by the time my warranty is up, i would've blown all the money on aesthetics and would have nothing else to buy. tuner would move up the priority/wish list...haha

 

Both ECU and TCU done. Manual mode in Sport S+ has virtually no delay, upshifting or downshifting and the car rips all the way to redline without stuttering to shift. This is how it should have been from the beginning 👍🏻

My theory is that Lexus nerfs the transmission tuning to keep it more Lexus-like and maintain traction. Anyway, ymmv but I now feel the need for wider and stickier tires.

 

Nice! How’s the auto shifting in sport+ and normal? Also is the extra HP felt or just the transmission differences?

 

The shifts are significantly faster in auto mode but they still follow the stock rpm range for shift points. I asked and Loi adjusted my map and sent back. I still need to test and confirm w/him but so far he's been super cool to work with.

As to HP gain I'm sure it's there but all at the top like you'd expect from 2ur and the shifting is so much improved that's all I can really tell. It does feel faster and much more like a car that has close to 500hp.

Know this, the cake is a lie (Portal reference for the uninformed) - the transmission can shift much faster than it does and gives nothing up (other than traction from undersized tires) in the process.

 

Wow I’m so curious to hear the faster shifts. Could you possibly take a video for us?

 

This isn’t my video, but I think it gives you the idea.

 

I emailed him a few days ago and no response. does he usually take a while to respond?

 

I would call or text him at his business number if email communication is slow. He will email back at the oddest hours (1am...) and other times it's within minutes.

515-505-3608

 

thank you ill give him a call tomorrow

 

YAY tuner ordered

 

Just curious if I go with the full kit and there’s an issue with my powertrain can I flash back to stock and take it in and my warranty will be good?

 

Not if the issue is connected to the flash and Lexus can figure out you flashed it.

 

If CA can figure out if your car was tuned so you fail the smog check I'm pretty sure Lexus can figure out if you have tuned the vehicle as well.

I remember reading with GM vehicles when a failure happens the ECU logs the conditions under which the failure occured. If those conditions are outside normal operating parameters (the tune) and the dealership checks it before repairing you are out of luck. Even if you flashed back to stock, the data on what caused a problem has been saved.

Obviously I'm not willing to do a tune and lose my entire powertrain warranty to go maybe 1/10th or 1/20th faster in a 1/4 mile. Being realistic, this is a great car, but it isn't fast. A tune isn't going to make this car fast.

 

Not looking to make the car faster really, but seems this is the only way to potentially solve the "dead pedal" when taking off from a complete stop. It's the only complaint I have about this car so far.

 

Some people have talked about the pedal commanders or other brands of the same thing. I've never used one, but I heard it makes it feel more responsive and linear. Maybe someone can chime in who has one.