Power Mode Selection - Page 6

Zandar · #76 03-01-2008, 01:09 AM

I just did this mod tonight, and the car feels like it suddenly woke up! Seriously, when I switch it off it seems like someone lopped off two cylinders at lower speeds (high speed cruising is about the same). GREAT mod. I don't know that I'll ever switch it off, but having it wired to a switch is trick.

By the way, my switch has an LED for when it's on (amber to match the rest of 'em). Where would you guys suggest I get power from to power the little LED? I'm not very electrically inclined, so I figured I'd ask prior to just sticking wires in any old place. I put the switch in by the winter mode one, so somewhere close to that would be nice.

Myxalplyx · #77 03-12-2008, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svxistentialist

Your last question is a hard one; it depends what you want.

In terms of pure cost, the permanent Power Mode switch is the cheapest thing you can do to make your car drive better, give more response to the throttle.

The EcuTune chip is sure to sharpen up your engine a bit, you would have to weigh the cost of it against the improvement it made, but it is easy to install.

In terms of bang for buck, the one thing you can do for your car to get more power to the wheels, to make it go harder, is change to a 4.44 final drive. This will totally transform the car.

My favourite combination would be the 4.44 gears plus the permanent Power Mode mod. That combo would keep you smiling.

Joe

This, lady and gentlemen, is what I am talking about.

Gotta have it.....

svxistentialist · #78 03-12-2008, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myxalplyx

This, lady and gentlemen, is what I am talking about.

Gotta have it.....

My 4WS car that has the supercharger already has the jdm Power mode switch. I'm now planning to change to 4.44 final drive to give it that extra bit of ooomph.

Gotta have it +1

svxistentialist · #79 03-12-2008, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zandar

I just did this mod tonight, and the car feels like it suddenly woke up! Seriously, when I switch it off it seems like someone lopped off two cylinders at lower speeds (high speed cruising is about the same). GREAT mod. I don't know that I'll ever switch it off, but having it wired to a switch is trick.

By the way, my switch has an LED for when it's on (amber to match the rest of 'em). Where would you guys suggest I get power from to power the little LED? I'm not very electrically inclined, so I figured I'd ask prior to just sticking wires in any old place. I put the switch in by the winter mode one, so somewhere close to that would be nice.

Zandar

Congratulations, I'm glad the mod is working well for you.

Check the other Power mode thread for tips on getting to use lock-up with your mod, although as you have the switch you can switch it of for economy on a long steady speed run.

In the panel above where you put the switch is the switch for driving the mirrors. This always has a live connection when the ignition is on. You can find the live wire there and run a connection down to your led.

As the panels come off separately, it would be wise to interrupt the live wire with a [shielded!] plug in connection, so you can disconnect it if taking off the lower panel.

Joe

wniwbaSVX · #80 03-20-2008, 06:10 AM

Quick question for anyone. I did this mod last night but without the switch. (wanted to see if I could get it working first). The odd thing is that it did work. The Power light comes on and stays on but sometimes it turns off. I can't pur my finger on the exact sequence of events when it turns off but to get it to re-engage power mode, I just have to be going below 15 mph. Any thoughts, did I do this wrong, loose connection, should I give it some time?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Jon

b3lha · #81 03-20-2008, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wniwbaSVX

Quick question for anyone. I did this mod last night but without the switch. (wanted to see if I could get it working first). The odd thing is that it did work. The Power light comes on and stays on but sometimes it turns off. I can't pur my finger on the exact sequence of events when it turns off but to get it to re-engage power mode, I just have to be going below 15 mph. Any thoughts, did I do this wrong, loose connection, should I give it some time?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Jon

That's a strange one. I suggest the first thing to do is check for a loose connection.

b3lha · #82 03-21-2008, 04:07 AM

I talked one one of the guys on LegacyCentral into trying this on his Legacy. He said it made sparks and now that pin on his TCU is dead.

From what I can see, the Legacy and SVX TCU should be the same hardware. Some guys here are running Legacy gearboxes, so how can the wiring be different? It doesn't make any sense.

svxistentialist · #83 03-21-2008, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b3lha

I talked one one of the guys on LegacyCentral into trying this on his Legacy. He said it made sparks and now that pin on his TCU is dead.

From what I can see, the Legacy and SVX TCU should be the same hardware. Some guys here are running Legacy gearboxes, so how can the wiring be different? It doesn't make any sense.

Whooops!!

I would be of the same mind as you Phil. I'd expect it to work.

However, it would be interesting to know if the Legacy from Japan that used the 4EAT ever had a Power mode. If it did, you might expect it to work using the same pin. If it didn't, then perhaps they made the legacy TCU using a different function from that particular pin 4. Could that be the case?

I had two Legacy turbos, and I can't remember if they had Power mode.
Edit: I just checked the jdm owner's manual I have. There is a Power mode switch on the shifter, where the UK SVXs have the Econ switch. So on the Japanese Legacys there is a Power switch.

I suppose it is possible the TCU for non-Japanese cars could be different? The only way to know for sure would be to see the circuit diagram for both TCUs, Japanese and US/UK.

Joe

[I would suspect your Legacy Central guy shorted out the pin while wiring the earth cable, and that fried the pin.]

Nomake Wan · #84 03-21-2008, 09:40 AM

I suspect that he accidentally wired power to the pin instead of ground. That's all I could think of that would cause a spark there.

svxistentialist: You're kidding!!!! The Japanese Legacys had the switch!?!?!? Oh man, now I really regret giving up the Legacy, this would make a huge change for all the auto transmission guys!!!!

svxistentialist · #85 03-22-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomake Wan

I suspect that he accidentally wired power to the pin instead of ground. That's all I could think of that would cause a spark there.

svxistentialist: You're kidding!!!! The Japanese Legacys had the switch!?!?!? Oh man, now I really regret giving up the Legacy, this would make a huge change for all the auto transmission guys!!!!

No, not kidding, they had the switch. It stands to reason. They use the same 4EAT gearbox, why would they not have the same Power mode as the SVX?

Here's a transcription of how it is described:

"AT POWER MODE SWITCH:
For changing driving conditions you have a choice between normal and power mode options on the automatic transmission.
Normal Mode: Used in normal conditions (most economic driving) i.e. city driving, dry normal roads etc.
Power Mode: In this mode with the select lever in 2-D range it will give the engine more power. However this mode is not as economic as in Normal mode options. This mode is useful for hills, faster starts etc. When the Power mode is switched on the POWER light will show. "

With this description is a little diagram showing where to push the button on the shifter.

Joe

b3lha · #86 04-02-2008, 05:28 AM

Just an update. The guy on LegacyCentral figured out his mistake and did it right this time. His initial reaction was "Holy Crap!!!!!!!".

So the power mode switch mod works on the Legacy too! I guess it will probably work on all 4EAT Scoobies.

Nomake Wan · #87 04-02-2008, 01:56 PM

Amazing news. I suspect that'll really make the guys with AT turbos smile.

b3lha · #88 04-02-2008, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomake Wan

Amazing news. I suspect that'll really make the guys with AT turbos smile.

Yeah. I wonder how long it will take before word gets around and somebody posts it on nasioc.

svxistentialist · #89 04-02-2008, 06:48 PM

I joined up and replied to that as well Phil.

It should mean a little fun for those guys, I expect.

redlightningsvx · #90 04-05-2008, 05:00 PM

I finally tried this out and got NO effect, NO power light. I triple checked everything and still no light. What am I doing wrong or is something screwed up in my tcu?