LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

Top speed endurance question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-08-14, 07:29 PM
  #1  
Stereorob
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
 
Stereorob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,582
Received 100 Likes on 69 Posts
Default Top speed endurance question

We all know these cars can haul some serious *** if we want them to and I know just about every Ls400 owner has tried the 160 test at least once, but dose anyone really know just how much driving a car of this vintage can do at those speeds for the lifespan of the car? Anyone here live in a area where you could do 150 every single day all the time for long periods? I know a Ls400 can really do what the speedo says it will do but has anyone taken lets say, a 1990 Ls400 for a white knuckle 2 hour sustained speed of 150 mph drive ? I've done the 160 test in all 3 of my cars over the years but never for very long only cause I'm scared something is gunna blow cause it's old. Now cruising at 120.. I can do that all day lol
Old 03-08-14, 08:10 PM
  #2  
peterls
Advanced
 
peterls's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ca
Posts: 747
Received 57 Likes on 43 Posts
Default

My observation is that the harder you push it, the more it likes it
i mean, at 75 on a highway, it feels fine. Get it up to 80-90 and it is even quieter and more confident.
I went over 100 a couple of times, didn't feel a thing...

I would be willing to bet that an LS400 (with good engine/cooling) can do 160mph easily for hours if not days. Keep in mind that engine is detuned heavily - it started its life as a racing engine at first, and was meant to produce hundreds of hp... which I believe explains its incredibly long life.
Old 03-09-14, 01:15 PM
  #3  
YoshiMan
Racer
 
YoshiMan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,329
Received 92 Likes on 84 Posts
Default

Find someone in Germany who lives near the autobahn, they could probably tell you!
Old 03-09-14, 02:07 PM
  #4  
Shmee
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (3)
 
Shmee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Victoria, BC. Canada
Posts: 1,471
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

160mph?? Man, I don't think I have ever taken my LS to even 100mph!

Why would it even matter how long you can maintain 150+mph?


No matter how good you think this car is, it was no engineered to maintain such speeds, nor handle/stop and at/from such speeds.
Old 03-09-14, 02:29 PM
  #5  
Kingsoup
Pole Position
 
Kingsoup's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Alberta
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I would wonder how long the cooling would keep up at 150mph or so, like just circling a big oval or something, not sure not sure.
Old 03-09-14, 04:42 PM
  #6  
sha4000
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
sha4000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: N.Y.
Posts: 6,853
Received 334 Likes on 288 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Shmee
160mph?? Man, I don't think I have ever taken my LS to even 100mph!

Why would it even matter how long you can maintain 150+mph?


No matter how good you think this car is, it was no engineered to maintain such speeds, nor handle/stop and at/from such speeds.
What he said!
Old 03-09-14, 07:07 PM
  #7  
Kingsoup
Pole Position
 
Kingsoup's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Alberta
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Celsior slams right into the 180kph limiter so never a real problem! You know I used to max out my cars right away when I was younger, I hardly ever go high end speed anymore, a lot of danger for not that much excitement! 160kph on my Suzuki Katana feels like a million miles an hour with all that wind rushing around you, plenty exciting enough without having to go 280kph in my old 3000GT! I do trust the big 4 piston brakes in the Celsior would stop the car at least once or twice from high speed though.
Old 03-09-14, 07:25 PM
  #8  
SpencerT
Lead Lap
 
SpencerT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: virginia
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I had my 95 up to 135 mph quite a few times on a relatively short stretch of road.
Handles it just fine and is still accelerating pretty good.
As far as braking, I never had an issue. She stops quick and firmly everytime
Old 03-09-14, 07:28 PM
  #9  
sshhlexus
Rookie
 
sshhlexus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

The LS400 on the high way, it's really made for it. It seems it wants to go at least 70mph. It's rated to go up to 150 mph. That's higher than my tire's rating. Most I've gone is maybe 90mph. I see police out there every day. And there are a lot of bad drivers in my area.
Old 03-10-14, 05:47 PM
  #10  
charlesw62
Driver School Candidate
 
charlesw62's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: NC
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Last summer I took my 98 LS400 to the track at concord, nc. I had 45 minutes at a steady 145mph WITH cruise on! Yes cruise DOES hold that speed! I had standard v rated Michelin mxv4 tires on. At one point I did hit 155 but settled at 145. Lucy was so quiet I could actually have had a conversation with someone, if they had the stones to ride with me!
Old 03-10-14, 06:37 PM
  #11  
timmy0tool
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
 
timmy0tool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: 714/949, SoCal
Posts: 6,927
Received 416 Likes on 371 Posts
Default

our cars have the aerodynamics of a brick! i would not think it can sustain that high rate of speed for too long. i've been north of 130 in a sprint and i could already feel lift coming from under the car which made me very uneasy so i backed off. that was on stock suspension on stock wheels. i'm sure with a lower stance and better rated tires, the car can handle more.
Old 03-10-14, 06:40 PM
  #12  
sha4000
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
sha4000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: N.Y.
Posts: 6,853
Received 334 Likes on 288 Posts
Default

^^^ I had it up to 140 some years ago for a couple of minutes and even though it was smooth sailing it felt like I might go airborne.
Old 03-10-14, 06:49 PM
  #13  
charlesw62
Driver School Candidate
 
charlesw62's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: NC
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Speed

Originally Posted by timmy0tool
our cars have the aerodynamics of a brick! i would not think it can sustain that high rate of speed for too long. i've been north of 130 in a sprint and i could already feel lift coming from under the car which made me very uneasy so i backed off. that was on stock suspension on stock wheels. i'm sure with a lower stance and better rated tires, the car can handle more.
Oh it can!
Old 03-10-14, 10:04 PM
  #14  
peterls
Advanced
 
peterls's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ca
Posts: 747
Received 57 Likes on 43 Posts
Default

Guys down under seem to be really into adding turbos and chargers to that engine. So if it can produce 400hp with a turbo and stock internals, I don't see why it could not maintain 150-160mph which should be child's game, provided cooling works as it should...
Old 03-10-14, 11:00 PM
  #15  
Shmee
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (3)
 
Shmee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Victoria, BC. Canada
Posts: 1,471
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

I still don't understand the point of this thread...

Why are we discussing something grossly negligent and supremely dangerous to do in controlled conditions, let alone on open public roads?


Quick Reply: Top speed endurance question



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:58 AM.