Hi All, My cousin is selling me an ES300 real cheap (1992 or 1993, he doesnt really know which lol). Of course, as soon as I found out I may be getting this, I started searching around about them. I came across this on wikipedia;

The 1992-1993 engine has 185 hp (138 kW) at 5800 rpm and 189 ft·lbf (256 N·m) at 4600 rpm. 1994+ have 200 hp (149 kW) at 5800 rpm and 204 ft·lbf (277 N·m) at 4600 rpm. There is no mechanical difference in the engine. In an embarrassing move, Toyota inadvertently created an engine competing with the more performance oriented 7M-GE (200 hp) and 2JZ-GE (225 hp) installed in sportier, more luxurious cars of the time. Because of this; the stock ignition timing and fueling was noticeably detuned. The power spread of the 3VZ-FE is wide, having 100% torque between 2500–4600 rpm, with power trailing off by 6000 rpm. Stock redline is 6600 rpm, and the ECU's fuel/ignition cut is 7200 rpm.

So obviously I want to retune it. Has this been done? Is there an easy way? Buy a chip or flash the ECU?

Thanks,

 

yes, but if the car is in questionable repair or you have an automatic, dont bother.

 

He said it is very nice shape and the previous owner (his brother) took very good care of it. Whether it's an auto or not shouldn't matter, should it? More power is more power either way. Do the autos have a TCM or are they controlled by same unit?

Thanks for your reply.

 

Just so you know, look on the passenger side dashboard and is there is an airbag, its a 1993, and if there isn't anything there it'll be a 92

 

Mine is a 1993 and there is no passenger side airbag. This became standard starting on a later model year, 94 or 95 I think.

 

There is a sticker on the drivers door that will tell you what year/month the car was made. As far as tuning the car, I assume that you still need to pass emmissions. There are several things that can be done, just do a search for Bosch L-Jetronic mods. There are several sites that have good information on these types of mods.

 

1994 + is 194 horse I believe. max torque also does not last for a 2100 rpm stretch lol. stock auto shift point is more like 6250 rpm isn't it?

 

Exactly! ^ but I think it was the 94 model that had the addition of the passenger side airbag. Check the drivers side door jamb for the build month & year (IE: 5/92 etc).

And either way...it's a 17 or 18 year old car. The very slight increase in HP during that generation cycle would not amount to much additional performance as far as 0 - 60 times, nor the quarter mile is concerned (perhaps a 1/10th or 2 of a second? if that)...it's mission statement is a Luxury sedan...not a high performance sports sedan.

More info on the year to year changes here...

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...-250-300-7.htm

 

Thanks for all the info guys. I will surely find out the exact year when I get the title . As far as the amount of additional power, I know it will probably be minimal but if you had the commute I have and had to deal with people going 40 in a 55, every last bit helps when you need to pass on a two-lane hwy

Thanks

 

lexus freak, how much time have you spent in a 3vz-fe 5speed? perhaps ariyanna can testify to my car being a sports sedan.

the trans has a tcu

go change the timing and stuff but if everything is not tip top shape, it can cause more things to go bad. basically, you dont want to mess with fuel adjustment unless you can measure the 02 levles.... which is important since you are literally 'tuning' it . the timing, well, theres a knock sensor for that. anyway, a lot of article overstresss the overseas 3vzfe rating. if you want, you can try a piggy back controller to get a better tune closer to what the engine should have came with in the us in the first place.

make sure the VAF [aka maf[ is clean out in side. make sure the 02 sensors are fresh. no head gasket leaks and no cracked intake tubes. good oil should be used too. check the trans fluid.

modifying the down pipe [aka ypipe] will net some nice gains people say. just avoid putting big wheels on the car and keep the 500 lbs of hash outta your trunk and you shoulud be getting the most out of the car. tire pres is 26 unless constant very high speed driving or heavy vehicle capacity or towing, then, in those cases, 32 psi.

 

"just avoid putting big wheels on the car and keep the 500 lbs of hash outta your trunk and you shoulud be getting the most out of the car."- LMFAO

 

I've driven them on several occasions...I'm not meaning to say the car is slow...far from it...what I am saying is the car as it was equipped from the factory was too soft in the corners to be considered a sports sedan...the same vintage Nissan Maxima (for example) would have beat it hands down...was the 5 speed more 'sporty'? oh for sure (what car isn't when you have the option of getting a manual over an auto?)...but still not a sports sedan.

That's not a knock to the ES...like I said that's just the nature of the beast.

 

I would strongly suggest that you don't mess with L-Jet unless you really know what you're doing. I've had a few cars with K-jet, KE-Jet, and L-Jet, and if you aren't very aware of exactly what you're messing with, you can really make a huge mess of your fuel/emissions systems.

I agree. I don't think this is worth pursuing. Being that old, your car's probably got a nice bit of sludge in there, and lost a little compression - so it's not like you're at your stock hp rating anyway. Whatever small amount of hp you gain (at the crank) will probably be almost entierly lost due to inefficiency in power transfer - so you might get one or two hp at the wheels. Not worth your time.

 

lexus freak has wonderful opinions based on no experience behind the wheel of a 5spd es 300 MY1993/1992.

 

Haha, funny LL. He'll eventually get to drive one if he's lucky. I wonder how one can find out the exact number of 5 speeds produced, made with specific options, and number? The SC owners find this out to identify a true 5 speed SC300.