LS430 Top Speed? (merged threads)
10-10-18 | 01:34 AM
#53
Driver
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 118
Likes: 9
From: BC
Top Speed of an unrestricted LS430?
Hey everyone, so I was just watching videos about the Bonneville salt flats and got me thinking what top speed the LS430 might be able to achieve on a test track under ideal conditions?
From what I have gathered the european models can get to 160 mph or 260 km/h...
If 160 is the upper limit on a stock LS430, then what would it take to get to say 165, 170, 175 ? Would it require major changes to the drivetrain or just a matter of adding more HP?
Also, I have read that the drag coefficient on our LS430's is quite low...what does this mean for an LS430 that is trying to achieve beyond 160 mph...would there be enough downforce to keep the car stable or would one want to add a spoiler?
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From what I have gathered the european models can get to 160 mph or 260 km/h...
If 160 is the upper limit on a stock LS430, then what would it take to get to say 165, 170, 175 ? Would it require major changes to the drivetrain or just a matter of adding more HP?
Also, I have read that the drag coefficient on our LS430's is quite low...what does this mean for an LS430 that is trying to achieve beyond 160 mph...would there be enough downforce to keep the car stable or would one want to add a spoiler?
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Last edited by kaizmauka; 10-10-18 at 01:53 AM.
10-10-18 | 05:18 AM
#54
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 208
Likes: 3
From: Dubai
I guess 270 km/h is max. But noat that yes the LS have low CX (drag) but it is not stable at high speeds, at about 140-160 km/h it gets floaty as ther is not much in downforce. That is why the CX is low, down force carts drag. back then the aim in low CX was for quietness not speed. To generat more downforce you sacrifice top speed.
Hop this explains it.
Hop this explains it.
10-10-18 | 06:15 AM
#55
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,491
Likes: 372
From: PA
imho the problem with Japanese cars at high speed has always been not enough suspension for the motor. For example, 1998 Nissan Maximas were restricted to 112 on the GXE, yet unbridled on the SE. So people had pics all day long on the web with the speedo at around 140 mph. The car wasn't as soft as a LS430, but it was pretty soft and not safe at that speed. Especially given the tiny brakes. Even the brakes on the LS430 are inadequate imho when compared to a comparable German car. 165, 170, 175, I personally don't think it's a good idea, and this is coming from someone who was caught 155 in a 55 on the NYS Thruway. As the saying goes, you can outrun Motorola, but you can't outrun a Bell 430. (in reality many Porsches etc. can).
10-10-18 | 01:57 PM
#57
Moderator
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,902
Likes: 209
From: Alabama
I have seen videos of LS430's being driven in one or more Mideast counties at about 165mph. I agree that is way too fast for the OEM suspension and brakes on the LS. I have had my car up to about 110 and it felt very stable at that speed, but I would not take over 120.
10-11-18 | 01:40 PM
#59
I have a decent amount of handling mods and I have taken my car to 120 something it was super sketchy the cars are not meant to go that fast end of story. They are 3990 pounds so your 4000 plus pounds with a driver that is a tremendous amount of weight the suspension is dealing with while going that fast.
The cars also reliant on the CD of .26 I think?
The cars also reliant on the CD of .26 I think?
10-12-18 | 06:37 AM
#60
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Germany
Hallo,
I'm driving my LS 430 on german Autobahn. The topspeed of my euorpean spec LS with air suspension ist electronical limited to 250 kph (155 mph) as the most of the BMW and Mercedes cars here.
No problems at this speed!
I'm driving my LS 430 on german Autobahn. The topspeed of my euorpean spec LS with air suspension ist electronical limited to 250 kph (155 mph) as the most of the BMW and Mercedes cars here.
No problems at this speed!