Gransport Sport vs non sport mode - question

[F355GTS]

Another owner posted this on another forum and I'd be very interested in any views/ information as the fast shift and throttle response with more forgiving ride would be of great interest to me too

Hi guys, Newbie here. Had my Gransport for almost 2 years. Unfortunately these days the vast majority of my driving is my daily commute from Hackney to Ealing, and although I can't bring myself to take the car out of sport mode, the harsh suspension does get a bit jarring over the speed bumps and pot holes.

What I really want is the ability to have the Skyhook suspension in it's softer setting, while retaining the throttle response and shift speeds of Sport mode. Am I right in thinking that the Formula Dynamics drive by wire system achieves this - and more (even better response and shift times)? Also, has anyone ever had the opportunity to compare the results of the Formula Dynamics ECU compared to a remap from DMS Automotive? I have lots more questions and experiences etc to share but think that's probably enough for my first post! Any advice would be greatfully received! Thanks guys

 

[Maser Sod]

Hi,

It is technically possible to separate the shift speed from the Skyhook settings, but I'm not sure anyone has done this yet. I had a dialogue with Jeff at Forumla Dynamics a while ago about this, but I guess there would need to be sufficient commercial demand for FD to do something about it.

The FD drive by wire module will improve shifts in Normal mode as well as Sport mode - the trouble is that you fall so much in love with the speed of the shifts with said module in Sport mode that you start craving that!

I had the FD ECM also. I had Jeff make it 'custom' for me, I asked for highly improved torque around the 3000 RPM mark. I think the DMS remap just improves torque + BHP per se. I wanted a solution that met my needs but also did not mess with the standard ECU mapping. My ECM came with a switch allowing me to bypass the module if required. Horses for courses I guess - we are all after improved performance, I was keen to have it tailored for my liking by a Ferrari/Maserati specialist.

Cheers,
pat

 

[conaero]

Well, I sort of stumbled upon the answer to the harsh ride on the GS in SPORT mode, basically change your tyres. I swapped from OEM tyre because when I was hitting potholes, the impact on the reinforced sidewall was causing the tyre to split. I went for Falken 452's and they were far superior and never had another issue with harsh ride and splitting tyres as they do not have the reinforced sidewalls. Loz also has the same thing happen with his beloved Vredesteins, he hit a pot hole, it split the tyre then about 100 miles later the tyre blew out.

The only thing I did was to install a switch to bypass the valves in the exhaust when in SPORT mode. I had the Larinis and the system was savage to say the least. Like you I do not go out of SPORT mode, so could close the valves to quieting it all down a bit in SPORT mode.

 

[smugglaz]

Hi guys,

I'm the newbie whose post F355GTS reposted above. Given the quality and promptness of the responses on here I thought I'd sign up. A couple of questions:

Pat:

1) Just to be clear, what you're saying is that DBW will give improvements in both modes, but you can't chose how it behaves, so although normal mode will be improved, sport mode will still be better and there is currently no way of making it give all out attack mode with the car in Normal mode?
2) I notice you, and a few others who've commented on forums re DBW, don't mention throttle response. Am I right in think DBW does improve this as well as shift times?

Matt:

How do you find the handling with the Falkens? I recently had to replace all four tyres as they were completely bald after just 7000 miles (my fault not theirs!), and there was a massive supply shortage of Pirelli P Zero Rossos in the UK. Yet when I called around and spoke to several specialist suppliers, who could easily have tried to sell me something else, they all strongly recommended I hold out and stick with the Pirellis to retain the handling characteristics.

At the moment I find the car to be beautifully balanced and controllable on the limit, with the rear tyres easy to unstick, but the resulting slide being progressive and easily controlled (I think the FD springs have contributed to this) . I wouldn't want to forfeit this balance for additional ride comfort.

Having just written this it now occurs to me that give your comment about Loz's beloved Vredesteins there is probably a section on tyres in the forums somewhere, but I'll post this anyway and then go hunting!

Thanks again for your input

Ed

 

[Maser Sod]

Hi Ed,
1) Yes
2) Yes
To add a little to the above, you can also request from FD how aggressive you want the module to be. It will come with a switch to activate two modes. This could be 'bypass' and 'aggressive', or 'aggressive' and 'very aggressive', etc. This is not made so explicit on the website.

Matt, my Pirellis also split, I was going to complain to Pirelli about having to replace a set of their tyres after 4K miles but DLC lost the photos they took.
I wonder how many other people had problems with the OEMs...

 

[F355GTS]

Well, I sort of stumbled upon the answer to the harsh ride on the GS in SPORT mode, basically change your tyres. I swapped from OEM tyre because when I was hitting potholes, the impact on the reinforced sidewall was causing the tyre to split. I went for Falken 452's and they were far superior and never had another issue with harsh ride and splitting tyres as they do not have the reinforced sidewalls. Loz also has the same thing happen with his beloved Vredesteins, he hit a pot hole, it split the tyre then about 100 miles later the tyre blew out.

The only thing I did was to install a switch to bypass the valves in the exhaust when in SPORT mode. I had the Larinis and the system was savage to say the least. Like you I do not go out of SPORT mode, so could close the valves to quieting it all down a bit in SPORT mode.

Hi Matt, are your Falkans not Extra load? can only find XL rated which I thought would have had a similar construction to the XL Pirellis. My car's fitted with Continetals, grip seems good in wet nad dry but the ride in sport is very poor particularly at low speeds

 

[Parisien]

Same happened me with the Vredestein.......although happy with performance.....less than a month after getting them fitted hit a pothole...lost the tyre....right pain in the derriere!!!


P

 

[urbanmaser]

Another owner posted this on another forum and I'd be very interested in any views/ information as the fast shift and throttle response with more forgiving ride would be of great interest to me too

Hi guys, Newbie here. Had my Gransport for almost 2 years. Unfortunately these days the vast majority of my driving is my daily commute from Hackney to Ealing, and although I can't bring myself to take the car out of sport mode, the harsh suspension does get a bit jarring over the speed bumps and pot holes.

What I really want is the ability to have the Skyhook suspension in it's softer setting, while retaining the throttle response and shift speeds of Sport mode. Am I right in thinking that the Formula Dynamics drive by wire system achieves this - and more (even better response and shift times)? Also, has anyone ever had the opportunity to compare the results of the Formula Dynamics ECU compared to a remap from DMS Automotive? I have lots more questions and experiences etc to share but think that's probably enough for my first post! Any advice would be greatfully received! Thanks guys

I also live in London and have to deal with my fair share of speed bumps and pot holes. If I'am alone with the window down listening to open ehaust valaves I am more than happy to have my inside shaken around. If I have company it takes a mere second to turn off the sport mode whilst engaging pot holes or poor road surfaces so I don't see it as being a huge problem. It is far more infuriating using an F1 change crawling along at 2mph in a traffic jam knowing that if you use the auto mode on a Gransport you are eating your clutch at the rate of knots.

 

[Parisien]

When I bought my 4200 at 36K miles October 2009, the clutch read 10% worn.......I diligently followed the guidance on the forum......into neutral as often as possible when stopped/coming up to lights, little up-hill reversing....never use auto!

At my last service at 48k miles last month..........it was 8% worn........................magic huh.....


P

 

[urbanmaser]

When I bought my 4200 at 36K miles October 2009, the clutch read 10% worn.......I diligently followed the guidance on the forum......into neutral as often as possible when stopped/coming up to lights, little up-hill reversing....never use auto!

At my last service at 48k miles last month..........it was 8% worn........................magic huh.....


P

Agreed Frank thats the only way to enjoy a long life from the clutch and I follow that same practice religiously. It just becomes a little tiresome in heavy traffic. On the open road I would not change an F1 change for the world

 

[YHTM]

I'm in the situation that my Sport button doesn't do anything except light up the Sport light on the dash! No valve opening, stiffening of suspension or faster gear change. Been like that since I bought it - going to get it sorted under warranty but was wondering if anyone else has suffered similar and how it was sorted?

 

[Maser Sod]

I'm in the situation that my Sport button doesn't do anything except light up the Sport light on the dash! No valve opening, stiffening of suspension or faster gear change. Been like that since I bought it - going to get it sorted under warranty but was wondering if anyone else has suffered similar and how it was sorted?

Yes, get it sorted - you are missing all the action!

The valves can get gunged up and stop opening and closing appropriately, but it sounds like you have a more serious problem. The easiest way to check for sure is on the downchange - Sport mode you give you the 'racing change' blip as if you are competent at heel-toe changes.

 

[YHTM]

Yes, get it sorted - you are missing all the action!

The valves can get gunged up and stop opening and closing appropriately, but it sounds like you have a more serious problem. The easiest way to check for sure is on the downchange - Sport mode you give you the 'racing change' blip as if you are competent at heel-toe changes.

Right - gave it a good test today - seems that it is only the valves that are not working. Everything else works as it should including the downchange blip. Is there a separate fuse for the valves?

 

[Maser Sod]

Since everything else is working, it's probably worth checking what I already said about the valves getting a bit sticky. They are not so easy to access though.
Not aware of any separate fuse for the valves, but I'm sure the manual will say if there is.

 

[YHTM]

Since everything else is working, it's probably worth checking what I already said about the valves getting a bit sticky. They are not so easy to access though.
Not aware of any separate fuse for the valves, but I'm sure the manual will say if there is.

Thanks - had a quick look for access and as you say - not easy! No separate fuse listed either. It's due an annual service shortly so will get it sorted then.

 

[adam01]

Thanks - had a quick look for access and as you say - not easy! No separate fuse listed either. It's due an annual service shortly so will get it sorted then.

Courtesy of our friends across the pond-(take into a/c their vehicles are LHD) . Hope it helps


Look on the driver side, rear seat but under the car and you will see a little plastic cover about 7 inches long. 2 bolts hold it in place. Inside is some type of relay or solonoid switch that opens and closes the valves in the rear mufflers. This should get yopu started

ITS a switch,relay, solonoid or what have you. But i know this for certain that when u hit ur sport button, this relay gets activated and opens ur valves in the mufflers. I asked the question awhile back as to how to make it so ur valves stay open all the time even when u take it off sport mode. Jeff mentioned to go to this area im referring to, to bypass this relay and i did it. So now if I want to go off sport mode my valves stay open. I mainly do this when im on open highway so that i have a smoother ride and i still have the nice exhaust sound.

 

[YHTM]

Courtesy of our friends across the pond-(take into a/c their vehicles are LHD) . Hope it helps


Look on the driver side, rear seat but under the car and you will see a little plastic cover about 7 inches long. 2 bolts hold it in place. Inside is some type of relay or solonoid switch that opens and closes the valves in the rear mufflers. This should get yopu started

ITS a switch,relay, solonoid or what have you. But i know this for certain that when u hit ur sport button, this relay gets activated and opens ur valves in the mufflers. I asked the question awhile back as to how to make it so ur valves stay open all the time even when u take it off sport mode. Jeff mentioned to go to this area im referring to, to bypass this relay and i did it. So now if I want to go off sport mode my valves stay open. I mainly do this when im on open highway so that i have a smoother ride and i still have the nice exhaust sound.

That's me under the car tomorrow night - thanks!

 

[F355GTS]

It'll be a vacuum solenoid, if it's wired the same way as the Ferraris then it'll have a permanent 12v with the ignition on, the solenoid is then activated by the ecu or sport button by applying an earth feed to the other side. It's possible the electrics are working fine and just the vacuum tube is at fault either fallen off or split

 

[YHTM]

Right - got the torch out and solved the query. It did occur to me that maybe the valves had been set open permanently especially after my friend said he heard me coming up his road. So shone a torch down the pipes and yes they are permanently open. Pretty basic set up really, appears that one of the twin pipes each side has a valve in which when closed forces all the gases and sound through the other. Not sure why that would affect the overall sound but I am sure someone can enlighten me.
Obviousxly the straight through pipes on my 4200 have spoilt me as the GS exhaust seems quiet, especially as I now know they are always open!

 

[BennyD]

Call Larini, they may have the answer!