RWD vs AWD HP diff
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Florida
RWD vs AWD HP diff
Hello,
Just bought a CPO 2013 LS 460 AWD. They never sold RWD in Canada, so I never drove one. But I know the RWD makes 386hp, and the AWD is 360hp. And RWD is 367ftlbs torque, and AWD is 347. I am assuming the detuned the motor, exhaust, and or ECU to avoid gas guzzler. But how? Has anyone attempted to restore the power, can it be done with a simple ECU flash, or are part swaps required? Ever been done to any AWD 460 to try and unlock the extra power?
Thanks
Just bought a CPO 2013 LS 460 AWD. They never sold RWD in Canada, so I never drove one. But I know the RWD makes 386hp, and the AWD is 360hp. And RWD is 367ftlbs torque, and AWD is 347. I am assuming the detuned the motor, exhaust, and or ECU to avoid gas guzzler. But how? Has anyone attempted to restore the power, can it be done with a simple ECU flash, or are part swaps required? Ever been done to any AWD 460 to try and unlock the extra power?
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 117
From: Sacramento, CA
Congrats, LexiBoi! I don't believe the AWD is "detuned". From what I understand, Lexus engineers had to reroute the intake plumbing and exhaust manifold to make room for the AWD system and that is why the engine produces less output.
I know you don't have a RWD to compare against but do you feel that the AWD is heavy or slow? My situation is reversed. It is so hard for me to find an AWD to test drive and compare.
I know you don't have a RWD to compare against but do you feel that the AWD is heavy or slow? My situation is reversed. It is so hard for me to find an AWD to test drive and compare.
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Congrats, LexiBoi! I don't believe the AWD is "detuned". From what I understand, Lexus engineers had to reroute the intake plumbing and exhaust manifold to make room for the AWD system and that is why the engine produces less output.
I know you don't have a RWD to compare against but do you feel that the AWD is heavy or slow? My situation is reversed. It is so hard for me to find an AWD to test drive and compare.
I know you don't have a RWD to compare against but do you feel that the AWD is heavy or slow? My situation is reversed. It is so hard for me to find an AWD to test drive and compare.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
They never sold RWD in Canada,
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Florida
??? There are far more RWD's than AWD's in Canada. It's very rare when I browse the used car listings that I ever see an AWD for sale. When I bought my RWD, the only LS's available were RWD. There are currently 8 2007-2015 LS's for sale in BC (Autotrader) and only three are AWD.
Every single car in ON is AWD...
http://www.autotrader.ca/cars/lexus/...dSearch&rcs=15
Every 2013+ LS in Canada is AWD...
Last edited by TLexiBoi; Feb 16, 2017 at 09:39 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 618
Likes: 135
From: IL
We have a 2011 RWD and a 2012 AWD. The AWD has lower (higher numerical) axle ratios, so it feels punchier around town and cruise RPM in 8th is about 200RPM higher than in the RWD. You don't really notice a difference between them, except the RWD is a bit faster above 60MPH, as when passing on the highway.
As mentioned above, different/more restrictive exhaust plumbing to navigate around the front driveshaft and diff is the reason for the power difference. The different exhaust actually makes the AWD sound a bit meaner, to my ears.
As mentioned above, different/more restrictive exhaust plumbing to navigate around the front driveshaft and diff is the reason for the power difference. The different exhaust actually makes the AWD sound a bit meaner, to my ears.
Last edited by Tec80; Feb 17, 2017 at 10:49 AM.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 117
From: Sacramento, CA
We have a 2011 RWD and a 2012 AWD. The AWD has lower (higher numerical) axle ratios, so it feels punchier around town and cruise RPM in 8th is about 200RPM higher than in the RWD. You don't really notice a difference between them, except the RWD is a bit faster above 60MPH, as when passing on the highway.
As mentioned above, different/more restrictive exhaust plumbing to navigate around the front driveshaft and diff is the reason for the power difference. The different exhaust actually makes the AWD sound a bit meaner, to my ears.
As mentioned above, different/more restrictive exhaust plumbing to navigate around the front driveshaft and diff is the reason for the power difference. The different exhaust actually makes the AWD sound a bit meaner, to my ears.
I wish I could experience an AWD for comparison. I was duly impressed by the passing ability while test driving a 2011 460L RWD on the freeway.
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