JIBBBY

T-bone

Italy

I wonder what the Horse power holding limit is with the W58 transmission... I wasn't aware that it could handle that kind of power....

Silver spoon

9 to 5

Probably you will get slightly better gas mileage, because there will be less slipage and more engine to tranny lockup with a better stall rate torque converter... The engine will have to rev less to engage the wheels which should make for better gas mileage...

Alot of Lexus performance junkies like myself prefer an SC300 because of the manual transmissions option...The SC400 automatic transmissions are limited. THe SC300 are a bit easier to modify too.... I prefer my SC400... Plus I like the trunk wing...

Stool

Traction control is completely seperate and has nothing to do with the torque converter... There will be NO ILL EFFECTS what so ever when upgrading the torque converter.... No worries about anything other then the price of the torque converter and installation costs... The cheapest way to upgrade your torque converter is too purchase a used one at the junk yards or on Ebay or something for maybe $100...Send it in to Lextreme or some torque converter shop and have it recalibrated for around $400...Then install it at a local tranny shop for around $300...That is what I would do... The expensive way is to pay $900 for a Precision Industries "Dragon Torque Converter" then another $300 for installation...Then maybe sell your stock one for $100 bucks on Ebay...That is what I did.... It is not a cheap mod by any means but it is oh so effective... It will bring a smile to your face guaranteed..

That must be one fast IS300... I would love to know what it can do in the quarter mile?

No the tranny build is the upgraded parts switched to create a stronger transmission...Has nothing to do with the torque converter change... I was running a 150 horsepower nitrious shot and that combined with all my other mods actually killed my transmission in second gear... Gave up the ghost due to pushing to much horsepower... The torque converter does not create more horsepower, it just transfers the torque better from the engine to the transmission.... A torque converter change will not harm an Sc400 in anyway...

True if the shocks are weak you will bottom out... However, I would think if the springs wear out the shocks then cannot support the spring load failure and I would think you would then bottom out too... Got to go with SK and say just try and change out the shocks first...

That was exactly my thoughts too... About 4 years ago when my SC4 was completely stock I just got so frusterated, I would race a Pinto and get used off the line for the first 50ft..... From a stop I would be nervous to race a big rig, or a bus...(just kidding of course) The takeoffs were pathetic and embarrassing and that is why I posted this thread... Also, I had previously owned a Camaro, Trans Am, Iroc before so I knew the takeoffs should be better with a 32 valve V8 motor... That is when I changed out the torque converter... Instant gratification.. 0-30mph was night and day..I was immediately able to hang with Mustangs, Camaro's, etc.. 1rst and 2nd gear became very fast in my SC400 with just the torque converter change.... I would floor the pedal from a dead stop and the rears would break loose... If I then eased into the throttle it drove just like stock... No head jerks, and I could still take grandma out for a drive... You guys really don't know what your missing... However, the downside once the torque converter change was made teased me and that is when I got hooked on making my car even faster on the topend...Becareful horsepower is addictive....

I know you guys with the SC400's are just frusterated with the slow take offs... You hit the gas from a dead stop and the car takes forever to get going... Your probably thinking, hmmm why is a V8 motor so slow from a dead stop?.... Example: Ever been in the far right lane at a stop light and need the power to pass when the light turns green? I bet you have been there and backed off fully knowing the SC400's just aren't spunky enough out of the gates... So what do you do? You wait in displeasure for an opening rather then hit the gas and pass... That to me this is the worst aspect of these SC400's... It's a disgrace considering the car is a sports coupe...Right or wrong? Well, the reason for this is not because the car doesn't have enough engine power, but it is because of the design of the stock torque converter...The torque converter transfers the power from the motor to the transmission and wheels... It basically slips the engine power to engage the automatic transmission... The Lexus designers made the cars this way for elderly drivers in my opinion, so they won't spill coffee, get a neck jerk or have a heart attack at launch.... The SC400's actually possess the power to actually do a burnout at launch if you can believe that....You need to change out the stock torque converter to a 2200 stall rate torque converter..... I have had mine changed out for over four years and still think it is the best upgrade I ever did for the car... I installed a Precision Industries "dragon torque converter" and got those rears spinning from a dead stop immediately... This only applies to the automatic transmissions found in the SC300 and 400's.... I just thought I would share this bit of information with you guys, because with a torque converter upgrade it really changes the car around totally...Like driving a Camaro V8 or a Ford Mustang GT from a start rather then an SC400... The Dragon Torque converters are a bit pricy, so an alternative at Lextreme.com or maybe a local transmission shop may be your most cost effective choice... The great thing about it is that the driveability remains the same, it just really improves throttle response at launch... Something to think about if your tired of getting used off the line..... Oh, and any tranny shop should be able to install a torque converter for no more $350...

Your springs are worn out.... Ebay for springs may run you $200 tops..... Get some new shocks too...

Corn :chairshot:

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