Performance & Maintenance Engine, forced induction, intakes, exhausts, torque converters, transmissions, etc.

Handling question

Old 03-31-06, 11:27 AM
  #1  
kleef
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
kleef's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Handling question

When I traded in my 330i for the SC430, I COULD NOT be happier! But, the handling is quite different between the two. While the 330i was very tight, the SC430 feels relatively sloppy. More like a cruiser as I've heard other say. I am wondering if there is anything obvious that can be done to make the ride/handling more similar to the BMW? Incidentally, I am a Mod-tard. My car is totally stock.
Old 03-31-06, 12:12 PM
  #2  
tonydt1g3r
Lexus Champion
 
tonydt1g3r's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: FL
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by kleef
When I traded in my 330i for the SC430, I COULD NOT be happier! But, the handling is quite different between the two. While the 330i was very tight, the SC430 feels relatively sloppy. More like a cruiser as I've heard other say. I am wondering if there is anything obvious that can be done to make the ride/handling more similar to the BMW? Incidentally, I am a Mod-tard. My car is totally stock.

I think the three biggest things that can improve your handling and give you the feel you want is

#1 daizen sway bars $500
#2 tein cs coil overs $1500
#3 tires

(personally I cant afford the tein cs coil overs right now so I went ahead and just got the springs which are cheap)

I did all my mods at once, rims, drop and sway bars and the handling is very crisp now, no floaty feeling at all. I can hit them turns pretty fast now and its fun

Last edited by tonydt1g3r; 03-31-06 at 12:23 PM.
Old 03-31-06, 12:17 PM
  #3  
Pearlpower
Lexus Fanatic

iTrader: (2)
 
Pearlpower's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: California
Posts: 7,075
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

As Tony said.

The sways will help out immensely. Do not forget to align it afterwards.
The car is very neutral in the corners unlike other Lexus's which are front heavy.
Stock run flats do not lend to cornering very well so an option may be to swap them out to non run flats as many here have done or get better runs flats if they exist.

Last edited by Pearlpower; 03-31-06 at 12:25 PM.
Old 03-31-06, 12:30 PM
  #4  
kleef
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
kleef's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for the info. Who does the work... Dealer? Do people have the items shipped to the dealer and have then do it?

I swapped my run-flats a while ago for Michelin PS2's, which I really like, but they didn't do too much for the cornering. I had pilot sports on my BMW and loved them.
Old 03-31-06, 01:03 PM
  #5  
rclab1
Pole Position
 
rclab1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Will adding sway bars help a lot? will I feel a tremendous difference?

just curious, I want to keep the stock 18" wheels and OEM size tires,
I do plan on switching to non run flats in about a month.

will adding just the sway bars help intensely?

the car seems like it doesn't want to turn at all (bobbing during cornering)
ofcourse I do have Stock suspension.

when I do add the sways bars, will the ride be stiffer?
(keep in mind I'am getting Continental Pro tires 18" size(non run flats) with the sways bars.

thanks.....
Old 03-31-06, 01:34 PM
  #6  
Dan_K
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
 
Dan_K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: California
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

The sways by themselves will make a difference (at least it did on my car). As for getting that german car feel, I still can not get that despite having all of the above mentioned modifications. I don't think it can be done; it is a different type of car all together. Please correct me if I am wrong. The car has too much flex even with the top up. One good thing is that the Teins are totally adjustable because I have spent hours adjusting compression and rebound to get a feel that I like. I almost have the car the way I like it but it's still not close to the feel of a porsche or bimmer.
-Dan
Old 04-01-06, 09:10 AM
  #7  
laxdude362
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
laxdude362's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Hmmmm handling would go under.........o yeah the suspension section, not engine. Mods move this to the right section.
Old 04-04-06, 10:19 AM
  #8  
kleef
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
kleef's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Actually this belongs in the SC430 section. I believe it was there originally and somehow got moved?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ixgunxi
SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)
4
01-10-09 03:52 PM
ghmundt
SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)
20
10-02-06 10:26 AM
killerbyte
SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)
15
06-22-06 10:50 PM
Umbo
SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)
5
06-07-04 08:42 PM
DoubleWhoosh
SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)
25
03-09-04 11:08 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Handling question



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:32 AM.