Saw this on one of the LC500 facebook groups as available on the LC500 S in Japan. It's hard to believe that Lexus would engineer this solution for a limited run of (supposedly) 60 cars in Japan, which means there's a chance that this is on every '24.

Can somebody with a 2024 take a peek at their car and see if there's anything resembling this ^^^ on it? If so, this will be a big improvement.

 

Now this is interesting - Maybe it is available after all - here:

https://parts.rallyelexus.com/p/lexu...291011010.html

Notice the resemblance of the drawing to the part I have pointed out

 

Well, now I'm more confused than ever. I just spoke to my parts guru, a parts manger at a dealer. He told me that PN3291011010, can not be ordered without a VIN. He informed me that he could order it with my VIN. He also said it's the cooling block only. He then sent me the below exploded drawing that seems to include all the parts except the heart exchanger. All the parts are available separately, not as a kit


He also told me that the LC500h has the same part with the heat exchanger:


Tis a puzzlement Why the heck would Lexus not offer this complete assembly as a kit⁉️

 

Maybe they're not intending it to be retrofitted onto pre-'24 cars? If it's standard on the '24+ cars, I assume it would be multiple part #'s like this.

 

Ya, seems like the heat exchanger is missing in that diagram. As you said @sickpuppy , why would they even offer this without the exchanger?

 

its prepping for the dual supercharged LC F coming soon

 

My guess is that pre 24 cars have all the plumbing and hardware going to the square cooling block. For pre 24 models, the cooling block is probably the full extent of the transmission cooling circuit. With the 24 models onwards, they have an additional heat exchanger/oil radiator along with a short plumbing run to the cooling block

a short list of part numbers would probably be all you need to retrofit the trans cooler into pre 24 cars. Having said that i genuinely think most of us do not need it, seeing as 99% of us will never bring the LC to a race track. I've absolutely caned this car in some very hot conditions on regular roads in manual mode and never once encountered the trans overheat warning

 

i expect because it's not intended as a retrofit kit only to replace if those parts go bad on a car that has it already.

in your dreams.

 

I've done the Lexus Performance Driving School last year and this year, for this year they specifically ran the main track LCs in Sport rather than Sport S+ to keep the transmissions from overheating. My buddy last year at COTA put his in Sport S+ and it overheated after ~3 laps. I ran mine all day in Sport with no issues. When the instructors do hot laps at the end of the day it's always in the -F cars -- GS-F, RC-F -- because those can handle the track use.

I think you're absolutely right that most of us don't need it, but just for transmission longevity I'd rather have the cooler. If it reduces the normal operating temp by ~20-30 degrees, that seems better for longevity than letting it run hotter but below the overheat warning point. If a ~$80K RC-F has a trans cooler, there's no reason that this car shouldn't.

 

What is basis for S being 60 cars? If S means S package it is normal h or V8 coupe with carbon roof, sport seats etc. and shouldn't be in any way limited production model.

 

Did anyone ever get an update on this? Do the '24's have the trans coolers?

 

Based on looking at different models for ‘24 (not the 500h) in North America, I have only seen the radiators on Inspiration Series models.

 

Do we think they can be retrofitted to the non inspiration? I'm planning on getting an LC soon, but trying to decide if it's worth getting a '24 vs earlier... I do plan to track the car some hopefully... Nothing crazy tho.
been looking at 21-23s, but if the 24s have solved the overheating issues then that would be a reason to get a newer one. From what I've seen, driving in Sport as opposed to Sport+ will get you More run time without overheating, but will still eventually overheat unfortunately...

 

Aux cooling is beneficial to most all engines, I always opt for this option if/when available and can appreciate the desire for it here. My BMW M850 has it, amongst other goodies the package has a larger and more powerful cooling fan, and an additional oil cooler.

 

LPDS runs the LC500 coupes in Sport rather than Sport+ all day on their main tracks without overheating, switch to Sport+ and they're overheating consistently after 3 laps. I'd be surprised if you can overheat it in Sport mode.

I'm hoping that the cooler can be retrofitted but it's looking like a lot of work. If anybody at Lexus is reading this, if you'd like to sell me a 3rd LC (because I love negotiating trade-in with your dealers) make the trans cooler an option on bespoke builds.