F1 Enhancements

[Leicesterminiracer]

What’s do you think ?. Anyone used this ?.

Drive By Wire (F-1) Enhancement Module (DBWEM) for Maserati Quattropor

The Formula Dynamics Drive By Wire (F-1) Enhancement Module (DBWEM) optimizes your Maserati to produce noticeably improved performance, helping the to be much more responsive, offering improved take-off, faster initial clutch engagement, improved shifts and improved gear selection in Automatic...

www.formuladynamics.com

 

[Wanderer]

Loads have, most swear by them, some can't see t'benefit to quote Peter Kay.

Look on maseratilife, they all seem to swear by them.

 

[mjheathcote]

Just remember they are just trick boxes, modifying existing signals to be the same as signals already used, but at a different throttle/speed position instead.
For example it will do nothing if you do a full throttle/high rpm gear change, as this can't be mechanically improved upon by 'software'.

 

[Lavazza]

Are we talking 599 software here?

Clarity around that never seems to have quite landed on here?

ie. How much a d who can do it, any disadvantages?

 

[Wanderer]

Are we talking 599 software here?

Clarity around that never seems to have quite landed on here?

ie. How much a d who can do it, any disadvantages?

I think the perceived wisdom is the 599 software more or less does the FD thing, not sure tho. Not sure if anyone's actually done it yet....

 

[mjheathcote]

I think the perceived wisdom is the 599 software more or less does the FD thing, not sure tho. Not sure if anyone's actually done it yet....

Keep hearing about Ferrari software being flashed on the gearbox ecu, but just hearing, nothing definite installed on our cars.
The same gearbox ecu was used across the Ferrari/Maserati range at the time. I know of Ferrari owners buying cheaper Maserati gearbox ecu's, and then getting them flashed. An example being an earlier F1 360 with an early low memory ecu, being exchanged for the higher memory ecu from our cars, but reflashed with the later 360 Challenge Stradale firmware.

 

[CatmanV2]

I think the perceived wisdom is the 599 software more or less does the FD thing, not sure tho. Not sure if anyone's actually done it yet....

Sure it's been done, and it does more than FD. Capable, for example, of faster shifts than the FD box.

C

 

[Wanderer]

Sure it's been done, and it does more than FD. Capable, for example, of faster shifts than the FD box.

C

Presume SD3 is required?

 

[CatmanV2]

Presume SD3 is required?

I believe so, yes

C

 

[Leicesterminiracer]

Keep hearing about Ferrari software being flashed on the gearbox ecu, but just hearing, nothing definite installed on our cars.
The same gearbox ecu was used across the Ferrari/Maserati range at the time. I know of Ferrari owners buying cheaper Maserati gearbox ecu's, and then getting them flashed. An example being an earlier F1 360 with an early low memory ecu, being exchanged for the higher memory ecu from our cars, but reflashed with the later 360 Challenge Stradale firmware.

Are you saying our ECU can be flashed with 360 challenge software and set up for maser use?.

 

[mjheathcote]

Sure it's been done, and it does more than FD. Capable, for example, of faster shifts than the FD box.

C

Where and by who?

 

[Wanderer]

Are you saying our ECU can be flashed with 360 challenge software and set up for maser use?.

I think we are, tho I think it's just a flash no setup. I do seem to remember something about ECU version though that might be my 58 yo brain.....

 

[mjheathcote]

I think we are, tho I think it's just a flash no setup. I do seem to remember something about ECU version though that might be my 58 yo brain.....

Can be flashed (same ecu used), but Ferrari firmware used on a Maserati....I need proof it would work/been done!

 

[BL330]

Interesting discussion. I'll reach out to Alvin in Melbourne to question whether this can be done.
He has access to Ferrari privateer race teams and was the one who came up with the F430 clutch upgrade I now enjoy.

 

[CatmanV2]

One of the old school on here, I thought. Miles?

@conaero do you recall, or am I losing it?

Cheers

C

 

[conaero]

Yes you can flash the TCU with no further setup:
4200 - 360CS
GT - 599

Better than the DBW which I didn’t rate.

 

[White tiger]

I have read really a lot about flashing the TCU of GTS F1 with Ferrari 599 software, but really no info who can do it and for how much.
Anyone has any info who would be able to do it?

 

[mjheathcote]

I have read really a lot about flashing the TCU of GTS F1 with Ferrari 599 software, but really no info who can do it and for how much.
Anyone has any info who would be able to do it?

Likewise the 42/GS with the 360CS firmware, who and where?

 

[Evo Cymru]

Me too for the 4200/GS! Wasn't Benny D working on something like this?

 

[Navcorr]

Anyone used this ?

The 4200 version on an '04 box. Perhaps expectation of what the DBW can do needs to be realistic. Will it turn a GT car into a race car? No. Will it make everyday use more enjoyable - yes. I don't hammer around but clutch response is noticeably improved through the rev. bands.

Where I have found the DBW to be mostly beneficial though is from standstill. Particularly the improvement in controlled throttle response at "take off" and at slower speeds with a smoother power delivery. Making an otherwise relatively cumbersome car around town behave much the same as a typical manual. For example, crawling along in traffic, especially up hills, is no longer cause for concern.

Certainly very popular in the US. If there is a "typical" comment on Maserati Life it is along the lines of the DBW transforms the car into what it should always have been. I would concur.

I've no doubt that flashing would be the preferred option for some. Maybe hoping for racing performance. These are GT cars though. Without upgraded brakes, suspension, etc. I would question if it's a particularly clever idea.