aiight i need everyone's 2 cents, I just got a 98 GS400 and I'm looking into doing some mods to my car, I got about 4K to play with but I wanna know what you all think, should i...
a. get a Alpine Navigation System
pros: navi is so nice to guide you around, it looks slick too.

b. get my ride l-tuned with l-tuned 17x8 inch rims with tires, sport shocks and ecu.
pros: looks tight, crazy flossin

both probably will cause are 4Gs with installation. anyone have comments the more the better.

thanks

 

IMO don't get NAV yet. It's NOT as important as wheels and suspension.

L-Tuned springs, shocks, and ECU will cost you less than a grand. Probably 800~900 installed, but not over 1k. Then you got 3k for wheels.

Don't waste money on L-Tuned wheels and tires. They rip you off bigtime. With 3k you can get some BEST QUALITY 18s with tires, like VolkRacing wheels with great tires. 3k can also get you some ok 19inch with tires. Unless you ABSOLUTELY want 17s, then go with 17s but NEVER L-TUNED wheels/tires because you can get better stuff somewhere else.


Just my 4k cents.

 

thanks for the reply keep them coming...actually i was wondering with the shocks will the car be dropped about an inch or so?

 

K,

with the SPRINGS and shocks the drop ~1-1.2", no more.
imo, the handling and look aspect is MUCH more vital than aftermarket nav. unless your job requires the travel factor, then that is another story.

i do not want to repeat what G stated; he pretty much nailed the point.

 

I agree.

Also, if you want 17s you can probably pick up a set of OEMs (silver or chrome) from someone on the site who's moving up to larger rims for a lot less $$ than the L-Tuned (and I think the OEM 17s are nice looking rims). They're often in the classified section.

 

I'm new to L-tuned options.

Where in the BayArea does one go for the basic upgrades: springs, shocks,
and ECU... for aound $1k?

Appreciate your input.

 

What kind of ECU is everyone talking about? Is it called the L-tunes ECU? Or is it like Dinan or something like that? What's the cost break down per each item?

 

L-tuned ECU is steering ECU. It tightens the steering wheel.

I'd go with aftermarket suspension first before the Nav. I'm all about performance.

 

mmm... Sorry. I used to be a old school ricer. The ECU I know about is the Electronic Control Unit that handles the 'Brain' of the motor. Is this different? How does one install this? What does it stand for? How much is this steering ECU? Sorry for the pestering.

 

THe Steering ECU, just helps to make the feeling of the steering better ( so more sensitive or less ) i forgot, but it does drive better with it. It's a small module, prolly i'm guessing just an IC and that's prolly it. It doesn't control anything but the steering. If you guys want awesome prices on L-Tuned stuff and much more, contact, Steve ( aka SupraTRD ) at Carson Toyota. He gives great prices.

GsNav@clublexus.com

 

I agree with everyone here and get the suspension/handling aspect of the car first then you can get the alpine goodies. Nav is very resourceful for me because I travel alot in the NY/NJ/CT area and that NAV saves me all the time.

Also getting the Nav/Alpine LCD is a cool gadget where strangers just point at it with their friends in amazement

 

Duma,

ECU-a generic name for any computer chip compoment in the car. like you said, engines/motors also have ecus.

in here, we usually refer to the STEERING ECU that is located below the steerin column. since the factory one doe not provide the firmer feeling that most of us like, we get it from STEVE for a discount.

price~$125

PAS,

it does not matter what area you live. one call to steve in s.cal , he will have the l-tune stuff ups to you in no time. of course you need to find someone good to do the install.

for the SUSPENSION upgrade and ecu at under $1k, there are 2 options:

1.complete l-tunes- ~1" drop mild drop, but suits many.

2.eibach springs+BILSTEINS sport shocks - 1.25" drop a bit more aggressive.

or H&R springs+bilsteins-~1.5" drop

eibach costs ~$250 shipped
HR ~$275

Bilsteins(limited lifetime warranty), i can get a set for you to your door at $425 shipped. IMHO, bilsteins is one of the best if not the best shocks mfg. in the world. many car co. such as PORSCHE actually use them as OEM for many parts.

you can call RODNEY at MASWHEELHOUSE in san fran, he is a very cool and knowledegable guy.
william

 

most people are going to look at the exterior of the car not the interior so I say do that first and the interior of the GS is probably one of the best made interiors as of yet all Ive heard about mine is praise and I only have the pioneer setup leave the TV screens and the fancy stuff for later focus on the esentials now like suspension, exaust,intake, TC, LSD so if some kid in a ricer tells you look your driving a granny car show him how much tire smoke comes out of granny's car when you sqweel second gear in his face

 

Aren't the L-Tuned shocks already Bilstein?

-Chris Y.

 

Chris,

l-tuned shocks are OE shocks from japan that were made for the euopean(England) market GS that has the SPORT pkg. option. since US luxury car buyers traditionally prefer softer ride, lexus introduced last year the L-tune goodies for hard core car dudes like us.