I have installed a Burger JB4 piggyback and an Injen throttle controller. I’m investigating the following install for my 2020 LS 500 base AWD:

• Equal-length stainless headers (with ceramic wrap)
• MagnaFlow high-flow catalytic converter
• MagnaFlow Street-Series cat-back exhaust
• Custom dual-pipe cold-air intake plumbing

The goal: increased performance on top of current JB4 setup, without altering bottom-end internals.
Have you tried this setup or something similar?
What gotchas lie out there?
Do you have any alternative recommendations for builders/installers, preferably in the Ann Arbor - Detroit - Toledo - Lansing area?
All comments welcome - there isn't much out there in bolt-ons for an LS 500.

 

I'm not a professional but if I were you I'd find a reputable tuner first before throwing any mods at it. My general understanding of turbocharged engines is that it's really a "how much boost will the stock system provide where i can safely add more fuel to increase power" then it's a game cylinder temperature and knock.

I'm not sure what freedom the JB4 controller gives you. You'd likely need to have a fully cracked ecu (or run stand alone) to get the max performance out of this engine. That's one of the reasons people that tune by a BMW B58, tune shops know how to unlock the factory ecu. I don't think the LS500 ecu has been cracked yet.

having said all of that... 1. You do you. I think a modded out LS 500 awd is cool. 2. Not many actual owners of LS 500s in the states modify their cars at all. 9/10 we only do things by the book. lol. You might have better luck finding a JDM site for LS 500 and u sing google translate to get the info you want. I'd imagine if you posted on a Japanese website you'd get more traction than this one. Best of luck!!!

 

I do have tuner local to me, but wanted to hear from others who went the same route as well. I'm not a money guy with a car; I'm a car guy with some money. I'm building a sleeper. They say it does 0-60 in 4.6, but I would never abuse this or any other car. Well, maybe a Shelby rental. I'm interested in tuning for the 60-120 mph range.
Never thought of a Japanese site and - d'oh! - I used to watch JDM on TV. I will do some spelunking.
Thanks for the advice. You da man, Dan.

 

I looked into this with my LS. There's precious little I could find in the US for the reasons mentioned above. A consideration - the stock turbo setup makes almost 470 ft lbs of torque at just 1600 RPMs... it sounds like you almost want to lengthen the torque band so the engine performs closer to a NA V8 (esp the 60-120 range). I'd suggest looking into tunes / solutions that optimize shift patterning / speed (the 10 speed is a dog for doing anything quickly - esp when compared to the ZF8). So much of the effortlessness of BMW's B58, for instance, comes from the near-perfect matching of that engine and the ZF8 transmission (and its associated BMW-specific tuning).

 

I'm still considering the JB4. Are you noticing a significant boost in power with it installed?

 

I haven't dyno tested it, but I would estimate a gain of 35-40 HP. If I do the breathability mods I'm considering, will post the results. I can't speak to long-term reliability yet.

 

Shundi, that's exactly what I want, and agree that transmission tuning is what I really need. Still, I don't mind more power.
"Too much is never enough!"

 

can I please hear your exhaust and see how it looks? Thanks

 

I asked my friend, a race mechanic, what more I should add after the JB4. He says "nothing." It's really all you need, and you would need a handbuilt custom exhaust, def not worth the money.

 

This is accurate info. I just got my LS less than 2 months ago, but I have been on YouTube heavy and there are mostly only Japanese-speaking videos. I've watched A LOT to the point I may speak Japanese now lol. But I have learned a lot because they have been modding LS500's over there since they dropped back in 2018. Use you iPhone to translate the videos piece by piece. I ordered some products and the instructions were only in Japanese but thanks to Google Translate, I was able to switch everything to English.

SN: I would like to see a vid with the JB4 in action if you have one. . .

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/388330233237

Must have mod.......

 

That screams 'rip me off this minute'. Not to mention 'Did you get that at Pep Boys?'

 

Makes it even better!!!!
****, Might even slap me on a "V8" emblams just to **** off haters. Gold plated versions!

 

These cars may be getting older and cheaper, but the LS500 seems like an awful choice to tune, modify, and screw around with. It’s a sophisticated, well-designed car to begin with. It’s built to close tolerances. I don’t see anything on my car that I would have the least desire to modify. Maybe that’s just due to my age.
However, if you have the cajones to do so, then more power to you. Keep us “tuned in” as to the results.

 

I'm curious also. Have a capstone hybrid tundra which is basically the ls500 with smaller turbos but with the electric motor between the engine an transmission. People on the tundra/Sequioa sites are getting pretty big gains with just a stage 1 tune and 93/e85 tune so I know it's possible to make big power. Our problem is the ls500 is expensive, rare and in most countries came mostly or only in v6 hybrid form. Check some tundra sites for more information and insights on our v35 engines.