This is my first post on the forum (thank you very much). As you are about to find out, I'm new at this game and looking for a little help on a few questions. I drive fast on the highway...80 typically, but do a lot of normal driving around town. I now have 95k miles on my Silver 2000 GS 400. Since I paid off my car over a year early, I'm looking to do a few mods (my wife thinks my car looks Ghetto with the spoiler, XM radio installed, and tags, etc so I can't do anything crazy). Nothing outrageous or expensive, just a little to help with performance. Some of you I can tell went all out. I'm not looking to do that. I plan on keeping the car for a couple of years and want to keep my interest in the car

1. I ordered a new SRT intake....will be installed at the end of the month

2. I just received my new TRD Strut Tower for the front (will also be installed at the end of the month).
Do I need / have to have one on the rear as well?

3. Since my 16 in. platinum style rims are slightly bent on all 4 tires, I am looking into 4 new ones sometime this summer. I plan on 18's as the largest size.
- Although I like the staggered look, does it make since to actually get it since I do a lot of traveling and would like to be able to rotate tires around to maximize life on the tread?
- Also, any pics of a (silver) GS with 18's to show good examples would be appreciated

4. Does it make since to replace factory rotors with drilled/slotted rotors for looks. Brembo? or other brakes. Not looking for big brakes though. Also, would like to paint the caliphers (probably black). Anyone else have extra white LEXUS stickers for them?

thanks for any info in advance.

 

Welcome Bobby, I'm in Charlotte as are a few other members. I'll take a crack at some of your questions

Q2. I just received my new TRD Strut Tower for the front (will also be installed at the end of the month).
Do I need / have to have one on the rear as well?
A2 - Nope, the STBs work independently. If you were talking about sway bars, you should do both front and rear.


Q3. Since my 16 in. platinum style rims are slightly bent on all 4 tires, I am looking into 4 new ones sometime this summer. I plan on 18's as the largest size.
A3 - Although I like the staggered look, does it make since to actually get it since I do a lot of traveling and would like to be able to rotate tires around to maximize life on the tread?
Nope, link here with more info https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=164493


- Also, any pics of a (silver) GS with 18's to show good examples would be appreciated
Lots of them in the gallery.
Check this recent thread
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=167444
Also look for pictures of TomTNC (also in Charlotte) and Hameed (among others) in the gallery

TomTNC



4. Does it make since to replace factory rotors with drilled/slotted rotors for looks. Brembo? or other brakes. Not looking for big brakes though. Also, would like to paint the caliphers (probably black). Anyone else have extra white LEXUS stickers for them?
Not rotors, but you'll want to do pads at the same time https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=161779


Please make sure to try the search feature of our forum... we've got over five years of threads and just about everything you can think to ask has been covered many times.

Hope you can make it to some of our local meets sometime.

 

congrats ...great starter mod
do you need a rear yes and no..but ill let Dave answer that ...might want to do TRD sways before

well if you do staggered ..there is no real rotating..some flip their tires
if you do alot of traveling i guess get the same width all around ..better off in the long run
your welcome and welcome to CL

 

thanks guys. Dave, let me know about the next local meet in Charlotte. Will try to hook up with you guys. I really like Tom's rims.

Did I see them on Swift Racing Tech. website...the HRE's 545 or something like that?

 

Sorry didn't label my pics.. Top picture is TomTNC, the bottom is Hameed's GS They are HREs, but I think the 447R model. Tom's rims (actually my old rims) are Piaa Rozza Altra.

 

WELCOME we'll have no problem helping you spend that money