LS500 turbo lag
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 9
From: MI
Cool. I'm actually from a drag racing family myself. But we do mostly no prep type events. I've had a turbo mustang, turbo DSM AWD, and currently have another AWD DSM, and a host of naturally aspirated stuff. Now those had turbo lag really bad if you didn't build boost at the tree. Two smallish turbos should actually mean less lag. Which is what the LS has. I know it's mapped that way from doing deep research on it and by trying to build boost before launching. Same result. It's programmed to pull power to prevent too hard of a launch. And even with it pulling power the thing still went 4.9 0-60. I have a rear wheel drive model. I've never gotten worse than a 5.2 0-60. That's not really slow for what this is. I'm still trying to talk myself into getting the JB4. 😂 Map 2 setting got them in the 490hp range on just 93 octane.
I'm no drag racer, but I did my qualification training for IMSA and SCCA at Bondurant years ago.
I just want to avoid a heart attack when pulling out to pass, punching it, then waiting.... Was thinking a throttle response controller might do the trick, but don't see one for the LS500. I assume most people don't buy this car for performance, so not much of a market.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 9
From: MI
Yeah, trade it in for a German flagship instead.
You seem to have different driving priorities than what the current LS is targeted towards so you may be better served with a TTV8 car instead or even just a more rapidly responding V6 since the Toyota engine has a unusually high boost threshold. Part of that is because the turbos are in the wrong place though, some remaps will reduce this but not by drastic amounts as the design is inherently using turbos that are mounted quite far away on a small engine with out any tricks to reduce spool time.
A tune only German with any of their 4.0 class V8s gets you under 4 seconds true 0-60, for only $499
You seem to have different driving priorities than what the current LS is targeted towards so you may be better served with a TTV8 car instead or even just a more rapidly responding V6 since the Toyota engine has a unusually high boost threshold. Part of that is because the turbos are in the wrong place though, some remaps will reduce this but not by drastic amounts as the design is inherently using turbos that are mounted quite far away on a small engine with out any tricks to reduce spool time.
A tune only German with any of their 4.0 class V8s gets you under 4 seconds true 0-60, for only $499
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 108
Likes: 25
From: SC
I spent many happy hours with my mechanic buddy polishing race cars and assorted rich people's rides before he moved away. He did a street rod for Chris Campbell (Bob Seger's bassist) and gave him a new set of underwear because he knew he would s**t his pants the first time he punched it.
I'm no drag racer, but I did my qualification training for IMSA and SCCA at Bondurant years ago.
I just want to avoid a heart attack when pulling out to pass, punching it, then waiting.... Was thinking a throttle response controller might do the trick, but don't see one for the LS500. I assume most people don't buy this car for performance, so not much of a market.
I'm no drag racer, but I did my qualification training for IMSA and SCCA at Bondurant years ago.
I just want to avoid a heart attack when pulling out to pass, punching it, then waiting.... Was thinking a throttle response controller might do the trick, but don't see one for the LS500. I assume most people don't buy this car for performance, so not much of a market.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 9
From: MI
Interesting. Mine seems to find the right shift down point when I need to pass and I feel no lag. It just moves. Mine is a 2022, but I wouldn't think it would be that much difference. What year did the upgrade the shift logic? That may have been 2021. I experience no significant delay or lag.
Update - the shift logic was changed in 2021 but I can't find a car within 250 miles.
Last edited by arthurpym; May 19, 2025 at 07:11 PM. Reason: new info found
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 311
Likes: 100
From: NJ
The 2021 and 2022 Lexus LS 500 models feature a refined 10-speed automatic transmission with updated shift logic. This change aims to optimize the engine's power band, keeping the engine in a more responsive area for enhanced acceleration. Specifically, the transmission is recalibrated to make downshifts more readily available and to improve the overall smoothness of shifting, according to MotorTrend.
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 108
Likes: 25
From: SC
The 2021 and 2022 Lexus LS 500 models feature a refined 10-speed automatic transmission with updated shift logic. This change aims to optimize the engine's power band, keeping the engine in a more responsive area for enhanced acceleration. Specifically, the transmission is recalibrated to make downshifts more readily available and to improve the overall smoothness of shifting, according to MotorTrend.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 9
From: MI
I have installed an Injen throttle controller and a Burger JB4 piggyback. NICE. Thanks to all for your advice.
Really hating the turbo lag in my 2020 LS500. Thinking of chipping it, but which vendor? I want minimum lag, not interested in headers, body mods, or tinted windows, etc. - Looking for least cost and best ROI. Did I mention really hating the turbo lag?
Anyone have similar experience as me? Recommendations greatly appreciated. I could probably do a $1,000 investment without incurring the wrath of She Who Rules.
Anyone have similar experience as me? Recommendations greatly appreciated. I could probably do a $1,000 investment without incurring the wrath of She Who Rules.
Last edited by bigblack06; Jun 21, 2025 at 07:58 PM.
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 108
Likes: 25
From: SC
I've never noticed any delay when i occasionally floor it (in sport+) w/ the AC off. Feels just fine. I do find there is a short and bit annoying delay under more mundane and everyday conditions...at stop signs it needs a bit more pedal than it should to move from a short stop which can cause the car to lurch a bit. Small price to pay for a car that is otherwise very well balanced sport, luxury and high build quality.
Last edited by liazon; Jul 2, 2025 at 06:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 9
From: MI
Fixed
I've never noticed any delay when i occasionally floor it (in sport+) w/ the AC off. Feels just fine. I do find there is a short and bit annoying delay under more mundane and everyday conditions...at stop signs it needs a bit more pedal than it should to move from a short stop which can cause the car to lurch a bit. Small price to pay for a car that is otherwise very well balanced sport, luxury and high build quality.
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 108
Likes: 25
From: SC
As I said, the JB4 and pedal control solved my issue completely. If I want all-out drag racing performance, I can just dial it up to map 8 and let it rip. So far, I have only used map 5. I can't find a dyno nearby, but I estimate a 50 HP boost at map 5. I agree entirely that it's a bargain. It cost about $1500 total for the mods, and my race mechanic buddy says that it's pretty much maxed out as is; CAI, headers and straight-through exhaust would be a waste. Congratulations to me!
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 9
From: MI
Going perfectly. I use map 3, or 0 when I want to disable it. I don’t even use the throttle control. I never did do a dyno test, but I estimate 50 HP gain. With Sport+ mode, it wants to lunge ahead like a greyhound. Incredibly cheap for what you get and you don’t need anything more.
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 108
Likes: 25
From: SC
Going perfectly. I use map 3, or 0 when I want to disable it. I don’t even use the throttle control. I never did do a dyno test, but I estimate 50 HP gain. With Sport+ mode, it wants to lunge ahead like a greyhound. Incredibly cheap for what you get and you don’t need anything more.