More Power on VVTI 1UZ?
03-18-23, 01:25 PM
#1
4th Gear
Thread Starter
More Power on VVTI 1UZ?
Hey guys, looked at this forum a lot over the years for help, so finally posting to get some info I haven't seen anyone ask about.
I've got a 99 Lexus LS400, for which who don't know, its the VVTI 1UZ engine. I'm wanting to give my engine a little more power(looking for right at 400-450hp) just to give me a little bit more. I've talked to a few guys in the community already since there's not much info on building anything "minimal" to squeeze out more power on these engine's without buying a standalone ecu. Which, I don't mind doing, but I would prefer not to, because of the prices. One of the main things I was told to do was a e85 comp. fuel pump with a flex fuel kit, bigger injectors (515cc should be fine), CA Intake, and triple iridium spark plugs, and deleting the factory y pipes for better/more air flow. Stated that I should have about a 80hp gain off everything.
The issue is, from my experience with other cars and engines, in the case of running all that, you need to do some sort of tune, piggyback, or standalone ecu. My issue is, every one of the people I have spoken to, is saying I don't need to, that the factory ecu will "compensate." Is this the case? If so, please explain so I can better understand. If this isn't what route do you suppose I take rather than going the one I stated? Thanks.
Edit: Apologies for posting in wrong forum, appreciate all the help and info though!
I've got a 99 Lexus LS400, for which who don't know, its the VVTI 1UZ engine. I'm wanting to give my engine a little more power(looking for right at 400-450hp) just to give me a little bit more. I've talked to a few guys in the community already since there's not much info on building anything "minimal" to squeeze out more power on these engine's without buying a standalone ecu. Which, I don't mind doing, but I would prefer not to, because of the prices. One of the main things I was told to do was a e85 comp. fuel pump with a flex fuel kit, bigger injectors (515cc should be fine), CA Intake, and triple iridium spark plugs, and deleting the factory y pipes for better/more air flow. Stated that I should have about a 80hp gain off everything.
The issue is, from my experience with other cars and engines, in the case of running all that, you need to do some sort of tune, piggyback, or standalone ecu. My issue is, every one of the people I have spoken to, is saying I don't need to, that the factory ecu will "compensate." Is this the case? If so, please explain so I can better understand. If this isn't what route do you suppose I take rather than going the one I stated? Thanks.
Edit: Apologies for posting in wrong forum, appreciate all the help and info though!
Last edited by phillipfym; 03-21-23 at 10:19 AM. Reason: needed to
03-18-23, 03:08 PM
#2
Lexus Test Driver
have you looked through the lextreme forums? i hear you though there's really not a lot 98-00 LS builds outside of the usual VIP stuff... but just from what i've read throughout the years i'm 99.9% certain you'd need a standalone ECU since the factory one is pretty locked down and also linked to the TCU
i know it's not what you're looking for but the 'JBrady intake' will at least give you a cool induction sound and allow you to hear the ACIS valves opening at ≈5000 rpm
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...the-works.html
i know it's not what you're looking for but the 'JBrady intake' will at least give you a cool induction sound and allow you to hear the ACIS valves opening at ≈5000 rpm
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...the-works.html
03-18-23, 03:41 PM
#3
Your options are kind of limited because you're talking about modifying the transmission to hold the power as well. The stock A650E is good for around 400-450 rwhp with an external transmission cooler and valve body.
The engine itself is stout, but in terms of power adders, it's not a LS3. I think most of the engine builders stick with the non-vvti engines and run standalones when they transplant them into other cars. There is some interchange with some other 90's toyota stuff, especially since there was some platform sharing with the Supra & the SC400 during that period. But this isn't the forum for that. This is an OEM\OEM+ forum, not a full modification forum.
As for whether the stock ECU will compensate for those adjustments you listed: It maintains air\fuel\knock ratios yes, and you do get more power by helping it breathe better, but how far it's able to go I don't know.
The engine itself is stout, but in terms of power adders, it's not a LS3. I think most of the engine builders stick with the non-vvti engines and run standalones when they transplant them into other cars. There is some interchange with some other 90's toyota stuff, especially since there was some platform sharing with the Supra & the SC400 during that period. But this isn't the forum for that. This is an OEM\OEM+ forum, not a full modification forum.
As for whether the stock ECU will compensate for those adjustments you listed: It maintains air\fuel\knock ratios yes, and you do get more power by helping it breathe better, but how far it's able to go I don't know.
Last edited by 400fanboy; 03-18-23 at 03:46 PM.
03-18-23, 06:59 PM
#4
hahah
03-19-23, 11:51 AM
#5
03-19-23, 06:19 PM
#6
Lexus Test Driver
03-19-23, 08:21 PM
#7
I was being sarcastic.
I just found it funny that OP had to inform the reader that a 99 LS400 has a VVTI 1UZ engine while simultaneously and ironically asking questions about same said 99 VVTI 1UZ engine.....
.....While also posting this in the LS400 specific section of this forum- where everyone knows that the 99 LS400 has a VVTI 1UZ
.....
I just found it funny that OP had to inform the reader that a 99 LS400 has a VVTI 1UZ engine while simultaneously and ironically asking questions about same said 99 VVTI 1UZ engine.....
.....While also posting this in the LS400 specific section of this forum- where everyone knows that the 99 LS400 has a VVTI 1UZ
.....
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03-19-23, 10:25 PM
#8
Lexus Test Driver
I was being sarcastic.
I just found it funny that OP had to inform the reader that a 99 LS400 has a VVTI 1UZ engine while simultaneously and ironically asking questions about same said 99 VVTI 1UZ engine.....
.....While also posting this in the LS400 specific section of this forum- where everyone knows that the 99 LS400 has a VVTI 1UZ.....
I just found it funny that OP had to inform the reader that a 99 LS400 has a VVTI 1UZ engine while simultaneously and ironically asking questions about same said 99 VVTI 1UZ engine.....
.....While also posting this in the LS400 specific section of this forum- where everyone knows that the 99 LS400 has a VVTI 1UZ
.....
The following users liked this post:
RelentLex (03-20-23)
03-19-23, 11:05 PM
#9
Some spicy action tonight on the forum. Alright folks let's pack it up - OP hasn't even responded yet, let's not reignite the civil war over the mis-use of what was probably a side-remark as part of his writeup.
03-20-23, 08:23 AM
#10
and not that anybody's keeping track... but hoping to find someone who is a well versed expert with all things VVTi 1UZ, right down to building and tuning the engine, that doesn't know it was used in 1999... or at least that's what i might say if we were keeping track
03-20-23, 11:05 AM
#11
yes let's keep this on track or i'll have to close the thread.
to the OP, unfortunately CL is not the place to find out how to get "MOAR POWR" on the 1uz. as stated by stroock, lextreme would be a better place to talk performance mods. you will find some historical content here on CL about superchargers to simple stuff like cold air intakes and exhaust options. most of us just want to maintain the 1uz for longevity and not so much added performance. don't get me wrong, i love hot rodding and am still for it, but CL doesn't have the expertise or further info for the LS400.
keep in mind the ECU on these cars powers everything, even the transmission (there is no separate TCU), so altering anything on the ECU will cause other issues across the board.
to the OP, unfortunately CL is not the place to find out how to get "MOAR POWR" on the 1uz. as stated by stroock, lextreme would be a better place to talk performance mods. you will find some historical content here on CL about superchargers to simple stuff like cold air intakes and exhaust options. most of us just want to maintain the 1uz for longevity and not so much added performance. don't get me wrong, i love hot rodding and am still for it, but CL doesn't have the expertise or further info for the LS400.
keep in mind the ECU on these cars powers everything, even the transmission (there is no separate TCU), so altering anything on the ECU will cause other issues across the board.
The following 2 users liked this post by timmy0tool:
phillipfym (03-21-23),
RelentLex (03-23-23)
03-20-23, 11:10 AM
#12
I definitely deserve some roasting for jumping half read posts.
The following users liked this post:
phillipfym (06-20-23)
03-21-23, 10:21 AM
#14
4th Gear
Thread Starter
There's a lot of info on the vvti engines, just the issue is there's practically no info on tuning them. or in my case, how much the factory ecu will comprensate. Link ecu makes a good kit and harness.
03-21-23, 11:06 AM
#15