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I thought I could add my own car here after being long time reader and posting in a couple threads. Though my car isn't an LS400, it still has the engine and transmission borrowed from one, and my experience in troubleshooting it might be useful here.
So, back to the car. It has a long story involving a number of engine conversions, new suspension, all 4 disc brakes (instead of 4 drums), new rear axle with Detroit TrueTrac diff, and a number of smaller goodies.
Currently, it has 1uz-fe vvti in it. The engine came off some '2000 UCF21 Celsior with about 60.000 km on it. Timing belt and water pump were like new upon replacement. Nothing has been done to increase engine's performance, however it's enough for me 99.9% of the time
Short specs
Wheels - 15" , 195mm wide for winter, 215 for summer
Rear diff: 4.1
Fuel pump: Pierburg, 160LPH @ 3.5bar. Stock 3.3 bar regulator off LS430 with a custom off-tank adapter
Exhaust: 3UZ headers, 2x63mm into single 63mm, lots of space restrictions here
ECU: factory unit 89661-50521 with immo bypass, sub-o2 sensor emulators
Plan to use European ECU 89661-50440 to get rid of the speed limit, but it won't control Celsior's hydro fan speed.
Weight: 1570 kg with fuel and me onboard.
Cx: 0.41 (factory spec)
The body is 1970 model. My car was built in 1990.
I use the car daily. For summer season, its fuel consumption is 15.5 L/100km (city) and 11.2 L/100km (highway). That's 15.18 MPG and 21.0 MPG respectively.
Thanks guys! Yes, driveability is really good, and it's surely a heads turner. Thanks to the weight of 1600kg (complete with fuel and driver) , the lack of cats, free exhaust and 4.1 diff, it's notably quicker than LS400
If the lack of hydro fan is the only thing keeping you from the euro ECU you can convert it to the USDM clutch fan without issue. Or go electric fan+thermostat control.
PureDrifter, thanks!
I always thought that USDM LS400 would use electric fan, so what I found in catalog after seeing your message was a surptise for me.
Actually, there's a few options. I already developed a simple speed limit cut device which I sell with success but have no time to fit into my own car. I also have a HKS SLD Type 2 which will also work, but I don't like the idea of modifying engine loom (SLD needs quite a number of wires to be cut for installation)
Another option is a European or USDM ECU plus separate hydro fan control ECU which can be found in some toyota soarer and aristo models.
Yet another option is an electric fan. Toyota Crown Majesta in 17x body controls electric fan from ECU (like it's done in newer Toyotas). The computer located near the fan is just a power module. I do like this approach of integrating a number of functions in one ECU.
To fit a Majesta ECU however I will need to change pinout of engine loom (not a problem), fit another type of MAF (tricky), and develop a new idle up device (one that commands ECU to raise idle speed when you turn on headlights or rear window defogger) (UCF20 and UZS171 body control ECUs are not compatible, and so are the commands transmitted at MPX digital line).
Additionally, if I plan an electric fan I would need idler pulley assembly from a Crown to get rid of the oil pump for hydro fan, so the electric fan doesn't seem like a good choice for me right at the moment.
Think I will get away with a speed limit cut device, just need some time to fit it nicely, with soldering etc.
PureDrifter , black_LS
Thanks! Very interesting to know that some of the UZ engines used clutch fan , very same clutch fan as the one usually found on the JZ.
I still prefer radiator-mounted fan to engine-mounted one for a number of reasons, one being tight front and side clearance and some engine inclination backwards in my project.
I think I will install fanless pulley and electric fan in some future (or even replace the whole powertrain with some of the UR or LS series). Until then , I can still source a used hydro fan for under $70 delivered to nearest warehouse. If the fan fails in a long trip, I would install electric fan and loop the hydro fan pump lines .
Decided to fully rebuild the exhaust system once more in attempt to get period-correct sound. Could not run true duals due to space restrictions. Had to figure out exit pipes' shape thoroughly to bypass shock absorber and sway bar and allow for full travel of suspention.
I'm fully satisfied with the sound. It's of course obnoxious for a modern car like Lexus, but I think it perfectly fits my build. Performance wise, no much changes. Fuel consumption didn't change either.
A few weeks earlier I described my troubles with ECU choice. I wanted speed limit cut, hydro fan operation, maybe more power. I think I could come up with , err, different solution
Seems like I will be the first to review the product
Will absolutely do that
It's now on its way from Japan to me.
Before fitting it to my car, I will open the case and take some pictures of the internals. I will have to do it anyway to install my sub o2 sensor emulators, immo bypass device and other goodies
03-17-15, 04:39 AM
Not quite an LS400 / engine conversion
