Nope the suspension does not change. The VSC does let you swing the car around more before stepping in to help keep the shiny side up.
'Sport' Setting
Can someone post a definitive list of what changes when you select 'Sport' mode? I know that the shift pattern is more aggressive, the throttle seems to respond quicker, and the traction control is dialed back. Anything else? Is suspension affected in any way?
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Lexus ---shift modes
Unlike the somewhat predictable engine mods, the reprogramming of the LS's eight-speed automatic is unexpected and groundbreaking. The so-called 8-speed Sport Direct Shift gearbox has two modes: In D, the torque converter is engaged throughout all gear changes to smooth them out (and sap power and time), just as in a conventional automatic. But in manual M mode - controlled by either the gear lever or two blade-like paddles attached to the steering wheel - the converter only twists in first gear, multiplying torque for a fast launch; in gears two through eight the gearbox functions like a two-pedal manual, the torque converter's lock-up clutch providing a direct connection between throttle input and rear-wheel power. In this mode, the IS-F is the fastest-shifting manumatic on the road. It swaps cogs in 0.1 sec, faster than the F1 gearbox in the Ferrari F430, without much bucking or torque interruption - the thing even blips the throttle on downshifts. The ratios between gears three and eight are incredibly tightly spaced and short - to the extent that you question why, in a car with 371 lb-ft of flat torque, you should run through the middle ratios so quickly - but it's the small, stiff gears in this transmission that make such lightning-quick, unmassaged shifts possible. (Also, the Mercedes gearbox only has seven speeds.)
Lexus didn't neglect the IS chassis either, even if the changes here aren't as extensive as those implemented by the F's German competition. The front A-arm suspension has 90 percent stiffer springs and shocks than the IS350, with revised geometry to help mitigate brake dive. In back, the damping and springing rates are up 50 percent, but the rear toe-link bushings are more compliant than the 350's for better toe variation when cornering. Huge 14.2-inch drilled and vented Brembos with six pistons sit under the front wheels, with two-piston 13.6-inchers under the rears.
The sensors in those brakes enable a wide range of functions, bundled together in what Lexus calls Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), which has three modes.
1. Normal keeps traction- and stability-control on at all times.
2. Sport ups the heft of the electronic power steering, raises transmission shift points, speeds throttle response, and relaxes the linear and lateral slip thresholds of the traction and stability systems.
3. You can also turn the whole thing off - press the button with the sliding car icon once to kill traction control, hold it down for three seconds to snuff out stability control. In all modes, ABS and the electronically controlled brake LSD are always engaged.
old$parts
The following info is quoted from motive magazine...Can someone post a definitive list of what changes when you select 'Sport' mode? I know that the shift pattern is more aggressive, the throttle seems to respond quicker, and the traction control is dialed back. Anything else? Is suspension affected in any way?
Unlike the somewhat predictable engine mods, the reprogramming of the LS's eight-speed automatic is unexpected and groundbreaking. The so-called 8-speed Sport Direct Shift gearbox has two modes: In D, the torque converter is engaged throughout all gear changes to smooth them out (and sap power and time), just as in a conventional automatic. But in manual M mode - controlled by either the gear lever or two blade-like paddles attached to the steering wheel - the converter only twists in first gear, multiplying torque for a fast launch; in gears two through eight the gearbox functions like a two-pedal manual, the torque converter's lock-up clutch providing a direct connection between throttle input and rear-wheel power. In this mode, the IS-F is the fastest-shifting manumatic on the road. It swaps cogs in 0.1 sec, faster than the F1 gearbox in the Ferrari F430, without much bucking or torque interruption - the thing even blips the throttle on downshifts. The ratios between gears three and eight are incredibly tightly spaced and short - to the extent that you question why, in a car with 371 lb-ft of flat torque, you should run through the middle ratios so quickly - but it's the small, stiff gears in this transmission that make such lightning-quick, unmassaged shifts possible. (Also, the Mercedes gearbox only has seven speeds.)
Lexus didn't neglect the IS chassis either, even if the changes here aren't as extensive as those implemented by the F's German competition. The front A-arm suspension has 90 percent stiffer springs and shocks than the IS350, with revised geometry to help mitigate brake dive. In back, the damping and springing rates are up 50 percent, but the rear toe-link bushings are more compliant than the 350's for better toe variation when cornering. Huge 14.2-inch drilled and vented Brembos with six pistons sit under the front wheels, with two-piston 13.6-inchers under the rears.
The sensors in those brakes enable a wide range of functions, bundled together in what Lexus calls Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), which has three modes.
1. Normal keeps traction- and stability-control on at all times.
2. Sport ups the heft of the electronic power steering, raises transmission shift points, speeds throttle response, and relaxes the linear and lateral slip thresholds of the traction and stability systems.
3. You can also turn the whole thing off - press the button with the sliding car icon once to kill traction control, hold it down for three seconds to snuff out stability control. In all modes, ABS and the electronically controlled brake LSD are always engaged.
old$parts
Oh man, $10K is pretty scary number for me to spend..It's not the money issue I don't have rather it's sum of it, that scares me..Yeah, I agree with you that Warranty offered with installation is a bargain with Super High Performance..Kinda like Before I was responding to this post I was checking out Mercedes and any one of them equipped with AMG package, instantly price just sky rockets..I mean the price difference is so huge that it's whopping..My Buddy with the CLS55 AMG he paid a hefty amount for that car..Don't get me wrong, the performance is out of this world but in order to get that reliability he definitely paid it..$100K..Whew..
$10K is a really a bargain..Even though I'm shooting for $6k..but oh well..
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