg.
People think that a sprint booster will improve their engine response to the accelerator, but to get the same response, they just need to press the accelerator lever with a little more pressure.
This machine basically just amplifies the voltage, but the fact is despite how much you amplify it, the throttle will be from 0% to 100%. You can duplicate the same action by just pressing the lever a little harder. A sprint booster primarily improves the voltage signal required to indicate the lever position.
Therefore, it is clear that the control of the sprint booster is to just adjust the position of the accelerator lever. So, according to us, there is no benefit in buying a sprint booster. Why should we be forced with a jerky throttle when there is an option to not?
Why invest money in another electrical device, when it can be avoided? The distinguished pros are nothing, but the cons are substantial. I view having precision control above the throttle of the vehicle. This encourages efficient, smooth, and safe driving.
Conclusion on Sprint Booster Problems
All this does not mean you should not purchase a sprint booster. Many people who use them have liked the throttle response due to it. The reaction to sprint boosters is mostly personal. We have tried to list all the problems you might face with a sprint booster. If you have any suggestions or questions regarding the article, do mention them in the comments section below.
Robert Anderson is a world class motorhead who rebuilt his first carb at age 10, his first engine at age 15, and completed his first full hotrod build when he was just 18! Previously, he has ran a part warehouse, delivered pizzas, and managed the service department for a $20 million/year revenue dealership. Robert knows cars like few others and he is passionate about sharing his knowledge.
