Just had my handling mods installed:
1. L-tuned springs
2. L-tuned shocks
3. L-tuned Steering ECU
4. TRD Sways
5. TRD Front Lower Chassis Brace
6. Toms Rear Lower Chassis Brace
7. L-tuned stainless steel sports muffler
WOW!!!
I don't recognise the way car handles now!!! Simply amazing!!
The car corners as if it is on rails and there is absolutely no body roll whatsoever!!!! I take highway exit-ramps and on-ramps (some that are not short and have nice curves in them) at 95 mph and the car feels rock solid.
I can't believe the difference these mods have made. As far as ride degradation goes - it is almost negligible.
Now I have to install some sound insulation to get rid of the muffler drone at 2000 rpm.
I will post pics of the car this weekend. Even the drop with the L-tuned stuff is just fine. At the back there is barely half an inch gap between the tires and the fender. In the front it is at least an inch or slightly more.
Just dropped off the car at the local Lexus dealer to get the alignment done and they gave me a 2003 Camry (4 banger) loaner. I already miss my sports car!
Thanks again to all the seasoned veterans here (DaveGS4, rominil, bitkahuna, etc. etc) for guiding me in the right direction. This forum is just amazing for the good stuff I have learned here. Intend to stay here for a long time to come.
one question, since install of ltuned shocks/springs any funny noises or clunking sounds going over bumps and dips , did your shop use the oem bump stops and since install any vibration sounds,
you say car rides almost like stock , can u expand on that
Originally posted by lexforlife great to hear you are happy with the set up
one question, since install of ltuned shocks/springs any funny noises or clunking sounds going over bumps and dips , did your shop use the oem bump stops and since install any vibration sounds,
you say car rides almost like stock , can u expand on that
Hi lexforlife
To answer your questions - no clunking sounds going over bumps and dips. The car is just perfect! The shop I used was extra careful with my car (the owner is my brother-in-law and he did the work himself on my car). He used the OEM bump stops with the L-tuned stuff.
When I say my car rides almost like stock, I specifically mean that the car does not ride rough. It is still luxurious - you just feel the bumps a bit more - but that can intepreted in as many ways as there are people who want to talk about it. Personally, I don't want any queasy ness or floating sensations in the car. I want to know exactly what my car is doing - so as far as I am concerned the ride quality is just perfect. It is not harsh or hard, but you feel the road. The up and down motions of the car are very controlled. Around corners, no body roll whatsoever .
As you can imagine I am going around corners much more faster than I normally would simply to feel how the car handles. Once I get used to the new setup, I am sure my driving will calm down somewhat.
Yeah Hameed - We'd like to have you here longer to discuss your experience and share your stories so take it easy on those ramps...95MPH is a little too adventurous!!!
Originally posted by kvoman Yeah Hameed - We'd like to have you here longer to discuss your experience and share your stories so take it easy on those ramps...95MPH is a little too adventurous!!!
Yes 95 mph is a little too adventurous!! Just trying to get used to the car ..... . I don't want to lose my drivers license either.
This is the exact setup I have on my car now (aside from L-Tuned badging that I also have). I did things incrementally (shocks/springs/steering in one shot, sways/LCB in another, exhaust in a third) and the changes were pretty dramatic each time. I can't imagine the difference you're seeing going from stock to the whole kit-and-kaboodle!
Yes, you'll love it. It's a great balance between sport and luxury and exactly what I expect most people on this forum want out of their GS.
I was skeptical of the sways/LCB and the exhaust after installation because the overall feel was so different (stiff on the former; loud on the latter), but after a few weeks I appreciated the pros of the differences so much more than any small cons.
You might also ask your dealer to tighten the steering pretensioner if they haven't already. With the stiff suspension, the slack that's typically allowed will cause vibrations at highway speeds. That adjustment will completely eliminate the vibration AND has the added benefit of increasing steeering weight and feedback!
Originally posted by SCWells72 You might also ask your dealer to tighten the steering pretensioner if they haven't already. With the stiff suspension, the slack that's typically allowed will cause vibrations at highway speeds. That adjustment will completely eliminate the vibration AND has the added benefit of increasing steeering weight and feedback!
Have fun!
Scott
Hi Scott, thanks for the advice regarding the steering pretensioner. The timing is just perfect! My car is still at the dealer for the alignment, so after reading your post I just called them to have them take care of that too!
That's why I love this forum!!!! Posts such as yours can be very timely and useful!
congrats man, sounds like you will love your car EVEN MORE don't drive it too much and forgot work
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Originally posted by rominl congrats man, sounds like you will love your car EVEN MORE don't drive it too much and forgot work
Already did. will probably lose my license too - speeding in this car is so deceptive now. It will become even more so as soon as I put in some good quality sound insulation. My brother-in-law (who put on all the mods in this car) specializes in fixing MB's and very often they have to scrap a late model car that is not repairable (accident or otherwise) and apparently they have very high quality insulation in them. So he will take it out from some cars and put it mine. Again, this will not cost me anything.!!!
The installation of the handling mods did not cost me anything either! (He is family and did refused to take money from me. Will probably buy him some nice gift though).
Originally posted by Hameed It will become even more so as soon as I put in some good quality sound insulation.
Oh yeah - the sound deadening (sp.?) material.
During my stereo install HERE, all doors and rear deck were done. This makes a big difference. I didn't realize it until I sat in a GS with Borlas + SRT intake that didn't have it.
Congrats Hameed, glad to hear you like it (not that I had any doubts )! I think you should take a couple of weeks just to enjoy the recent changes should the weather allow it up north.
Then decide if you want to focus on:
Cosmetic (grill, spoilers, kits, wheels)
More handling mods (six link kit, additional braces, wheels, etc)
Sound (you'd be amazed what just changing speakers out does)
Speed/Power (Torque converter, intake, etc)
It never quite ends
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Originally posted by DaveGS4 Congrats Hameed, glad to hear you like it (not that I had any doubts )! I think you should take a couple of weeks just to enjoy the recent changes should the weather allow it up north.
Then decide if you want to focus on:
Cosmetic (grill, spoilers, kits, wheels)
More handling mods (six link kit, additional braces, wheels, etc)
Sound (you'd be amazed what just changing speakers out does)
Speed/Power (Torque converter, intake, etc)
It never quite ends
Hi Dave,
Thanks!! You're absolutely right! The modding never ends.....
I have always wanted to ask you a question about your cool rims. I am considering the Work Equip Superchromes versus yours. In your opinion, which one is a better quality wheel - yours or the Work Equips? (19 inch is the one I am considering). Which one is heavier? I am baised towards the a lighter rim (so that handling is not adversely affected).
My GS400 modding journal - updated Aug. 07 - Page 56
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