EJC

Tomorrow I drop off the '02 for the installation of new brakes, SS lines, and coil overs. In seaching for parts, it seems that '02-'03 is a tough model to find fits for. Couldn't find Brembos for it, found this setup at Horsepowerfreaks.com.They were real helpful in putting everything together. The setup didn't come cheap $4500 for th package.

Not sure how it will end up, but we're thinking of lowering the car 2" in front and 1.5" in the rear.


K-Sport Kontrol Pro Coilovers w/ camber adjustment.





The Rotora Big Brake Kit comes with SS lines, 12" drilled & slotted Rotors, 4 piston front calipers w/ pads and 2 piston rear calipers w/ pads.

HYPERBOY

nice!!! cant wait for more pixxx!!!!!

good luck

masboy

iTrader: (30)

holy smoke EJC !! can't wait to see it !!! i have 03 Es300....and been WAITING for someone to do this !!

bookmark +

EJC

As part ofthe project I put 17" rims on the ES in September.
In the event you missed it here's the link

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...ew-wheels.html

PlatES300

iTrader: (1)

very nice parts. hopefully you have some better luck with the ksports. I hope they're better than what they used to be.

EJC

The ES went to the shop yesterday.

Day 1: Brakes

The Brakes went on relatively smoothly. There was one minor problem with the rear brakes. There was a plate spot welded on that interferred with the rotor seating because of the parking brake. This was apparently not a critical part, it was removed and the brakes seated just fine.

Day 2: @#$@#$@#$#@$&(^!!!!!!!!!!

I got a call from my mechanic mid-day. The struts are in, they where in their highest/longest position, he lowered the car and the fender is sitting on the sidewall!!!!!

He takes some measurements, the Back Space on the New wheels is geater than the Lexus Wheel. The wheel is sitting a bit farther out than the OEM wheel. First guess this is the problem and we need a new wheel!!!. The old wheels no longer fit because of the new brakes so we can't pop them back on temporarily. We check with the tire shop the wheels were a match for a non-modded ES300, they'll get back to us with options. We Call Lexus to see if an '04 Lexus 17" wheel will work, need to get back to us with measurements.

Call the Strut supplier and then the manufacturer (K-Sport). It turns out that the struts are delivered in the most common setting for California. There is a crash nut at the bottom that needed to be loosened, once this is done the strut can be lengthed adequately. GREAT DIRECTIONS THEY PROVIDE WITH THESE THINGS!!!! Problem is now solved.

Here are some pics, more to follow when the job is done.

The front brake and strut in place.



The rear Brake and Strut in place.



Rear Strut & brake lines.



Front Strut & Brake lines

mildawg

dude keep us posted its gonna look awesome, how much did the break rotors and everything cost? will it fit on a 00ES?

HYPERBOY

mildawg thoughs parts are for a 2002 thats a gen 4 u have a gen 3 but there are some bign brake kits for the 2000 by ksport and ksport makes coil overs alsoo

EJC

As Midawg states, your car is the prvious generation, but frankly you have more options available than the '02-'03 generation.

I purchased the parts through http://www.horsepowerfreaks.com/

They were very helpful with information, putting the package together, and getting us out of trouble.

As to costs:

K-Sport set of 4 coilovers $975

Front Rotora Big Brake Kit - 12" Rotor, 4 Piston caliper w/pads, SS Line - $1858
Rear Rotora Brake Kit - 12" Rotor, 2 Piston caliper w/pads, SS Line - $1579

Total w/ shipping $4513.90

And I just can't wait to see the installation bill

mildawg

haha labor shouldn't be TOO bad, and yes i know they are different gen.s i was wondering if there are some interchangable parts in between generations that will still work for the older models

EJC

Just got the word, the ES is ready.
Will pick it up tonight.

The report from the shop:

2" drop up front no rubs
1.75" in rear.
No problem with the Camber adjustment up front, rear is off 3deg.

Ride is good
Brakes outrageous.

Shop cost $1900 for 2 days labor, bracket fabrication for the brake lines, unexpected parts, and alignment.

tires and wheels in Sept ran $1000.

Suspension and brake part $4513

Total for project: $7413 (somewhere around 75% of the book value of the car.)

most of the work was going to have to be done anyway. Car needed tires, it was time to flush the brake line, car was coming up on needing brakes


PICTURES OF FINAL PROJECT AND RECAP TO FOLLOW

EJC

Just picked the ES up.

Very noticeable difference in the ride home.

Ride is much stiffer than the stock '02s mushmobile ride.
Car seems to be more sure of itsself and definitely less wheel tuck on turns.
Brakes are like stepping into a pot of glue.

So far no regrets and it would appear to be worth the expense.

More pics of the finished car to follow with hopefully a better analysis.

masboy

iTrader: (30)

gotta add this....

Enjoying 2" drop up front no rubs + 1.75" in rear + no problem with the Camber adjustment + ride is good + brakes outrageous = PRICELESS

well done....i'm gonna be behind you someday....or maybe I will or.....whatever. anyway, love the brake !!

more pics please...

charley240

iTrader: (6)

nice stuff you got there.
not to be a *****, but is there anything specific that you are doing with the car, track, autox?
keep us updated, and what wheels did you end up going with?
Charley

EJC

Charley240 you're not being a *****, I think those are valid questions, especially if others might be considering similar changes. No I don't take it to the track or autocross. We ownn this one (lease our others) and I decided to have some fun.

First, here are a couple of shots of the wheels on the car BEFORE the work was done:





The wheels a Keonig Maxxim Vigors - 17" with Hankook 215/55 17 Ventus H105s. The car immediately became quieter and handled noticeably better.

After I originally posted the pics a couple of guys here suggested lowering the car and painting the calipers.

I carried things a bit farther. The car has 36K Miles on it and we purchased it new in '02. Much of the maintenance I just did was going to have to be done anyway - Brake fluid change, tires were old, pads getting worn etc. So I was going to have to put some money into the car anyway. I decided to have some fun doing it.