No more L Tuned?
09-26-07, 05:51 PM
#1
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No more L Tuned?
Had my GS430 for 4 months, had a MB 400E prior to that and the GS just doesn't give me enough road feedback and handling. Read a bunch of threads about guys having L Tuned package so I went to Lexus and asked how much, they said "no more L Tuned" from Lexus - told me to go to a local shop for help.
What was typically included in L Tuned and should I just go with stiffer shock/struts and/or does the sway bar make a huge difference? Some say the lowering makes an impact in aesthetics but not that much in handling...thoughts?
What was typically included in L Tuned and should I just go with stiffer shock/struts and/or does the sway bar make a huge difference? Some say the lowering makes an impact in aesthetics but not that much in handling...thoughts?
09-26-07, 06:18 PM
#2
l-tuned is a reallly soft suspension really no point if you are gonna be doing suspension you might as well go for something that gives you better handling. the L-tuned package is basically rebranded Kyb shock and lowering springs. IMHO you can do better than that for cheaper than going for an l-tuned setup. There are multiple threads on the subject. What are you looking for better handling? A drop? Coilovers? Air?
09-26-07, 06:49 PM
#4
many members have gone with teins but you are looking at about $1000 or a little more depending on which you select. but teins are coilovers and they will give you adjustibility. Whereas if you dont want coilovers you could go with bilstein shocks your choice of springs. Feedback is a little difficult with the gs the only way that I have seen people modifiy the feedback was by installing the l-tuned steering ecu but the effect is minimal. Also another suggestion would be sway bars. Most people use the TRDs they are soild bars and significantly thicker versus stock they really help with the cornering of the car.
09-26-07, 08:42 PM
#6
09-29-07, 05:18 AM
#7
I have almost every susupension upgrade possible for my car. Tein Flex Coilovers, EDFC, front strut bar, front under chassis brace, rear lower chassis brace, rear 6-link kit, TRD sway bars, and rear strut bar eventually.
Also, do some good weight reduction and you can make it handle much much better. I completely stripped the car out one time I hit the race course. Everything in the trunk gone(subs, amps, amp rack, etc), spare tire, whole exhaust system removed, rear seats gone, passenger seat gone, and a few small things here and there. I'll tell you though...it made a significant difference in handling with all that stuff out of the car lol
And no I won't ever do that again...It's just too much damn work. The most I'll do now is to strip out the trunk for the race course. One problem is the steering on this car is just not very responsive. I'm planning to retrofit a BMW steering rack into my car in the future
Also, do some good weight reduction and you can make it handle much much better. I completely stripped the car out one time I hit the race course. Everything in the trunk gone(subs, amps, amp rack, etc), spare tire, whole exhaust system removed, rear seats gone, passenger seat gone, and a few small things here and there. I'll tell you though...it made a significant difference in handling with all that stuff out of the car lol
And no I won't ever do that again...It's just too much damn work. The most I'll do now is to strip out the trunk for the race course. One problem is the steering on this car is just not very responsive. I'm planning to retrofit a BMW steering rack into my car in the future
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09-29-07, 10:29 AM
#9
After all the researching, part of what makes the BMW steer so well is the balanced chassis. That's something the GS doesn't have, regardless of what braces we put on. Second of all, the steering rack is one part of the solution. In BMWs, the steering rack actually sits in front of the wheels. This puts the tie rods in front of the control arm so when you turn, there will be force acting on the rods, which eventually moves to the front steering wheel. You can break down the BMW steering into many categories. The way that our cars are designed, we will never come close to having that kind of feedback. 
09-29-07, 11:15 AM
#10
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Had my GS430 for 4 months, had a MB 400E prior to that and the GS just doesn't give me enough road feedback and handling. Read a bunch of threads about guys having L Tuned package so I went to Lexus and asked how much, they said "no more L Tuned" from Lexus - told me to go to a local shop for help.
What was typically included in L Tuned and should I just go with stiffer shock/struts and/or does the sway bar make a huge difference? Some say the lowering makes an impact in aesthetics but not that much in handling...thoughts?
What was typically included in L Tuned and should I just go with stiffer shock/struts and/or does the sway bar make a huge difference? Some say the lowering makes an impact in aesthetics but not that much in handling...thoughts?
You can search as well, here is all u need to know.
http://www.lexus.com/about/news/arti...0000809_1.html
09-29-07, 11:17 AM
#11
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After all the researching, part of what makes the BMW steer so well is the balanced chassis. That's something the GS doesn't have, regardless of what braces we put on. Second of all, the steering rack is one part of the solution. In BMWs, the steering rack actually sits in front of the wheels. This puts the tie rods in front of the control arm so when you turn, there will be force acting on the rods, which eventually moves to the front steering wheel. You can break down the BMW steering into many categories. The way that our cars are designed, we will never come close to having that kind of feedback.
Seriously, to make the GS handle better than a stock 5, you just need TRD sways and a drop. Everything else just tightens things up even more.
09-29-07, 11:21 AM
#12
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Also..
Initially the L-tuned package was going to include/add the TRD sways. Not sure why they didn't when L-tuned came out. SO to me, with just shocks/springs and the steering ECU, its not near enough to make it handle "better". It does look better.
Initially the L-tuned package was going to include/add the TRD sways. Not sure why they didn't when L-tuned came out. SO to me, with just shocks/springs and the steering ECU, its not near enough to make it handle "better". It does look better.
09-29-07, 12:52 PM
#13
Never said the GS wont handle as well as a stock 5-series. 
In fact, the only real advantage I see with the BMW is the feedback and handling when comparing stock to stock. After modding the GS, it will outhandle the 5-series stock. Its just too bad we dont have that kind of feedback
In fact, the only real advantage I see with the BMW is the feedback and handling when comparing stock to stock. After modding the GS, it will outhandle the 5-series stock. Its just too bad we dont have that kind of feedback
09-29-07, 01:43 PM
#14
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Never said the GS wont handle as well as a stock 5-series. In fact, the only real advantage I see with the BMW is the feedback and handling when comparing stock to stock. After modding the GS, it will outhandle the 5-series stock. Its just too bad we dont have that kind of feedback
In fact, the only real advantage I see with the BMW is the feedback and handling when comparing stock to stock. After modding the GS, it will outhandle the 5-series stock. Its just too bad we dont have that kind of feedback 
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