Why is the SC430 so slow?
01-11-2001, 11:18 PM
#1
Three Wheelin'
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Why is the SC430 so slow?
From Edmunds.com
"The new SC is plenty sporty no matter what tires you choose, thanks mainly to the performance of the new 4.3-liter V8. This is the same engine used in the LS and GS Sedans, but in SC guise, the double overhead
cam powerplant produces 300 horsepower at 5,600 rpm, 10 more than the LS 430 and matching the GS 430. Thanks to the powerband-stretching abilities of VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) technology,there's also 320 foot-pounds of torque at 3,400 rpm, good enough to launch the SC to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds says Lexus, nearly half a second faster than the LS 430 and a distinct improvement over the last SC 400 Coupe we tested. The quarter-mile takes 14.4 seconds, according to Lexus, and the top speed is governed to 156 mph. Despite this enviable performance, the SC still manages EPA fuel economy ratings of 18/23 for city and highway, no doubt aided by its 0.31 coefficient of drag (0.30 if you opt for the rear spoiler)."
I wonder if these numbers are understated? These numbers are quite cloe to a stock CLS.
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Black/black CL Type S Comptech springs, headers. Soon to have Konis and Comptech sway bars. PIAA 19169, Solaris high beams. Potenza RE730's 225/45/ZR17
...And I wonder where my money goes!
"The new SC is plenty sporty no matter what tires you choose, thanks mainly to the performance of the new 4.3-liter V8. This is the same engine used in the LS and GS Sedans, but in SC guise, the double overhead
cam powerplant produces 300 horsepower at 5,600 rpm, 10 more than the LS 430 and matching the GS 430. Thanks to the powerband-stretching abilities of VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) technology,there's also 320 foot-pounds of torque at 3,400 rpm, good enough to launch the SC to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds says Lexus, nearly half a second faster than the LS 430 and a distinct improvement over the last SC 400 Coupe we tested. The quarter-mile takes 14.4 seconds, according to Lexus, and the top speed is governed to 156 mph. Despite this enviable performance, the SC still manages EPA fuel economy ratings of 18/23 for city and highway, no doubt aided by its 0.31 coefficient of drag (0.30 if you opt for the rear spoiler)."
I wonder if these numbers are understated? These numbers are quite cloe to a stock CLS.
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Black/black CL Type S Comptech springs, headers. Soon to have Konis and Comptech sway bars. PIAA 19169, Solaris high beams. Potenza RE730's 225/45/ZR17
...And I wonder where my money goes!
01-11-2001, 11:24 PM
#2
teh Senior Instigator
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it's heavy and those numbers are still manufacturer numbers...it should be quicker
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pays to be young and crazy
-99 acura 3.0 CL
-58 Caddy Eldorado Biarritz
-55 chevy suburban (chopped dropped tubbed)
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pays to be young and crazy
-99 acura 3.0 CL
-58 Caddy Eldorado Biarritz
-55 chevy suburban (chopped dropped tubbed)
01-12-2001, 12:36 AM
#3
Three Wheelin'
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Ok.. I'm confused... since when is 0-60 in 5.9 seconds slow?? That's at least 1/2 second quicker than a CL-S. Not what I'd call "similar". I've read 5.8 for the GS400 and most people admit that those will easily whip a stock CL-S. The SC430 is bound to be fairly heavy, so I don't think it'll be much quicker than this if any at all. And let's hope Lexus is a little more accurate with these numbers than they were with the IS300!! 
01-12-2001, 12:15 PM
#4
The Creator
It weighs 3,840 lbs. And has a drag of .31
The GS430 weighs 3,715 lbs. And has a drag of .30
They both have 300 horsepower... and the same tranny.
Lexus claims 5.9 and 5.8 to 60 for the SC and GS respectively. C&D just tested the SC430 at 6.1 seconds to 60. Assuming 5.8 is the right number for the GS... 5.9 sounds about right to me. 6.1 is a remarkably fast number for it being a C&D test. You usually only see numbers so close to reality from them if they are testing a bimmer
CLpower: While manufacturers numbers are usually slower then the car actually is. Lexus is not conservative with their numbers at all... they tend to quote numbers lower then most people can obtain under normal conditions.
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2001 Acura 3.2 CL Type-S
San Marino Red (Navigation)
PIAA 19173 Ion Yellow Fog Lights
Aftermarket Black Wood Trim Kit
[This message has been edited by soopa (edited 01-12-2001).]
The GS430 weighs 3,715 lbs. And has a drag of .30
They both have 300 horsepower... and the same tranny.
Lexus claims 5.9 and 5.8 to 60 for the SC and GS respectively. C&D just tested the SC430 at 6.1 seconds to 60. Assuming 5.8 is the right number for the GS... 5.9 sounds about right to me. 6.1 is a remarkably fast number for it being a C&D test. You usually only see numbers so close to reality from them if they are testing a bimmer
CLpower: While manufacturers numbers are usually slower then the car actually is. Lexus is not conservative with their numbers at all... they tend to quote numbers lower then most people can obtain under normal conditions.
------------------
2001 Acura 3.2 CL Type-S
San Marino Red (Navigation)
PIAA 19173 Ion Yellow Fog Lights
Aftermarket Black Wood Trim Kit
[This message has been edited by soopa (edited 01-12-2001).]
01-12-2001, 12:16 PM
#5
The Creator
This is Lexus's disclaimer for their 0-60 times:
"These preliminary performance capacity figures are for comparison only, and were obtained with production or prototype vehicles by professional drivers using special safety equipment and procedures. These should not be attempted on public streets or highways."
------------------
2001 Acura 3.2 CL Type-S
San Marino Red (Navigation)
PIAA 19173 Ion Yellow Fog Lights
Aftermarket Black Wood Trim Kit
"These preliminary performance capacity figures are for comparison only, and were obtained with production or prototype vehicles by professional drivers using special safety equipment and procedures. These should not be attempted on public streets or highways."
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2001 Acura 3.2 CL Type-S
San Marino Red (Navigation)
PIAA 19173 Ion Yellow Fog Lights
Aftermarket Black Wood Trim Kit
01-12-2001, 12:20 PM
#6
The Creator
Also note, the SC has BIG, HEAVY, 18" wheels... while the GS has fairly slender 17" wheels.
------------------
2001 Acura 3.2 CL Type-S
San Marino Red (Navigation)
PIAA 19173 Ion Yellow Fog Lights
Aftermarket Black Wood Trim Kit
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2001 Acura 3.2 CL Type-S
San Marino Red (Navigation)
PIAA 19173 Ion Yellow Fog Lights
Aftermarket Black Wood Trim Kit
01-12-2001, 06:43 PM
#7
Three Wheelin'
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Good points, Soopa! I didn't know the damn thing was so heavy. They also mentioned that it doesn't have the E-shift. I believe that was b/c the 4.3L engine could not get LEV status with the e-shift. That sucks.
------------------
Black/black CL Type S Comptech springs, headers. Soon to have Konis and Comptech sway bars. PIAA 19169, Solaris high beams. Potenza RE730's 225/45/ZR17
...And I wonder where my money goes!
------------------
Black/black CL Type S Comptech springs, headers. Soon to have Konis and Comptech sway bars. PIAA 19169, Solaris high beams. Potenza RE730's 225/45/ZR17
...And I wonder where my money goes!
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01-12-2001, 11:31 PM
#8
teh Senior Instigator
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by soopa:
CLpower: While manufacturers numbers are usually slower then the car actually is. Lexus is not conservative with their numbers at all... they tend to quote numbers lower then most people can obtain under normal conditions.
</font>
CLpower: While manufacturers numbers are usually slower then the car actually is. Lexus is not conservative with their numbers at all... they tend to quote numbers lower then most people can obtain under normal conditions.
</font>
and what company's don't?
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pays to be young and crazy
-99 acura 3.0 CL
-58 Caddy Eldorado Biarritz
-55 chevy suburban (chopped dropped tubbed)
01-13-2001, 02:07 AM
#9
The Creator
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by CLpower:
and what company's don't?
</font>
and what company's don't?
</font>
The TL for example... Acuras press number for the 2000 was something like 7.4 or somethin crazy like that. I think most TL's can get between 6.7-6.9 on the road.
------------------
2001 Acura 3.2 CL Type-S
San Marino Red (Navigation)
PIAA 19173 Ion Yellow Fog Lights
Aftermarket Black Wood Trim Kit
01-13-2001, 02:12 AM
#10
The Creator
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by JZ:
Good points, Soopa! I didn't know the damn thing was so heavy. They also mentioned that it doesn't have the E-shift. I believe that was b/c the 4.3L engine could not get LEV status with the e-shift. That sucks.
</font>
Good points, Soopa! I didn't know the damn thing was so heavy. They also mentioned that it doesn't have the E-shift. I believe that was b/c the 4.3L engine could not get LEV status with the e-shift. That sucks.
</font>
But yea, fuckin SC is heavy... gotta figure those motors to retract the hard-top weigh a good deal... and like I said... those rims gotta be the power that thing actually gets to the road.
The whole car just looks heavy ass hell... but... its a luxury car... a sporty one. So I think it does its job well...
If I can scrounge up 60k... I'll get in line
heheIts just got so many goowidgets and doodads... gotta love it.
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2001 Acura 3.2 CL Type-S
San Marino Red (Navigation)
PIAA 19173 Ion Yellow Fog Lights
Aftermarket Black Wood Trim Kit
01-13-2001, 08:26 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
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What I like about it is the functionality of the climate control and the radio. The car automatically changes the settings for both climate and radio when the top is down.
Another nice touch is the real blonde wood and the fact that when you park it with the top down, the wooden fascia for the radio and the console slide down to conceal those areas.
The designers, so it is said, were sent to the French Riveria for inspiration towards the looks of the car. Any resemblance to yachts is purely intentional.
Negative(?) is the fact that rear seat and legroom is very limited. The measurements are perfect though for shopping bags or golf clubs.
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01 CL Type-S, White\Black\Navi\Comptech Springs+Sways\Burl Shifter\Guards\Smokers Package
[This message has been edited by Al Uminum (edited 01-13-2001).]
Another nice touch is the real blonde wood and the fact that when you park it with the top down, the wooden fascia for the radio and the console slide down to conceal those areas.
The designers, so it is said, were sent to the French Riveria for inspiration towards the looks of the car. Any resemblance to yachts is purely intentional.
Negative(?) is the fact that rear seat and legroom is very limited. The measurements are perfect though for shopping bags or golf clubs.
------------------
01 CL Type-S, White\Black\Navi\Comptech Springs+Sways\Burl Shifter\Guards\Smokers Package
[This message has been edited by Al Uminum (edited 01-13-2001).]
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