Drive by Wire system

[SimonCC]

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.

Matt who did you have instal the GECU upgrade?

 

[Moz1000]

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.

It was me who installed the FD DBWE Module and then removed it. But bear this in mind - I was running the original CC gearbox software which was already more aggressive than the so-called Maserati 'upgrades'. The enhancement module just increased the aggression beyond my acceptance (particularly as the car is my daily driver around town).

Since then, I had the Maserati software upgrade and the standard gear change is now soft and slow. So the enhancement module might well be more acceptable now.

As I have posted before, changing the gearbox software was my biggest mistake.

Moz

 

[chrisbinsb]

Just installed the FD drive by wire and took a short drive. The change has moved me from slightly disappointed with the car to very happy. Most noticeable change for me is the throttle response - it's so much more responsive that it feels like a much faster car. The gear changes also feel quicker. I can see where someone looking for a smoother, easier driving daily driver would prefer it in stock form, but for me, it's a big improvement.

 

[mowlas]

I had it installed on my QP and have literally never looked back. One of the best mods I've ever invested in - the throttle response now matches the full 'promise' the car has to offer.

Acceleration feels almost linear. I also had the ECM installed which gives you more torque a dower from 3,500 rpm onwards - again the car feels like it had always more to given and finally decided to do so.

 

[SimonCC]

Chris - what part of the country are you? Would be interesting to see how the car feels in the flesh.

Shak - which part of London are you? Again would be good to see you and car to get the first hand experience. Also, what is the ECM upgrade? What does it do and how does it do whatever it does?

Cheers, S

 

[mowlas]

Hi Simon, I'm in north west London. Happy to give a demo to any SM members.

The ECM improves horsepower and torque by modifying timing and air/fuel mixture. It does not mess with the existing ECU programming and can be either bypassed or removed taking the car back to stock. Before selling their cars, some remove the unit and can easy resell it.

According to Formula Dynamic's web site, the claims are 20-30 bhp gain and 12-32 ft/lb torque gain. I do not know about the precise real life differentials in stats but can testify the car flys like it never did before. It feels like a proper Italian, worthy of all it's engine has to offer. It has a flip chip which can be programmeda for things like higher octane fuel or aggressive/even more aggressive shifting and acceleration!

All thoughts of selling the car disappeared after installing the DBW and ECM... this car is now 'enough' for me. Coupled with Pininfarina/Maserati panache, it's the complete car for me.

 

[Mr.Cambio]

Shak...by reading your post, i am starting to think of the ecm.... tell me more please.

 

[SimonCC]

Hi Simon, I'm in north west London. Happy to give a demo to any SM members.

The ECM improves horsepower and torque by modifying timing and air/fuel mixture. It does not mess with the existing ECU programming and can be either bypassed or removed taking the car back to stock. Before selling their cars, some remove the unit and can easy resell it.

According to Formula Dynamic's web site, the claims are 20-30 bhp gain and 12-32 ft/lb torque gain. I do not know about the precise real life differentials in stats but can testify the car flys like it never did before. It feels like a proper Italian, worthy of all it's engine has to offer. It has a flip chip which can be programmeda for things like higher octane fuel or aggressive/even more aggressive shifting and acceleration!

All thoughts of selling the car disappeared after installing the DBW and ECM... this car is now 'enough' for me. Coupled with Pininfarina/Maserati panache, it's the complete car for me.

Shak thanks for the feedback - it sounds like it has transformed the driving experience for you. I will look at the FD web site and make some enquiries.

How have you found the changes to gear shifts - in terms of being aggressive like some have found?

Regarding the improved torque - is this from low revs counting through the rev range? and in every gear?

I don't think there is a better recommendation than yours - other's first hand experience counts a lot!

 

[chrisbinsb]

Chris - what part of the country are you? Would be interesting to see how the car feels in the flesh.

Shak - which part of London are you? Again would be good to see you and car to get the first hand experience. Also, what is the ECM upgrade? What does it do and how does it do whatever it does?

Cheers, S

Hi Simon - would be happy to let you do a test drive with mine but I am in the wrong country. If you ever come to Southern California though, you are welcome to come by.

 

[Mr.Cambio]

It was me who installed the FD DBWE Module and then removed it. But bear this in mind - I was running the original CC gearbox software which was already more aggressive than the so-called Maserati 'upgrades'. The enhancement module just increased the aggression beyond my acceptance (particularly as the car is my daily driver around town).

Since then, I had the Maserati software upgrade and the standard gear change is now soft and slow. So the enhancement module might well be more acceptable now.

As I have posted before, changing the gearbox software was my biggest mistake.

Moz

Thanks for letting us know. I think that the 1st gen software would have suit me most..

 

[davidhowson]

I have had the FD DBW module on my 4200 for the last three years and I think it is a great upgrade. Fairly costly, but to me, worth every penny. My car also has the more aggressive programme on it so the FD box makes full on F1 changes like the good old days before the new 2014 season spoilt things!!
I have Six programmes including the two that come with the Maserati skyhook system - 1 - Normal sport button off; 2 - Normal Sport button on; 3 - FD lite setting with Sport button off; 4 - FD lite with Sport button on; 5 - FD Aggressive Sport button off; 6 - FD Aggressive Sport button on.

It's a shame that you can't change the FD settings whilst on the move (the instructions say only switch from one FD setting the another when the engine os off, if I recall that correctly).

-David-

 

[Mr.Cambio]

David...never thought that i am having six modes for the DBW....Working on the sport/aggressive from the very first day