Top speed endurance question
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 445
Likes: 93
From: NY
Every advance of human civilization has come from some certified nutcase stretching the boundaries of What Is Possible . . .
. . . that said, a Lexus LS400 is not at the vanguard of what is possible. Toyota was weak on suspension technology and braking technology in the 1990s. A Lexus LS400 does not have the suspension control necessary for safe passage at 150 mph on anything but a track.
An early LS400 has exactly the same problem that plagued early American muscle cars, all engine no chassis. If anyone on this forum is doing 150 mph in an early LS400 on public roads anywhere but in the middle of the desert southwest, they should be labeled "irresponsible". And if you are in the middle of the desert southwest, you best have performance shock absorbers, the engine belly pan properly installed (to help prevent lift, doncha know), and serious high speed tires. The engine does call you, but save it for acceleration.
Colin
. . . that said, a Lexus LS400 is not at the vanguard of what is possible. Toyota was weak on suspension technology and braking technology in the 1990s. A Lexus LS400 does not have the suspension control necessary for safe passage at 150 mph on anything but a track.
An early LS400 has exactly the same problem that plagued early American muscle cars, all engine no chassis. If anyone on this forum is doing 150 mph in an early LS400 on public roads anywhere but in the middle of the desert southwest, they should be labeled "irresponsible". And if you are in the middle of the desert southwest, you best have performance shock absorbers, the engine belly pan properly installed (to help prevent lift, doncha know), and serious high speed tires. The engine does call you, but save it for acceleration.
Colin
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
From: NC
Speed
Eh, they said something similar about the Apollo Space Missions. That's why some of us ride motorcycles. That's why some of us join the Marine Corps and do 4 tours in Afghanistan! Be cause WE can!
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: UK
Aerodynamics of a brick? LS400 actually has quite a good Coefficient of drag.
With regard to cooling capacity, at 6000rpm in top gear you have a lot more airflow to cool the car than at lower speed/max rpm.
With regard to engine longevity at that rpm, it will run for as many hours as you'd like it to. I work in engine development and testing for a large OEM and any engine can run at maximum rpm for as long as you can bare it. Whether the transmission, tyres, brakes etc can handle it is up for discussion
With regard to cooling capacity, at 6000rpm in top gear you have a lot more airflow to cool the car than at lower speed/max rpm.
With regard to engine longevity at that rpm, it will run for as many hours as you'd like it to. I work in engine development and testing for a large OEM and any engine can run at maximum rpm for as long as you can bare it. Whether the transmission, tyres, brakes etc can handle it is up for discussion
There are no "boundaries to what is possible" here, this is nothing more than an ego-flexing endeavour. Nothing can be learned, no advancements can be made from some dumbass driving his 15+ y/o sedan at terminal velocity down an open public road. It's not scientific, it's not in the pursuit of anything quantifiable or for the betterment of the chassis.
I ride too, still don't ride like an idiot though.
Actually, I don't think they said something similar about the Apollo missions in a even slightly similar guise.
You cannot compare the advancement of human civilization (space exploration) to a bunch of people doing stupid things that pose immense risk it innocent bystanders for no reason other than "because they can."
There are very easy parallels with that sort of thinking and the justification that lead to slavery and genocides!
Actually, I don't think they said something similar about the Apollo missions in a even slightly similar guise.
You cannot compare the advancement of human civilization (space exploration) to a bunch of people doing stupid things that pose immense risk it innocent bystanders for no reason other than "because they can."
There are very easy parallels with that sort of thinking and the justification that lead to slavery and genocides!
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
From: NC
Speed
There are no "boundaries to what is possible" here, this is nothing more than an ego-flexing endeavour. Nothing can be learned, no advancements can be made from some dumbass driving his 15+ y/o sedan at terminal velocity down an open public road. It's not scientific, it's not in the pursuit of anything quantifiable or for the betterment of the chassis.
I ride too, still don't ride like an idiot though.
Actually, I don't think they said something similar about the Apollo missions in a even slightly similar guise.
You cannot compare the advancement of human civilization (space exploration) to a bunch of people doing stupid things that pose immense risk it innocent bystanders for no reason other than "because they can."
There are very easy parallels with that sort of thinking and the justification that lead to slavery and genocides!
I ride too, still don't ride like an idiot though.
Actually, I don't think they said something similar about the Apollo missions in a even slightly similar guise.
You cannot compare the advancement of human civilization (space exploration) to a bunch of people doing stupid things that pose immense risk it innocent bystanders for no reason other than "because they can."
There are very easy parallels with that sort of thinking and the justification that lead to slavery and genocides!
Well, here in America we do things a little differently. Actually the naysayers did say that we could never go to the moon...but we did...it is with that same adventurous spirit that some like to take our vehicles to the track, whatever vehicle you happen to own. It was said America would not last, but, with the help of God and a few Marines we are still here 238 years later.
I'm not trying to make this into some debate about 'Murica/God/Marines...
And yet none of what you said changes the fact that this entire conversation is NOT about "taking it to the track."
There is no track in NA that can allow a LS400 to reach terminal velocity, let alone for an extended period.
And again, no. They did not say the same thing about going to the moon as what is being said here. I'm not saying the LS can't do 150+ for a burst or an extended period of time. I'm saying WTF is the point considering 100% of the people doing this, are doing exactly ZERO research/testing or looking for ways to improve a 15+y/o car that wil be implemented in existing cars of newer models.... The advancement of technology and the human race... What the space race was about.
Driving an aged 15+y/o sedan, likely not in 100% condition, down a public road above 120mph is nothing more than personal gratification, ego stroking and really F'ing dangerous/stupid.
There is no correlation to the naysayers of the space program.
There is no correlation to "'Murica doing things differently," this has and always be a world wide example of stupid people doing stupid and dangerous things because they think it's cool!
And that is coming from someone who used to do similar stupid and dangerous things in my youth...
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Alright PD...
The answers are:
No
Even in areas with unlimited highways, it's not really possible to maintain speeds above 120mph for more than a few mins max, due to traffic no matter the time or day. This is well documented with high speed runs along the autobahn and similar roads. You're Lucky to get 1-2 mins of clear road at such speeds, which would be about 3-4miles of road plus all the run-up needed to get close to that speed.
And
No
-no place on earth exists where you can drive for 2hours at 150+mph, except for maybe Nardo.
-the LS does not have the fuel capacity to support more than maybe 30-60mins of driving at such speed.
-the heat generated in the tires by such an endeavour would exceed virtually all commercially available tires in about 15-30mins, then pop and you're done gone.
-the wheels, bearings and suspension (even high end aftermarket stuff) were not designed nor spec'ed to handle the forces and centripetal loads associated with such speeds for more than very brief periods of time.
And that's an engineer speaking.
lol
The answers are:
No
Even in areas with unlimited highways, it's not really possible to maintain speeds above 120mph for more than a few mins max, due to traffic no matter the time or day. This is well documented with high speed runs along the autobahn and similar roads. You're Lucky to get 1-2 mins of clear road at such speeds, which would be about 3-4miles of road plus all the run-up needed to get close to that speed.
And
No
-no place on earth exists where you can drive for 2hours at 150+mph, except for maybe Nardo.
-the LS does not have the fuel capacity to support more than maybe 30-60mins of driving at such speed.
-the heat generated in the tires by such an endeavour would exceed virtually all commercially available tires in about 15-30mins, then pop and you're done gone.
-the wheels, bearings and suspension (even high end aftermarket stuff) were not designed nor spec'ed to handle the forces and centripetal loads associated with such speeds for more than very brief periods of time.
And that's an engineer speaking.
lol
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 191
Likes: 20
From: /Oo[][]oO\
I went round 120-140 (safely) when I first picked up my LS400, the LS stock feels so numb and susceptible to front end lifting and bad undercarriage air turbulence @ higher speeds. Since then I've been driving "normal" until I start my modifications route.
@Shmee agreeable, the engine can take a beating, but the rest of all the components playing part in holding the car together @ 150+ will cry so hard that they cut themselves (the rubber components will start to split and crack) =p
I'm thinking a transmission cooler would do wonder for this cars
@Shmee agreeable, the engine can take a beating, but the rest of all the components playing part in holding the car together @ 150+ will cry so hard that they cut themselves (the rubber components will start to split and crack) =p
I'm thinking a transmission cooler would do wonder for this cars
Wow what happened in here lol. Like I said I took it to 140 for a couple of minutes and most of that time was getting the nerve to get it up to 140. I have no desire to do that again but i have to agree with shmee it's not a responsible endeavor on public roads. I do admit that I cruise at 80-90 ( not on cruise control ) on 2-3 hour trips and am comfortable doing so.
Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 115
Likes: 5
From: TX
If you google LS400 you will find that this vehicle was designed to sustain 160 MPH. My 99 is sitting on 20"s and I have had her above 150 a couple times. Not something I do often but when I do she seems stable and quiet. It's not hard keeping her above 120 at all (when I encounter vehicles while in high speed transport I will drop below 100 for a number of reasons) which was surprising to me because my 93 Acura Legend has to take a second to gather itself to get above 130, or return to any speed above 130 if you get off the gas while in high speed transport. I have tangled with Vettes, new Stang V8's, SC400's, and 430's, and my favorite, those damn new Hemi's and she runs with the best of them above 140MPH. With the exception of a bit of wind noise through the windshield gasket, it's comfortable, capable, concentrated evil on four wheels.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Alberta
I would expect actually the components are tested to run at very high speed for long periods of time. Given that the LS is accepted as a pretty over-engineered car, I would imagine that its probably true! Lets say the cars are in tip top shape as well and not older. I know my 93 would have stopped no problem from 150mph, and they have pretty big radiators.
Also as someone else stated the car actually has a very low .cd of drag, frontal area isn't small, but not large. I think the first gen lexus was the lowest in the world of .cd and the 2nd gen cars were even lower, they don't look like a wedge but doesn't mean its not slippery!
Also as someone else stated the car actually has a very low .cd of drag, frontal area isn't small, but not large. I think the first gen lexus was the lowest in the world of .cd and the 2nd gen cars were even lower, they don't look like a wedge but doesn't mean its not slippery!