To EBC or not EBC

[bunthy]

Hey all,
I asked this same ? over @ TN and got a few responses and I just wanted som emore input from you guys. Is the EBC neccessary or can I go without it? consequences? draw-back? problems to look out for? etc. Thanks alot guys/gals.

[gman]

Well since no one has replied yet, I will give my 2 cents. The EBC is designed to prolong the life of the tranny by reducing boost at shift points.
To run without will give you marginal performance gains, nothing that justifies needing to rebuild your tranny much earlier in it's life. There of course is a massive gray area to how long will it last. Dictated by climate, maintenance and driving style. To go to the track once a week running 5-10 times per day, your tranny could last months. With the EBC in place going to the track once or twice a year and not too much street racing, it could last years. Who knows! If you are going to run without, you should definitely get the valve body modification done. This will make your shifts quicker and more firm. The mod typically runs $400-500 but is well worth the money. Check out importperformancetrans.com for more info on this subject.
Good luck and have fun, but not too much.

[SC V6]

personally.. I had an EBC w\ my auto, and I still fried the overdrive clutches in less than a year runnin 7psi

[gman]

I was s/c'd at 90k on the odometer. I ran 4 lbs with no VB Mod for about 10k, then switched to the 6 lb with the VB Mod for the last 15k, I also added the tranny cooler shortly after going to the 6lb pulley. I have about 118 on the odometer and no hiccups yet. I drive hard only occassionally, when provoked and it is worth my while. Otherwise I try to stay away from to many redline 1st to 2nd shifts, that's the big killer. Staying on the throttle for too long generates massive heat. So I like to save the longer throttles and challenging other cars in the winter. I find the 7 lbs is the breaking point and 6 will last a while if you can show some restraint and have the precautionary add-ons already in place.

[bunthy]

thanks, gman. yeah I'm only running 4psi and I'm not planning to race or anything. Street racing = nope, track racing = nope. The only thing is to get pass / go around masshole drivers regularly that can't drive, kinda like an escape before road rage starts. I drive my avalon easy, my friends say I drive like a granny, but sometimes when I'm late or something then I rev her up.

Will this kind of driving screw anything up? And if should I put in an aux cooler, will that help?

[SC V6]

I've got a tranny cooler from when I had my auto...

[P Funky]

Hey, don't mean to intrude, but what IS an EBC? (<-- still very much noob-ish on engine stuff)

[bunthy]

ebc = electronic boost control.
monitors the amount of boost the car should get at different points of shifts, i think.

[P Funky]

Ahhh, cool, thanks very much

[thakidd]

bunthy

are u having a toyota dealership put in your s/c if so they hook up the ebc...which mine is hooked up and if u are having toyota do it i know a good dealership that will do it

[gman]

thanks, gman. yeah I'm only running 4psi and I'm not planning to race or anything. Street racing = nope, track racing = nope. The only thing is to get pass / go around masshole drivers regularly that can't drive, kinda like an escape before road rage starts. I drive my avalon easy, my friends say I drive like a granny, but sometimes when I'm late or something then I rev her up.

Will this kind of driving screw anything up? And if should I put in an aux cooler, will that help?

Just use common sense with how often and how long you throttle up. I would still recommend the tranny cooler. Just about any typical trans/oil cooler will do. I think they run about $40-70 depending on size and manufacturer. It should take a dealer about 1-1.5 hours. About $120 or so in labor. So for under $200 it is a nice feeling you are cooling the tranny fluid, especially in the summer, even if you aren't driving it hard. I didn't check to see if you have the Jim's Fuel rail upgrade but do a search here on SG. Another $200 for the fuel upgrade and another hour labor, you will allow precious fuel to get to the combustion area. Many have blown knock sensors w/o this upgrade. Do another search here and you will find it. These two mods almost musts for longer life s/c'd. Lastly, although expensive and your car will be down a few days is the valve body modification. About $480 for the work and parts at importperformancetrans.com and another 1-2 hours labor. This one is a little tough to swallow but the tranny will thank you for it and the car has a nice sporty feel to the shifts, not slow and mushy. Anything else is all icing. Oh and really try to use premium fuel at least 92. Supercharging 10.5:1 compression says premium all day even driving like a granny. Not worth the risk when you do jump on it. It is a fun car s/c'd and it can turn into a real contender against much more expensive cars!! Have fun!!

[SC V6]

personally... I had a tranny cooler w\ my auto, and I still fried the overdrive clutches... even w\ the EBC wired correctly... I still have teh tranny cooler and I don't need it.. so I guess you could say its for sale.. also.. some of these things can be installed yourself and save lots of money

[bunthy]

bunthy

are u having a toyota dealership put in your s/c if so they hook up the ebc...which mine is hooked up and if u are having toyota do it i know a good dealership that will do it

I'll be installing it myself w/friend. I'm not really worried about the install, its just taht I don't have an EBC.


gman - dang all them upgrades are really getting high in prices. Its going to take me awhile to pay for the s/c itself first. But I do agree that some things are needed.

[gman]

Yea the VBM is expensive. But the cooler and Jim's fuel upgrade are a not so bad. I would recommend the Jim's as soon as you can!