Much happier with this one. I think it’s looks a lot better. I also swapped about just about all the silver trim with black chrome. Have a few other mods on the way!

 

Most other member sites that I belong to, truncate repeated pict posts, and the viewer can click to expand. Example:



I wish this site employed such software However, on my other forums, members are more savvy and posting others' pics is much less prevalent than here

Lou

 

No worries and thanks! I will take some when I put the heat shielding on. There are 4 bolts to take off and two clips (for the hood struts). That's literally it. I had no fitment issues, hood latch lined up perfectly.

 

 

Here is what you need to remove to install. The 2 bolts circled red by the explosive are 12mm. The hood strut clip circled yellow you just need to pry up with a small tip flathead screwdriver. After the hood comes off the car, you will need to take off the bracket that is connected to the hood where the strut clips onto and transfer that to the new hood. It is just a single 12mm bolt and easily lines up because it has an alignment tab, very straightforward. Alternatively, you could leave the hood strut clipped in and just take the entire bracket off from the start, but that may be more difficult to reinstall later when you are trying to install the new hood. Repeat on the other side.


Tips: Undo the bolts one at a time but not fully. Get them all 80-90% loose before you undo the hood struts, then carefully undo them one at a time. If you are doing it yourself, make sure you have propped the hood up with something (I used a long 4ft level) before you undo the bolts fully. When putting the new hood on, put the two bolts that closest to the explosive in first (furthest to the rear of the car) and tighten them down just until they are a little snug, then attach the hood struts, then come back to finish the other 2 bolts and tighten everything up. You can bunch up a towel and shove it under the hinge to help keep the hinge propped up so you can align the bolts.

Use lots of towels for protection in case the hood drops. Much easier if you have someone to help you though.

 

Lexus Performance Drive Indy; even in the rain, putting the LC thru it's design capabilities was worth every penny. During the rain, we stayed in Normal mode, once it cleared up it was back to Sport mode (actually Sport worked better than Sport+, but I'm sure some will disagree). Hit +128 on the back stretch multiple times (following the RCF pace car). Never broke traction on the turns (nor felt like it would, always in control) and the ABS system was crazy good. Before driving the track, they have you run the straight full out and stomp the brakes as hard as you can. I would have been just as happy spending all day on the track with the LC versus the drifting/course challenges in the RC's. The money they drop on this event is pretty crazy.

 

Pretty cool, looks hella fun!

 

@2959
Thanks for the report. I have no doubt that this track experience only increased your appreciation of the beastly LC 500 and its capabilities. I’ve read that in “sport mode” you can push the car hard all day on the track without transmission overheating issues.

 

Yes, it changes my entire outlook of a stock LC. We did things that a; I would never do intentionally with my personal vehicle and b; even with access to a track, I wouldn't attempt without professional instruction.

While it wasn't overly hot, I asked the instructor about the modes. They "request" you use Sport but some customers still used Sport+ (instructor said he gets tired of saying the same thing so they let it go). They said the shifting pattern of Sport actually works better on the track. Even when we used Normal, it was good enough for me with what we were accomplishing.

We did ride alongs with the pros. Big track was in the RCF with 1 pax (they love cutting the corners). Autocross was with the IS and 3 pax (back seat was insane). This was with Scott Pruitt who even with 4 in the car clocked in the 21 second range. Me by myself? just under 25 and some unhappy cones.

 

Very nicely done!

 

Took some time today to try and get the swirls out of my hood before it goes for PPF next week. This was my first time using a machine polisher, the results are excellent for a first timer IMO

I would say 90% correction was achieved, which is good enough for me. PPF should hide any remaining swirls I think.


Before on top, after on bottom

 

@2959
“While it wasn't overly hot, I asked the instructor about the modes. They "request" you use Sport but some customers still used Sport+ (instructor said he gets tired of saying the same thing so they let it go). They said the shifting pattern of Sport actually works better on the track. Even when we used Normal, it was good enough for me with what we were accomplishing”

Understood. These guys are professional drivers with intimate knowledge of the LC 500 characteristics and capabilities. I would same as you did, humbly heed their well informed advice. They recommend “sport” mode based on actual track driving experiences on multiple occasions.

 

great job working out the swirls. It looks really good!! Thanks so much for sending rhe hood install detailed pics. Really appreciate that!

 

Just came from the detail shop, i wish I got a before and after, it was bad.

 

Rainier over the weekend