KyleCim- 1998 GS400
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: MA
KyleCim- 1998 GS400
Hello Everyone, been lurking around the boards for a while from when I bought and then sold an Sc400 a few years back. Not all that new to Lexus, my wife is on her second ( Rx300 and now a '10 RX350) and this is my second. Car will stay pretty basic, more of a OEM+ type build because I need to keep the car functional and driveability nice. I am a Drag Racer for the most part (Low 10 Second DSM, building a 10/9 second AMC) and have a number of toys and other vehicles but wanted something nicer and a little bigger with the thought kids on the way. Went back and forth on getting another loan on something like a CLS 55/63 AMG but just did not want the payments. This car is clean enough that I would be hard pressed to find another 1 For Sale in the country this nice.
Car is a silver/black leather 98 GS400, 114k miles that spent its life with a Lawyer in Miami until 2013. EXTREMELY clean and well cared for, so much in fact that since I bought it 2 weeks ago I haven't been able to bring myself to drive the car with all the snow and salt we have had. On the initial roadtest I could smell some oil, after driving it home (almost 2 hours away) the smell was far worse and started getting smoke in the cabin after coming to a stop. Turns out the right side valve cover gasket was split and leaking. So pulled that apart and was very happy with what I saw under the V/C.
Modest plans to start- update the taillights, led plate lights and muffler delete within the next 2 weeks. Like everyone, Id love to bag it with some 19" wheels with big lips but I more than likely will go with a 18 or 19" factory Toyota or Lexus wheel (rx350,Highlander, 3GS 18" etc) and a 40mm front 30mm rear RCA to keep a nice ride. We will see! I will update as I do more.
Right side valve cover removed, gasket replacement being done-
Dealer stock photos-
Car is a silver/black leather 98 GS400, 114k miles that spent its life with a Lawyer in Miami until 2013. EXTREMELY clean and well cared for, so much in fact that since I bought it 2 weeks ago I haven't been able to bring myself to drive the car with all the snow and salt we have had. On the initial roadtest I could smell some oil, after driving it home (almost 2 hours away) the smell was far worse and started getting smoke in the cabin after coming to a stop. Turns out the right side valve cover gasket was split and leaking. So pulled that apart and was very happy with what I saw under the V/C.
Modest plans to start- update the taillights, led plate lights and muffler delete within the next 2 weeks. Like everyone, Id love to bag it with some 19" wheels with big lips but I more than likely will go with a 18 or 19" factory Toyota or Lexus wheel (rx350,Highlander, 3GS 18" etc) and a 40mm front 30mm rear RCA to keep a nice ride. We will see! I will update as I do more.
Right side valve cover removed, gasket replacement being done-
Dealer stock photos-
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: MA
Thanks guys, yes they are factory grey/smoked HID lights that are MINT, never seen one in New England that has clean headlights so I was excited.
Right now I am really liking the 19" highlander wheels or the 18" RX350 wheels (wish I could steal my wife's). Also looking at maybe doing the front lower grille black and the section near the tailpipes black as well. Tint will be coming soon as well.
Right now I am really liking the 19" highlander wheels or the 18" RX350 wheels (wish I could steal my wife's). Also looking at maybe doing the front lower grille black and the section near the tailpipes black as well. Tint will be coming soon as well.
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Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: MA
Picked up some things this week and doing the muffler delete as soon as some of the snow/salt washes off up here in MA.
19" Highlander wheels, picked up these 3 for $60ea at a local salvage yard, 4th on ebay $140 shipped. Finding reasonably cheap 19" tires will suck im sure. Will have to decide on suspension but thinking just doing a 40mm front rca 30mm rear and leaving it as is. I have enough cars already that ride like ****.
Hated the outdated look of the 98-00 tail lights, trying out the LED's but a bit weary of them lasting. We will see, also LED plate light housing assemblies came in as well.
19" Highlander wheels, picked up these 3 for $60ea at a local salvage yard, 4th on ebay $140 shipped. Finding reasonably cheap 19" tires will suck im sure. Will have to decide on suspension but thinking just doing a 40mm front rca 30mm rear and leaving it as is. I have enough cars already that ride like ****.
Hated the outdated look of the 98-00 tail lights, trying out the LED's but a bit weary of them lasting. We will see, also LED plate light housing assemblies came in as well.
Last edited by KyleCim; Feb 7, 2014 at 08:17 AM.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: MA
Cookie cutter mods, installed the tails and got the LED plate light assemblies in. Man those things are bright. Ball-joints are up next, have the MOOG (555's) sitting in my truck waiting to go on. Still not driving it, not enough rain to clear up the salt here yet.
Ideally I would like to do an RCA kit when I do the ball-joints but money is to go elsewhere right now. Might wait on putting the wheels on till it is lower as well.
Ideally I would like to do an RCA kit when I do the ball-joints but money is to go elsewhere right now. Might wait on putting the wheels on till it is lower as well.