To ECS or not to ECS

[marcmayer]

Hi, I'm in the market for a 3000gt Vr-4 after putting 180k mines on my 92 Talon TSi AWD and always envying the 3000gt.

I've got two similar 3000gt's I'm looking at, one a '95 and the other a '96, with the only real difference being the ECS in the '95 and not in the '96. Here are my quesetions (I did a search and didn't see them answered):

I understand the ECS system had 2 modes (touring/sport) and 3 damping levels chosen by the computer depending on many factors. Was the damping on the '96 closest to the soft, middle or hard damping of the ECS dampers?

Given all the trouble folks are reporting with the ECS, do people generally recommend one or the other? Which should I go with? I would put new KYBs on the non ECS and keep the stock ECS setup on the ESC car.

Thanks.

[Ray]

This answer has both fact and some opinion. I had a 92 with ECS and now have a 96 without it. To me it feels like between middle and hard on the 96. If I could have ECS I would simple as that. As for the major problems they are usually related to worn out or old shocks. I would have liked to get ECS installed in it but it is simpler to hook it up with the Tien EDFC.

[tachyon_ftl]

I can't help on the question, since I only have a '96. The service manual says that the damping is between soft and medium if you compare the numbers for ECS and then for the 1996. I know that the stock ride in my car is firm- probably nothing like ECS on sport, but it's not sluggish either.

A couple other things to think about, though. First, the rear suspension on the 96+ (and some '95, but certainly all 1996) is smaller diameter springs and struts than the earlier ECS cars. So, if you want to add lowering springs it's some extra time and money to replace everything with 1995 parts.

Second, more important, is that 1996 is OBD2 which makes modding a little harder. You may also fall under different rules in your state for inspections- I do, in NH. If I had a 1995, I wouldn't have to worry about emissions at all. With a 1996, I have to pass that inspection as well as everything else.

Finally, if you're looking at an earlier 1995 with the glass sunroof, I think there's more headroom in those, and the glass roof is bigger than the electrics on the 1996+. That roof is the only thing that I really don't like about the car- I wish I could see out without having to open a hole in the roof to do it!

[Alt0id]

I have only owned an ecs '94 and I like it. I can't say anything about the non ecs cars. I have a chart that will tell you. It is in the service manual, which I can't find on my computer right now.

I will edit this post when I can find it.

Alright, excuse the thing in the top left, I just quick downloaded a screen cap lol

[keithmac]

Best thing I`ve done to my GTO was to re-fit all the sock ECS parts after the PO took it all..