Windbooster review - AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM Jeep News Australia and New Zealand

Go Back   AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM Jeep News Australia and New Zealand > PORTAL > REVIEWS & NEW PRODUCTS
Register Forums Trading Your Jeep New Garage Mark All Read

Post New Thread  Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1  
Old 09-06-2016
st_za's Avatar
st_za  st_za is offline
CrawlerStar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Sunshine Coast
Posts: 355
What Jeep do I drive?: JK
Likes: 74
Liked 111 Times in 81 Posts
Default Windbooster review

Hiyall! This is my review of the EVC iDrive Windbooster in my 2015 JKU 3.6 Auto. I chose it because at $299, it looked to be more adjustable than the similarly priced Cammus Wind Booster and the more expensive Sprint Booster (which does have a good reputation).

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/iDrive-Wi...MAAOSw--1Wq490

For those who are wondering what it does, it modifies the signal from throttle pedal to make it seem like you are pressing the accelerator more or less than you actually are. It can't make the engine or gearbox faster or react quicker but it can make a car feel faster and feel more responsive. You can achieve the same by changing your driving style but if you can have electronic assistance to make it easier, why not?

Firstly, I reckon the name is stupid because it makes me think of a can of beans.

It was easy to install (plug and play) with decently lengthy wiring but mine is hidden next to the steering wheel - its white background and blue LED display irritates me because it doesn't fit in with the rest of the interior and back-lighting.



The controller is easy to use with a button to select program and another to select the level. There are 4 programs: Normal (stock), Economy 0 to 9, Ultimate 0 to 9 and Automatic.

Economy 3 is really nice for beach driving and Economy 0 makes low-range off-road crawling easier. While it doesn't replace crawling by loading up the throttle using the brake, it makes that easier too. On-road, Economy feels the same as towing something and can be frustrating because you have to really mash the pedal to get big throttle changes (i.e. for overtaking).

Ultimate 2 is my normal driving program. Ultimate 0 and 1 are OK too but 3+ makes the car feel too jumpy and the auto gearbox constantly shift gears at the lightest touch or release of the throttle, even when cruising at highway speeds. Ultimate 9 is a blast though and really highlights how nice the Pentastar's power delivery is.

Automatic is OK and actually feels progressive but it is way too aggressive for my liking. I am not scared of full throttle but I got tired of the looks I got when the rear tyres chirped at take-off and very tired of cat-footing around turns, especially in the wet. It makes it difficult to predict how the gearbox will react to throttle changes, which doesn't fit in with my driving style.

Overall I would give it a 6 out 10, with one point lost for aesthetics (it's important to me).

Also available for the Compass and Patriot
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/iDrive-Wi...wAAOSw--1Wq4-G
__________________
The average human walks 1,500km per year and drinks 83L of beer which means we're getting 18km/L.
Likes: (2)

Last edited by Jimmyb; 09-06-2016 at 02:00 PM.
  #2  
Old 09-06-2016
Jimmyb's Avatar
Jimmyb  Jimmyb is offline
Head Honcho
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Australia
Posts: 12,760
What Jeep do I drive?: XJ
Likes: 1,060
Liked 1,173 Times in 708 Posts
Check out my Ride(s)
Default

Great review thanks for sharing!!
__________________

www.ausjeepoffroad.com
  #3  
Old 09-06-2016
SeaComms's Avatar
SeaComms  SeaComms is offline
MonsterMoose
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Noosa QLD.
Age: 58
Posts: 7,940
What Jeep do I drive?: WK2
Likes: 1,432
Liked 809 Times in 466 Posts
Check out my Ride(s)
Default

That was one of the most acurate and seemingly non biased reviews I have ever read on a product like this. Normally there is some garb about 15%+ increase in economy and power which always gets my goat up.

That was honest and straightforward with factual recounts of exactly what it was designed to do and how it does it (and you are a local Sunny Coaster too!)

Nice work.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
__________________
Cheers, Dave :)

2010 JK, then a 2015 KL Trailhawk, now a 2017 GC Trailhawk!

Over 5000 Club
  #4  
Old 09-06-2016
chris0375's Avatar
chris0375  chris0375 is offline
Lowranger Shocker
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 1,711
What Jeep do I drive?: JK
Likes: 401
Liked 404 Times in 293 Posts
Default

It is my understanding that the gearbox "learns" driver behaviour. How does such a device interfere with this?

Yeah I agree this is probably the first review of these types of products that doesn't promote a power increase.
__________________
2008 2 Door JK CRD auto
  #5  
Old 09-06-2016
WhiteMeat's Avatar
WhiteMeat  WhiteMeat is offline
Full Flexer
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Lapstone, NSW
Posts: 1,015
What Jeep do I drive?: JK
Likes: 1,368
Liked 186 Times in 124 Posts
Default

I have mine on U7 for onroad (U9 kept making my muddies screech at the lights lol) and drop it down to U2-3 for offroad

Bloody awesome bit of kit, makes the accelerator much more responsive - I'm not after more power, etc - just wanted faster response from the inbuilt electronics in the Jeep
__________________
2012 JK, Uneek 4x4 front bar, ATV 2.5" flexy coil lift, Maxxis 762 285/70R17, heavy right foot
  #6  
Old 09-06-2016
L333ROY's Avatar
L333ROY  L333ROY is offline
I just registered
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Mount Cottrell
Posts: 8
What Jeep do I drive?: JK
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

I have a similar module called a 'Torque Tuner', which transformed my 3.8 manual with 3.21's to 'drivable'.
Pickup is more linear, and smoothes out throttle. Even in mud.
Did notice the oil change blip came up sooner than expected...
Removed the 'horn delay' feel from inital pickup
  #7  
Old 13-06-2016
Johnboy  Johnboy is offline
Full Flexer
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: South Australia
Posts: 758
Likes: 5
Liked 64 Times in 46 Posts
Default

alot of the response issues seem to be with the pedal angle. does this and an adjusted pedal angle make too much difference??
Post New Thread  Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On





All times are GMT +10. The time now is 09:58 PM.


Advertisements




AJOR does not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of AJOR or any entity associated with AJOR, nor should any advice be substituted as technical advice replacing that of a mechanic. You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use AJOR to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, religious, political or otherwise violative of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by AJOR. The owner, administrators and moderators of AJOR reserve the right to delete any message or members for any or no reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold harmless AJOR, the administrators, moderators, and their agents with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s). The use of profile signatures to intentionally mislead or misdirect any member on this forum is not acceptable and may result in your account being suspended. Any trip that is organised through the AJOR forum is participated at your own risk. If you or your vehicle is damaged it is your responsibility, not that of the person that posted the thread, message or topic initiating the trip, nor the organisers of AJOR or moderators of any specific forum. This forum and associated website is the property of AJOR. No user data is harvested and no information supplied in your registration will be sold for profit.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

AJOR © 2002 - 2024 AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM. All corporate trademarked names and logos are property of their respective owners. Ausjeepoffroad is in no way associated with DaimlerChrysler Corporation or Fiat Jeep.
www.ausjeep.com www.ausjeep.com.au www.midlifemate.com ausjeepforum.com www.r9kustoms.com
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=