This thread is to showcase/provide a how to for lightly increasing the performance of a RWD LS460. I'm not too big in cosmetic changes so there likely won't be any of that going on....

First off it's assumed your car is 100% perfect mechanically with nothing weird going on, I'm not responsible for anything breaking or not working on your particular car if you chose to copy me.

The plan so far includes the following changes...

First and foremost I'm corresponding with All4swaps owner to come up with a tune specific to my car, reason for this is the second modification planed. The tune will provide no speed limiter, in ECT "power" mode pedal position will 1:1 correlate to throttle blade angle, trans line pressure and shift speed will be increased, and VVT behavior will be the most aggressive possible. Car also will want to downshift more readily and hold lowest gear it can in "power" mode. Normal mode is unchanged.

Expected power gain is 30-40hp and about 1000 rpm earlier TQ curve ramp up. I'm not changing the redline since even though I have the updated valve springs I would rather not risk dropping a valve.

All factory shift points points will be altered, the reason for this is because I'm switching the rear diff ratio from 3.08 to an IS350 4.08 diff with the possible addition of a 1.5 way LSD depending on how the setup plays with my selected tire combo. I expect this diff to drop me into the high 4 second 0-60 range and if I'm lucky 13.2-13.5 1/4 mile time window or perhaps a little better. If I'm under 5 seconds and 13.5 I'll be happy since that's close enough to a GSF to remove my interest in the car.

Tire combo is stock rims combined with 245/45r18 Michelin Pilot sport 4 all seasons with a summer set of 285/40r18 Pilot sport 4 rear tires as well. I am choosing to do this so I can use normal rotation patterns with the 245s but if I'm specifically going out to "play" I can easily swap rears before I leave home.

Brakes will be powerstops top option with potential to upgrade to F-sport brakes and larger rims if fade resistance is not adequate. Would rather not since 19s are heavier and tire cost increases dramatically.

Fluids will be Bosch ESI6 type for brakes, Mobil 1 10000 mile full synth 5w-30, trans is TLS-LV synthetic, diff is 75-90 Amsoil. Reason for the oil type is I can't decide between it and Amsoil 0w-20 for best high temp shear protection and the Amsoil is hard to get at times. I wanted an off the shelf option, the ESP and high fuel economy versions do not test as well in high load situations and I change at 5k anyway. Filters are OE Lexus for trans, Denso for engine, and Mann for oil.

Last changes will be on the suspension following some laps at mid Ohio raceway, I don't want to ruin the ride or character of the car however. Goal is just enough to stop enough body roll on transitions to prevent upsetting the car. I'm not certain what this will take so I'll update as I figure it out.

Ill update as I go.

 

All fluids/filters etc are done, tires are being installed now. I'm hoping the floaty/dead feeling of the primacy MXM4s goes away and I gain some directness.

 

Have you switched to 5W30?

I am running RedLine in the transfer case. I am planning to use in the front and read differentials.

I personally do not care about power upgrade as I have enough power in my LS. Downshifting can be optimized though. Also, I believe, LS platform is heavy making it challenging for performance upgrades especially various bushings.

 

Yes I have, I'm RWD so no T-case on my car. Haven't really observed any mpg change, I'm still getting 25 average and start up is still silent vs being on 0w-20.

I'm not looking for crazy power but just enough to keep most stock cars off me if I choose, it will never be a fast car though so I'm not going to try anything dumb like forced induction. It takes it too long to climb past 120 as is vs fast cars that can 55-150-55 run easily.

 

I assume it got colder already in your area. What is your experience with cold start when using 5w30?

 

My garage is heated so "cold" for this car is 50* when it's 15* outside. In parking lots it starts 100% as normal though, sorry I don't have better info.

Just got back from Costco and DAMN. The car literally feels 1000lb lighter and is so damn reactive and quick on its feet, plus I can floor it with zero wheel spin. Mid corner I can go full power and it just rotates a little without having the VSC freak.

Totally transformed the car. The word "darty" actually would be a valid description, I can't believe how much this changed the car. I HIGHLY recommend these to anyone who wants their boat to feel more like a 5 series


Figured I would add some pictures of the new tires, they actually bothered to park my car backwards and next to the no park area lol! The manager of this department likes me and installed the tires for free including TMPS modules, made my day to be honest.

Little small in the wheel well but still looks fine, I may do some coil overs to drop the car a bit and tighten up the ride a little. The car has a lot of roll vs my 430 at the limit

They did get some grease on my door and sill, no big deal and that’s why I carry interior plastic and leather detailer. I knew they would screw this up since they haven’t failed to do so yet on any of my cars and I’ve brought 5 of them by for tires here. The free sensors and service makes up for it. $300 savings for 2 min of my time.

 

Since you have good tires, any plans to test the 0-60 or quarter mile? Its always nice to see the progression. Dragy is the easiest way.

 

Yes, I'm waiting for the diff currently before I bother tearing that. It's currently right around 5.4 aka meets factory with easy repeatability, I'm looking for anything in the 4s

My tune is delayed due to a lack of way for them to test an ECU so I am in limbo unless I wan to risk my factory unit. If they can't solve it by years end I will buy a spare, program it to the car and make sure it works before sending it to them.

 

Sweet, that's pretty quick for stock!

 

OK cool, I'm interested to see how the tune goes. How are you testing your times, you in the Dragy leaderboards?

 

I point a camera at the speedo lol! Afterwords I run it through editing software and check frame times from the needle first moving to just after 60.

I don't have a draggy yet so I do that plus actual track 1/4 mile runs but they are closed for winter so I can't report that yet. I really do need to order one so I'm not at the mercy of tracks.

Tires make a massive difference on this car, the MXM4s I had would just spin 1st if TC was off or pull so much power if it was on.