from the guy who's brought you way too many "Now What" Series threads already, comes one more
How it all began? Well I simply wanted to know if the "Resolver Cables" were interchangeable between the 3rd Gen (2007-2011) and the 4th Gen (2013-2018) Lexuseses GS450 heitchers. So I made a low ball offer on eBay for one of the technically called Engine Wire 4th Gen harnesses and it was accepted. Wow, this is way too easy I thought so I did the same for a 4th Gen inverter, and that was accepted. Then I spied with my little eye that the seller was located 2.8 miles away from my house and I could save $400 bones on shipping by picking up a transmission [pronounced: "gearbox'] myself so I made a low ball offer on that, hoping deep inside they would decline the offer. A few minutes later: "Thanks, Greg! Your order is confirmed. We’ll send an update when it’s on the way." and here we are
"I don't need to understand how it works, I just need to understand how to make it work!" ~ EV Greg
Please feel free to shed some light on these if you have the answers or ideas, let's make this a collaborative effort.
What model years do these parts come from?
2012 - 2018
Are the resolver cables interchangeable between the 3rd and 4th gens?
Is the inverter wire harness/plug interchangeable between the 3rd and 4th gens?
No
Are the fat orange high voltage transmission to inverter cables interchangeable between the 3rd and 4th gens?
Can the 3rd gen inverter control the 4th gen gearbox/transmission?
Can the 4th gen inverter control the 3rd gen gearbox/transmission?
Can a Prius inverter control the 4th gen gearbox/transmission?
Is this 4th Gen inverter CAN Bus controlled?
Can I use the clutch plate off of a different Lexus model to lock the input shaft?
Can I run/drive the car on only MG2 or do I need to use both motors?
Yes, you can drive the car using only Motor Generator 2, that's how it's done in the OEM implementation. MG1 does not power the rear wheels in it's default factory setup.
Can I use a drive shaft from a different Lexus model?
Is the 3 prong flange on the front of the drive shaft the same as at the rear of it?
No, the flanges are slightly different, but enough no to be interchangeable.
Does this transmission require an external oil cooler?
No, some even come from the factory with the two oil cooler lines blocked off with special bolty bolts.
How much does this Lexus GS450h transmission weigh?
How much does the Lexus GS450h inverter weigh?
"I don't need to understand how it works, I just need to understand how to make it work!" ~ EV Greg
when you buy the transmission make sure it has the oil pump with it, they can cost more than the gearbox itself
when you buy the transmission make sure it has the two fat orange HV cables attached to it and they are not cut off on one end, they can cost a $100 bucks a piece by themselves
when buying the inverter look for and be willing to spend a bit more money on one that comes with the black low voltage plug/connector and a bit of a pig tail, that inverter plug is part of the biggest harness in the vehicle and runs through the firewall and is a bear to remove from the car and can cost upwards of $500 duckets itself
it appears there is a new trend on eBay where sellers will reach out to you the buyer with discounts and offers, however for this to happen you need to add the items to your watch list, for example it does not hurt to add like 3 different inverter listings to your eBay account and just wait for the sellers to reach out to you offering price reductions
take advantage of the or Best Offer listings, it helps to include a polite comment when submitting your low ball offer (you get three shots at an offer so don't waste them) say something to complement the seller "hey I really like how you posted so many pics of the item" be genuine, also it helps if you say hey I am converting a car to electric can you help me
be cautious of a new trend on eBay (and by new I mean it's been around for over a decade) it goes something like this, a devious seller will post a $300 dollar item such as an inverter for an exorbitant amount, for example $1,600 dollars to make their artificially over inflated price of $600 seem like a good deal, be patient and do your research, the good deals are out there !
"I don't need to understand how it works, I just need to understand how to make it work!" ~ EV Greg
MattsAwesomeStuff wrote: ↑Sat Mar 15, 2025 10:29 pm
I believe on the Gen 3s the weight was 289 lbs and 40lbs for the inverter. Just for comparison's sake.
Brother Matt, did you just look at my watch and told me what time it was, LoL, how very consultant of you! JK
I have a running 2013 GS 450H, I would happy to assist with CAN logs etc to help work out the protocol to these inverters (once I figure out how to do can logging).
It is RHD, so the CAN logs may need to be read backwards or possibly with a mirror....
Gregski wrote: ↑Wed Mar 12, 2025 12:56 pmQUESTIONS
Please feel free to shed some light on these if you have the answers or ideas, let's make this a collaborative effort.
Can I use the clutch plate off of a different Lexus model to lock the input shaft?
Can I run/drive the car on only MG2 or do I need to use both motors?
Yes, you can drive the car using only Motor Generator 2, that's how it's done in the OEM implementation. MG1 does not power the rear wheels in it's default factory setup.
Well, on the clutch plate, I have this one which fits the splines and has a nice solid centre with (I think) 16mm holes that would bolt up nicely to a locking bar. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404811804324
I'm also wondering about using MG2 only. Someone else on here said that the VCU needs the resolver data from both MGs but I'd like to completely remove MG1 (and possibly shorten the case as well).
Would also like to lock the PSD (or weld the oil pump gear to the ring gear) so as to run on mech pump only and dump the elec pump.
Also need to lock in high gear (as mech pump wouldn't engage until moving and not at all in reverse).
Just subbed to your YT so will be following this with interest.
nino500 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 27, 2025 8:56 pm
Well, on the clutch plate, I have this one which fits the splines and has a nice solid centre with (I think) 16mm holes that would bolt up nicely to a locking bar. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404811804324
I'm also wondering about using MG2 only. Someone else on here said that the VCU needs the resolver data from both MGs but I'd like to completely remove MG1 (and possibly shorten the case as well).
Would also like to lock the PSD (or weld the oil pump gear to the ring gear) so as to run on mech pump only and dump the elec pump.
Also need to lock in high gear (as mech pump wouldn't engage until moving and not at all in reverse).
Just subbed to your YT so will be following this with interest.
Edit: I should note that I'm using a GEN3 trans.
thank you for the assist on the clutch disc I think using Toyota parts instead of Lexus may be the way to go, also you may find this I just bought a 6th Gen Toyota Camry Hybrid Inverter - Now What companion thread useful as it deals with the 3rd Gen Lexus transmotor, and I apologize for starting all these separate threads but I do like granularity and don't want it to get all buried in one deep hay stack
"I don't need to understand how it works, I just need to understand how to make it work!" ~ EV Greg
'I just bought a 4th Gen Lexus GS450h Powertrain. - Now What?'
Has no one suggested a 5th?
Buy a whole gs450h either early one i.e. the one that your never quite sure if it's ugly orthe later style one that just looks like everything else... Ditch the engine put bi battery in it and you can ditch your speed ticket machine aka Hyundai
Rule 1 of EV Club is don't buy a rust bucket....
Which rule does everyone forget
Gregski wrote: ↑Wed Mar 12, 2025 12:55 pmINTRODUCTION
from the guy who's brought you way too many "Now What" Series threads already, comes one more
How it all began? Well I simply wanted to know if the "Resolver Cables" were interchangeable between the 3rd Gen (2007-2011) and the 4th Gen (2013-2018) Lexuseses GS450 heitchers. So I made a low ball offer on eBay for one of the technically called Engine Wire 4th Gen harnesses and it was accepted. Wow, this is way too easy I thought so I did the same for a 4th Gen inverter, and that was accepted. Then I spied with my little eye that the seller was located 2.8 miles away from my house and I could save $400 bones on shipping by picking up a transmission [pronounced: "gearbox'] myself so I made a low ball offer on that, hoping deep inside they would decline the offer. A few minutes later: "Thanks, Greg! Your order is confirmed. We’ll send an update when it’s on the way." and here we are
IMG_0554.JPG
"I don't need to understand how it works, I just need to understand how to make it work!" ~ EV Greg
nino500 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 27, 2025 8:56 pm
Well, on the clutch plate, I have this one which fits the splines and has a nice solid centre with (I think) 16mm holes that would bolt up nicely to a locking bar. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404811804324
Just a note on this. I updated the GS450H wiki with some application info for clutch discs that fit the splines on these transmissions (I happened to have an old clutch disc from a Toyota 3B/H55F and it slid onto the front of my L110F (LS600HL). (From my thread viewtopic.php?p=81572#p81572)
