Suspension Springs, shocks, coilovers, sways, braces, etc.

Help needed with 2009 GS450h

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Old 07-27-14, 02:53 PM
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natnut
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Default Help needed with 2009 GS450h

Hi!

I recently bought a 2009 Black GS450h to replace my current 2004 GS300 and need some advice on improving the suspension of my GS hybrid. My GS450h has the electronically adjustable shocks but not the adjustable sway bars.

I have these improvements in mind :

Shocks : F-Sport shocks
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2009/2958.html

Sways : F-Sport full set of front/rear sways or Ultra Racing rear sway
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2009/2889.html
http://www.ultraracing.my/catalog/in...roller=product

Front Strut Tower Bar : TOM's or this Malaysian company called Ultra Racing
http://www.l-tunedparts.com/product/?id=2270
http://www.ultraracing.my/catalog/in...roller=product

Braces :
Front Lower : TOM's or Ultra Racing
http://www.l-tunedparts.com/product/?id=2271
http://www.ultraracing.my/catalog/in...roller=product

Rear Lower : TOM's or Ultra Racing
http://www.l-tunedparts.com/product/?id=2273
http://www.ultraracing.my/catalog/in...roller=product

Rear Links : TOM's or Ultra Raciing
http://www.l-tunedparts.com/product/?id=2275
http://www.ultraracing.my/catalog/in...roller=product

My problem stems largely from the fact that most suspension pieces were developed for the GS350 and there may be incompatibility issues due to subtle differences between the undercarriage of the GS450h compared to the GS350.

For sure the TOM's braces will fit the GS450h but the pricing after shipping to Singapore is simply too much to justify. I have the cheaper option of ordering the alternative braces from Ultra Racing which is practically next door in Malaysia but run the risk that the parts developed for the GS350 won't fit the hybrid.

If there are any forumers who have modded their GS450h suspension and have real life experience to share regarding any compatibility issues, I would dearly love to hear from them.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can share.
Old 08-24-19, 10:36 PM
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natnut
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Just to bump my old thread, I still daily drive my GS450h and I've regained the itch to upgrade the handling of my car.

My question regarding the F-sport shocks and Ultra Racing braces still stands : do the F-sport shocks fit the GS450h and do they severely compromise the ride comfort? Do the Ultra Racing braces, meant for GS350 fit the GS450h?

Any CL members with personal experience with these suspension parts please feel free to chime in.
Old 08-26-19, 01:29 PM
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rl9010
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Originally Posted by natnut
Just to bump my old thread, I still daily drive my GS450h and I've regained the itch to upgrade the handling of my car.

My question regarding the F-sport shocks and Ultra Racing braces still stands : do the F-sport shocks fit the GS450h and do they severely compromise the ride comfort? Do the Ultra Racing braces, meant for GS350 fit the GS450h?

Any CL members with personal experience with these suspension parts please feel free to chime in.
F-sport shocks had a stop sale when I was looking for them. I am not sure if the stop sale has been lifted. As far as the braces are concerned, I am fully toms braced up so believe that they are compatible. The only thing was to make sure to get the non adjustable sway bar braces.

Braces make a huge difference and I will always recommend them.
Old 08-26-19, 07:10 PM
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mr. tetsuo
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to my understanding, the springs/struts are different for the 450h due to the added weight of the battery pack. How much of a difference? I'm not sure. I ran springs made for a 350 and the rears dropped more then the advertised inches because of the weight difference. just food for thought...
Old 08-28-19, 07:20 AM
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natnut
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Originally Posted by mr. tetsuo
to my understanding, the springs/struts are different for the 450h due to the added weight of the battery pack. How much of a difference? I'm not sure. I ran springs made for a 350 and the rears dropped more then the advertised inches because of the weight difference. just food for thought...
Did you get the F-sport shocks as well? I'm not looking to lower my car so I'm keeping my stock springs and just want to improve handling by changing the shocks and adding chassis braces.

If you have the F-sport shocks, how is the ride compared to stock shocks?

I checked the GS450h manual on removal of the hybrid pack and the battery pack weighs 140 pounds.

Last edited by natnut; 08-28-19 at 08:33 AM.
Old 08-28-19, 12:13 PM
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Lwerewolf
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The f-sport shocks are different, no way around it. I guess we have to go custom for any kind of meaningful upgrade to our vehicles - figs, fortune auto, etc.

The braces should fit, potential issues that I've seen are aftermarket sway bars and exhaust systems. The 350/430/450h/460 should be very similar underneath.

You already know about this thread, but still:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/bui...11-gs450h.html
The following 2 users liked this post by Lwerewolf:
natnut (11-30-20), rl9010 (09-18-19)
Old 09-17-19, 10:02 AM
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chrispy
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I've seen 450h owners use a spring spacer in the rear to use normal lowering springs. Coilovers would be the best solution. I'm using F-Sport sways on my 450h without any issues.
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