[Ramp]

. . . and I must say that it is an instant and excellent improvement. We're not talking "yeah, maybe this is a little better". As other's have posted, this is a relatively easy mod that actually transforms the car to what you would expect from a Masserati with a Ferrari engine. I'll lay this out for anyone interested - and no, I have absoultely no affilaition with FD - I'm in NY and was skeptical as to the extent of the improvement right up to the first drive with bluyork who helped with the install and took the first drive with me.

1. Both progams provide excellent and immediate throttle response. The car is substantially quicker with almost ZERO delay. The clutch seems to be much smoother - not sure if this is from the unit or a result of the improved throttle response (Jeff ?) When you touch the throttle, there is instant power and response. Spinning the wheels is a simple matter at multiple speeds and gears. In the more aggressive mode, the thought process is often how NOT to spin the wheels as it is so easy to do. As, I believe Ali said, takeoff in 1st gear is more like an automatic now - I think that is a great description after having now experienced it. I have absoultely nothing negative to say about the improvement and, as other's have also said, now believe that this car may be a long term keeper.

(I have to do the springs now and see if they rectify the suspension as well as others have said - to me the handling of this car falls far short of expectations - my Audi A6 handles better, my 911 is in a different class, I am hopeful the springs can bring the Mas close to the 911).

2. Install. Altogether the install took me about 2 hours - going slow and taking my time. This included reading Jeff's instructions a couple of times and then labeleling each wire that had to be either tapped or spliced into the wire harness. I used a lable maker. I found that by labelieng each wire first I did not have to refer back to the instructions while I was under the dash. It was a simple matter of finding the correct wire, splicing/tapping in, a drop of solder (wireless solder gun) and then I used heat shrink tubing to finish each connection. The hardest part of the install was to move the ECU harness enough to give you room to work. I finally disconnected the harness from the ECU - this gave me the extra room I needed but getting the connector back on to the ECU took some effort as other wiring harnesses are in the way. You just need to take the time not to loosen anything and maneuver around. I mounted the DBW unit with velcro directly in the fuse/relay box and then moved the toggle switch (program 1 and 2) over to the drivers side below and to the right of the steering column. I found a nice carbon fiber toggle switch at Pepboys for $8 which, I think, was a nice finishing touch.

I posted some pics below. Congrads to Jeff at FD for a great modification. Shame on Maserati for not providing more of what we expect from a Maserati.

RMB

[04cambiocoupe]

Thanks for the great writeup, I plan on making this my birthday present, you just made my decision for me.

Eric

[Niteroi]

How much is the Drive-by-wire? It's not on their website yet.

[MaseratiBoy]

I have set up a Group Buy for the DBW system... Retails at 1295, we will get it at 995 :]

[drewcwsj]

Thanks for the detailed review and photos. DBW is going to be my first upgrade as soon as I find a good spyder that is.

[Niteroi]

Originally Posted by MaseratiBoy

I have set up a Group Buy for the DBW system... Retails at 1295, we will get it at 995 :]

Ali, you're The Man!

[007]

You may want to consider this also. I bought the module from Sean from roeracing but as yet have not installed it. I am too lazy and s@iT scared to do it just yet. I need some dutch courage- any dutch guys out there?

here is the link:


Making my Coupe into a rocket...

best wishes

[04cambiocoupe]

I used his computer mod in my Viper, he makes a great product, but this is the first that I have heard of his mod for the Maserati. Has anyone else used it?

Eric

[drewcwsj]

I would be very careful with changes to the engine ratios. Last weekend I saw an '05 gransport coupe (13k miles) for sale at an independent dealer in Houston that had been ECU modded. One of the cats was melted and per the dealer - Maserati had voided the warranty for the powertrain based on the modification. Everything had been put back to factory specs but they couldn't get a check engine light to clear. I was actually very surprised at the honesty of this dealer. I think they will let the car go for around $50k. Quite a deal but I said no - just too many risks/unknowns. Plus I really want a spyder!!!

That said, if I ever decided to mod my ECU I would only trust one guy based on their active participation and support on this forum, Formula Dynamics.

[FormulaDynamics]

RAMP, Thanks for the solid writeup and install photos. The clutch engagement is certainly faster and feels smoother with the DBWEM upgrade.

We're aware of Seans project, it is not an enhancement to the Drive By Wire System and is not a comparable product. i.e. you will not get the same result. It is only to modify the Air/Fuel Ratio and not ignition timing. It is basically a stripped down version of our power chip ECM. Seans a good guy for sure and he did have a Maserati some time back. If you have a Viper, he's the man to see.

If someone melted their cats due to a performance chip, the tuner did not do their job properly. That is unnecessary and should not be common, I wonder which ECU tune he got?

We'll post the DBWEM soon, we're almost ready to release a new website so we've been a bit delayed in updating our old site. We'll keep you posted. We are accepting Ali's Drive By Wire Group Buy orders now with delivery in a week.

[M!]

what about the GS? any feedbacks from GS owners?
supposedly the shifting are 30% quicker on the GS. how does this DBW improve on the GS?

[bluyork]

I was the assistant to Ramp's install and also the crash test dummy for the maiden voyage. Wicked. My GS is scheduled for install on May 12 when I'm back in country, I'll report on that asap.

[FormulaDynamics]

1/2 of our installs have been GS's, it was developed on the GS to start with. It offers all the same benefits. The GS is still the best driver because of the faster shifting however we hope to improve that in the future for non-gs owners.

[demoe]

Does the DBW improve shift times in each gear or mainly in 1st?

I now drive with the MSP off all the time now and notice that the car also engages quicker from 1st gear, with MSP on, the car takes a bit to get moving forward......will the DBW mod improve upon what I am getting driving with MSP off?

thanks

[Ramp]

Originally Posted by bluyork

I was the assistant to Ramp's install and also the crash test dummy for the maiden voyage. Wicked. My GS is scheduled for install on May 12 when I'm back in country, I'll report on that asap.

I thought I gave you a helmet ? It's actually better over time - actually, it's just that I'm learning the new feel.