[MaseratiBoy]

Well, its not really leaked, but I have always wanted to be spy-like and stuff, so I decided to take my chance!

But really, I have wanted to post about this ever since I installed it a few weeks ago... And I have had to keep myself from doing it because it was still under wraps.. But now that I see that Jeff spilled the beans, I'm going all out!

So, as we all know... One of the most annoying things about the Maserati (especially the CC) is in regards to the gas pedal. You need to press it down really far to actually get power, and it is really emphasized an multiplied with the CC because it feels like the clutch is taking a few seconds to engage and you have a huge lack of power when you first press the gas.

This leads to our cars being semi-killed by toyota corollas because we have a few seconds off the line of the car moving like an old lady.

The DBW module changes that... I think one of the best ways to describe it is that the car now "starts moving like an automatic"; you press the gas, you get immediate power... No feathering, no sitting there, just movement.

The clutch engages smoothly, and almost instantly: no feathering... This gives, as jeff explained, a huge boost in clutch life (no more burning during slipping) and it also makes the car faster...

It also makes it SAFER. I don't knnow about you guys, but I used to be afraid of changing lanes during traffic because the car would take so long to start moving from a standstill I was afraid I would get hit by the car in the other lane.. Not anymore...

Like I said, it is now the best of both worlds: Starts moving like an automatic and shifts like an F1.. Not to mention the fact that the ECU takes nbotice of the "more aggressive" driving and improves shifting, etc.

The next Los Angeles Maserati owners drive is on the 27th... I will be letting anyone interested drive the car to se how muc of an improvement it is... Jeff, you've done it again :]

-Ali

 

[04cambiocoupe]

Thanks for the review Ali, what was the install like?

Eric

 

[MaseratiBoy]

Three wires... haha.

Took me less than 10 minutes to do.

 

[04cambiocoupe]

Great, what about a group buy?

Eric

 

[GrndLkNatv]

Ali, 10 minutes???

You're serious?? What's the price? When does it go full production? Group Buy?

 

[MaseratiBoy]

Yup, it was about 10 minutes... Just tapping 3 wires.

Easy as pie :]

Not sure about the prices, you have to talk to Jeff about that as I dont work with him,etc.

But yeah, we are definatly going to have a group buy set up... it is an AMAZING mod...

Plus, it is a "flip switch" too, so you can toggle between two different "programs"

 

[Vincenzo]

Three wires... haha.

Three wires which are connected on each end to what? And any ideas/guesses on what the resulting improvement in clutch life would be (10, 20, 30%)? Surely, this should also improve 0-60 times if the slipping is eliminated or reduced. Any thoughts on this?

 

[shed17]

Where's Jeff.

Will this have the same effect on the GS as I find mine takes off when changing lanes.

 

[drewcwsj]

I haven't found my Maserati yet but now I know what the first mod will be. Followed closely by the Skyhook tuning system from FD!!

 

[RickBullotta]

Yup, it was about 10 minutes... Just tapping 3 wires.

Easy as pie :]

Not sure about the prices, you have to talk to Jeff about that as I dont work with him,etc.

But yeah, we are definatly going to have a group buy set up... it is an AMAZING mod...

Plus, it is a "flip switch" too, so you can toggle between two different "programs"

Interesting!

A couple of questions:

1) Won't this cause "lurching" in stop-and-go traffic?

2) How does this differ from having the dealer adjust the clutch engagement RPM level to a lower number?

Thanks,

Rick

 

[MaseratiBoy]

Three wires which are connected on each end to what? And any ideas/guesses on what the resulting improvement in clutch life would be (10, 20, 30%)? Surely, this should also improve 0-60 times if the slipping is eliminated or reduced. Any thoughts on this?

That connect to the ECU Harness. Yes, it doesnt actually "increase HP", but it sure as hell improves 0-60 times... The car just takes off.

 

[MaseratiBoy]

Interesting!

A couple of questions:

1) Won't this cause "lurching" in stop-and-go traffic?

2) How does this differ from having the dealer adjust the clutch engagement RPM level to a lower number?

Thanks,

Rick

1) I have been in stop and go a few times... it actually feels smoother. Like I said, the car starts moving as if it was an automatic... no lagging, no lurching, just movement :]

2) To be honest, I didnt know they could do that, but this mod affects the car a lot more than just clutch engagements... Shifting is now crisp and quick, the revs jump up, and so on.

 

[RickBullotta]

1) I have been in stop and go a few times... it actually feels smoother. Like I said, the car starts moving as if it was an automatic... no lagging, no lurching, just movement :]

2) To be honest, I didnt know they could do that, but this mod affects the car a lot more than just clutch engagements... Shifting is now crisp and quick, the revs jump up, and so on.

Sweet! Looking forward to learning more about it.

 

[shed17]

I had complained to the dealer that I felt that there was to much slippage in the clutch and they changed the setting to 4.8. This made the car almost impossible to drive at low speeds as it lurched forward. Took it to an indie whoreset it to 5.0 and said that although 4.8 was within the parameters of the clutch settings, it was far to aggressive. In laymans terms, the engine was trying to engage the clutch, while the ecu was stopping it. You ended up with the car shooting forward as if you had dropped the clutch in a manual.

 

[FormulaDynamics]

To clear up a few things....

The install is 3 wires, if you already have our ECM installed, the rest is accomplished by taking advantage of your previous ECM install. If you do not have our ECM harness installed it will take 5 wires. It really is fairly easy and I'm working right now to make the installation even easier by attaching labels to the end of each wire to make it nearly fool proof.

We have the ability to create any program here. By default I ship out 2 programs, 1. is aggressive and probably the best for daily driving, it's a good improvement over stock and probably the way they *should* have designed it. The 2nd is very aggressive and definitely a lot of fun, it produces strong instantaneous accelleration, however it may be too much for stop and go traffic. I've done a fair bit of testing in stop and go traffic and in general I believe that it's a strong improvement, remember we don't just drop the clutch as suggested by a clutch engagement change. It should save clutch life. Remember though guys, I'm full service. If you get the mod and need a tweak, unclip it, run the bypass, ship it to me and we'll make a change to get it right and send it back to you.

This mod is good for all of our models, the GS, Coupe, Spyder, QP and Gran Tourismo. Manual Transmissions, QP Automatic, CambioCorsa F-1, all of it.

If it's a manual, you still get the benefit of a significantly improved throttle response, which is not to be underestimated. The car feels much better. I would say it's similar to a Z06, when you press the gas, the car leaves.... now!

This modification is available today although I have a limited number built and may need a week or so to build more. Customers who purchase an ECM and Drive By Wire at the same time will be able to take advantage of our previous ECM Group Buy pricing. To order, just send us an email or give us a call on Monday from 9am to 5pm PST.

 

[4244cc]

It's like I own a new car

I recently installed many upgrades by Formula Dynamics and others

1. A BMC Air Filter
2. Denso Irridium spark plugs
3. An ECU Upgrade Chip
4. Coil springs for the skyhook suspension
5. The Drive by wire chip
6. A Larini cross pipe
7. GS Mufflers with the bypass valve

I would like to thank Jeff from Formula Dynamics for his assistance and also
would like to thank Jim from Treasured Motor Cars in Reisterstown, Maryland

These upgrades made a world of difference for my car and would recommend any one of them. The car is not too noisey and has two positions for the exhaust note. The springs are not too stiff but feel just right. And the performance added by the chip and the drive by wire are awesome. I now feel like I am going to keep the car. The car performs like I feel it should from Maserati. The car is now a keeper.

 

[BeeYouZeeZee]

Well, I don't like it! The extra response and power is DANGEROUS! You could get KILLED with the transmission engaging so fast..... The clutch will out-
live YOU!

This whole "Formula Dynamics" thing is just a government coverup trying to hide the alien technology behind their products. I saw satellite spy photos of Ali's car at area 51 being "modified" (if you call a total molecular transformation of the primary central processing module a "modification").

I don't like it and it's just not "green"

 

[Ramp]

So here's my problem guys . . .

1. A BMC Air Filter
2. Denso Irridium spark plugs
3. An ECU Upgrade Chip - UNDECIDED
4. Coil springs for the skyhook suspension
5. The Drive by wire chip
6. A cross pipe - brand undecided

I'm 3 weeks into my first Maserati - an '02 CC w/ 27k - and need to decide to keep it or sell now and, buy an '05-'06 GS and then make the above upgrades. I prefer the GS exterior aero changes, steering wheel and the sport seats but prefer the Coupe's center console. Got a good deal on mine and besides some initial aggravation, think I've got a good car that only needs some minor cosmetic issues addressed. Keep in mind, since the dealer paid for the repairs, I have a car that I bought at a good price with a new F1 pump and relay, brakes, tires, reverse lever unit and 83% remaining on the clutch.

The GS guys may be inflamed but I don't look at the GS as a substantial jump over the Coupe and with some of the mods from FD I think the playing field is for all practical purposes, even.

I drove bluyorks GS today and did think his car had tighter steering - could that be the 19" vs 18" ? or just 10k v 27k and '02 vs '05 ?

Although I favor the Maserati engine and GT level performance over my 996-911, I have been disappointed by the overall handling characteristics of the Masserati - it seems sluggish and floaty in turns. I would like a much tighter, flatter car that gives confident driving feedback - hopefully the FD springs could accomplish this, along with the coming mod to the dampners.
Thoughts ? Keep her and mod or upgrade to the GS and then mod. One issue is that I do not look forward to another search and buy/sell so soon.

 

[BigFoot]

I am gonna see if I can get a garage here to install the stuff from me and a mate. Sounds great

 

[flashgordon]

Although I favor the Maserati engine and GT level performance over my 996-911, I have been disappointed by the overall handling characteristics of the Masserati - it seems sluggish and floaty in turns. I would like a much tighter, flatter car that gives confident driving feedback - hopefully the FD springs could accomplish this, along with the coming mod to the dampners.
Thoughts ? Keep her and mod or upgrade to the GS and then mod. One issue is that I do not look forward to another search and buy/sell so soon.[/QUOTE]

If it is a coupe, I think that you are better off keeping it unless you really want the cosmetic upgrades (from a financial perspective). Jeff at FD has noted that the new springs overwhelm the suspension stiffness of the GS over the stock coupe anyway. All of the other mods would apply to both models equally so other than the 19" wheels, there are no huge differences once the springs are installed. The savings between teh two will pay for a lot of mods.

Trust me - the springs will make a huge difference. I don't think that it will bring it quite to the level of a 911 but it won't be too far off. The FD sway bars will close the gap even more.