sitang

Hello All,

Owned my 92 LS400 for 2.5 years now, the car is awesome with 170k miles on it. All stock except for clear corner lenses and some stereo modification. Just recently I went to have the car smog (CA), and it failed, which is a shocked cause the car runs great and have always passed. So I looked at the result as to why it failed, it was the 3498 NO (ppm) reading and the "system malfunction light", but all other results is fine. Any help would greatly be appreciated to why it have such a high reading.

Ok one more question, last night I took my friends 99 gs300 (stock) for a spin, I was very impressed by the handling and the acceleration.
His car felt faster than mine. Anyone else driven a gs300? If so does it feel much faster than your ls400? Reason I was asking is because I just read a tread on one of the member here doing a 14.9 on his 99 LS400, that is an insane number, congratulation!! I think this 99 LS400 would definetly be faster if not the same GS300. Am I wrong?

LexFather

Welcome! A 99GS 300 does about the same (maybe faster) then you LS 400. You LS has a V-8 with 250hp, the 99GS 3 has a I-6 with 220hp. The GS3 has a 5 speed auto to your 4 speed (better gearing). GS designed to handle sportier than the LS.

LOTC

There is a chance for a 98 on GS300 against a for first gen LS400. They might get the jump on the LS at lights, but after the LS starts go by the GS slowly and at highway speeds the LS come out on top, although the LS will only win by a length or two.

Also the VVTI engines are nice, but the Kick Down button on the 90-97 LS's is just a awesome feeling once it is engaged. I have driven my girl's GS300 and I miss that button.

Also I have outran IS300s in my LS before and those are a bit quicker than GS300s by a bit. HEHE ask "papasmurf" about it, he saw my LS get smaller little by little.

sitang

Hehehe well, I guess I just have to invite my friend and his gs out for a little friendly dual.

However, I am still in need of resolving the smog problem, thinking it's probably the O2 sensor, but I was told that the Lexus have 4 O2 sonsors. Now that's gonna cost a little, anyone have experience removing them? And if it was the O2 sensor, which of the 4 would likely be the first to go out? Or is this a random thing? Well I hope to post some pitcures soon of the car.
After I get my smog thing out of the way.

JBrady

sitang, you are probably correct about the 02 sensors. I don't know if a 92 has 2 or 4 sensors but they are probably original and need replacement.

I am the guy with the 14.9et/94.5mph 99 LS400. Thanks for pointing out that this is a fairly quick time. That was done on a hot and humid night, even for Houston. The regulars were running 2 tenths off their normal SUMMER times. If that holds true I should be running 14.7-14.8 in the heat and maybe 14.6 in cooler/dryer air. The Lexus factory website lists 14.8 for my car an the factory is generally conservative.

I have also pulled off the rear mufflers and was going to test it tonight with and without the mufflers but due to 9/11 the track is closed. I will test it soon though.

BTW, the same factory website http://www.lexus.com/cpo/model_library/gs300_99.html lists the 99 GS300 at 7.6 0-60 and 15.7 in the 1/4 which is faster than the 1st gen 90-94 LS400s which typically run 8.0 0-60 and 16.0 in the 1/4.

The second gens 95-97 run 7.2 0-60 and 15.6 in the 1/4 per the factory http://www.lexus.com/cpo/model_library/ls_97.html I was able to squeeze a 15.4 at 91mph out of my 96 LS400.

LOTC

yup just make sure you race until 90 plus on Oh yeah by the way, my LS is not stock and I dont carry any tools or a spare in the rear

JBrady

Interesting to note that it is MORE than peak power that makes a car run. Torque/Power curve is critical as is vehicle weight and the transitional response of the entire drivetrain.

On paper the 97 GS300 looks to be very close to a 99 GS300 but the 99 is MUCH quicker.

Power
97 - 220hp @ 5800rpm
99 - 225hp @ 6000rpm

Torque
97 - 210tq @ 4800rpm
99 - 220tq @ 4000rpm

Weight
97 - 3,660 lbs
99 - 3,638 lbs

Transmission
97 - 5 speed auto
99 - 5 speed auto

0 to 60mph
97 - 8.3 sec
99 - 7.6 sec

1/4 mile
97 - 16.3 sec
99 - 15.7 sec

Interestingly they both are both listed with the same top speed from the factory of 144mph. The 99 just gets there faster. The main reason is the low end torque advantage of the 99 vs the 97.

LOTC

yes those are very interesting stats Jbrady. I also didnt know that the first gen GS300's had a 5speed or was it only for the 97 models? How is the X-pipe thing going? I would like to find out how that goes so I can tinker with mines.

I think the VVTI gives a better power/ torque range for 98 plus models. Too bad my LS doesnt have it

seanl

A good friend of mine has a 2001 GS300. From a dead stop, we take off about the same, but by 60 I'm a few cars ahead and pulling....keep in mind that the LS400 is several hundred lbs. heavier than the GS.

I have a '97LS400, which is 260hp, 10 more than your '92s.

On the open road, my LS400 easily pulls away from the newer GS300s. The 4.0 V-8 makes significantly more HP and torque than the GS's I-6 and is quite noticeable at higher speeds.

Of course they're very different cars. The GS is definitely a more 'sporting' platform than the cushy LS.

As the GS400 prices start to drop, I'll consider buying one eventually, they're the best of both worlds, LS V-8 power and the handling of the more nimble GS platform.