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

3UZ- Fe Performance

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 23, 2018 | 09:37 PM
  #1  
Nemohperez's Avatar
Nemohperez
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Question 3UZ- Fe Performance

Hello Everyone, i have a 2001 LS430 and i am interested to boosting the numbers up from factory performance. i have done some research like kelford cams and valves. i am currently getting a muffler fabbed by someone in the group, just wanted some input on what else is possible. i have time so im interested in those rare parts ( Greedy SC ). this is the first time i mod a car, been busy with college i have only used the ls430 as a daily the past 4 years, but now that i have paid it off i really want to wake up this motor. thanks in advance
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2018 | 09:55 PM
  #2  
05ls430518's Avatar
05ls430518
Pole Position
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 268
From: New York
Default

Contact FIGS engineering for $7000-$9000 you can have a supercharger kit with ecu, supercharger etc. Also there is ppe headers$900-$1300, obx headers $600, custom exhaust $500-$1000, BC had a stroker kit for the 3uz which bumped it up to a 4.7 liter that was $1500.

If you really want to make your car faster go to a driving school and learn how to drive properly take lines, understamd apexes all that stuff. A remotely good driver can make a slow car relatively fast.

Also another spot would be to address the cars weak points which is handling. You also said this is your first time modding a car, word of advice always research, before you buy stuff or mod, If you buy something thats slightly cheaper you might end up finding it does not work and have to buy the more expensive one as well.

Last edited by 05ls430518; Feb 24, 2018 at 07:46 AM.
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2018 | 04:24 AM
  #3  
2KHarrier's Avatar
2KHarrier
Moderator
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 244
From: Milwaukee, Wi
Default

Welcome to the club. Loads of very informative members on here in regards to performance upgrades. Where in Illinois are you??
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2018 | 12:02 AM
  #4  
Scootymad's Avatar
Scootymad
Pole Position
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 306
Likes: 13
From: Auckland
Default

The LS430 chassis, while very well built, is still pretty floppy, and the pissant sway bars that were fitted do no favours to the handling. It rolls about worse than my old 15ft boat in a slight bit of chop. There were uprated strut tower bars, sway bars and subframe braces available for them but I think Ultra Racing has discontinued those. You might be able to get them made on special order though. Also, a decent set of brake rotors and pads will benefit a 430 heaps.

If you want more power, be prepared to spend decent money. The 3UZ blocks can only take about 600hp at the crank, as they have pretty thin cylinder walls and liners as a result of Toyota boring out the 1UZ block to the max, and while the stock internals are relatively stout, (I think they are broadly the same as 1UZ VVTi internals), you'll soon find their limits with forced induction. If you wanted big power beyond that, I'd be looking at a hybrid engine, basically a 2UZ iron block with aftermarket 1UZ rods and crank, and custom pistons. Or just jam a built 1UZ in there and put lots of boost down its throat.

Aside from what's already mentioned, there's not really a whole lot else out there for the 3UZ. And what is already here is reasonably expensive. If you want a cheaper option, I'd go smaller like an All Trac ST185 Celica or an SW20 MR2, or a Corolla with a 20v 4A-GE swap
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2018 | 10:56 AM
  #5  
05ls430518's Avatar
05ls430518
Pole Position
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 268
From: New York
Default

Originally Posted by Scootymad
The LS430 chassis, while very well built, is still pretty floppy, and the pissant sway bars that were fitted do no favours to the handling. It rolls about worse than my old 15ft boat in a slight bit of chop. There were uprated strut tower bars, sway bars and subframe braces available for them but I think Ultra Racing has discontinued those. You might be able to get them made on special order though. Also, a decent set of brake rotors and pads will benefit a 430 heaps.

If you want more power, be prepared to spend decent money. The 3UZ blocks can only take about 600hp at the crank, as they have pretty thin cylinder walls and liners as a result of Toyota boring out the 1UZ block to the max, and while the stock internals are relatively stout, (I think they are broadly the same as 1UZ VVTi internals), you'll soon find their limits with forced induction. If you wanted big power beyond that, I'd be looking at a hybrid engine, basically a 2UZ iron block with aftermarket 1UZ rods and crank, and custom pistons. Or just jam a built 1UZ in there and put lots of boost down its throat.

Aside from what's already mentioned, there's not really a whole lot else out there for the 3UZ. And what is already here is reasonably expensive. If you want a cheaper option, I'd go smaller like an All Trac ST185 Celica or an SW20 MR2, or a Corolla with a 20v 4A-GE swap

Yah man the 3uz platform has 0 help and modding the ls430 is $$$$$$$. I know firsthand I have way to much money in my ls430 haha. The op could do a 2uz block get the wrist pins upgraded, 5spd 1r54 out of a supra, thor racing bellhousing adapter plate, standalone ecu, then boost it and your good to go its about $12,000 to boost a 3uz motor properly
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2018 | 06:20 PM
  #6  
YODAONE's Avatar
YODAONE
Pole Position
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 418
From: CALIFORNIA
Default

Originally Posted by 05ls430518
Yah man the 3uz platform has 0 help and modding the ls430 is $$$$$$$. I know firsthand I have way to much money in my ls430 haha. The op could do a 2uz block get the wrist pins upgraded, 5spd 1r54 out of a supra, thor racing bellhousing adapter plate, standalone ecu, then boost it and your good to go its about $12,000 to boost a 3uz motor properly
Extrude hone the intake manifold....

Check out my post on 1999 LS400 section
(Same intake as 2001-2006 LS430)
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2018 | 07:17 AM
  #7  
kitabel's Avatar
kitabel
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,619
Likes: 94
From: New York
Default

BC had a stroker kit for the 3uz which bumped it up to a 4.7 liter that was $1500.
Never happened, more like $6,000.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2018 | 09:12 AM
  #8  
05ls430518's Avatar
05ls430518
Pole Position
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 268
From: New York
Default

Originally Posted by kitabel
BC had a stroker kit for the 3uz which bumped it up to a 4.7 liter that was $1500.
Never happened, more like $6,000.
Yah they did make a stroker kit for the 3uz but it was $7000 I confused it with something else good catch.
Reply
ClubLexus Stories

Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

story-0

2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 27, 2018 | 09:16 AM
  #9  
05ls430518's Avatar
05ls430518
Pole Position
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 268
From: New York
Default

Originally Posted by YODAONE
Extrude hone the intake manifold....

Check out my post on 1999 LS400 section
(Same intake as 2001-2006 LS430)
Cant I just walnut blast the intake manifold and isnt that the same thing, that abrasive clay goes to the path of least resistance which is not always how airflows then port the intake and call it a day.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2018 | 11:34 AM
  #10  
kitabel's Avatar
kitabel
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,619
Likes: 94
From: New York
Default

The stroker looks like 90.5mm (+8mm) if used with stock bore for 4,709cc & 287.35" (+9.7%).
The high stroker price is because you're not just getting the new crankshaft, you're also getting stronger rods and (I think) forged pistons + it's already balanced.
Why not?
Because the displacement change adds very little (you don't get 9.7% more power) - it's what you do when you've done everything else. It's probably $200 per HP gained.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2018 | 11:39 AM
  #11  
kitabel's Avatar
kitabel
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,619
Likes: 94
From: New York
Default

Walnut was chosen specifically it doesn't remove any metal.
Extrude-Hone can't follow the "natural" air path (you shouldn't try to make air go where you want, but find out where it wants to go and help) but it's an improvement, and the next step (actual internal porting) is $$$. The best manifold work involves cutting through the plenum above the runners horizontally to expose all the passages, then welding (if it must look stock) or epoxying the top back on.
The UZ manifold problem (in the cars) is that the plenum is depressed w/r/t the runner entrances for hood clearance.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2018 | 11:50 AM
  #12  
05ls430518's Avatar
05ls430518
Pole Position
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 268
From: New York
Default

Originally Posted by kitabel
Walnut was chosen specifically it doesn't remove any metal.
Extrude-Hone can't follow the "natural" air path (you shouldn't try to make air go where you want, but find out where it wants to go and help) but it's an improvement, and the next step (actual internal porting) is $$$. The best manifold work involves cutting through the plenum above the runners horizontally to expose all the passages, then welding (if it must look stock) or epoxying the top back on.
The UZ manifold problem (in the cars) is that the plenum is depressed w/r/t the runner entrances for hood clearance.
Yah so i will just do a rear mount turbo and call it a day, if I want to add more power lol
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2018 | 01:28 PM
  #13  
lt1fire's Avatar
lt1fire
Rookie
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 72
Likes: 5
From: Washington
Default

What about using the "fish" bracket from supra store to add a Vortec SC to one. You can generally find hose SC's for fairly cheap since so many were sold and used on mustangs and camaros back in the day.

https://www.suprastore.com/suxat1uz2uz3.html

Could you get away with 5-6PSI on the stock ecu??? may be a fairly cheap-ish way to get an extra 70HP or so.

Last edited by lt1fire; Feb 27, 2018 at 01:48 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2018 | 01:47 PM
  #14  
05ls430518's Avatar
05ls430518
Pole Position
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 268
From: New York
Default

Originally Posted by lt1fire
What about using the "fish" bracket from supra store to add a Vortec SC to one. You can generally find hose SC's for fairly cheap since so many were sold and used on mustangs and camaros back in the day.

https://www.suprastore.com/suxat1uz2uz3.html
You need an intake manifold adapter plate to attach a roots style and a centrifugal super charger well there is 0 room in the engine bay for one without doing some major relocation to certain items.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2018 | 01:54 PM
  #15  
lt1fire's Avatar
lt1fire
Rookie
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 72
Likes: 5
From: Washington
Default

Originally Posted by 05ls430518
You need an intake manifold adapter plate to attach a roots style and a centrifugal super charger well there is 0 room in the engine bay for one without doing some major relocation to certain items.

What am I missing here? why would you need a intake adapter for a centrifugal? I get the roots but i've had 2 cars before with centrifugal's on them and didn't need an intake adapter.
The 1UZ builds i've seen using them don't use an intake adapter either.
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:11 AM.

story-0
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

Slideshow: the 2026 IS 350 isn't all that new, and that's why we love it!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-04 14:35:23


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

Slideshow: 10 most confusing things Lexus has ever done.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-04 09:40:55


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

Slideshow: Our First-Drive Review of the 2026 Lexus ES!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-29 20:30:16


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

Slideshow: 10 Lexus bargain that are cheaper than a new Toyota.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 10:28:20


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

Slideshow: From hoverboards to luxury yachts, these are the strangest projects Lexus has ever attached its badge to.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-16 11:34:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Some luxury cars chase trends, but these Lexus models look better now than they did when they first rolled into showrooms.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 17:58:29


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

Slideshow: How to Get the Best Fuel Economy with a Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-05 20:54:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

Slideshow: 10 best Lexus models no one remembers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 17:33:28


VIEW MORE
story-8
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

Slideshow: diving into 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium's pricing, performance, fuel economy, features, and amenities!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-23 13:09:18


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: the 10 Lexus and Toyota vehicles you need to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-23 10:34:24


VIEW MORE