GS_DieHard

After recently test-driving a BMW 540 (for the first time), I was impressed by the great handling and cornering ability. I'll be upgrading in 2-3 months to a GS430 from a '98 GS300. and will definitely make some mods to improve handling. I was thinking about going with a L-tuned suspension and putting in a L-tuned steering ECU.

Do you think these mods will give the GS430 the improved handling like that of a BMW 540? Would adding sway bars, chassis braces, etc. also be necessary to improve handling as good as (or better) than a 540? I enjoy the smooth, comfortable ride of the GS, and wouldn't want to make the ride too stiff or too harsh (the 540 ride would be the most stiff I would go).

Any advice would help!

1niceride

Welcome to the club!

Now to answer your post. L-tuned supension would be a good first step. Then finish the project by getting TRD sways and TRD stb . But to fit the stb you will have to remove the 430's engine cover.

While your at it might as well get the TRD chassis brace as well to tighten up the front some more.

Your handling should be equal or better than the bummer's.

GS4Will

i wholelly agree to the above statements. for the $$$ you saved from NOT getting the 540, only a fraction of it is needed to mod the gs430 for equal or better handling than the 540. these words also came from 3 members who USED TO OWN 540s.

are you going to the meet, GSD? i shop and dine in arcadia a lot.

Manaray

GS_D - To get BETTER handling than the 540, you don't even need to lower it. Just get the following:

1) L-Tuned Steering ECU
2) TRD Strut Tower Bar (STB)
3) TRD Sway Bars for both Front and Rear
4) TRD Chassis Brace

This should all come out to a tad over $1100 in parts (talk to Steve @ Carson Toyota). You can install TRD STB by yourself (really easy). The Steering ECU can also be user installed but it's a little more involved. There is a very nice "install guide" by Y2KGS4 complete with pictures. Here's the link:

https://www.clublexus.com/ecu101.php

As for the sway bars and the chassis brace, most shops (Sprewell, TM Engineering, F1 Motorsports, etc.) can install those parts for $120-$180...Todd over at TM Engineering gives Club Lexus discounts I believe.

Just with those mods (using stock shocks/springs/wheels/tires) will give you a GREAT improvement in handling without sacrificing your ride quality. Night and day difference!

Now if you lower the car (via springs/shocks or height adjustable coil overs) and put some better rims and tires on your car...well, let's just say you won't even be jealous of way a Porsche handles...

gswatkins

Don't forget to put the right rubber on the ground. In my opinion my car out performs a 540. II have met a few here and there and they usually don't meet up after a few turns or or even a straight line run. They always seem to need a direction change rather than pull up along side??? last night on the 405 I ran with a new Lotus. To my surprise we were dead even to 125, where the traffic stopped us. I know my day is coming, but I have not lost to anything yet. 5000K and the car has really found its pace.

Lance

MikeGS4PE

gs4will, the cost of the GS 400/GS430 vs. the 540 BMW are very silimilar?????? I could of gotten a better deal on the 540 at the purchase time of my gs...Lexus...pursuit of perfection, no eye blinking here...lol

Kichgai

Manaray,

Are there any differences with the sway bars on a GS430 compared to a GS400? I was under the impression that there are some differences on the rear assembly.

Kichigai

Kajukenbo

gswatkins,

Do you have any rubbing problem with 275 in the back? You are running 35 on the front and the 40 on the back?
Does that work well for you as far as the look and performance?

GS4Will

My service advisor told me the suspension and sways are the same for the GS since 98.

Mike,

wow, you could get the 540s at good discount?:eek:
a fully loaded gs430(ML+NAV) and a 540 sports pkg. have ~same MSRP(~$56-57k). but the BMW dealers told me their cars are sooo HOT that giving $3000 off is doing me a favor. for me, another lex in the garage it is.
if i had went for the premium pkg gs430, the saving would be even greater.~$45600+fees.

Manaray

Kichgai - There is no difference. I have a GS430 with TRD sways installed and they bolted on w/o a hitch.

GS_DieHard

Thanks guys for all your great input!

I have to admit that I've been deciding between getting a GS430 vs. 540. But now that I know that I can still maintain ride quality but get superior handling with a few mods, I'll have to go with a GS430!!

A fully-loaded GS430 (~$52K) with mods will still be much less than a 540 with sports package (~$56-57K). And the look with lowering and new 18" rims . . . I CAN'T GO WRONG!!

Thanks again, guys. See you at the Meet on Sat.

GS_DieHard

3dog

iTrader: (1)

i understand you have to remove engine cover with the gs 430 to install the trd strutt tower bar. is that also the case with the gs400.

ChuH

No. TRD STB will fit GS400 with engine cover on.

Chu...

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Like Chu said... no problems with the GS4 TRD STB fitting (pic of my 98 GS4 w/ TRD STB below)

LexFather

Manaray is correct. I just drove a 540 6-speed Saturday. Actually, I met the guy from here as it is his car but he had concerns of the stock GS set-up. I told him come to our meet Saturday and he could drive my car.

I took him to some back roads and he drove my car back. We then drove his 540-6 and I drove it back. Both cars acceleration was the same (maybe a tick or 2 off, we could not tell) and his car does drive better than a stock GS, my modded GS easily was the better car in the twisties. The BIGGEST difference was the sways, whereas the 540 was tipping and leaning in the corners, fighting to stay flat, my GS was flat as could be with almost no BODY ROLL. Both cars had similar reactions to bumps in the road.

We both confirmed it and I was very impressed with my car. Now, his 540 was stock, my GS has

TRD STB
TRD LCB
TRD SWAYS
Espiler Springs/L-tuned shocks
245 and 275 18" tires

So the GS can easily outperform a 540. I have an article in Motor Trend where a stock GS did the skidpad in .87 and the L-tuned GS did it in .96, almost a 1G in the skidpad.

Hope this helps. Here she is coming around the corner!