Sluggish 96 LS400
#1
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Just purchased, 58K miles going to be having timing belt done and know that will not help performance but while he is doing that anything that I can invest in low cost maintenance that might help performance, car just seems sluggish even with power button. I am not sure the gas was great as car was not driven very regularly so not through that issue yet. I know it is not a rocket but just hoping you have some ideas…
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
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#5
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I had the same problem on my 96 LS400, just really sluggish performance, so I replaced the distributor caps, rotors, plugs, plug wires, air filter, cleaned the MAF sensor, cleaned the throttle body & butterfly, still no power. ![Confused](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
then I replaced my ECU capacitors and woohoo! - there is that V-8 power I have been searchin for!!![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
do you really think the engineers at Lexus/Toyota know less about the ideal air filtration & performance & fuel mileage for your LS400 than the yahoo's at K&N, oh puhleeze! ![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
If there was any magic to be gained by changing the air filter/intake baffling design on a "price is no object" car that these days costs $85,000 - I think Toyota would have implemented it from the factory! - Be logical
![Confused](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
then I replaced my ECU capacitors and woohoo! - there is that V-8 power I have been searchin for!!
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Are you a believer in the KN filters?
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
If there was any magic to be gained by changing the air filter/intake baffling design on a "price is no object" car that these days costs $85,000 - I think Toyota would have implemented it from the factory! - Be logical
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Last edited by LScowboyLS; 11-05-12 at 08:51 AM.
#7
Lexus Champion
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yes, it requires soldering and being careful and having patience and making sure you find the correct brand and series of capacitors (such as Rubycon ZLH)
but the total expense is less than $10 total and perhaps you have a friend who is a geek and a competent solderer?
besides, this will eventually become a huge problem area on your LS400, it is a known design defect, might as well get it done and start enjoying the power!
but the total expense is less than $10 total and perhaps you have a friend who is a geek and a competent solderer?
besides, this will eventually become a huge problem area on your LS400, it is a known design defect, might as well get it done and start enjoying the power!
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#8
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Let me give you a recommendation based on hearsay for a product i've never used ![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
do you really think the engineers at Lexus/Toyota know less about the ideal air filtration & performance & fuel mileage for your LS400 than the yahoo's at K&N, oh puhleeze!![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
If there was any magic to be gained by changing the air filter/intake baffling design on a "price is no object" car that these days costs $85,000 - I think Toyota would have implemented it from the factory! - Be logical
be logical, if the filter costs more money without offering toyota any gain at all (and takes money away from their dealerships in parts/service revenue) why would they spend the extra $$/car for a minor performance and service saving bump?
Do you have any idea what those "yahoos" at k&n (and AEM, now part of the same family) do when engineering (yes, they actually engineer their products..) a new product? The hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of test equipment they keep in their facility?
OP your car is probably just in need of a good tune-up, as it sounds like it's been neglected the past few years. distributor caps, rotors, spark plugs, plug wires, an air filter, oil change, and oil filter will probably give you a noticeable improvement. A fuel system treatment of your choice is probably not a bad idea either. The ECU issue is relatively common, and has been known of for many years, but unless your car still has performance issues after getting the maintenance up to date, is not much of a factor.
![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
do you really think the engineers at Lexus/Toyota know less about the ideal air filtration & performance & fuel mileage for your LS400 than the yahoo's at K&N, oh puhleeze!
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
If there was any magic to be gained by changing the air filter/intake baffling design on a "price is no object" car that these days costs $85,000 - I think Toyota would have implemented it from the factory! - Be logical
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Do you have any idea what those "yahoos" at k&n (and AEM, now part of the same family) do when engineering (yes, they actually engineer their products..) a new product? The hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of test equipment they keep in their facility?
OP your car is probably just in need of a good tune-up, as it sounds like it's been neglected the past few years. distributor caps, rotors, spark plugs, plug wires, an air filter, oil change, and oil filter will probably give you a noticeable improvement. A fuel system treatment of your choice is probably not a bad idea either. The ECU issue is relatively common, and has been known of for many years, but unless your car still has performance issues after getting the maintenance up to date, is not much of a factor.
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