One of the more noticeable things with ECT PWR is that it doesn't upshift as readily when you let up on the gas. I'd think that more engine braking could give the feel of a change in suspension. You'll get less of a diving, dropping feel which would seem like tighter suspension.

 

You are right, I have noticed less nose dive when braking. That's why I think the suspension is stiffer. Your explanation makes sense. It still means I'm right, the car's performance is better because less nose dive means less side roll when turning.
WHatever the reasons, I'm luvin it!

 

Somehow I think the ECT changes more than just the shift points. I had other cars before with ECT buttons but never one that makes this much difference. I am thinking that it changes the tip in ratio on the accelarator. Much just the snow mode de-sensitize the gas pedal, the sport mode makes the pedal more sensitive.

 

Well the GS is throttle by wire so it definitely has electronic signals given to the TPS. But I highly doubt it changes sensitivity in the accellerator itself.

ECT PWR has been around Toyota and Lexus cars for a very long time starting with the older wired throttle cars.

Because the GS is a pretty powerful car, the ECT PWR/NORM shift points are more prominent than the older cars with lesser power. I can tell and feel the difference between all the ECT Toyota/Lexus vehicles i've driven and had in the past. ECT is strictly a transmission computer programming, nothing else.

 

I also noticed gear-to-gear transition time is much shorter in ECT power mode while normal mode gives you smoother acceleration by doing rev matching.

 

Trust me, you really wouldn't have noticed much of a difference with your SC300......

 

I did a search on yahoo for ect power and the article I read pretty much talked about the throttle being the initiator for the signals to the tranny. It was a pbf and I could copy to paste it.
Sounds like throttle response is being affected as well as the tranny shifts.

 

I leave mine on PWR all the time too. Maybe the first week or so with it on all of the time it caused me to drive more gas out of it. After that it leveled off and I really think my mpg improved. Could it be that the improvement in the way the car drives in PWR on mode is more suited to the way I want to drive? In other words, in the off or normal mode, wanting to drive it a little more aggressive makes it down shift more and/or takes more throttle for the way I want to drive it.
I seem to remember my mpg being below 20 when in normal mode and now it hovers around 21-22, never getting on the highway or freeway by the way.

 

man I dont think Ive used the car in any mode other than power mode except for 2 times. It makes the car less responsive to throttle inputs. you have to tip the throttle in a little more to get her to downshift. With poer mode it wants to accelerate readily. Keep it on.

 

I would love to see that PDF, I try doing a search yesterday but got interupted by work nonsense
Like I said, I have driven a few high power car with ECT but never one that transforms the accelaration map as much as the GS. In sport mode, it seems that I dont have to push the gas pedal as much to get the car going and of course it down shifts faster, holds a gear longer and shift faster. Since its a DBW, it is very possible that it changes the gain on the gas pedal input.

 

One downside.........looks like I'll wear out the brakes sooner now that the car requires mores pedal push since the tranny wants to stay upshifted. Plus, I'm driving faster.
Everything else is gravy. Now I don't miss the G35 as much. This thing really moves the 300hp now.

 

The brakes? Really? I would think you would save more on the brakes because of the engine braking.

 

I agree. I notice a fair amount of engine braking and that is good for saving the brakes. It seems to me that in PWR mode it is better for many reasons, one reason it is not better is for the typical "Lexus owner's comfort" which happens to be exactly why I put it on coilovers, changed the wheel size and tires, put on exhaust, air intake...