is there a chip out there that can firm up the shifts in the first generation Ls or will a aftermarket ecu modify both the engine and trans? which ecu or chip do u guys recommend?

 

Dunn378,

I haven't heard of a transmission ecu upgrade for our cars, but I have heard of a few guys swapping in a torque converter from a company called dragon ( I think the name is right). There are a number of GS and SC owners that have used them too. You may want to pm jbrady and ask him, he is very knowledgable about performance on the first gen ls sedan.


Good Luck!

 

i'll look into that, thanks alot!

 

Thanks for the props GA

Actually, I have owned a 96 and currently have a 99 LS400. The 96 has the same basic tranny as the 1st gens while the 99 has the 5 speed auto. I don't know of anyone who has changed the tranny shifting as this is something I would like to do also.

The Dragon TC is built by Precision Industries and is sold direct or through a number of places including SRT. The TC will quicken the reaction of your tranny and make you car considerably quicker off the line.

David Phan, Lextreme.com, has a twin turbo 1st gen and would be a good source of data for you also. Go to www.lextreme.com to check out his car and trade ideas on his forum.

 

Jbrady,

Thank you for sharing all of your experiences! Your posts have given me a course in Lexus performance 101

 

Actually, I am getting a unit from an Electrical Engineer that allow Manaul shifting. Its like Tiptronic shifting with the LS. I need to figure out the oem ecu and the shifting pattern. Its under R&D right now... hopefully it will be ready soon...

The shifting will me manual. Up and Down with your fingers.

 

that's the best because you'll have the best of both worlds. any idea how much??

 

I have an 2002 LS-430 that is not as quick off the line as my friends 2001 LS-430. Occaisionally my car hesitates when cornering almost as if the VSC is engaging but I know my wheels are not slipping. Is there an way to see if my friends ECU will solve the accelleration problem. Can they just be swapped?

 

Would an LS400 accelerate faster if the transmission was swapped with an SC400? I heard the SC trans. had gears better for acceleration. Has any one tried the performace chip-type mod that is on Ebay.com?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2421708719
The seller seems to have good Ebay feedback, but not all buyers are Ls400 drivers.
The other seller has a different setup, also has pretty good Ebay feedback.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2422386662

 

i also heard the sc400 has a different 1st gear ratio for better acceleration but i also heard the sc uses a different torque converter. the difference between the two is the number of teeth on the converter. i dont know if i can use the Ls converter on the sc trans but i think i'll give it a try. i keep you posted when i tackle the project.

 

Can someone tell me where the ECU is located on a 2001 LS-430?