itruns

Any updates? Pricing info?

Jeff Lange

iTrader: (1)

Just got the ECU today, probably going to install it tonight.




Jeff

getfunky

Sweet! Looking forward to hearing the results.

Jeff Lange

iTrader: (1)

Just finished installing it and took the car for a quick drive around the block. The steering is noticeably stiffer, and definitely feels nicer. It's not quite as stiff as I'd have liked, but still quite a bit better. I'm thinking now that it might have been cool to try the IS F steering ECU instead. It's hard to say because there's no direct cross-referencing I can do to make sure the IS F steering ECU would communicate properly with the VDIM ECU in my IS250.

In any case, I am pretty happy with the outcome, if I get brave in the future I may try the IS F steering ECU just for the fun of it, but I'm not 100% sure how that will work out.

It really snowed last night here and I have my winter tires on (205/50R17's), so I'm obviously not able to enjoy the car to it's full potential right now, and I need to test it out at some higher speeds to know how it handles that.

This ECU is about $400 IIRC in Canada (retail price), I think it's more in the USA for some reason, but I'm not 100% sure, maybe someone can check with Sewell or something. I obviously got a discount on it so your mileage may vary. Whether or not it's worth the coin is up to you. If someone wants to man up and try the IS F ECU and report back, maybe I'd be convinced to sell my ISx50 Sport Package one to a forum member for cheap .

(As for doing this mod on 06-08 models, that I also cannot comment on, since the VSC/VDIM setup on 06-08 cars is quite a bit different from the 09-12 cars, I cannot confirm that this would be plug and play on 06-08 cars. Maybe someone wants to be a guinea pig for that too? Good luck).

Jeff

Megaman096

Wow, expensive mod! I hope it works on 06 models, the steering on my IS is the only thing I dislike

BAY2LA350

That's interesting that their are slight differences in the programming? Maybe less assist from the electric power steering?

Also, in your opinion, what made a larger difference: adding the f-sport sways or the ECU? Sounds like you haven't been able to take the car up to speed yet. Will be looking forward to another update once the weather clears!

Alantjai

Jeff, Hows your ECU doing

Alantjai

I just bought a 2008 Power steering ECU for mine 2006... So if this stiffens the steering wheel like all 2008 do, than we have found the difference of 2006/2007 vs 2008 cars..

I will let you guys know when I get it.

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Sweet! Definitely report back on your findings.

Alantjai

I hope to get the package this week, but I will let you know! :P

Alantjai

Just installed it, but.... sorry guys, if this is really from an isx50 2008, than this isnt the key of the stiffer steering...

Let me explain my experience after a first testdrive:

- The steering is a little bit more direct/precise than before..
- The steering is a little bit lighter, less strenght needed, so there seems to be a little bit more power assist.
- The steeringfeel is a little bit more smoother, related to directness?

Conclusion for now: The feel is better, but a little bit lighter..

I will let you guys know more when I drive some more with it...

dojoman

iTrader: (5)

Interesting mod. Will I be able to use the paddle shifter without switching to "S" mode just like in '09+ model? Or this is simply ECU for steering?

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

There are a number of ECUs in the car. The steering ECU is a separate unit from the ECM (Engine Control Module) so it will not affect shifting in any way.

Sure, they could do everything with a single powerful computer, but it would introduce single point failure scenarios Lexus does not want to consider.

So looking at the entire scope here, there appear to be many changes for this ECU. I've been told the steering on the '11 F is better - now I'd like to know if the ECU is plug and play, or did they change more stuff to make it not possible? The wife complains about how heavy the F's steering is compared to our 350. It would be nice to be able to just swap boxes and make her happy. Too bad I'd need a Techstream enabled computer to swap these out and test.

Original IS-F
89650-53040
MY 11 IS-F
89650-53041
Original ISx50
89650-53020
MY 09 ISx50
89650-53060
89650‑53061 (supercedes 89650-53060)
MY 10 ISx50
89650-53080
89650-53081
Sport ISx50
89650‑53082

tedward88

iTrader: (11)

Dunno if this matters, but I have a 06 IS250 and the PS ECU recently went out and got replaced by the dealer. Its now noticeably stiffer than before which I don't really like...

BAY2LA350

What do the two numbers under each MY represent? is250 vs is350? or non-sport vs sport for that year?

The sport ISx50 number looks like it matches the PN that the OP bought. So does that mean there has been not ECU change for any sport packaged vehicle including the f-sport?