Seems like you don't have an after-market exhaust, which would help in noticing that the shifts happen at higher rpm, and that the throttle is more sensitive/responsive.

I use ECT POWER 24/7

 

Hmm... I always thought power mode would put more strain on the engine because it's constantly working harder. I usually keep it in normal unless I feel like having fun.

 

TIME to turn on power mode 24/7
going to get worst mpg, but hey better transmission!

 

I also save gas when i use ect snow...
but nearly impossible to cut people off hahaha

 

Interesting thread. I run ECT Power almost all the time, unless I'm launching from a dig with VDIM off. I can't imagine any harm being done, other than maybe decreased MPG (depending on your habits of course). Personally, I like keeping the RPMs up so I can hear my exhaust note better too.

 

I understand the logic behind, less heat = more transmission life but etc power increases the RPMs at which you switch gears right? Sustaining a high RPM generates more heat. I just don't see how you can make that correlation.

This is just from what I've noticed from the feel and watching the gears while driving: unless you're maintaining high speeds or driving through a canyon (get more traction around those turns )I do not recommend using it. If you press your steering wheel display button and watch your gear shifts while driving normally to and from your daily stops you end up shifting up and down a lot (with etc power). I can only assume that shifting between 6 gears constantly isn't the best thing for the car. Ya, we have an electronic policeman in that car that does all the shifting and such but you wouldn't normally pop it into tiptronic and just push the shifter up and down up and down up and down so why would you do that with ETC power?

Also the kick you get while driving in etc power is awesome, you're more prone to speeding and tickets

I turn it on every now and then through the canyons or when I just feel like goin a little fast. Personally I love knowing I have a button that can increase my performance, and keeping it on all the time trivialities the switch. But that's just me haha.

ETC power is a wild thing that I'm still not 100% clear on what exactly it does. Owners manual is really useless when it comes to explaining it.

 

I find ECT power most useful for freeway driving when I have to hit the brakes and the car does an aggressive downshift. This allows me to merge lanes quickly and speed back up with my RPMs in the powerband. Other than that, I do it for sound.

 

Interesting...

I only use ECT when I know I'm going to need the faster response. Otherwise, "normal" mode works fine for me since 90% of my driving is highway.

I always though that more RPM = more work + less mpg. So the lower I can keep my RPM's the less fuel I consume.

I've used "Snow" mode once....it felt like my car transformed into a Geo Metro.

 

What ECT power actually does-

 

^------nice

 

Just for the record:
1995 GS300 converted to 2JZ-GTE Toyota Aristo, small 58mm Single:

With PWR mode I get BETTER MPG, and longer transmission life. If you're not flooring it, it still shifts normal.

 

Interesting......

 

I always thought that higer rpm's use more gas.... higher rpm means the engine and tranny are workin harder and faster... but then again I'm not a mechanic or engineer so maybe somethin special happens in sport mode... I always forget about sport mode since I don't drive fast normally hence the reason I got a 250. But its always fun when I remember.

 

^ That's my understanding too. It's possible that people in Power ECT are experiencing better gas mileage because when they need to accelerate the car quickly downshifts and gets you to your target speed faster and more efficiently. Compared to if you were running in Normal ECT and you needed to speed up fast you'd need to really slam the pedal down to get that acceleration, or you'd run heavy engine load for a longer at a higher gear, which is bad for gas mileage.

 

Can someone put a link up to =the thread for that shim mod.