manaray, what sizes and offsets do you have?

 

Manaray,

Really nice pic of the wheels and the brake setup.. With the 543's you really need to upgrade the brake system and your setup is sweet.. You just did the front brakes correct or did you do all 4??

For curiousity sake what would the AP/Stillen package cost??

I think the 543's in chrome wouldn't of been too bling bling (Like you said not too much surface area).. Is there anything special cleaning wise with the diamond cut finish.. For chorme I just give it a coat of wax once or twice a year for the extra BLING..

 

Bitslapper - Here's the setup I'm running:

Front - 20" x 8.5" with a +37 offset - 245/35-20 Nitto 555
Rear - 20" x 9.5 with a +38 offset - 275/30-20 Nitto 555

2Savvy - Thanks! The Brake system is just for the front. I might "upgrade" the rear brakes with slotted rotors...I'm also going to install the TRD brake pads in the rear soon (someone want to buy stock pads with about 9600 miles on 'em? ) If someone decides to make a rear brake upgrade for the GS, I'll get 'em in a heartbeat...hopefully, they'll use AP components (I'd hate to mix and match on the brakes...)

As for the "price", I'm not really allowed to disclose the price that I paid for my setup (due to the sponsorship deal) but retail price of the AP Racing/Stillen setup is like $3200 or so...

As for as cleaning them, nothing special really. They're clearcoated so I just use soap and water...to get into the "bolts", I just used a soft toothbrush (as brake dust from my AP's get in there...with the stock setup, this wasn't a problem as they don't toss out so much brake dust!)...to get the inside of the bolt holes, I use a Q-Tip...getting the INSIDE lip is a pain...you have to either take the wheel off or lift the car (I just lift the car...) And yes, every now and then I wash the BACK (inside) of the rims...I know...I'm sick in the head...

 

Nah your not sick in the head I also do that to the stock chrome wheels.. I even dropped a coat a wax on the back so the brake dust would come off easier.. Hey what can I tell you.. We love our cars.. BTW is there someone on here than can get me better pricing on L-Sportline stuff.. I am seriously interested in getting their suspension package for the SC..

 

Its MY car I drive it 99% of the time, BUT he pays for it and its in his name, so technically it is his. He has a 98 M3 convertible and he's more than cool about me modifying my car, When I turn 18 I get a new car anyways but until then this is my car so I'll make it "my" car. You might think I'm a spoiled kid or whatever but I really don't care what you think. I'll buy the wheels that I can afford with the money I make, not all of the money in my bank accounts. So before you start stereo typing people why don't you try and get to know them first?

 

Chino - No need to get your panties in a bunch...that's why I was asking about the car...I wanted to understand the situation...

I actually respect the fact that you're going to try to fix it up with the money that you make. However, if I were you, I would still save up money and buy wheels that "fit" the car. Don't be so desperate to put on wheels...it'll just look like desperation. You even said yourself that you want "cheap" wheels...why do you want to cheapen the car?

And, you stated that you want a 10" rear, not 8.5" all around. Ok, considering you're broke (according to you), 10" wide wheels will cost more, tires will cost more, you won't be able to rotate so you'll end up needing to replace your tires sooner (which will cost more), etc., etc...AND you want to get 19's....hehehehe...that's funny.

I really think you need to re-evaluate your situtation here. Fixing up cars cost money. Fixing up LUXURY cars cost even more. You don't sound like you're in a stituation to be fixing up a Luxury car. You may have money in the bank and all, but you obviously don't want to spend it (or can't). Either way, if you don't have EXTRA cash laying around, I would recommend NOT fixing up any car you have. Save your money for college instead (wait till you see the prices of books nowadays! :eek: )

Kids nowadays crack me up...they all have to be big pimpin' and ****...Chino, for someone your age (you must obviously be under 18) to be driving a new GS430 around is already dope (consider this, you have better car than most people on this board that are twice your age). Don't you think that's good enough? Be glad you're not driving around some '85 Ford Escort with a bad cylinder, leaking head, and a hole in the muffler....or even worse, taking the BUS!

Seriously, if you don't APPRECIATE what you have (because trust me, you have more than most people your age), then yeah, I would have to say you're spoiled.

But hey, it's "your" car, it's your money...you do, whatever you think you gotta do...

 

Thanks and I will. My college is paid for so I either spend money on my car or having fun. The reason I want staggered wheels is because when I get my TC I'll need the wider tires so I can get the better launch. Cars are life for me I'll have a job at an import tuning shop pretty soon and I plan on dumping every pay check back into that shop. If you had any idea what I'm like you'd understand cars are my life and my life is good.

 

Ok, well I know WHY you would want staggered wheels, but you were talking about doing it "cheap" and staggered wheels are not "cheap" to buy or maintain. That's why I was questioning that.

If you're going to do some serious mods like a TC and such, you should consider doing serious rims...it's not going to do you any good to get a few ticks off your 0-60 with a TC if you buy heavy *** wheels that slow down your car a few ticks...know what I mean?

Get some nice light wheels like 18" Volk TE37 or 18" Racing Hart CP-035's (as they're very, very light rims), with a nice fat 9.5" or 10" rear with a sticky 275 out back...it'll improve your launch w/o even using a TC.

Personally, I would do suspension first. The GS430 is plenty fast in stock form but it's handling isn't that impressive. 19's will look funny if you don't at least lower the car. Before get your wheels, I recommend you do the TRD Sways (Front and Back), LCB, and pick out a pair of STB (Front and Back, doesn't matter if the brands match)...then I would look into lowering the car either by Coilovers or a shock/spring combo....THEN I would worry about the rims.

If cars are truly your life, then SHOW it...By putting crap on your car only shows you don't know jack about doing up cars (at least to people who do know)...hopefully, the performance shop that you'll be working for isn't the type of shop that puts yellow stickers and Altezza-like APC lights on their $1500 salvage title Civics and call it track-ready race car (or front it like it is)

Remember, if you're going to bother doing it, do it right! Don't half-*** it if "cars are life"!

Remember, we're here for you

 

amen chino!... I have the same problem, but I live within my college needs...

 

Oh yeah...DO NOT BUY KNOCK OFFS or cheap rims....no offense to the handful on this board...do it right the first time...or I my case...second time...

 

Hmmm.. Maybe Bit (Aka Da Bitslapper) is wearing off on Manaray.. But Chino the man knows his sh*t and most of us agree if you are gonna mod up a luxury car like the GS or any other high end import then you have to do it right..

Its great that your dad lets you drive the GS much less modify it.. My old man had a '74 Vette with a 454 and the day I got my license he sold it.. In retrospect I probably would of killed myself in it but the money that he got for that car helped put me through University and many moons later I am doing pretty well.. Anyways long story short.. Financially you seem in good shape so like Manaray said do it right or don't waste your money.. We're not trying to be hard on you but Lexus's motto is "the relentless pursuit of perfection" and putting GETTO wheels on brings the car down a notch or two..

Ask the guys here alot of questions before you start to mod because even if "cars are your life" it doesn't mean you know everything because someone always has a new idea on how to do something better or just as good but cheaper (Not Getto.. There is a difference).. Best lesson you will learn in college is ideas and imagination are ideals that run a society and we're our own little society here "ClubLexus".. Mod for the better not for the worse!

Ok now that I have done my preaching for the evening.. I will bid you all a goodnight and Chino my boy keep us updated on your progress with the GS..