PHML

iTrader: (33)

To each their own. Some like the sloppy feel...while others like it firm. Just glad there are options.

sakataj

iTrader: (182)

correct me if im wrong but ISNT the SD ecu the EXACT same as the now gs430 steering ecu? when i bought my car i started looking for one and chased down some info on them and apparently the 2001 gs430 uses or is the same steering ecu as the sportdesign ecu was so i stopped looking for one since i already had it essentially

KiPod

iTrader: (31)

89650-30570 = 9/97 - 1/02
89650-30610 = 1/02 & ON
89650-30600 = 02 & 03 SportDesign only

sakataj

iTrader: (182)

hahaha i just realized what i meant to post was this.....i went looking for a L-tuned steering ecu when i first got my car and later found out it was the same as the 2001 gs430 steering ecu....so oops on me! whats difference in the SD ecu and the OEM ecu and the L-tuned ecu? and this time more info than just part numbers please

KiPod

iTrader: (31)

I have no idea what the exact or true differences are. I just know that the SD's have different suspension parts to give it a slightly more sporty feel. I noticed that the ECU was a different part # as well so I gave it a shot. It wasnt a huge difference but it was noticeable. Sorry I dont have more info for you.

kit cat

iTrader: (6)

it's not bad when you're moving but when you're trying to park...it sucks! I had to drive around downtown and parallel park a few times and whatnot but I really missed my power steering. Now that I got a taste of what the L-Tuned ECU can do, I might have to invest in one...

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Really? Parking is only slightly heavier for me. All around it's maybe 30% stiffer?

kit cat

iTrader: (6)

really?? I'm seriously at NO power steering sometimes.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

Same with mine. I literally can just use close my thumb and pointer finger around the steering wheel and steer the car one hand like that and park. I wonder if the entire steering rack is different from the GS430 and GS4300? I also remember when I did this a long time ago on my 93 SC400 it didn't work nearly as well as on my GS430. On the SC400, parking lot steering was much heavier and even way too heavy for my taste. On freeway speeds it still was pretty heavy. For some reason on my GS430 it literally is about the same as my 02 BMW 330i, and a little stiffer than the BMW in the parking lot.

Either way, the ultimate would be to either use the L-Tuned ECU, but that supposed to be the same as the one we have in the GS430 anyway, or ad the resistance in line to the solenoid so the parking entire Speed Sensitive Steering system still operates just at a lower value, or simply ad a speed sensitive cut off relay that enables the steering ECU at 5-10MPH and cuts it off anything higher than that. Since I've been driving around like this for a while I literally forget that its even disconnected. Now days the only reason why I'm conscious of it is because we are talking about it here. Other wise I've gotten so used to it that even the low speed parking doesn't bother me. That is why I haven't gotten around to adding the resisters or engage/disengage relay yet which was my original intention.

sakataj

iTrader: (182)

its all good....when i first bought my car i started looking for l-tuned parts.... but couldnt find much and stumbled on a thread about the l-tuned ecu and started searching for one but gave up when i found out i technically had one already (when i bought my car there was a white l-tuned car for sale on ebay but it had a salvage title and etc so i passed it up)

VipDout

iTrader: (4)

interesting thread guys ... I will look into this too just for fun

skperformance

iTrader: (6)

If it is too heavy when parking get your suspension checked as camber and toe will make it feel real heavy or light by itself when parking.

Euphoric

iTrader: (1)

Nice, just did this and it feels much better. Thanks for posting!

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

I just plugged my ECU back. Man is the steering much lighter.

I put it back because with the ECU off, the steering weight is random at low speed. Sometimes its heavy, and sometimes it's just a tad bit. Then the weight varies as I turn the steering (heavy, light, heavy light, etc). So now with the ECU plugged back in, the steering is smoother, but its light. I'll have to find a different way to make the steering heavier (

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

There was another write up about this that warns of that possibility. That was one of the reasons why they suggested not to completely disconnect the ECU or in their case it was the connector at the actual solenoid. I haven't had that problem yet though. I think the optimum and probably proper way to do this mod is to simply add the inline resistance on the solenoid to cut the voltage. That way the entire speed sensing system still works, just that it will not boost the steering as much.

After it is all said and done, that is probably what I'm going to do myself and what I was planning on doing in the first place. Only reason why I haven't done it so far is because mine happens to be working just fine as is. Still though, eventually it is best to do it right.