Black Betty Ground Kit
#94
02-04-2009 | 10:58 PM
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Canada
Okay, I've been driving around with these on for a few days now. I installed them on Friday night.
I took the car out Saturday morning and I have to be honest, I felt nothing. Nothing at all(other than the radio being louder). I feel everything in my car... friends and family think I'm borderline insane. I've pulled over to take a pebble out of a tire tread because it was driving me nuts. I know there are others like me, so you can relate.
After driving the car to work on Monday (50 mile trek), things have changed. I feel the difference now. Maybe it took a little while for things to adapt, I dunno.
If you are looking for drastic changes, look somewhere else. This is not worth your time and money.
If you are looking to tweak an already fantastic car, order now!
What I've noticed...
Shift times - Nothing drastic, but noticable. The car was already pretty good with shift times. This has improved slightly. Most noticable is 2nd to 3rd... much quicker there.
I spend 99.9% of my time in Manual mode. Maybe being in D shows more of a change, I wouldn't know.
Radio - This was the first thing I noticed. The radio volume needed to be lowered two bars to bring it back to my normal listening volume. The hands-free phone also needed to be adjusted as it was also louder.
Throttle Response - There is more response, for lack of a better word. Being a fly-by-wire system, it makes sense that making the current more efficient would improve throttle response. It seems like I need less foot on the pedal to get what I want. I like it.
My car has not had the touchy throttle ECU flash, so it's already aggressive in the throttle response. It has gotten slightly more aggressive with the wires installed, but I feel like I can control it better than before.
Maybe those with the "Numb" ECU update will feel more of a change here.
Climate Control - This is something I have yet to see anyone else mention. I keep my climate control on Auto, set to 70 degrees. I'm comfortable at this temp (in the winter)
Since installing the wires, I'm now at 68 and may even need to go to 66. I like even numbers. LOL
With the heat at 70, I'm now melting. I don't know why, but it's true. Fan speed is the same, but the cabin seems to get warmer faster and heat is definitely warmer than before.
I think that if you are ordering these to make you G faster than the pack, save your pennies. If you want improve these items to make them better than they already were... go for it.
I'm happy with them.
I took the car out Saturday morning and I have to be honest, I felt nothing. Nothing at all(other than the radio being louder). I feel everything in my car... friends and family think I'm borderline insane. I've pulled over to take a pebble out of a tire tread because it was driving me nuts. I know there are others like me, so you can relate.
After driving the car to work on Monday (50 mile trek), things have changed. I feel the difference now. Maybe it took a little while for things to adapt, I dunno.
If you are looking for drastic changes, look somewhere else. This is not worth your time and money.
If you are looking to tweak an already fantastic car, order now!
What I've noticed...
Shift times - Nothing drastic, but noticable. The car was already pretty good with shift times. This has improved slightly. Most noticable is 2nd to 3rd... much quicker there.
I spend 99.9% of my time in Manual mode. Maybe being in D shows more of a change, I wouldn't know.
Radio - This was the first thing I noticed. The radio volume needed to be lowered two bars to bring it back to my normal listening volume. The hands-free phone also needed to be adjusted as it was also louder.
Throttle Response - There is more response, for lack of a better word. Being a fly-by-wire system, it makes sense that making the current more efficient would improve throttle response. It seems like I need less foot on the pedal to get what I want. I like it.
My car has not had the touchy throttle ECU flash, so it's already aggressive in the throttle response. It has gotten slightly more aggressive with the wires installed, but I feel like I can control it better than before.
Maybe those with the "Numb" ECU update will feel more of a change here.
Climate Control - This is something I have yet to see anyone else mention. I keep my climate control on Auto, set to 70 degrees. I'm comfortable at this temp (in the winter)
Since installing the wires, I'm now at 68 and may even need to go to 66. I like even numbers. LOL
With the heat at 70, I'm now melting. I don't know why, but it's true. Fan speed is the same, but the cabin seems to get warmer faster and heat is definitely warmer than before.
I think that if you are ordering these to make you G faster than the pack, save your pennies. If you want improve these items to make them better than they already were... go for it.
I'm happy with them.
#95
02-04-2009 | 11:31 PM
Thank you for the candid review AesonVirus. You said it very well - this is not a miracle mod that turns a G35/37 into a GTR. It's an upgrade to your electronics and nothing more. It has some very specific benefits but won't transform your car into a track beast.
I've had numerous folks mention the music being louder. It may be but I didn't notice it personally in Black Betty. The heater is completely new to me; I live in Houston. What's a heater for again?
.
You made a good point about the shift times. It should be pointed out that users have mostly seen benefits in faster upshifts in "D" mode much more so than in Manumatic mode. If you could bear letting your AT do the shifting for itself for a few days would you be willing to report back on whether or not there's a greater benefit in "D" than when manually shifting?
I've had numerous folks mention the music being louder. It may be but I didn't notice it personally in Black Betty. The heater is completely new to me; I live in Houston. What's a heater for again?
. You made a good point about the shift times. It should be pointed out that users have mostly seen benefits in faster upshifts in "D" mode much more so than in Manumatic mode. If you could bear letting your AT do the shifting for itself for a few days would you be willing to report back on whether or not there's a greater benefit in "D" than when manually shifting?
#99
02-05-2009 | 06:21 AM
#100
02-05-2009 | 08:55 AM
#101
02-05-2009 | 09:10 AM
Well, I just made the 50K ride into work, using D and DS modes for my ride in.
I went into this expecting nothing so there would be no disappointment when I got nothing in return for my $90-.
I have to admit, the D and DS modes are much nicer now. There is no longer this drawn out delay while the tranny changes gears. I honestly don't think I could blink as fast as this thing changes gears now.
Not bad Jeremy...
2 Thumbs Up
I went into this expecting nothing so there would be no disappointment when I got nothing in return for my $90-.
I have to admit, the D and DS modes are much nicer now. There is no longer this drawn out delay while the tranny changes gears. I honestly don't think I could blink as fast as this thing changes gears now.
Not bad Jeremy...
2 Thumbs Up
#102
02-05-2009 | 10:49 AM
If you guys want all the extras like transforming into robots, rocket launchers, x-ray vision, the flying/submarine mod, twin front and rear .50 caliber machine guns, as well as +75 HP & +20 MPG, you'll need to buy an upgrade. While it looks just like a .50 resistor you can buy at Radio Shack, don't be fooled. This one is not like the crap you find on eBay. It has amazing powers. The chip is only an additional $637,489 including shipping to the US and is ready to go. I've only got 3 in stock do act fast.
#103
02-05-2009 | 10:53 AM
