Need help! What year LS- What manual for swap?
07-12-18, 02:20 AM
#1
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Need help! What year LS- What manual for swap?
Thinking about getting an ls400 any recommendations on what year? what common issues do they have? And what manual transmission can you swap into it?
Last edited by RA40; 07-12-18 at 09:20 AM. Reason: descriptive title
07-12-18, 04:09 AM
#2
Hey, welcome.
You have to answer part of the question yourself. Do you want the first gen or second? I would imagine first gens are harder to find in good condition but I love the look. Then there's the 95-97 which is second gen except 98-00 has different headlights and VVTi which gives it an extra 40hp or so. I prefer how the 95-97 looks so that's what I like. It comes down to what you want. You can still get a good 95-00 easy as long as you have patience. Most important part - check and see that the engine has been maintained. If it looks off... Old fluids, etc. Skip it. Same if all the hoses are dry rotting. A lot of times that means seals are starting to go too. You want a good base to start with. That way you can drive the car to 400k...
I got my current 96 from an old lady. Old people tend to take care of their cars. Try to find one that's been taken care of and maintained by a family maybe. The difference between a maintained LS400 and a bad one is huge. I know from experience.
You have to answer part of the question yourself. Do you want the first gen or second? I would imagine first gens are harder to find in good condition but I love the look. Then there's the 95-97 which is second gen except 98-00 has different headlights and VVTi which gives it an extra 40hp or so. I prefer how the 95-97 looks so that's what I like. It comes down to what you want. You can still get a good 95-00 easy as long as you have patience. Most important part - check and see that the engine has been maintained. If it looks off... Old fluids, etc. Skip it. Same if all the hoses are dry rotting. A lot of times that means seals are starting to go too. You want a good base to start with. That way you can drive the car to 400k...
I got my current 96 from an old lady. Old people tend to take care of their cars. Try to find one that's been taken care of and maintained by a family maybe. The difference between a maintained LS400 and a bad one is huge. I know from experience.
07-12-18, 04:13 AM
#3
Common issues... I only know the 95-97s but some of this applies to them all. The 95-97s often have busted cluster lights because they tend to die if left at max brightness.
Look at the ACV that is part of the power steering system. A lot of times they leak so people delete them. I found a car with, surprisingly, a working system, but don't worry about this too much. Do some research so you know what you're looking for but if there's an ACV delete, there will be a couple hoses missing. This isn't a bad thing but listen to the engine. It should be smooth.... Vrooom. Not Vroomgurglevroom. That's all I got.
Oh yeah, the steering wheel tilt mechanism always breaks but can be fixed with a ziptie. Good luck.
Look at the ACV that is part of the power steering system. A lot of times they leak so people delete them. I found a car with, surprisingly, a working system, but don't worry about this too much. Do some research so you know what you're looking for but if there's an ACV delete, there will be a couple hoses missing. This isn't a bad thing but listen to the engine. It should be smooth.... Vrooom. Not Vroomgurglevroom. That's all I got.
Oh yeah, the steering wheel tilt mechanism always breaks but can be fixed with a ziptie. Good luck.
07-12-18, 04:48 AM
#4
Racer
Are you building a race car?
07-12-18, 05:11 AM
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07-12-18, 05:12 AM
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Common issues... I only know the 95-97s but some of this applies to them all. The 95-97s often have busted cluster lights because they tend to die if left at max brightness.
Look at the ACV that is part of the power steering system. A lot of times they leak so people delete them. I found a car with, surprisingly, a working system, but don't worry about this too much. Do some research so you know what you're looking for but if there's an ACV delete, there will be a couple hoses missing. This isn't a bad thing but listen to the engine. It should be smooth.... Vrooom. Not Vroomgurglevroom. That's all I got.
Oh yeah, the steering wheel tilt mechanism always breaks but can be fixed with a ziptie. Good luck.
Look at the ACV that is part of the power steering system. A lot of times they leak so people delete them. I found a car with, surprisingly, a working system, but don't worry about this too much. Do some research so you know what you're looking for but if there's an ACV delete, there will be a couple hoses missing. This isn't a bad thing but listen to the engine. It should be smooth.... Vrooom. Not Vroomgurglevroom. That's all I got.
Oh yeah, the steering wheel tilt mechanism always breaks but can be fixed with a ziptie. Good luck.
07-12-18, 05:17 AM
#7
Racer
98-00 cars have the vvti engine,more power.
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07-12-18, 10:02 AM
#9
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/bui...car-build.html
a manual swap in this car is not for the faint of heart, or the shallow of pockets!
07-12-18, 05:29 PM
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lots to learn!
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/bui...car-build.html
a manual swap in this car is not for the faint of heart, or the shallow of pockets!
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/bui...car-build.html
a manual swap in this car is not for the faint of heart, or the shallow of pockets!
07-13-18, 02:09 AM
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07-13-18, 03:26 AM
#15
3rz turbo 5speed is good for 400hp on a 1uz. Seen 500hp on some but it's pushing it in my mind. However there are a few near me that have have over 500 on that trans with a 1uz turbo
Last edited by Moarpower; 07-13-18 at 03:54 AM.