Posts: 230
Since: 11/8/2008
Region: Goffs Oak
Status: offline
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Thought I’d take a bit of time to assess the DBW and ECM to give my best attempt at a comprehensive “warts ‘n all” appraisal. In short, very positive...
DBW: I requested the “aggressive” and “very aggressive” modes
ECM: I requested the “Max Power” and “ whatever it comes with” modes.
I have two “flip switches”, that protrude unseen under the steering wheel, one for each. You can flip the DBW anytime, the ECM must be flipped with engine off.
ECM is optimised for 98RON - 99RON is as good as, 95RON / crap petrol is not recommended in max power setting
I have an 05 GS
Initial Impressions
The incumbent ECU needed up to 100 miles to learn/accept the new settings prescribed by the ECM/DBW apparently. On initially pulling away in Sport Mode I didn’t feel too much difference; gear changes were snappy, maybe snappier than before and the car was responsive, but I was in a built in a built up area so couldn’t really give it the beans. I had a good 100 mile trip to bed it all in so I wasn’t too concerned. Filled up on the good stuff, and let the car warm up with some 20 miles of conservative driving.
Hit some clear A roads and thought I’d give it some.... and the difference was TANGIBLE. The throttle response was the BIG difference initially... travel on the accelerator pedal was about 2/3rds of what it was previously (slightly disconcerting at first)... nudge the accelerator past a tentative “ease away” and (nearly) all the power kicks in (without being jerky). The initial impression was profound.. the car felt much more eager, and created a different “feeling” to drive it – the car compels you to push on. The next apparent difference was the power... put simply, there’s more of it all the way round from 3 / 3.5K. Time the revs even at 4K in second, and the head hits the headrest.... this is in part due to the extra horses (25/30 according to Jeff’s dyno) and part due to the fact the DBW effectively “switches on” full power at this point.... the (relatively moderate) “kick in” GS users are used to at around 4/4.5K extends to 5.5/6K and up to this point the car feels noticeable faster. The third noticeable difference was gear changes... in sport, pedal on the floor, the changes are even more brutal than the standard changes...personal preference, but i like that 
2+ weeks on
After the initial “euphoria” I’m still very pleased with the new kit... I’ve tried to balance my enthusiasm with some more pragmatic / critical observations. Basically, I’ve kept the ECM on full power, but have interchanged Sport/Normal and V Agg/Agg on the DBW quite a bit. The most unsatisfying combination of driving style and settings is trying to drive in a conservative fashion with Sport and DBW on V agg. The clutch engages too quick. Because the DBW is more reluctant to change down from 2nd / 1st you get very minor judder, and a “lag” between revs and acceleration particularly accelerating moderately at low speeds. The remedy for this is (or course) common sense - You need to drive based on the settings, and rate the experience appropriately.
The only mild disappointment I have is that I’ve got a bit “used to it” over the last few days! Don’t get me wrong, I notice the difference every time I drive it... it’s just that I’d like to get that initial “wow!” back from the first time..... but isn’t that a lot like life?? I took her out today (after fitting x4 15mm FD spacers – looks just right IMHO!) and the difference in the drive IS still tangible. I switched the ECM between settings, and it’s a subtle difference, but it’s there – I’m sure the difference will be felt more profoundly when I disengage the module completely as a further test. I think I can put it best like this...it’s all about how realistic your expectations are (assuming the fittings and settings are right of course) - 30BHP is 7.5% of 400BHP....does the car feel 7.5% faster? Definitely! Is it worth the money? For me, yes. Is it more ENJOYABLE to drive... definitely. Do I think everyone will agree? Maybe not. What I can say, is that I did the Dream Rides at MPH recently, and spent a bit of time playing with a 997 Carrera 4 S, and whilst It would be unfair to say it wasn’t close, I had it comprehensively licked – what price putting a porker in its place??
Conclusions
I’m a very happy punter. And the best till last. I previously found driving in Normal Mode incredibly tedious, and never did. In this mode, and DBW on V agg the driving experience is a revelation. Gear changes are still unhurried, but quicker, smoother and natural. I wouldn’t have believed you could improve the “performance” of the robotic clutch to such an extent. Fair play to FD.
Simon
< Message edited by SimonM -- 21/11/2009 15:49:48 >
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GranSport, FD ECM, DBW, & Spacers, Full Larini System
Westfield 2.0 XE, Speed Series
Volvo S40
RC TopGear Caterham, with model Stig :p
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