The GS430 is detuned to 280 hp here in Europe.

Is it safe to assume that the detuning is all in the ECU?

In that case I could just buy a standard ECU from a Lexus dealer in the US to get the full 300 hp.

 

Don't forget to buy the downpipe and exhaust, it will add 15hp at least. If I remember correctly, the 97+ SC 400 has 10hp less than the GS 400 because it uses a different exhause system.

 

if I am not mistaken the Lexus ECU is soldierd in that means you cant change it if you wanted to is that true

 

GS400 has the advanced VVTI ,, the SC400 does not thats the 10hp gain ,, but anyways back to the main post of this page,,, hmm you say it runs on 28hp in Europe,, I guess yes the ECU must be a little different, but remember that we in the US dont even have a real ECU upgrade for our cars yet, I would call up the dealer and see what is differnt because am sure cars have different rules and regelations in countries so it might be more than just an ECU. eg, Exhuast systems. but if I where you I would defenatly check it out...

If you need to know any codes or anything about the US ECU I would be more than happy to check it out for you because I would be resetting it sometime during this weekend hopfuly

 

biggie27
aye it is but you can always get the codes from the stickers PULL OUT THAT BATTERY WIRE lol

 

BBD,

What exactly does advanced VVTi do differently from VVTi? It's controlled by ecu or...? As far as I know, the GS, SC, and LS share the exact same engine only attached to different tranny and minor difference like more restrictive intakes on LS for less noise, ecu, etc. You can pretty much take the engine out from LS and put it right into a GS or SC with little or no effort.

<edited grammer, I am really tired>

 

My dealer is normaly very helpful when it comes to technical questions, but for this one they said that they have no idea. They didn't even know that it was detuned in Europe!

 

Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i): thats what its stands for,,, the LS400 and SC400 did not have the system that was introduced with the GS400 for some reason... ONLY the new SC430 and the NEW LS400 have this system,

VVT-i continually optimizes intake valve timing over a broad range of engine speeds. It increases torque at lower speeds and horsepower at higher speeds to improve engine performance and fuel economy, as well as help reduce emissions.

I hope this helps ..

 

Sorry but you are wrong. All teh 400 series from 1998-2000 (GS, SC, LS) have the same EXACT engine and tranny. It is the 1UZFE with VVT-i. The only differences are the exhaust and ECU tuning.