So as you can tell from my FUBAR username, I am a newbie here. I am going to be purchasing a new car soon as my Chrysler is falling apart, so I have come here. The reason I am looking at a lexus, in particular the GS, is because my M3 is becoming boring quite quickly. The maintenance costs coupled with the ungodly prices of aftermarket parts has driven me away from BMW.

I have always been a fan of the power potential that MKIV Supras have, but they're overpriced, hard to find and difficult to get financed. Through some research the road has led me here where I can get Supra influence in a drivable and manageable package.

My question is what is the best car to do this type of work on? So far I know there's the SC300 and GS300. Is it basically any 3.0 V6 model from the mid 90's through early 2000's?

Also, to do a completely streetable conversion making 400-500 rwhp that is safe and reliable what all will be involved? How much would all this cost? I would end up getting a higher mileage model because, obviously, the engine is going to be built up and the suspension can be worked on as well if necessary.

Thanks for reading this rather lengthy thread. I'm going to feel pretty stupid if this is a repost but it's all good. thanks in advance guys! I look forward to joining the community soon.

 

welcome. your chrysler is falling apart and your m3 is boring? I came from an M3 also. If you want speed/looks, go for either GS400 or 430. Id go with 400 because its cheaper to find then the gs430. Modding a Lexus isnt cheap either. Its just if not more then a M3.

 

I came from an M3 also.. haha..

Get a 98-05 GS300, its a 3.0L inline 6. Swap it out for a 1JZ setup, and you'll have your Supra, in a luxury package.

 

Bring at least $8-10k. Hey, it's still cheaper than getting a M3 to those power levels

Yeah, but you don't have to continuously repair the car like a BMW

 

My 97 m3 had 147K and was running strong. All cars have there issues. Including ours with starter & ball joints amongst some.

 

Really? One of my friends had a E36 M3 and that thing was in the shop all the time. Maybe because he drives pretty hard, but so do I. He finally gave in and sold it.

 

I had a 95 E36 M3, and it was pretty solid... Ive known people who got the problem filled E36's, but mine was pretty good.

 

A few of my friends have BMWs and I checked out some aftermarket parts and boy are they expensive. I looked at Active Autowerks and things like Eisenmann exhaust, etc. You gotta pay to play.

 

Who are the best companies to go to for such parts? Would I be better off going to a Supra tuner or are there Lexus tuners that have the parts as well. I know in the BMW world Active Autowerke is just about tops then you have evosport and KO Performance for retailers. Who should I turn to in the Lexus world? Links?

 

ftw

 

I wonder if you could swap a 2JZ in there? A single in that would be amazing, i doubt the tranny would hold up though.

 

I think you would be good to go as long as you got wider tires and BBK... lol