anyone know when the L-Tuned or TRD products for the IS are coming out?

 

I've heard from various sources that some of the L-Tuned products "should" hit the market in the second quarter of 2002.

TRD tends to be very cautious/prudent when they release products and I feel that target release date is optimistic. Don't get too disappointed if they push it back to a later date.

I'm also waiting on some TRD/L-Tuned stuff.

 

posted this under L-tuned update thread but it is worth reposting.

L-tuned frequently deal with the Tustin Lexus guys for parts support (they are about 5 minutes away at Redhill) and so the information filters this way.

L-Tuned was making an HFI. They have had so many problems making power with it, word is they have abondoned the effort completely. (read this as get the SRT)

They are also working on a Supercharger. I know for a fact they have already been down to look at the A51 supercharger design (they talked at length with Mike). Estimated delivery there is April 2002. Currently they have alot of power (but won't give any numbers) but keep blowing head gaskets and such and are trying to get the reliability factor on-track. Then they will dyno and give out some numbers on the setup. The up-side of this is they will be CARB certified.

They will be re-packaging the TRD sways as L-Tuned parts later this year to early next year but there won't be a change in the part other than the price.

That was the stuff I cared about. If you have questions about specifics I can ask and get back to you.

 

aust182,

Does the fact that TRD engineers going to Area51 and looking at their centrifugal s/c mean that they are not going to design a positive displacement Eaton/roots type blower?

I'd be nice if they continued designing the roots blower so that there are more choices in the market place for FI. I like the characteristics of a roots blower more than a centrifugal s/c.

Yeah, I've heard that a lot of the TRD parts made for the IS will now be distributed under the L-Tuned name. This will mean higher prices.

 

I'm not sure whether it will be a centrifugal (A51 type) or not. I get mixed signals from the two sides. Area 51 says TRD was thinking about buying their design outright if they remove the 'tweakability' and hard set the boost. Right now you can tune the A51 and TRD doesn't want that. According to TRD, they were only looking at A51 early in the design and are now going in their own direction.

As you can imagine, everyone wants to be the king. Just giving you what I get from my Lexus source and direct conversations with Mike (SC designer and tuner at A51)

BTW....Is the SRT a cintrifugal or a roots type? Thought someone might know

.../austin

p.s. Paxton would probably disagree with you about roots blowers being better.

 

the SRT will be a Vortech type blower....for anyone who is wondering..

 

To my knowledge, there are currently no manufacturers using Eaton/roots type blowers proposed for the IS 300.

The only reason I stated that TRD may be pursuing this design is that they have used such a design in the past w/their blowers in the 3.0 liter Solara motors and the 3.4 liter truck motors.

 

From what I understand, TRD is going with a roots type blower, and you are correct that the A51 kit uses a centrifugal blower. Also, just as a point of clarifacation, TRD wasn't looking to us for design ideas, we simply had conversations early on about their plans for the L tuned line to see if there was any way we could help them out.

Toyota/Lexus is EXTREMELY methodical in their design and testing and when they release a product, I'm sure it will be first rate, it more a matter or when they will release it. Also, because they want to preserve the "lexus ride" quality, chances are that it will offer less HP than other aftermarket kits.

If anyone is interested in getting one now....A51 is taking orders for our 320 HP stage 1 kit. Be on the lookout for an upcoming issue of Import Racer which is doing a photoshoot of the installation on BlackIS300's car and an issue of Turbo that will include the dyno tuning of the same car. A picture is included below. We can be contacted at 949-472-6320