Dx3

iTrader: (13)

Damn you guys are making me want to sell the SC and get a GS

Jonny

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Can't you put the same mods on an SC400?

Dx3

iTrader: (13)

Yeah, but you guys tell better stories

Jonny

rominl

iTrader: (4)

hahhaa, i think gs modded could be more of a surprise to people

HKS_GS430

so how u like the TQ so far? i had my sc400 rear end gears done at lee myles, kinda of $$ but they do good work, never had problems with rear end.

GeorgeGS4

So im guessing upgrading the torque converter will be a more noticeable gain than doing intake/exhaust? Has anyone dynoed before and after on the PI tc? it says gains of "40-50 at the wheels" but i know thats a far cry from the truth... either way, i think going this route will be the most bang for your buck mod for the car. besides, tranny flush/fill time is coming up so ill be under there anyway. hah

george

FutureGS400

Yes, upgrading the torque converter will be more noticeable than intake/exhaust from a performance standpoint. However, it sounds like you have a misconception about what the TC will do? You are not increasing the HP of the engine as with intake/exhaust but rather increasing the efficiency of the drivetrain to make the most of the HP you already have. Not sure where you saw the "40-50 at the wheels" statement, but check out this link regarding dyno runs with a high stall TC:
http://www.converter.com/whatsnew_dynamometer.htm
Everyone, including myself, who has done this mod recommends it as far as I know. Be sure to include a good trans fluid cooler.
Sounds like you intend to install this yourself? I assume you understand what is involved in the R&R of a TC? Not saying you couldn't do it (I don't know your mechanical skill level) but it is a pretty big job...

GeorgeGS4

I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but for a job like this i'd rather have someone that'll warranty their work. I just meant it'd be a good time to do the tranny service. and here's the link from ltunedparts.com about the converter:

http://www.l-tunedparts.com/product/?id=3

and thanks for the write-up on TC's, this is my first auto so i wasnt quite sure how they worked

3dog

iTrader: (1)

So I look on this link and of course it is over my head but I picked out a couple of parts that I could understand

Quote When an unlocked high stall torque converter is used to make the pull and the dynamometer software has not been changed to allow for the fluid coupling differences the dynamometer readings will all be bogus.

The only really true test of the performance of a vehicle is to take it to the track and see what
ET and MPH the car will run.Quote









So I hit his link and it is from Carson Toyota and this is what it says about the TC and HP gain

Quote The average horsepower gain is up to 40-50 horsepower to the rear wheels due to the torque multiplication and increased stall speed. Quote

I don't know where they got this but it is in their pitch to sell them

By the way I have one and love it



Ivan
3dog

FutureGS400

OK, I read that quote on the L-Tuned Parts site and I have to say that it seems to be kinda misleading (IMO).
Referring again to the PI website link I posted, it clearly cautions against misinterpreting dyno reads with a high stall TC. That would seem to apply to the "40-50 HP" statement on L-Tuned site.
I do agree that the higher torque multiplication combined with the higher stall speed (not to mention the much more heavy duty construction) makes it feel as if you've gained a bunch of HP. Bottom line: EXCELLENT performance upgrade for the GS!

CPALex

Has anybody installed a TC themselves? I've installed trannies on later model real-wheel drive vehicles so I've also worked on torque converters. Is it a difficult job on a GS?

Also, isn't the transmission in the GS300 the same as the GS400?