Upgrading 2018 LC500 to 2022 Specs
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Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 182
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From: EP
Upgrading 2018 LC500 to 2022 Specs
I wonder if anyone with good mechanical and technical background can advise if 2018 models of the LC 2018 are upgradable to get all the refinements that the 2019,2020,2021 and 2022 got
The suspension, engine mounts, shift logic, VGRS…etc
I am planning to keep this car for a long time and welling to do these upgrades if possible
I see people here went all the way to changing the differentials internals, so hopefully these smart folks can jump on this project as well and work on it together
2019:
Reprogrammed shift logic for 10-speed automatic transmission
- Range of Adaptive Variable Suspension expanded for enhanced ride comfort
- Enhanced steering, revised VGRS and change to aluminum steering support bracket
- Modified rear engine mounts
2020:
The LC 500’s 10-speed Direct-Shift automatic transmission received updated programming in 2019 to provide smoother shifts at part throttle while still offering more forceful gear changes at wider throttle openings. Updates were also made to the Adaptive Variable Suspension, including new bushings on the damper rods and a switch to independent rebound and compression orifices. Both changes allow for an expanded range of damping force for enhanced overall comfort. To improve steering feel, the assist levels have been altered along with stiffer steering box bushings, a more robust aluminum steering support mounting at the instrument panel and revised Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) tuning.
2021:
The suspension, engine mounts, shift logic, VGRS…etc
I am planning to keep this car for a long time and welling to do these upgrades if possible
I see people here went all the way to changing the differentials internals, so hopefully these smart folks can jump on this project as well and work on it together
2019:
Reprogrammed shift logic for 10-speed automatic transmission
- Range of Adaptive Variable Suspension expanded for enhanced ride comfort
- Enhanced steering, revised VGRS and change to aluminum steering support bracket
- Modified rear engine mounts
2020:
The LC 500’s 10-speed Direct-Shift automatic transmission received updated programming in 2019 to provide smoother shifts at part throttle while still offering more forceful gear changes at wider throttle openings. Updates were also made to the Adaptive Variable Suspension, including new bushings on the damper rods and a switch to independent rebound and compression orifices. Both changes allow for an expanded range of damping force for enhanced overall comfort. To improve steering feel, the assist levels have been altered along with stiffer steering box bushings, a more robust aluminum steering support mounting at the instrument panel and revised Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) tuning.
2021:
- Reduction of unsprung weight (approx. 22 lbs.)
- Suspension updates to provide smoother, softer suspension stroke
- Electronic absorber controls adjusted, bound stopper rigidity optimized
- Rear stabilizer rigidity increased to improve front turn-in ability
- Active Cornering Assist (ACA) added
- LC 500: Update to transmission timing, logic changes
Last edited by North1Star; Jul 24, 2022 at 01:33 AM.
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Joined: May 2021
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From: Georgia
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Vancouver BC
to each their own, but i wouldnt bother man. First, go drive a brand new one and see if these improvements are even worth the effort and cost. second, no matter what you do suspension/tunning wise this is still a elephant of a car that only does grand touring. this aint a sports car.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 263
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From: SG
I personally dont think its worth the effort, the changes are mostly subtle. Of them all, IMO probably the best 3 changes are
1 - suspension improvements - maybe try aftermarket coilovers which would be much cheaper. On my brief test of the 2018, i did feel the ride was a bit crashier than it was on the 2022 but its not a huge difference
2 - apple carplay - i think the dealer can install this for you
3 - improvements to gearshift logic - unfortunately this is probably forever beyond your reach unless you upgrade to a later year car. On the 2018 car and i didnt pick up much difference between that and my 2022. And I know for sure even on the 2022 the shift logic is still slightly flawed anyway so i wouldnt place much weight on this
1 - suspension improvements - maybe try aftermarket coilovers which would be much cheaper. On my brief test of the 2018, i did feel the ride was a bit crashier than it was on the 2022 but its not a huge difference
2 - apple carplay - i think the dealer can install this for you
3 - improvements to gearshift logic - unfortunately this is probably forever beyond your reach unless you upgrade to a later year car. On the 2018 car and i didnt pick up much difference between that and my 2022. And I know for sure even on the 2022 the shift logic is still slightly flawed anyway so i wouldnt place much weight on this
but for all the parts you'd need to buy and all the labor involved i suspect it would be whole lot simpler and possibly no more expensive to just trade in an '18 and get a '22.
in other words, if you want all the benefits of the '22, get the '22.
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A lot of the changes were in tuning of various computers. The transmission, suspension, and engine are all controlled by different computers that not only need to work with whatever changes in hardware were made, but also need to work with each other. Simply changing a computer or a component will not necessarily get you the desired result, and may, in fact, not work at all.
All of this is to say you'd spend less money trading up to a 2021 or 2022.
All of this is to say you'd spend less money trading up to a 2021 or 2022.
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 742
Likes: 330
From: FL
Have to agree with most - not worth all the headaches, delays, and cost to get those parts installed on an 18. On top of that, even if you managed to get that done, as @panyo64 said, what guarantees do you have that those components will work with the software? Just for the avoidance of headaches of trying to get all those to work in unison, I'd pay a little extra to get a 21 or 22. Most importantly though, as @Badhobz said, drive the 21 or 22 first, to see if those changes really are worthwhile for your taste.
To each their own.....
To each their own.....
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 182
Likes: 43
From: EP
Thanks for all the feedback guys. Clearly most improvements are not something easy to do, if not impossible.
I will consider changing the engine mounts to the refined version when it is time to change them.
also, I might look into changing the rear stabilizer since I found it for approx $180 only OEM which Lexus stated that “Rear stabilizer rigidity increased to improve front turn-in ability”
I will consider changing the engine mounts to the refined version when it is time to change them.
also, I might look into changing the rear stabilizer since I found it for approx $180 only OEM which Lexus stated that “Rear stabilizer rigidity increased to improve front turn-in ability”
Thanks for all the feedback guys. Clearly most improvements are not something easy to do, if not impossible.
I will consider changing the engine mounts to the refined version when it is time to change them.
also, I might look into changing the rear stabilizer since I found it for approx $180 only OEM which Lexus stated that “Rear stabilizer rigidity increased to improve front turn-in ability”
I will consider changing the engine mounts to the refined version when it is time to change them.
also, I might look into changing the rear stabilizer since I found it for approx $180 only OEM which Lexus stated that “Rear stabilizer rigidity increased to improve front turn-in ability”
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 182
Likes: 43
From: EP
Driver
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 62
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Thanks!
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