nigel f

HI

I have a X plate GS430, which I have had for a few years, this is my second 430 as the first one failed at 168 K Miles, (whihch I still have)

My curent GS430 has started to smoke on start up and then clears after about 30 seconds, it doesnt allways do this, tho.

As it has covered 139 K Miles im in too minds, should i fix it or should I break it for bits, I would like a newer GS430 (05 plate).

Has any one done the stem seals, is it tricky?

If I break it for bits, It has TTE Suspension with Platform springs, TRD uprated ARB Front and Rear (for Aristo, beleved to be 141% Rear and 120% front stiffer) It also has a Supra Turbo LSD (transforms the car) Sport wheels.

I also have the Sport Spoiler and front Splitter + another semi complete Car but with Engine issues.

do you think I would be better off breaking it for parts, sell them both on eBay or fix it

Thanks

Nigel

If you're willing to wait I'm doing a complete overhaul of the brakes on my Aristo. This is what I've ordered from Gaz and will let you know how I get on:

DBA 5000 series 2 piece front discs paired to Endless CCX pads fronts

DBA standard slot discs paired to Endless SSS pads rears

Motul Dot 5.1 brake fluid

Toyota Caliper refurb kits for both Supra 4 pot calipers and Aristo rear calipers.

I can give you a comparison to what I have now:

EBC drilled & slotted discs with green stuff on the fronts

stock rear discs with green stuff on the rears

unknown brake fluid that's not been changed in 3 years now (about time it got done!).

I'm almost certain the feel, fade, etc will be almost non-existant with this setup. Whatever you do stay away from EBC stuff though - it's not good stuff whatsoever. Loads of fade, loads of warping of discs, etc...I'd say the Supra caliper upgrade would be the best thing you do - but I'll tell you how much better it'll be. I picked mine up from the US for £200 including shipping...so a pretty good deal considering.

All in all I've spent £1200 and I'd much rather do the Supra brake upgrade with everything listed above than any other cheap BBK (D2, Ksport, etc).

Any updates on the system, and the balance?

As I am just about to embark on an upgrade for my GS430 and was thinking of going the same way, I like the DBA disks I had them on the GTR, and my mate has them on his Supra and they work well on the UK brake set up on the supra, it just the balance, and with the master cylinder beeing different I was ondering

Thanks

Nigel

LS430 has a slightly different ECU, not sure if that would cause an issue. SC430 and GS430 are the same.

I was biiding on a salvage SC430 but it was too expensive in the end.

I may consider braking my GS430, as I have bourght another one. I do intend to fix the old one, as not many things brake on the lexus, so I cant imaging there beeing a large market for the parts

Nigel

I need a GS430 Engine too, mine blew a hose off and then dumped the water out very quickley, whist at high speed.

I have found two but at Silly money

Nigel

HI Pro Lex,

I do a lot of miles in the car, and I didnt want to go for the full coil over option, i did how ever want to keep the ride, and reduce the roll.

I did look at the Tein CS spec, but I believe that these are discontinued, I have another Jap car for going quick in.

What do you think to the TRD Dampers and Springs, do you have the spring rate specs for the TRD Ariso springs?

Please can you PM me a price for the ARB's and the Bushes, and the TRD Dampers and springs.

I have also been looking at the Toms Parts from a US website

Any one else have expriance of the TRD Dampers ?

TRhanks

Nigel

Has any one used the TRD Bushes as I am thinking of getting some for my GS430 and also the TRD suspenson and Anti Roll bars

Nige

So has any one tryed the Type CS then ?

I would be intrested in what they are like in terms of ride, particually on the A1 and Motorways when you dont realy need solid topmounts and high KG mm springs.

I am not happy with the handling of the GS430 and would like to improve it.

I have been looking at the Toms Braces and links also the TRD Roll bars from the US.

but I also feel that the CS suspenson would be a good compmise, I have used type HA on one of my cars in the Past and they where very good, but not what I want for the lexus, I do have to do many miles where I dont need to be door handling it round.

Nigel

Chips I the footage taken from Harrys Skyline, but I cant see the Lexus in the Vid,

Harrys Car is a R33 GTR with a Sequential Gear box, it goes very well.

I wish I could spek English corecetley, let alone 4-5 other languages.

During the Nurburgring 24 hour race Dirk put the Falken GTR in to the wall along with the other top 3 cars (911 and BMW) due to hail stones on the track.

It was just like ball bearings . . .

Nigel

Chips,

I havent got any on board footage of the Lexus round Spa,

My friend may have some footage from his car, I will have to check and see,

I have the Duke DVD, Dirk is a fantastic driver,

very impressive.

Nigel

Chips I have a R33 GTR Vspec, and I also have just added a R34 GTR to the fleet,

I am selling the R33 GTR If any one fancys one.

Steve Whats the Strutbrace like, and how much do you want ?

Email nigel@cuscoshop.co.uk

Thanks

Nigel

An any one who is thinking about going to the Ring, try to coninside it with a trackday at Spa as the Ring is only about 60-70 miles from Spa, so it is a shame to be so near and not do both.

My advice is make sure that you change your brake fluid and pads befor the trip, and take some spare fronts.

If you have supra front 4 pots it would be a lot better.

The Ring has some thing like 187 Turns, where as Spa has 16-17 so you have much more chance of learning the tack.

I will problby be going back to the Ring and spa in september time, if I can find an open sesion track day I will post the details up and we may be able to make it a Club / Forum trip, (I may be in the GTR, as I have been in the GS allready)

Nigel

Thanks every one,

I didnt get any reay good pics at the Ring,

These photos where taken at Spa, it was a realy good day,

I was getting about 120mph down the stright through Kemmel, before braking for Les Combes, the brakes where only good for 2-3 fast laps, this was mainly due to the down hill sections Bruxelles, Double Gauche Pouhon and Stavelot.

I use Eibac springs on std Dampers, but I think that I should replace the std dampers with KYB GR2 Dampers from the states, I have been looking for some uprated anti roll bars, I found a company when I was at the Tokyo Auto Salon in Jan who supply anti roll bars for the 174 and the 161 including the vertex uprated ones.

I would like to replace my GS300 with an Aristo, but I have my GTR as well, and two twin turbo cars may be a bit excessive, I will have to see when my is due for change.

I have the High quality Photos for the calander if any one wants.

who would need them ?

I was going to come to Bruntingthorpe, I will be going to GT Battle it would be good to meet up if any one is going,.

Nigel

Having booked a Trackday with the GTR OC, months ago, I am selling my R33 and it was having the New front Splitter fitted, so I took the Lexus on the trip.

Here are some Pics on the track at Spa,

It was quite good on the track, just a bit lacking in power

and the Brakes where not great after 3 laps espically aftter the down hill section

But in all the car peformed very vell, 8-10 mpg on the Track.

As for long drives I drove to Newquea in the GS, I only had to stop for Petrol and a Pee, (10 mins) and it was 420 Miles, I did drive through the night, and it was great.

I would have rather flown as it is only 1.5 Hours in the Gazelle!

The Pod was great, Andys 9.68 second 1/4 mile was very impresive, his car goes well,

I was going to Run my Skyline but I was having clutch probs so I didnt, bother,

I have gone for OS Geiken, R3C, Tripple with the movment kit,

I still have one eye out for a V300 Twin turbo as that would be my ideal Lexus, I just need a bit more power.

I am looking at Stoptec brake kits for the Skyline, they also do a kit for the GS, they are sensable money, and If I got a V300 I could take them to that car too

Stop tech

Nigel

Marc, I know what you mean about not sports but great Fun,

I like mine more and more, It needed a Rad the other day, and I was quite upset about it been off the road for a day, while I got the rad re cored.

It fine now, Went to Japfest at Santa pod, good, day out,

nigel

Marc,

It is October on the GTROC Calander and the car looks good.

I have upload some photos of my

GS300 Sport and one with the Skyline,

Nigel

http://www.ntoc.co.uk/img/lexusgs300.jpg

http://www.ntoc.co.uk/img/lexsky.jpg

Marc the photo in your msg above links to a real small thumnail

edit

due to double post

Nigel

I use pirreli p zero's asimmetrico, and mine are at the TWI and I have covered about 10,000 Miles on them.

I would like to Run Goodyear F1's, But I am not sure if they are avalible in my size

Nigel

I have Eibac Springs on my GS and I rate them.

Have used Tein HA on My GTI-R but the Spring rates where to high,

As Marc says the Newer Flex and some others have been revalved and had the Spring rates reduced for the UK roads.

Tim With the Nur Skyline Runs the PSS9 set up and they are fantastic !

Less Crashy than standard Nur Skyline Suspension (now on my R33 GTR)

Nigel

Marc,

The GS sounds Nice, I am not in to Crohme, but it does look good on some things,

I want a V300 TT, having looked at Yoshi's Site.

I am very impressed with my GS it is great.

I hope that you like yours.

Nigel

Norkep,

Thanks, All details sent re Phone call Wednesday

many thanks

Nigel

Thanks,

It took me about 30 mins to get the Door car off, but now I know how to do it, it taks about 3-4 Mins

Nigel

Dear Paul,

Thanks for the Post, ym GS is a mk 1, I would have thorught that they would be the same.

Thanks

My number is 07957 367258 Please call me once you are ready and I will sort some thing out with you.

Many thanks

regadrs

Nigel

Hello,

The Front N/S Speker, started making funny clicking noises, and the radio went real quiet.

I messed about for a bit and discovered that when I accelerated it got lowder.

Then I parked up and there was a crack, I looked accross at the speaker and there was purple smoke coming from the grill.

I removed the door card to investgate, I removed the speaker and it smelt of Burnt electronices, I did think it was the Capasitor for tweeter but that is fine, so I think it was a problem in coil for the speaker.

I went to Halfords and they sell some speakers that would fit but they are the wrong impedance. What are my options ?

I didnt fancy changing the whole system to 4 Ohm.

Are second hand front speakers avalble etc ?

Nigel