Ok, so do our transmissions have overdrive? (someone said that D was the fifth gear, not overdrive...) if so...anyone have a good explanation of what overdrive is?
Thanks

 

I'm pretty sure all newer model cars have the overdrive built in as opposed to the old overdrive switch on the shifter...

Forgive this far less than scientific explanation but when i was younger my father told me that the overdive helps the car from getting away from u when u are traveling downhill..I'm sure one of the more car-savvy members can help you there.

 

Overdrive is the gear higher than the input speed. Basically it gives you better gas mileage. On the GS 4th gear is 1:1 engine speed to transmission output speed. 1st,2nd,3rd gear the engine turns faster than the transmission output speed. A good example is on a multi speed bicycle. On the lower gear it's easier to pedal since you have more torque on the higher gears its harder to pedal but you use less rotations to move the same amount of distance. 5th gear is the overdrive gear where the engine rotates less per rotation than the transmission output.

 

wow

 

Not to highjack the thread, but has anyoen tried throwing a 6speed auto from the 06+? i mean it fits on the same engine as far as the 430 is concerned.

 

i believe you might have ecu discrepancies...i could be wrong though

 

ECU will most likely be the main problem. Most of the car's functionality is tied into the ECU anyways.

 

Why so? both the GS430 (01-05) and (06+) have the same engine... etc. So what would be the problem?

 

The whole electrical system is not interchangeable. Speedometer, navi, radio, door locks, theft deterrent, etc are all controlled through the ECU.

 

It's possible to swap in the 6spd auto if you get a standalone transmission controller. I believe they cost around $700. It should bolt right up to the 2nd gen GS430 engine.

 

ok so whose gonna be the ginny for this one haha

 

Don't a couple people have blown and built GS4XX's here

 

Yup, anything is possible with a standalone ECU/TCU. however, Toyota is very stingy when it comes to reprogramming. I'd be very impress if anyone can get a 6spd auto in without lighting up the CEL.

 

Hey Henry, let's swap a 6 speed into my car.

I was actually thinking about this when I realized the new GS430 has a 6 speed tranny.

 

yea, doan and I discussed this a while ago when we saw the tranny on ebay

Would be nice to have shorter gearings through the first few gears, and then a tall 6th for fuel economy.