Notices
Build Threads Details on Club Lexus 3GS owner vehicles

Build Log

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 04:14 PM
  #16  
dtd80's Avatar
dtd80
Rookie
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Default

Any pictures of the engine bay with the covers painted? I bet it pops nicely.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 04:45 PM
  #17  
arnieosp's Avatar
arnieosp
Racer
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 36
From: TX
Default

I am just curious, of all that work and all those parts bought and installed, what was "because I needed it" and what was "because I wanted it"?
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2012 | 01:41 AM
  #18  
kuWuPt's Avatar
kuWuPt
Thread Starter
Advanced
15 Year Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 646
Likes: 106
From: NC
Default

Originally Posted by dtd80
Any pictures of the engine bay with the covers painted? I bet it pops nicely.
It pops but haven't put in the plastic covers back in yet, mainly because haven't finished/started on it yet.. but will post pics as soon as it gets done.

Originally Posted by arnieosp
I am just curious, of all that work and all those parts bought and installed, what was "because I needed it" and what was "because I wanted it"?
Technically timing belt service is supposed to be at 90k. Usually the water pump/crank seal/cam seal valve cover gasket etc is not changed. I'm not a big fan of taking things apart multiple times so everything that could deteriorate like seals etc I went ahead and did while everything was apart. Better to do it now than when/if any other seals go bad which would require taking off the timing belt. Saves a lot of time and money especially if a shop is doing it, which is why usually dealerships don't tell you.

As far as the suspension is concerned, the lower ball joint and outer tie rod is a wear and tear item as well so same concept as above changed it out while I was doing everything else. Did it need it? Not necessarily, the lower ball joint yes it needed it, the tie rods, didn't need it. Caster bushing absolutely needed it. The caster bushing is a hydraulic fluid filled bushing which is really soft and wear out over time.
the video shows a stock vs the polyurethane bushing. The upper ball joint seemed fine but I needed camber adjust-ability for later on when I put some wheels on.
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2012 | 08:13 PM
  #19  
AustinSBP's Avatar
AustinSBP
Intermediate
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 296
Likes: 13
From: Louisiana
Default

Originally Posted by kuWuPt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuC1MOS6mkM the video shows a stock vs the polyurethane bushing. The upper ball joint seemed fine but I needed camber adjust-ability for later on when I put some wheels on.

these newer bushings look like they definitely transfer more WAY vibration . seems like the stiffness makes it ride less like a lexus
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2012 | 10:50 AM
  #20  
kuWuPt's Avatar
kuWuPt
Thread Starter
Advanced
15 Year Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 646
Likes: 106
From: NC
Default

Originally Posted by AustinSBP
these newer bushings look like they definitely transfer more WAY vibration . seems like the stiffness makes it ride less like a lexus
Yes it is stiffer, but when lowering the car there is more load on the caster bushing which means it would wear the stock bushing faster and give more tire wear.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2012 | 12:11 PM
  #21  
kuWuPt's Avatar
kuWuPt
Thread Starter
Advanced
15 Year Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 646
Likes: 106
From: NC
Default

Trying to figure out how to mount the tank setup so came up with this. Trying to keep it simple, compact and serviceable. Excuse the horrible cell phone pic.



Reply
Old Oct 15, 2012 | 01:43 PM
  #22  
c-low's Avatar
c-low
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,204
Likes: 1
From: GA
Default

in for the BUILD! lookin good so far!
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2012 | 04:07 PM
  #23  
3GS404's Avatar
3GS404
Lead Lap
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 655
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Default

Baller 👍👍👍 ! Can u post pix of ur car before and after air ride installed ? Thanks
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2012 | 09:35 PM
  #24  
kuWuPt's Avatar
kuWuPt
Thread Starter
Advanced
15 Year Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 646
Likes: 106
From: NC
Default

Thanks guys, will post some pics of it on air in a bit but the car was stock. This is how it looked when I got her.

Reply
Old Oct 15, 2012 | 09:51 PM
  #25  
swtjlsy's Avatar
swtjlsy
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 2
From: CA
Default

nice build so far
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2012 | 11:46 AM
  #26  
kuWuPt's Avatar
kuWuPt
Thread Starter
Advanced
15 Year Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 646
Likes: 106
From: NC
Default

Had the tank painted while it was out..



wrapped the base in black suede and the stand in gloss black.. how it looks assembled.

Reply
Old Oct 22, 2012 | 05:41 PM
  #27  
kuWuPt's Avatar
kuWuPt
Thread Starter
Advanced
15 Year Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 646
Likes: 106
From: NC
Default

Suspension all done. Car as it sits now, aired out -





Cut a hole out for the control arm to help clearance and make alignments easier to do. Excuse the dirty engine bay, needs cleaning. Also, the plastic panels in the engine bay are off to get redone.

Right Side:



Left Side:




Random pics of the engine bay where parts were painted gold & black.




Last edited by kuWuPt; Oct 22, 2012 at 08:27 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2012 | 01:15 PM
  #28  
dtd80's Avatar
dtd80
Rookie
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Default

NIIIICE! I wish I could go lower on my vehicle.....only in my dreams.... The covers come out great! Definitely like the look against the engine bay. It's like you got something special sitting there.
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2012 | 05:41 AM
  #29  
lilSCsteve's Avatar
lilSCsteve
Moderator
15 Year Member
iTrader: (71)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,235
Likes: 10
From: NC
Default

kuWuPt, smart move with the maintenance first...something I usually do before any comestic stuff. Which gives me a piece of mind, plus as you stated saves the "wallet". Now to the meat and potatoes...I like what you did with the paint stuff and air-FTW! so what's next for your GS? Another big up to a fellow NCarolinian!
Reply
Old Oct 27, 2012 | 10:53 PM
  #30  
JDMMUNKY's Avatar
JDMMUNKY
Driver School Candidate
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: FL
Default

i thought the transmission is sealed ?
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:01 PM.