Jack111

I will post pics as soon as possible.

Jack111

Yes that's it. The car runs very well.

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

You did well on that one, he has taken a significant loss on it in the couple years he owned it.

he dropped his asking price by about $13 000 within the past year because its hard to sell 600's here

Jack111

I did not know that, I'm thinking to switch for a LS460L I'm not a fan of cvt tranny I definitely prefer ''regular'' transmission.

Oliver Enterprises

Jack111 - I find the 8 speed exceedingly annoying. I like the concept of a CVT, but so far I have not witnessed a CVT that I thought was executed well. It must be a difficult thing. I've not ridden in the 600hL, so I can't comment on its CVT. The guys on here that own them say the torque at any time is instantaneous ... which sound awesome. I have this admiration for 600hL's ... probably due to their rarity. I don't know that I've ever even seen one. It must be the pink unicorn factor that appeals to me.

I've driven manual transmissions all my life and have become so in touch with the rpm of an engine. What's comfortable, what's responsive, what's good for the engine, what's good for fuel economy, blah blah blah. I love manual transmissions. The 8 speed is just so prone to shift into the next gear too quickly, and then lug around. It is seriously annoying to me. So much so that I either manually shift it (when I want to hear sweet sweet exhaust sounds) or I put it in M6. Because around town it doesn't need more than 6th. If I'm going to do 55 mph or greater for a time, then I'll bump it to 7th. If I get on the interstate I'll bump it to 8th (or D). If the LS came with a manual transmission, I would take that, even if it were the most stripped down LS ever built. It would be nice if Toyota had another ECT setting. Econo, snow, normal, sport, and No Lug.

I have a 2003 Camry with a 4AT. It is by far the LEAST annoying auto trans I have ever driven.


Jason Oliver

riknchar

I actually loved the CVT in my LS600hL. Due to the huge torque from the electric motor coupled with the horsepower from the 5.0L V8, it did feel like I could hit the gas from any speed and I'd get an immediate rush of acceleration (no downshift lag whatsoever). We own two electric cars also (Leaf and Bolt), and they both have CVTs that work great, probably due again to the instantaneous torque available from the electric motors. I think smaller, less powerful cars with CVTs might not be such a smooth proposition...

Jack111

Thank you Jason and riknchar for the followup. I thought the drone sound came from the CVT so I did a test with 2 round metal rings.
I replaced the two round metal gaskets before the mufflers with 2 round metal rings. I have cut about an inch of the 2 round metal rings.
The result is very good, 90% of the drone sound is gone, at idle the sound is just a bit louder so it's ok for me. I begin to appreciated the CVT more, now.

Jack111

To make a long story short the drone sound came from the rear right muffler. There was a big rust hole on top of it .
I was surprise to see inside a spring. Decided to open it with my zipcut. There's a valve close by a spring, and I think on higher RPM the gases push this valve to get better flow. My friend and I decided to fix it for now, and we did. The results is wonderful, no drone and I've put back the 2 oem metal gaskets. If this information could help other people I'm happy.

Oliver Enterprises

Jack - Did you happen to get a picture of that spring? Would love to see that. Makes me wonder if replacing the stock mufflers with aftermarket, if top end power could be reduced due to losing that valve.

Also makes me wonder if such a contraption is only on the 600hL...

Jack111

I will be able to show you 2 pics after work around 6:00 pm

Jack111

Hello Jason here's the pictures you wanted.