LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006) Discussion topics related to the flagship Lexus LS430

Performance mod suggestions

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Old 02-01-17, 10:26 AM
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Bjamin75
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Default Performance mod suggestions

So I am a bit of a horse power junkie and would like to hear what you guys have done to your cars. What do you think gets the most bang for your buck. Keep in mind that I couldn't care less about fuel economy or keeping the exhaust quiet.
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Lexshark (06-23-19)
Old 02-01-17, 12:17 PM
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2KHarrier
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I'm sure you'll hear from a few guys who have done some crazy mods to the LS, but in all honesty, a car with nearly 300 HP and an almost flawless 5 (or 6) speed transmission is hard to improve on. If you want more power, there are a few different exhaust kits, headers, underdrive pulley systems, and a few CAI's. Beyond that, I'm not sure what the design limit is on modding the heads/cams/etc.
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Old 02-01-17, 12:45 PM
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Bjamin75
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I have sourced out a cold air intake and after market maf but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I'm looking into exhaust as well. It does have lots of pull as it is but more is better.
Old 02-01-17, 03:29 PM
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MikeFoxx
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No personal experience but seems like you'd feel it lol
Old 02-01-17, 04:35 PM
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2KHarrier
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Originally Posted by MikeFoxx



No personal experience but seems like you'd feel it lol
And there you go...
Old 02-01-17, 04:43 PM
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tkblazer
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a pair of rear mounted turbos would be awesome
Old 02-01-17, 05:59 PM
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Johnhav430
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Originally Posted by tkblazer
a pair of rear mounted turbos would be awesome
reminds me of 1998 when folks supercharged....remember when K&N claimed you could drop in a filter and get 6 HP hahahahahahahahahaha what snake oil that was, but it was 1998.....a lot of this is unnecessary nowadays, when folks routinely pay $479 for a JB4 or juice box and suddenly their car has 80 HP more at the wheels bone stock, or 160 HP with some more mods mostly stock. The 3UZ just isn't that type of setup unless I'm missing something...

http://www.burgertuning.com/images/jb4_dyno/dyno1.jpg
Old 02-01-17, 08:22 PM
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Scootymad
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A650E 5 speed transmissions "officially" max out at 325 hp at the crank, its probably closer to 350, anything past that though and 3rd gear sprag clutch tends to fly apart in spectacular fashion. There are upgraded ones that are good for 800hp, which is more than the 3UZ block can handle anyway (600hp max supposedly due to the thinner cylinder walls to get 4.3L out of a 1UZ block). You'll definitely want to put an LSD centre into the diff however, peg legs with 300hp is already not fun. Not sure what power level the stock A760 6 speed can take.

You could swap out the block for a 4.7L 2UZ cast iron Landcruiser block and shove boost down its throat that way.
Old 02-01-17, 08:32 PM
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Bjamin75
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Originally Posted by Scootymad
A650E 5 speed transmissions "officially" max out at 325 hp at the crank, its probably closer to 350, anything past that though and 3rd gear sprag clutch tends to fly apart in spectacular fashion. There are upgraded ones that are good for 800hp, which is more than the 3UZ block can handle anyway (600hp max supposedly due to the thinner cylinder walls to get 4.3L out of a 1UZ block). You'll definitely want to put an LSD centre into the diff however, peg legs with 300hp is already not fun. Not sure what power level the stock A760 6 speed can take.

You could swap out the block for a 4.7L 2UZ cast iron Landcruiser block and shove boost down its throat that way.

Good info on the trans. I may just end up doing the intake and exhaust let it breath a little better and call it good. I really don't feel like swapping out the trans. The rear end does need some attention a tight limited slip would really help plant the power to the ground.
Old 02-01-17, 08:40 PM
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Scootymad
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I'm looking for the same thing so I can rip big burnouts but I don't feel like paying $1600 US pesos on a Cusco LSD. You can get a built A650 trans out of PowerDynamix for about 2 grand or so. He has a GS300 that he takes to TX2K with 800+whp running on an A650, so they must be pretty good.

Also you can get just over a minute or so on the skid pan before you overheat
Old 02-01-17, 09:35 PM
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Bjamin75
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Originally Posted by Scootymad
I'm looking for the same thing so I can rip big burnouts but I don't feel like paying $1600 US pesos on a Cusco LSD. You can get a built A650 trans out of PowerDynamix for about 2 grand or so. He has a GS300 that he takes to TX2K with 800+whp running on an A650, so they must be pretty good.

Also you can get just over a minute or so on the skid pan before you overheat

I wonder if an e-locker out of a trd Tacoma would work.
Old 02-02-17, 07:59 PM
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e60bmw
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I would have to say a Apexi accel, I had a similar unit in my BMW for a long time. The first thing I ordered when I got my GS was the Apexi Accel. Its a pretty awesome unit, it gets rid of the throttle lag. I imagine it on the LS being pretty sweet. You can pick it up for about $180 including the LS430 harness. It gets pretty high reviews in the overall Lexus community here. It has 7 adjustable modes, the red mode is pretty insane for throttle responsiveness, pretty much no lag when u hit the pedal. Doesn't add HP but it does make a big difference in the drive.
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Old 02-02-17, 08:05 PM
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Bjamin75
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Originally Posted by e60bmw
I would have to say a Apexi accel, I had a similar unit in my BMW for a long time. The first thing I ordered when I got my GS was the Apexi Accel. Its a pretty awesome unit, it gets rid of the throttle lag. I imagine it on the LS being pretty sweet. You can pick it up for about $180 including the LS430 harness. It gets pretty high reviews in the overall Lexus community here. It has 7 adjustable modes, the red mode is pretty insane for throttle responsiveness, pretty much no lag when u hit the pedal. Doesn't add HP but it does make a big difference in the drive.

It could really use some better throttle response I'll look into getting one in soon.
Old 02-02-17, 11:14 PM
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MikeFoxx
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^^^^^save your money. I had the TOM'S unit in my is350 it does what it says yes... but that gets old. After awhile you start driving like an a$$ because of your throttle response. It can be fun for sure but when it comes down to it you are no faster than before and the throttle is no different from 3/4 throttle down all the time. IMHO I had it a month and sold it and it was an expensive unit but I still would rather sell it.
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