New member w/ 1st Gen LS400
09-14-01, 03:31 PM
#1
Pole Position
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Illinois
Posts: 250
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Hi Everyone, I just found ClubLexus a few days ago and am glad I did! I've got a 90 LS400 with 80k that's basically stock except for rim and audio changes. Thankfully, I found ClubLexus this week as my LS just started "burning" power steering fluid. I found the thread regarding the idle up valve and think that may be the culprit.
Anyway, I've got two items on my LS I'd like to fix, but don't know where to get the best deals. Hopefully someone on the list can help:
1) The temp display on the dash has started to darken on the passenger's side (last inch or so). I hear this happens frequently and is expensive to replace. Any bargains to be had on this part?
2) My drivers side seat is starting to degrade. Stitching along bottom coming apart, line where seat belt hits seat starting to rub down and open up and will quickly become a rip. Any suggestions on getting it fixed or replacing it? I have a tan interior (burgundy exterior).
Also, while I'm at it... I've been thinking of replacing the stock torque converter to bump up the initial throttle response. I am familiar with the RMM intake, but also just found the PTS version at levelten.com. Any thoughts on either of them? Anything I should know about this upgrade? And, is the rmm version worth the extra few hundred bucks?
Okay, last thing... The other basic upgrade I am thinking of getting is an air intake. I saw the great thread on various intakes. Does this upgrade make a noticeable power/response difference to the average driver or is the difference mostly in the sound on acceleration? I'd rather not increase operational noise unless I get some power in return.
That's it. I'll try to add a pic of my LS. Many people comment on the color, I guess it's not very common for that year, and the rims. Thanks to all for the great info found in the posts. Learning as I go.
-Chris
roguenode
Anyway, I've got two items on my LS I'd like to fix, but don't know where to get the best deals. Hopefully someone on the list can help:
1) The temp display on the dash has started to darken on the passenger's side (last inch or so). I hear this happens frequently and is expensive to replace. Any bargains to be had on this part?
2) My drivers side seat is starting to degrade. Stitching along bottom coming apart, line where seat belt hits seat starting to rub down and open up and will quickly become a rip. Any suggestions on getting it fixed or replacing it? I have a tan interior (burgundy exterior).
Also, while I'm at it... I've been thinking of replacing the stock torque converter to bump up the initial throttle response. I am familiar with the RMM intake, but also just found the PTS version at levelten.com. Any thoughts on either of them? Anything I should know about this upgrade? And, is the rmm version worth the extra few hundred bucks?
Okay, last thing... The other basic upgrade I am thinking of getting is an air intake. I saw the great thread on various intakes. Does this upgrade make a noticeable power/response difference to the average driver or is the difference mostly in the sound on acceleration? I'd rather not increase operational noise unless I get some power in return.
That's it. I'll try to add a pic of my LS. Many people comment on the color, I guess it's not very common for that year, and the rims. Thanks to all for the great info found in the posts. Learning as I go.
-Chris
roguenode
09-14-01, 07:16 PM
#3
Search Function Inc.
Hi and Welcome.
1) This is a very common problem with any Lexus. All you can do is to buy the new unit from Steve Gantz (he'll give you a better price then most dealers) and do some insolation to prevent something like that happening again.
2) First of all, buy a "Toyota" seatbelt pad and put it where it rubs against the seat. The best bet is to go to a place where they recover the seats and such with new leather and ask them this question. This sounds weird to me because my car is older then yours and the seats are holding up very well.
I don't believe there is a difference in performance between RMM and LEVELTEN Torque Converters since both companies specialise in Lexus. There is not much you can mess up in a TC really. Thing that you wanna know before getting that TC is that your car will be consuming a lot more fuel. Also with RMM you mostly pay for the name then performance.
With SRT Intake/ECU combo you would get some extra HP but since you are into acceleration a lot, you need to work on your torque more then HP. SRT combo is much better then RMM intake and I would choose that without any doubt.
1) This is a very common problem with any Lexus. All you can do is to buy the new unit from Steve Gantz (he'll give you a better price then most dealers) and do some insolation to prevent something like that happening again.
2) First of all, buy a "Toyota" seatbelt pad and put it where it rubs against the seat. The best bet is to go to a place where they recover the seats and such with new leather and ask them this question. This sounds weird to me because my car is older then yours and the seats are holding up very well.
I don't believe there is a difference in performance between RMM and LEVELTEN Torque Converters since both companies specialise in Lexus. There is not much you can mess up in a TC really. Thing that you wanna know before getting that TC is that your car will be consuming a lot more fuel. Also with RMM you mostly pay for the name then performance.
With SRT Intake/ECU combo you would get some extra HP but since you are into acceleration a lot, you need to work on your torque more then HP. SRT combo is much better then RMM intake and I would choose that without any doubt.
09-14-01, 07:37 PM
#4
Welcome rouguenode.
There was a past thread on how to fix the power steering pump it is somewhere on in the LS forum.
Yes,Steve Ganz has the best prices.
Contact him at gonzo4u@earthlink.net
or
http://www.carsontoyota.com
he is the parts and asscessories manager
I have a rip becuase I was scrubbing the lining to hard,but it was to hard to put back together.
As for Intakes,I would wait for the SRT intake to be developed for the 1st gen LS 400.It will be the best one available.
There was a past thread on how to fix the power steering pump it is somewhere on in the LS forum.
Yes,Steve Ganz has the best prices.
Contact him at gonzo4u@earthlink.net
or
http://www.carsontoyota.com
he is the parts and asscessories manager
I have a rip becuase I was scrubbing the lining to hard,but it was to hard to put back together.
As for Intakes,I would wait for the SRT intake to be developed for the 1st gen LS 400.It will be the best one available.
09-15-01, 07:22 AM
#5
Pole Position
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Illinois
Posts: 250
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Thanks for the Welcome's everyone.
I'll email Steve Ganz about pricing for the display and idle-up valve. Thanks for that contact info edogg. I'll look through previous posts, etc. to see about getting instructions to install those parts. Valve shouldn't be much trouble, who knows about the display though. Never have liked messing with dashboards. Always seems like they are never as quiet once they've been apart.
Great idea about the seat belt pad. That should slow the progress of the rip. Ultimately, I would like to replace it though. Should have bought that the early ls 400 seats I saw on ebay a while back. Retrodrive-- The car is in beautiful shape other than that seat. Paint, rest of interior, all other seats, leather areas look great. Previous owner was a pretty large man, maybe that made a difference(?).
I'll look into the srt/ecu combo. Price will probably be the deciding factor. I want to drop around 2 grand into the car over the next 6-9 months. I'm hoping to fix that seat, idle-up valve, display, and then improve 0-60 acceleration a touch (torque converter). My plan is to keep the car another year or two then move to a newer ls or gs.
Btw, I'd also like to improve the braking, but don't really want to drop 4 digits on it. Looking more for improved stock size rotor and brake pad combo. Right now I'm leaning towards Bradi cross-drilled rotors in stock size. If anyone has run these I'd love to hear about it. Not sure what pads may be an improvement from stock.
Thanks for the ideas. If I buy the rotors this weekend I'll wait to post car pics until I have the new ones on the car.
I'll email Steve Ganz about pricing for the display and idle-up valve. Thanks for that contact info edogg. I'll look through previous posts, etc. to see about getting instructions to install those parts. Valve shouldn't be much trouble, who knows about the display though. Never have liked messing with dashboards. Always seems like they are never as quiet once they've been apart.
Great idea about the seat belt pad. That should slow the progress of the rip. Ultimately, I would like to replace it though. Should have bought that the early ls 400 seats I saw on ebay a while back. Retrodrive-- The car is in beautiful shape other than that seat. Paint, rest of interior, all other seats, leather areas look great. Previous owner was a pretty large man, maybe that made a difference(?).
I'll look into the srt/ecu combo. Price will probably be the deciding factor. I want to drop around 2 grand into the car over the next 6-9 months. I'm hoping to fix that seat, idle-up valve, display, and then improve 0-60 acceleration a touch (torque converter). My plan is to keep the car another year or two then move to a newer ls or gs.
Btw, I'd also like to improve the braking, but don't really want to drop 4 digits on it. Looking more for improved stock size rotor and brake pad combo. Right now I'm leaning towards Bradi cross-drilled rotors in stock size. If anyone has run these I'd love to hear about it. Not sure what pads may be an improvement from stock.
Thanks for the ideas. If I buy the rotors this weekend I'll wait to post car pics until I have the new ones on the car.
09-15-01, 01:37 PM
#7
Hey, welcome to ClubLex!
I'm the LS mod here and would gladly answer any questions that I can answer along with other members.
1) The temp display on the dash has started to darken on the passenger's side (last inch or so). I hear this happens frequently and is expensive to replace. Any bargains to be had on this part?
OK, this is a notorious thing known for giving out and very expensive to fix. The best thing to do is just buy a new display. Steve always got the hookups on new stuff and there is always junkyards you can try if the new ones are still expensive. The only thing about this is of course your odometer is different.
2) My drivers side seat is starting to degrade. Stitching along bottom coming apart, line where seat belt hits seat starting to rub down and open up and will quickly become a rip. Any suggestions on getting it fixed or replacing it? I have a tan interior (burgundy exterior).
The LS leather is known to show wear and tear. Mine has cracks all over even though I used every possible leather conditioner known on it every month. You might want to check out junkyards for seats also. http://www.taprecycling.com
3)Also, while I'm at it... I've been thinking of replacing the stock torque converter to bump up the initial throttle response. I am familiar with the RMM intake, but also just found the PTS version at levelten.com. Any thoughts on either of them? Anything I should know about this upgrade? And, is the rmm version worth the extra few hundred bucks?
OK, I have a SRT TC on my car and I recommend it totally! SRT always have some kinda group buy going on for their TC so it will be cheaper to get a SRT TC.
Levelten is way over priced and RMM has some CL members mad over their service dept.
4)Okay, last thing... The other basic upgrade I am thinking of getting is an air intake. I saw the great thread on various intakes. Does this upgrade make a noticeable power/response difference to the average driver or is the difference mostly in the sound on acceleration? I'd rather not increase operational noise unless I get some power in return.
I have a RMM intake and personally can't wait until the SRT intake comes out because the RMM is just a waste of money! It does give a feel of more HP and a little more grrrrgrrrr to the engine but aftermarket intake adapter and air intake cone can give you the same thing for $60-$80 compared to the $250 on the RMM. If the SRT combo does on the LS as it does on the GS and IS it is well worth thr wait and $$$$ extra.
All and all good luck on what ever you do to your LS and welcome.
Hey edogg I forgot, what body kit and how much was it that I want?!
I'm the LS mod here and would gladly answer any questions that I can answer along with other members.
1) The temp display on the dash has started to darken on the passenger's side (last inch or so). I hear this happens frequently and is expensive to replace. Any bargains to be had on this part?
OK, this is a notorious thing known for giving out and very expensive to fix. The best thing to do is just buy a new display. Steve always got the hookups on new stuff and there is always junkyards you can try if the new ones are still expensive. The only thing about this is of course your odometer is different.
2) My drivers side seat is starting to degrade. Stitching along bottom coming apart, line where seat belt hits seat starting to rub down and open up and will quickly become a rip. Any suggestions on getting it fixed or replacing it? I have a tan interior (burgundy exterior).
The LS leather is known to show wear and tear. Mine has cracks all over even though I used every possible leather conditioner known on it every month. You might want to check out junkyards for seats also. http://www.taprecycling.com
3)Also, while I'm at it... I've been thinking of replacing the stock torque converter to bump up the initial throttle response. I am familiar with the RMM intake, but also just found the PTS version at levelten.com. Any thoughts on either of them? Anything I should know about this upgrade? And, is the rmm version worth the extra few hundred bucks?
OK, I have a SRT TC on my car and I recommend it totally! SRT always have some kinda group buy going on for their TC so it will be cheaper to get a SRT TC.
Levelten is way over priced and RMM has some CL members mad over their service dept.
4)Okay, last thing... The other basic upgrade I am thinking of getting is an air intake. I saw the great thread on various intakes. Does this upgrade make a noticeable power/response difference to the average driver or is the difference mostly in the sound on acceleration? I'd rather not increase operational noise unless I get some power in return.
I have a RMM intake and personally can't wait until the SRT intake comes out because the RMM is just a waste of money! It does give a feel of more HP and a little more grrrrgrrrr to the engine but aftermarket intake adapter and air intake cone can give you the same thing for $60-$80 compared to the $250 on the RMM. If the SRT combo does on the LS as it does on the GS and IS it is well worth thr wait and $$$$ extra.
All and all good luck on what ever you do to your LS and welcome.
Hey edogg I forgot, what body kit and how much was it that I want?!
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