is there a difference between ect power on pre 2016 and post 2016 lc's (1 Viewer)

[slicky rick]

ok i tried searching but it more about using when.. i tried using the ect power on my 2018 and it completely transforms the vehicle. Not only shift points but general throttle feel and response plus shifting points.. when driven slowly shift points are early when driven hard its later.. it just seems right. it feels like the torque converter is locked up because its so much more responsive..
Is this the general effect of that button on all LC's?

 

[Markuson]

Just that they are connected to 8 gears instead of 6. But for ECT, that’s a pretty significant difference since ECT is large about down shifting, or holding lower gears into higher RPMs.

So ya, the ECT definitely does change to a more aggressive set of shift points, just like the 6... and likely also heightens the computer’s interpretation of your acceleration intentions based on how aggressively you compress the skinny peddle.

Your ECT has two extra gears to play with & that gets you tighter gear ratios between shifts...so it makes sense that it maintain higher RPM overall with a greater number of shifts hand you as you stomp.

 

[slicky rick]

how about for the ttv8 which still has the 6 speed?

 

[HRTROB]

I could barely feel the difference with the ECT Power switched on in my 2011 VDJ but in the 2016 up VDJ there is a big difference. Aside from the more agressive shift points, the pedal response is faster - feels like it has a Sprint booster or pedal box installed

 

[Markuson]

I could barely feel the difference with the ECT Power switched on in my 2011 VDJ but in the 2016 up VDJ there is a big difference. Aside from the more agressive shift points, the pedal response is faster - feels like it has a Sprint booster or pedal box installed

That’s what I meant by the computer interpreting your skinny pedal stomp speed differently. It’s throttle by wire, so the computer is free to respond to your foot in difference ways.

 

[slicky rick]

Is the pre 2016 vdj's throttle by wire? I thought they were too...

 

[Dan Higgins]

I assume that the “downside” is the impact on gas mileage. Although overly simplistic I explain it to my wife that turning on ECT on the LC is like turning off ECO mode on her Honda. Using ECT is how most of us would like it to be in “normal” mode. But not that song it makes the MPG police (and marketing) just a very tiny bit happier - if that’s even possible with a vehicle like the LC. Also, for those who have added a few hundred pounds of full time weight through mods it becomes almost a necessity.

That said, I usually run with it off when doing chores around town. Then turn it on when I head to the mountains or hitch up the trailer.

 

[linuxgod]

I assume that the “downside” is the impact on gas mileage.

Not really different, in my experience. But I get abysmal gas mileage either way, so YMMV, so to speak. Even when I had stock wheels, tires, and suspension I never noticed a measurable difference in mileage though. If you're in the city then ECT PWR holds gears longer but if you're not flooring it I don't think holding gears makes a huge difference. It might even be better to rev higher with lighter throttle than to use more gas pressing the pedal a bit harder but shifting earlier. On the highway ECT PWR makes zero difference when cruising, it only applies when you press the throttle to accelerate (and/or the truck has to decide whether to hold your gear or downshift)

Of course now I have a lift and big heavy tires, but I tried 5th gear with ECT PWR, 6th gear with ECT PWR, and 6th gear in normal mode on my trip from Baltimore to Chicago over Memorial Day weekend running ~80MPH on the highway (we averaged >70 for the trip, including the last 10 mile slog through the city of Chicago)/ I found I got slightly better mileage (about 2/10ths) in 5th gear with ECT PWR enabled than in 6th. Normal mode in 6th gear was the worst on the highway. I do find mileage starts to drop precipitously over ~60mph for me and I'll be curious what it looks like when I eventually re-gear.

 

[slicky rick]

Hi linux. I think your description of the ect power on your lc certainly describes the difference with the post 16 LC's. The change in personality of the accelerator when ect on and off on the post 16 is tremendous! Like hrtrob said... It feels like there is a Sprint booster connected to the accelerator pedal... For me it feels like the transmission is locked up because slight movements in the accelerator pedal is transformed to forward progress of the vehicle...

 

[linuxgod]

No the acceleration is the same on pre-2016 models as well. It’s only that gas mileage seems to be the same whether or not I use it. My wife turns ECT PWR off because she feels the throttle is too responsive off he line and throws her back in her seat. I personally prefer it on and I’m just careful to ease into the throttle from a dead stop.

 

[slicky rick]

A friend of mine who has a 2014 also.concur that the post 2016 models seem to be too overly responsive. He is a racer and just comments that the engine still has the same power so it just kinda fools the driver that the car has more power....

 

[slicky rick]

A friend of mine who has a 2014 also.concur that the post 2016 models seem to be too overly responsive. He is a racer and just comments that the engine still has the same power so it just kinda fools the driver that the car has more power....

 

[linuxgod]

I think it's just the gearing in 1st is taller in the 2016+. There's a thread around here discussing changing out gears in the 200 series and someone posted the ratios for the 2016+ which showed 1st gear was much lower than 2008-2015. If I can find it I'll update this post with the link or image.

Edit: Found it - Definitive 200-series Gearing Reference

So by @TeCKis300 calcs, the final drive ratio on stock tires for 1st gear in the 2016+ is 21% taller than 1st gear in the 2008-2015. That would explain why it feels exceptionally snappy.

 

[slicky rick]

Linux, your probably right for the US gas engine, wherein the function of the Eco power button has been more than just late shifting of the gears. The experience that some share here is with regards to the vdj twin turbo Diesel engine which till the latest model still has the 6 speed.. And it seems till the 16 models were just simply moving the shifting patterns of the transmission so that shift are later in the rev range... Do owners of the gas and Diesel engines agree? We should remember we are discussing the difference that the ect power button does to the overall feel of the performance of our rigs...

 

[slicky rick]

I now drive with ect power on all the time. The LC now really drives well. What's funny is in stop and go traffic, the mileage is better! The rpm is really modulated. You see the LC moving with barely 1k rpm and pulling using the engine torque. I'm glad I did not jump into the torque converter lockup kits as the ect power on my 2018 gives all I need.

 

[JS22STL]

I drive my 16 with the ect power on 100% of the time. Noticeable better throttle response and no impact to mpg.

 

[dc916cruiser]

Same, I drive with ECT on 100% of the time and use the manual mode on the freeway. Typically leave it in 5th due to the larger diameter tires, which keeps the revs more in sync with the power band versus hunting for gears all the time. I'll throw it in 6th when going downhill.