My 10 years of glory ls400
07-01-10, 07:08 AM
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My 10 years of glory ls400
The year was 1999 and being a Toyota nut i couldn't believe that you could obtain the flagship for under 10 grand , Took the plunge on a high mile 1989 taupe in color LS with 175,000 on the clock. Put my would be wife in it and used it as a family car.
I put some 18's on it and some clear turning lenses, don't laugh as that was was happening stuff in the year 2000.. lol
Trouble free car for the most part, basic maintenance and every time i got to drive her i thought this is what i really want a Lexus. In the meantime i was driving and building Supras and Corollas. This car led me to build my 1999 GS with a 6 speed 2jzgte, but that's another story all together.
Nothing really exciting happened over the next few years. I painted her and she was good enough for my limo at my wedding.
Most common thing was people thinking your rich with a Lexus little did the now her age and price, even had people at my wifes work try to hit her up for a loan figuring she was well to do. lol
Fast forward to 2010 car is approaching the 300,000 mile mark and im figuring on getting the wife a newer version. the transmission was acting up but still never left her stranded.
I was looking at the 1999 versions as i love the more classic look of the older body style but for the money difference and the fact that i would kick myself if i didn't step it up to the next level. I took the plunge on a 01 430 ultra with 130,000on the clock and didn't hesitate. I'm hoping this one will do me the same way.
The cars trans totally took a dump the day i gave her the new car, Although it did limp to the shop on her own power. Finally its mine, all mine I get to hot rod her up.
Found a junkyard transmission and put it in only to find out it was bad, Ended up building a low milage Aristo Transmission combined with my LS trans and got her on the road again.
Put some of these on
And some of this
to fit these
to get this
and threw in Celsior grill and lights
at this point i figured why stop now,made in intake and had some powder coated valve covers that needed a home.It needed some valve cover gaskets anyhow.
cant stop there, made this
I put some 18's on it and some clear turning lenses, don't laugh as that was was happening stuff in the year 2000.. lol
Trouble free car for the most part, basic maintenance and every time i got to drive her i thought this is what i really want a Lexus. In the meantime i was driving and building Supras and Corollas. This car led me to build my 1999 GS with a 6 speed 2jzgte, but that's another story all together.
Nothing really exciting happened over the next few years. I painted her and she was good enough for my limo at my wedding.
Most common thing was people thinking your rich with a Lexus little did the now her age and price, even had people at my wifes work try to hit her up for a loan figuring she was well to do. lol
Fast forward to 2010 car is approaching the 300,000 mile mark and im figuring on getting the wife a newer version. the transmission was acting up but still never left her stranded.
I was looking at the 1999 versions as i love the more classic look of the older body style but for the money difference and the fact that i would kick myself if i didn't step it up to the next level. I took the plunge on a 01 430 ultra with 130,000on the clock and didn't hesitate. I'm hoping this one will do me the same way.
The cars trans totally took a dump the day i gave her the new car, Although it did limp to the shop on her own power. Finally its mine, all mine I get to hot rod her up.
Found a junkyard transmission and put it in only to find out it was bad, Ended up building a low milage Aristo Transmission combined with my LS trans and got her on the road again.
Put some of these on
And some of this
to fit these
to get this
and threw in Celsior grill and lights
at this point i figured why stop now,made in intake and had some powder coated valve covers that needed a home.It needed some valve cover gaskets anyhow.
cant stop there, made this
07-01-10, 07:08 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2005
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Always wanted to do this just couldn't justify it for the wife. Then reality sunk in the motor started knocking, don't know if i gave it a heart attack or what but it quit. I sat it aside on thinking what i was going to do i was also feeling a little bummed since i just put a few grand in her.
Got my spirit up and went back at her.
took out old blue.
Ordered a 96 jdm motor from my importer with 90 kilometers on it only to find out that the newer motors are interference motors . Ran with it anyhow thinking of all the miles to come.
stripped her down and used the best of both motors, no egr and stripped away any usless stuff.
cleaned up my old harness
Made it all cool
Had to switch it up
Definitely labor intensive, but worth it.
Been driving her for a while and nothing but smiles. She is probably good for the next 10 years, we shall see. I'm also looking forward to 10 years from now where i get to do the same thing to the newer LS.
Thanks for reading , an hoped you enjoyed my LS story.-Robert
All I can say is WOW!!!!!!!1111
