Has anyone swapped an 09+ Sport Package power steering ECU into their non-sport car before? I have the steering damper, sport suspension and F-Sport sway bars already. I've ordered the ECU and am going to try it next week sometime, but I was just curious if anyone had done it before.

I have no idea what to expect (there aren't many sport package or F-Sport cars in Canada), so I'm just going out on a limb here, haha.

Jeff

 

interesting. Let us know what you think after the install. Also, how much did this cost?

 

Im looking forward to your DIY! especially If this isn't too hard of an install

 

The main issue with the install is that you need a Techstream to do the initial calibration after installing the ECU, so it's not something you can do without access to a Techstream or Techstream Lite.

Just saying, the install itself will be relatively easy (it's just under the battery), however I'm not sure how DIY friendly it is, since you'll likely need a dealer to do the initial calibration after the install.

Jeff

 

Currently I have the ISF steering damper. Curious to what the ECU will do.

Looking forward to your writeup!

 

I'm interested in this as well! I know when i went with the IS350 I was sacrificing road feedback/handling in comparison to a 335i, but if the sport ECU can help, that would be awesome!

I'm not a non-sport, with sway bars.

 

In for results...though I already have a sports pkg.

 

06-08 IS models used the same ECU whether it had sport package or not, only 09+ have a different ECU with sport package.

The X-Package of course also uses the same ECU as the sport package cars, as it has the sport suspension setup.

I've also contemplated getting the IS F ECU, but I figure it's safer to go with the ISx50 one.



Jeff

 

^Ah, good info. So what's the cost on that specific ecu?

 

well my dreams are crushed haha

 

Without changing any hardwares, how much different a steering ECU can make? I'm curious. In terms of road-feel and steering ratio, these two attributes are contributed heavily by hardware setting.

 

Of course the rack ratio is mechanical and cannot change, but the assist in the IS is entirely electrical and controlled by the computer. It handles how much assist there is and when it gets applied based on vehicle speed, and torque. The steering computer has complete control over how the power steering assist functions. Honestly I don't know how much different the sport package ECU is, but I hope just enough that I like it even more.

Jeff

 

Great explanation. Please let us know the result. Thanks Jeff.

 

Subscribed. If this makes noticeable difference then I'm definitely adding this to my list of mods.

 

I'm in as well. I don't know how much difference it will make though.. A coworker swapped a 2010 IS250 for a IS250 F-sport and says the steering feels the same to him.... but he is a bit odd so...

I know the ISF feels different (heavier/firmer) but it could be the added weight of the V8..

I've got a good idea how to make it adjustable... but haven't had the time to build the test module to try it out...

Very interested to hear the results and the COST info....