Drive by Wire system

[SimonCC]

I've been reading on another thread about the 'Drive by Wire' system.

Just wondering what does it do?

What changes/improvements does it make?

What are the benefits?

Are there any negatives? i.e. increased clutch wear?

How is it integrated?

Is there more than 1 option available?

Any other feedback?

Many thanks in advance, Simon

 

[alfatwo]

I think Volvo with there T5 turbo were the first in the early 90's, then of course Maserati
followed up with the amazing forced induction 3200GT!

Dave

 

[chrisbinsb]

Assuming you mean the formula dynamic drive by wire, basically it is supposed to make gear changes faster and improve throttle response. I say supposed to because I've just purchased it but not yet installed it. Plan to this weekend. It is an electronic box which is wired into the existing ecu wires to modify the cars response. It comes with two modes programmed into it, one more aggressive than the other and it can be turned off completely as well.

No drawbacks that I am aware of, it should improve clutch life rather than decrease it.

I'll be posting my impressions once I've installed it, but hope that helps. There are several threads on it you can find by searching.

I've been reading on another thread about the 'Drive by Wire' system.

Just wondering what does it do?

What changes/improvements does it make?

What are the benefits?

Are there any negatives? i.e. increased clutch wear?

How is it integrated?

Is there more than 1 option available?

Any other feedback?

Many thanks in advance, Simon

 

[conaero]

I had it on my first GranSport and I wouldn't bother again if I am honest, there are better ways to spend the money like taking it and getting the gearbox software remapped.

I have no proof but put down my collapsed clutch tangs to this unit.

When you are at high revs the clutch really thumps, which means the clutch bearing is smashing into the clutch cover and I feel that is what caused my failure....no proof though.

 

[neilcharlton]

I remember one forum member got a unit ( i think purchased from Richard Grace) installed it and them removed it two weeks later as it was far too aggressive for his driving style.
As conaero points out you can do similar stuff with a remap , so you can have a sharper change response say over 3500 rpm or what ever so when you really floor it and come to change everything sharpens up.
However at low revs around town , its more refined.....

 

[CC4200]

Gearbox remap on a 4200?
Does it stop the nose dipping as much at full bore?


Paul

 

[alfatwo]

Thats down to the poor anti squat suspension settings you have on your old 4200 Paul...

Dave

 

[SimonCC]

Thanks guys very interesting to read your thoughts and get advice based on your experiences.

I know it is regularly said on here, but I'll say it again anyway that SM is such a great forum for members passing on their experiences in a balanced and fair way.

So onto gearbox software remaps - same set of questions as before:

- how is it done? Does somebody specialise in this?

- benefits?

- negatives?

- costs?

S

 

[alfatwo]

Sorry Simon...I do my gear changes with an old school manual German Getrag 6 speeder!...
I'm sure Benny will be here in a minute to put you right..

Regarding the modified Alfa Selespeed gearbox system's re named "Combiocorsa" fitted to the later Fiat 4200's!

Dave

 

[CatmanV2]

Thanks guys very interesting to read your thoughts and get advice based on your experiences.

I know it is regularly said on here, but I'll say it again anyway that SM is such a great forum for members passing on their experiences in a balanced and fair way.

So onto gearbox software remaps - same set of questions as before:

- how is it done? Does somebody specialise in this?

- benefits?

- negatives?

- costs?

S

Could be wrong, but I'm not sure re-map is really the apposite phrase here. Even the DWEM simply fools the existing software to think it's operating in a different band (again as far as I know)
There are multiple versions of gearbox software, which had slightly different characteristics (the first release, for example) does a throttle blip on down shifts, later versions have this toned down.
Anyone with access to an SD2/3 can do the upgrades, but once installed, software can't be downgraded.

Hope that's of help

C

 

[chrisbinsb]

I had it on my first GranSport and I wouldn't bother again if I am honest, there are better ways to spend the money like taking it and getting the gearbox software remapped.

I have no proof but put down my collapsed clutch tangs to this unit.

When you are at high revs the clutch really thumps, which means the clutch bearing is smashing into the clutch cover and I feel that is what caused my failure....no proof though.

That's interesting. I've driven them gransports both with and without the dbw and felt that those with were much more responsive and enjoyable to drive. I'll know later this week when i install mine. Personal preferences as to shift style and smoothness also play a part I imagine.

 

[Moz1000]

Thanks guys very interesting to read your thoughts and get advice based on your experiences.

I know it is regularly said on here, but I'll say it again anyway that SM is such a great forum for members passing on their experiences in a balanced and fair way.

So onto gearbox software remaps - same set of questions as before:

- how is it done? Does somebody specialise in this?

- benefits?

- negatives?

- costs?

S

I would also like to know more about getting the gearbox control unit remapped. Matt?
Moz

 

[Mr.Cambio]

It's the first time i read any negative feedback about the DBW.

The person who buys it, knows that it makes the gear changes harder but also reduces clutch wear. So, if someone removed it two weeks later, then probably he didn't know what he was buying.
As for the bearing, i have no idea if it wears at high rpms, but all metal wears at high rpm, no matter if it is 200hp or 700hp.
Personally i wouldn't go for a software upgrade, apart from the upgrade that comes from the Maserati factory itself. I wouldn't trust any other. They're italian supercars, not Toyotas.

FD is a serious company, and Jeff has focused on the 4200, so we must be happy to have upgrade alternatives.

I am happy with my DBW, but if i could, i would make it more aggressive.

 

[MAF260]

Noor at Torenno Performance is working on the development of the gearbox ECU remap. I'm sure he'll update when it's ready.

 

[halbe01]

I had my DWB installed after 6 months without it - as I'd started to find that the slow gear changes and lack of low end torque were both spoiling my enjoyment of the 4200. That's gear changes at sub 5k revs which were slow, despite always being in sport mode. My understanding is that the DBW makes the gearbox change gears faster, so it changes like it would normally do when you're at high revs, but now those same changes at low revs too. I don't find the changes too harsh at all, and it made a huge difference to the driveability of the car. As to what it really does about low-end torque I don't recall - I'm sure it made a difference, but how, and indeed how much I now can't remember. (I'd have to turn it off in my car to remember what it used to be like - and that'd involve a wiring change).

I think I'd compare the difference to sport mode on and off. I find driving with sport mode off to give slow and ponderous gear changes which I've never managed to like, so I always drive with it on. The DBW is a further change in that same direction.

It does have a switch (hidden under the dash in my install) to flip between the two different programmed 'modes' however those modes on my DBW are so similar I've never been able to tell the difference. I understand you can ask for the switch to instead be an on-off switch for the DBW if you want.

Cheers,
Ben.

 

[BennyD]

The DBW also sharpens up the throttle response; that's the main benefit on the manual. Also, if you buy a used DBW make sure it is off a car with the same gearbox as your own. If you buy a manual DBW for fitment on a CC you have to send it to FD to get it re-configured, which can be expensive. However, you can then specify how aggressive you want it to be which takes the sting out of the cost.

 

[conaero]

Noor at Torenno Performance is working on the development of the gearbox ECU remap. I'm sure he'll update when it's ready.

Yep, I had my done by an independent, who custom remapped the Gearbox ECU and upped the pressure that the cc pump runs at.

I know MAF has had something much the same and he is over the moon with it.

I was so impressed when it was flashed on to my 4200 Spyder that Zag now has, that it was pretty much the first thing I did when I got the GranSport.

Having had both DBW and GECU, I would go the later every time.

 

[CatmanV2]

Well, I never knew that was possible

C

 

[richard_masa_4200]

I have the FD DBWEM and am very happy with it. It was the first thing I installed. Sharper throttle response and snappier gear changes (especially above 5000 rpm when pushing it).

 

[SimonCC]

Thanks guys - I need to think some more - positive and negative feedback of sorts for both - I'm defo interested to take the plunge at some point, just which one to go for....