Sluggish off the line - Normal?
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 61
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From: Utah
I rarely push mine up to 3K rpm, but I generally keep it between 1500-2500, and even when i try to speed up a little, it feels like the car is struggling.....
Very weak off the bat....very weak....
Very weak off the bat....very weak....
I don't know... I spent two years battling this problem in my LS400, with no success at all. Replaced whatever could be replaced, tuned up whatever could be tuned up, with no success at all.
I recently bought a SAFC piggy back computer, but havent had a chance to install it and tune it. Hopefully that will help.
I recently bought a SAFC piggy back computer, but havent had a chance to install it and tune it. Hopefully that will help.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 6
From: AZ
My SC400 digs out from a stop pretty nicely. It will spin the 275's in the rear every time if I want it to, and if I put the stockers on it is a smokeshow. It's no drag car or anything but it's not a dog. Maybe your injectors are dirty or you have a semi clogged fuel filter?
Daudi, you may notice that when the car is completely cold, like in the morning, it has a decent pick up until it warms up. Thats because the ECU is using base fuel maps and ignoring the signal from O2 sensors. But once it starts reading the O2 sensors, it leans out your engine and it feel gutless like a mid 90ies Civic, yet guzzles us fuel heavily because you end up having to push it hard to accelerate.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Utah
Daudi, you may notice that when the car is completely cold, like in the morning, it has a decent pick up until it warms up. Thats because the ECU is using base fuel maps and ignoring the signal from O2 sensors. But once it starts reading the O2 sensors, it leans out your engine and it feel gutless like a mid 90ies Civic, yet guzzles us fuel heavily because you end up having to push it hard to accelerate.
I really like my SC400, but getting economy car performance with 18-20mpg is kinda stupid IMO.
What year is your LS400 Och? And what year did Lexus upgrade the ECU?
Mine is a 94, with LS they changed the setup from 1995 on. With SC's, I'm not sure, I believe in 1996. Also with LS400 they added VVT-i onto the 1UZ engine, to make it a total beast. I'm not sure if SC400 ever shipped with VVT-i 1UZ, I heard it did in 2000.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Utah
I'm pretty sure the 98+ SC400's have VVT-i. But I didn't know that when I bought my SC400. Sounds like I'll keep this SC400 till I graduate (2yrs), then get a 98+ when I can afford it. However, with the amount of gas I'll be putting into this SC400 it could be awhile!!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Utah
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Utah
OK, just took it out for a spin to 0-60 time it and listen for the "ping" around 2500-3500.
Anyway, I listened very carefully and there is definitely no ping at any rpm on the car. Also, I had 0 problems chirping or spinning the tires off the line (I've babied it since I got it, so this is the first time I actually tried to spin the tires). 0-60 time was slightly less than 7 seconds, even on a slight incline, but I just timed it with a friend and a stopwatch - so who knows how accurate that is.
I don't know, maybe my expectations are really high. I am just used to driving my '04 Honda Odyssey, which is about 1000 more lbs and slightly less hp/tq numbers. Granted the Van is only 4 years old, vs 16 yr old car, they have about the same mileage. The Van just seems so much more zippy and "light" in straight line acceleration compared to my SC. I'm guessing the van just has higher power numbers in lower rpm settings.
Anyway, I listened very carefully and there is definitely no ping at any rpm on the car. Also, I had 0 problems chirping or spinning the tires off the line (I've babied it since I got it, so this is the first time I actually tried to spin the tires). 0-60 time was slightly less than 7 seconds, even on a slight incline, but I just timed it with a friend and a stopwatch - so who knows how accurate that is.
I don't know, maybe my expectations are really high. I am just used to driving my '04 Honda Odyssey, which is about 1000 more lbs and slightly less hp/tq numbers. Granted the Van is only 4 years old, vs 16 yr old car, they have about the same mileage. The Van just seems so much more zippy and "light" in straight line acceleration compared to my SC. I'm guessing the van just has higher power numbers in lower rpm settings.