Performance Chips for the LC 250?

[LAR]

I hear a lot of conflicting information about chips. Mostly, they’re scams. However, could they provide a general improvement to the LC250?

Would love to hear your experiences.

 

[handy]

I have had chips in my Audis and what a world of difference in speed and power. Not just subtle either but drastically improving the speed and power felt when the gas was pressed.

Even if they had one for the LC I would not do it. I'm only doing exterior modding and nothing they can associate with a warranty issue.

 

[LAR]

Oh yeah? Wow.

Which manufacturers?

Is that warranty voiding?

 

[omgponies]

My R8 had a stage 1 chip and it was covered under warranty (although it was sort of infamous that for certain issues under warranty, the chip would potentially hurt - I had radiator valve go and it was still covered fine regardless of the chip, which checks bc it shouldn't be impacted by the chip - but if I had a blow rod or something who knows).

My Fiat had an ECU remap done via ODB-II and a computer, improved gas mileage and used more of the turbo - it was a first level one, as you added mods like a modded turbo or larger turbo, cat delete, etc, there were further adjustments to the mapping that could be done. If uncovered during warranty work for anything, supposedly that would void the warranty - it was also something that could get stomped over if you took it to the dealer and they changed the mapping on their own. Didn't matter to me bc the warranty had already expired when I applied the remap.

There are other things that you can leave plugged into the ODB-II where it remaps the throttle response but it is mostly just a cheat - it is akin to just pressing the gas pedal harder/faster and are essentially a waste of money.

For sports cars there are a variety of ways they might detune them (with the Audi it was somewhat their conservative approach and also that the Gallardo and then Huracan used the same platform and they would detune it so as not to pull customers away from the higher end line; I've heard claim that some manufacturers like Nissan do it to not reduce insurance costs... not sure that makes sense to me) from their full potential and things like that can get them back. For something like the LC, I suspect it may already be relatively maxed out for what it is going to be able to get from its system.

 

[LcAz]

LC is not a performance engine. I would not use a chip to alter it in any way. There is so much technology engineered in keeping the LC turbo 4 cylinder engine cool (cylinder angle, volume, shape, injection, precision combustion) and that is the easy part. Longevity is directly related to heat in an engine. For an engine that is tuned for longevity, I’m not changing it. I would pick a different car if I wanted more performance.

 

[LAR]

Thanks for the feedback. Very helpful.

 

[fancylikeme]

I put the evolv performance chip on my cruiser and it is a noticeable acceleration difference. The turbo is much more engaged and the entire acceleration is smooth. My wife hopped in it the other day and was pretty shocked about how much it changed the feel.

 

[Justaron123]

I plan to do the OTT tune once it’s released. The trick with anything tuned or chipped is understanding limitations. I’ve tune plenty of cars and suv over the years and never had issues. Just do a few supporting mods to ensure proper flow and enjoy.

 

[TrailWhale]

I wouldn't mind it if there was a chip to de-tune my turbo a bit. Chill out, turbo! I'm trying to max my MPG over here!

 

[RUN-8]

I wouldn't mind it if there was a chip to de-tune my turbo a bit. Chill out, turbo! I'm trying to max my MPG over here!

You may have bought the wrong vehicle.

 

[RUN-8]

I plan to do the OTT tune once it’s released. The trick with anything tuned or chipped is understanding limitations. I’ve tune plenty of cars and suv over the years and never had issues. Just do a few supporting mods to ensure proper flow and enjoy.

The OTT tune is interesting to me as well.

If I go down that route it will be OTT tune, cold air intake, boost tubes, and I will also try to install or have installed a stand alone transmission cooler.

 

[Justaron123]

The OTT tune is interesting to me as well.

If I go down that route it will be OTT tune, cold air intake, boost tubes, and I will also try to install or have installed a stand alone transmission cooler.

There’s an expo for them in my state next weekend but they said it’s still in development. So still waiting. But results from the Tacoma have show great results without pushing it to much.

I have an intake already you notice a decent difference from the stock box. Honestly the factory intake tubes were impressive you take the passenger one out to install the intake they seem to be a decent quality for stock. I will probably upgrade those along with the FMIC that I’ve seen from sxth element. It looks really nice and high quality. The idea of a solid cast FMIC vs plastic is definitely a plus.

I could be wrong but I believe the Land Cruiser comes stock with a stand alone TC. This is the part number 32910-60200. Mishimoto looks like it has a nice upgrade you can drop in for around $350.00. They have always had great radiator upgrades etc.

I think with those and a tune you’ll have more than enough power for on or off-road performance. The T24A-FTS is honestly a pretty stout 4L.

 

[BTHawk]

I plan to do the OTT tune once it’s released. The trick with anything tuned or chipped is understanding limitations. I’ve tune plenty of cars and suv over the years and never had issues. Just do a few supporting mods to ensure proper flow and enjoy.

Same. I am hoping their tune will at least address some of the wonky shifting this thing does in the lower gears (mainly coming to a stop for me).

 

[Justaron123]

Same. I am hoping their tune will at least address some of the wonky shifting this thing does in the lower gears (mainly coming to a stop for me).

Oddly when I changed to the aftermarket intake mine does not do this as often. Im unsure why maybe it’s where the pedal responds smoother.

 

[RideWithYanu]

The OTT tune is interesting to me as well.

If I go down that route it will be OTT tune, cold air intake, boost tubes, and I will also try to install or have installed a stand alone transmission cooler.

You may have bought the wrong vehicle.

 

[TrailWhale]

You may have bought the wrong vehicle.

You know you might be right. This is an unusually large Prius and it doesn’t even say Prius anywhere. But it does have the blue dot, so I’m pretty sure it’s a Prius.

 

[shwazz714]

Same. I am hoping their tune will at least address some of the wonky shifting this thing does in the lower gears (mainly coming to a stop for me).

This guy detailed some steps he took to help with this. I made the change and now it barely happens - maybe a few times a month - whereas before it was up to a few times a drive!

Thread 'Brake Surge when Slowing Down'
Brake Surge when Slowing Down

 

[BTHawk]

This guy detailed some steps he took to help with this. I made the change and now it barely happens - maybe a few times a month - whereas before it was up to a few times a drive!

Thread 'Brake Surge when Slowing Down'
Brake Surge when Slowing Down

Thanks for that, I'll give it a try today. My PDA has been off since I bought it also, so I never thought to turn everything on then back off again.

I had changed the brake settings (I know they are for trailer braking/towing) as someone else had suggested, and that seems to have helped but might just be placebo effect too. I'll see if I can find that thread. Edit, found it: E-O-H brake full time?. Again, I know this is a trailer brake thing, but it does seem to have helped a little.

Still, the tunes helped tremendously with the 3rd Gen Taco shifting issues (AT), so I'm holding out hope that the LC tunes do the same.

 

[RUN-8]

You may have bought the wrong vehicle.

I think you might be right.

This truck doesn’t burn enough dead dinosaurs.

You see dinosaurs were very naughty and sinful, and they need to be punished in the fiery hell of internal combustion.

The T24A-FTS combined with a hybrid system is shirking its duty to punish those prehistoric evil bastards.

I keep writing to Akio Toyoda imploring him to retrofit all of these rigs with a 572 cubic inch big block V8, like a Chevrolet crate engine, but with Toyota build quality.

So far I have received no response from Akio. I think he might be a dinosaur collaborator or at the very least a sympathizer.

 

[RUN-8]

You know you might be right. This is an unusually large Prius and it doesn’t even say Prius anywhere. But it does have the blue dot, so I’m pretty sure it’s a Prius.

Man those scumbag car salesmen will tell a customer anything to get a sale.