Noob Advice Needed...

[Baller]

Hi guys,

Just got my IS200 (2001) but theres a couple of things i want to do. First, i want to drop it about 3cm, however i dont really want the suspension to feel much stiffer, as i think the balance is about right as it is. Ive seen "lowering springs", full coilover kits and all sorts, what do i need to buy just to drop the ride height a bit, and if i just go for lowering springs, will the car bottom out?

I'm also not that impressed with the standard brakes, if i want more stopping power, can i just upgrade the pads (looking at buying "red stuff" pads, or will i need to upgrade the calipers, brake disks hoses etc aswell? I'm not looking for racing performance, i just want a little more stopping power!

And onto my final question (and i know this is the wrong place to post it!)..

I'm looking for an induction kit to give it a little more power. Can anyone recommend a kit/price/website for any of the above!

Any advice on websites/companys i can goto to check out stuff would be much appreciated, redline / max power ads have little / no parts listed for lexuses!!

Thanks in advace!

Luke

[WylieCoyote]

Hi Luke.

Welcome to LOC and congratulations on your wise purchase.

I'm no expert on lowering kits, apparently the Tein kits are very good but someone else is better to advise you on this.

As for brakes, few options. A popular setup on here is the Mintex pads with standard discs or Mintex pads with Mintex discs - quite cheap on eBay - around £110 for a set of 2 discs and pads. The redstuff and greenstuff pads have got their fans but they also have a healthy amount of people who don't like them for various reasons. Black diamond stuff is very good. If it was me, I'd go with the Mintex pads and discs - there is much less brake dust and increased stopping power all at a decent price too. If you wanted just pads, the Mintex ones work very well with the OEM discs - although the consensus on here is that at around £60 for pads and £110 for discs too it makes economical sense to buy the lot. Just pop in a wee search on the forum for 'pads' or similar and you'll get a whole load of posts that should come in handy.

K&N is a good buy for induction purposes, couple it to a performance exhaust (again I'm not the one to advise on the best) and you'll get an increased bhp. Consider changing your spark plugs for some Denso IK20's they're good plugs and increase power slightly.

Websites: www.prolex-uk.com, www.wheelsinmotion.co.uk, www.lextasy.com, fleabay is good too for discs, pads, induction kits and other bits and bobs

Go to see Dr Tony Bones at wheels in motion in Hemel Hempstead to get your geometry sorted properly - a lot of us have been and the difference it makes to your car's handling and feel is huge. This should be on your top priorities list - you will not regret it. Consider new tyres, Goodyear Eagle F1's are just brilliant.

We all like photos so get some snaps of your car on asap.

Welcome to the club, keep the posts coming.

Keith

[Paul Reece]

Hello and welcome to LOC

[Rikos]

Welcome to the LOC, Wylie has covered pretty much all your questions.

I know lee_iceman has a very good set up with his suspension so may be worth giving him a shout. Also keep your eye on the buy & sell section.

Hope you get what your looking for.

O and a word of advice there wont be much in redline or max power for your IS a bit to prestigious for the magazine fella

[Adie]

For lowering Eibach / TTE lowering springs. These lower the car -30mm. You also wont really feel any difference in the ride quality. Superb springs and cost around £120 - £150

For pads I wouldn't bother with red stuff. These are for if you are putting out some power and need to be warmed up first for maximum performance. There is nothing wrong with the stock pads for braking as they are excellent and do the job. The only thing that might put you off them is the brake dust. If you are after performance pads then Mintex are a popular choice on here. I used to have Greenstuff pads but am now also running mintex discs and pads. :)

[Baller]

wow guys thanks alot for the help!

Its so funny, ive been a total petrol head as long as i can remember, i can reel off stats and details about pretty much any (good) car out there, then, when i bought my first car (the lex, i was in uni and couldnt afford anything until now) i suddenly relised i didnt know the first thing about modding! Yet ask me how turbo/supercharges work and i can talk all day!!

Ill defonatly check out the websites, and I'm sold on the Mintex pads/disks! Have around £1000 to spend, if i can get the suspention lowered (i take it its just the lowering springs i need, not a full coilover kit?) and the brakes bought (and fitted!) then i'll be a happy man!

Also, can any garage fit suspention / brakes, or will i need to go to some kind of specialist "modding" shop!?

(you can see i really dont have a clue!)

As for pics, its just a standard IS200 in blue with cream leather and very subtle window tints, so i didnt really see the point! but as soon as the sun comes out (and i clean it) I'll have some pics for you to marvel at my stock IS!!!

Thanks again for the help guys!

[WylieCoyote]

wow guys thanks alot for the help!

Its so funny, ive been a total petrol head as long as i can remember, i can reel off stats and details about pretty much any (good) car out there, then, when i bought my first car (the lex, i was in uni and couldnt afford anything until now) i suddenly relised i didnt know the first thing about modding! Yet ask me how turbo/supercharges work and i can talk all day!!

Ill defonatly check out the websites, and I'm sold on the Mintex pads/disks! Have around £1000 to spend, if i can get the suspention lowered (i take it its just the lowering springs i need, not a full coilover kit?) and the brakes bought (and fitted!) then i'll be a happy man!

Also, can any garage fit suspention / brakes, or will i need to go to some kind of specialist "modding" shop!?

(you can see i really dont have a clue!)

As for pics, its just a standard IS200 in blue with cream leather and very subtle window tints, so i didnt really see the point! but as soon as the sun comes out (and i clean it) I'll have some pics for you to marvel at my stock IS!!!

Thanks again for the help guys!

You're welcome matey, anytime. You only have to check all the posts on the mintex stuff to see it's a popular choice - I'm going for it myself soon when I have disposable income! No excuses for not having pics lol!!!! Make sure you bring the car to a meet. The NW meet in August is going to be huge so keep it in mind.

Keith

[IRLRs200]

Welcome to the site mate. if its only a 30mm drop your after springs are fine but as others have said you can get more out of coilovers but they cost a bit extra too. Welcome to the site! Let the modding begin!! Blue is the best colour!

[Baller]

Thanks guys, have opted for the mintex pads, gonna run them on the standard disks for the moment, see how that goes!

As for suspention, i think the TEIN lowering springs look good, can only them for £191 tho which seems a bit steep!! :(

[CIJ]

I can get the Tien Springs for £130 if u want? But it will have to be a yes or no before the end of the month!

Chris

[Rikos]

6 days and counting!!

[Baller]

6 days and counting!!

Dammit!! Just ordered them from prolex for £191!! Never mind! Bought a pack of mintex brake pads from e-bay (powerseller %100 feedback) for £36 (for 8). Going to run them on the standard brake pads for the time being, after all the standard pads arnt that bad, and it may just be that i need them adjusting!

Been quoted £220 to fit the springs and pads at my local garage, no idea if this is good or not?!

Next up is a trip to see the doc to get the geomitry sorted, then lets get some more power through the beast!

Thanks for the offer tho mate! Much appreciated!

Will be at the next meet you have somewhere near Bristol (pref!!)

Take care all

[Rikos]

brake pads you can do yourself in half an hour so see how much fitting is for springs alone it may save you some money

[papy]

Hi baller and all

Ive just ordered a pipercross induction kit for £230 and if ya have a look at the posts ive received ya might get an idea , ive not fitted it as yet but i`ll let ya know how it goes if ya want , new to all this myself and find the guys in the club are real helpful

Paul