Hello everyone!
I'm new to this forum and Lexus - thinking about getting 09 LS460 AWD. Enjoy reading all the posts but haven't come across any that mention something about power upgrades for these cars. I understand that LS is all about refinement and comfort but hypothetically speaking are there any companies out there that offer any types of upgrades - ecu tunes, headers etc? I drove a couple of 08 LS460 and love the power yet coming from C55 amg would want to have a bit more punch without voiding the warranty.
Once again great forum and thanks in advance for any input!
Eugene

 

Hi

Even if mechanically possible like the old days, electronically will not be feasible.

It will take some research to re optimize the timing, and the result most likely does not justify the cost.

If you want more power you may consider the ls600

 

I see what you're saying - there might be not enough demand for a ECU upgrade to justify developing one. It seems that demographically LS is not what you might call 'performance oriented' car. At the same time it looks like LS' V8 is a gem and with the right approach I'm sure more power could be safely squeezed out of it. Also, do you think that LEXUS's F division will ever consider laying their hands on LS? MB has S63/S65, AUDI has S8 why not LS-F or something?

 

don't hope for ecu upgrade. i have yet to see one for any lexus

if you take out the ecu, put in stand alone, spend a lot of money on a good shop to tune it, rebuilt the engine, i am sure 500hp is easy (even the previous 4.3L was capable of that already)

but find a shop, that's the problem

ls-f? i doubt

 

With regard to top speed anyway, power is not the limiting factor on the LS, the governor (or ECU) is. Lexus has been credited with saying that 170 mph is easily achievable with an untethered power plant. So increasing the engine HP would be somewhat futile, imho.

 

Thank you for your inputs rominl and Burnaby, you both make excellent points. I want to clarify that I'm not looking for top speed per say but more of the ability to make short quick accelerations while on the highway - I do lots of highway driving with long straight aways. With my current C55 I love the feel of endless torque available pretty much at any point. I also understand that to have the same feel in a much bigger car I would need to step up to Audi S8 or MB S63 and I just don't see myself using them as daily drivers with about 30K miles per year (my average for the past 4 years). That's why LS is such an appealing alternative - same if not more amenities for almost half the price. And if I would be able to get LS for close to the invoice - and according to this forum it has been done - then I wouldn't mind putting saved money in something like custom ECU tune.