Lowering Lexus Gs

[lxs_hotboi]

just wondering which lowering springs would be best for my gs while still keeping a luxurious and smooth ride.. im basically just lowering it for the looks not for the performance..

[Neo]

Take a look at the ones from Daizen Sport Tuning and Espelir. Both are nice with about 1.7" or so lowering and close to stock ride.

[cgasper]

Take a look at the ones from Daizen Sport Tuning and Espelir.  Both are nice with about 1.7" or so lowering and close to stock ride.

From an aesthetics point, how would lowering look running the stock 16s? (I have a 99 GS300, 106,000 miles.) Is there a compromise in the ride or bottoming out issues to deal with? Also, (nothing like a million questions) is it possible to install coilovers that lower the car and maintain the ride quality with, perhaps, better damping, or, in this case, if I'm using the proper terminology, less bounce on the rebound--like a S Benz, or is that expecting too much, or are shocks and lowersprings better? I've also been thinking of running a larger wheel, like 18s, but have been reading that the ride might be lost. Any suggestions? I've had this car since new, drive it daily and thought I might toy with it a little. I've also been thinking of adding a cold air intake from Swift Technologies. They claim a 22hp/24lb torque increase. Any feedback on that? O.K, I'll close it up here. Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

[Neo]

Take a look at the ones from Daizen Sport Tuning and Espelir.  Both are nice with about 1.7" or so lowering and close to stock ride.

From an aesthetics point, how would lowering look running the stock 16s? (I have a 99 GS300, 106,000 miles.) Is there a compromise in the ride or bottoming out issues to deal with? Also, (nothing like a million questions) is it possible to install coilovers that lower the car and maintain the ride quality with, perhaps, better damping, or, in this case, if I'm using the proper terminology, less bounce on the rebound--like a S Benz, or is that expecting too much, or are shocks and lowersprings better? I've also been thinking of running a larger wheel, like 18s, but have been reading that the ride might be lost. Any suggestions? I've had this car since new, drive it daily and thought I might toy with it a little. I've also been thinking of adding a cold air intake from Swift Technologies. They claim a 22hp/24lb torque increase. Any feedback on that? O.K, I'll close it up here. Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

I don't see anything wrong with lowering on 16s to reduce the fender gap. It won't look as aggressive as a lower profile setup but it will still look better than stock.

If you are already thinking in terms of coilovers, then that is actually what I'd recommend. Many are reluctant to spend the $ needed for coilovers. From your description, the Tein CS are the coilovers to get. Smooth almost stock ride, no float, better handling, height adjustable (manual), and damping adjustable (manual and electronic option).

As for the SRT intake, it is probably the only intake that would give you some noticeable gain since it has a piggyback ECU. The GS300 is a nice car but it is not a speed demon. Other than going FI, trying to get more power to the GS300 is not the most bang-for-the-buck endeavor.

[cgasper]

Thanks for the reply.

With the Tein CS coilovers; in the preset position, if it is preset at all, does that lower the car, by how much and maintain, to a large degree, ride quality? Additionally, and I don't want to bore anyone, if I wanted to go to larger wheels, e.g. 18s, without too low a profile tire, if that is possible (I don't like the small tire wall (terminology?)), is there a wheel/tire that fits, provides the "aggressive" look and maintains, somewhat, ride integrity? I'm not going racing with the car, however, I wouldn't mind adding a more sport like look to an already great design. Thanks, again, for your comments.

[2jzge]

i dont kinow about the 22 horse gain but cold air on the 300 performs and sounds great upstairs.i ahve it now im lookin for exhaust

[Neo]

Thanks for the reply.

With the Tein CS coilovers; in the preset position, if it is preset at all, does that lower the car, by how much and maintain, to a large degree, ride quality? Additionally, and I don't want to bore anyone, if I wanted to go to larger wheels, e.g. 18s, without too low a profile tire, if that is possible (I don't like the small tire wall (terminology?)), is there a wheel/tire that fits, provides the "aggressive" look and maintains, somewhat, ride integrity? I'm not going racing with the car, however, I wouldn't mind adding a more sport like look to an already great design. Thanks, again, for your comments.

Honestly, I don't know what the preset height is. My installer knew where I want the drop to be and he knew how much to adjust it at install time. I never saw my car at the preset height.

Without going into all the issues of rim width, offsets, and staggered setups, if you have a typical 18" wheels that will fit a GS, you will be running a 245/40 tire. This will keep the outside diameter (OD) similar to OEM.

You can get a bit more sidewall if you run 245/45. Your ride will be more comfortable but you will lose some of the handling characteristics. This size will make the OD about 1" wider. This OD would be like someone running 20" rims. The majority of 20" owners do not get a tire setup that is at spec since 1) it involves running a 30 (and possibly a 25) series tire and 2) the appropriate sizes are not as available as the "typical" setup.

Anyway, there could be rubbing issues depending on your lowering. Even if you run these bigger tires without swapping out the OEM shocks and springs, there could still be rubbing if you hit appropriately sized bumps or dips. This is because of the soft nature of the OEM S/S. I am glossing over some details and varying conditions here but I just wanted to get a relatively quick overview out.

Hope some of this helps.

[lxs_hotboi]

Take a look at the ones from Daizen Sport Tuning and Espelir. Both are nice with about 1.7" or so lowering and close to stock ride.

i recently got a set of 20's on my gs430 with 245/35ZR20 tires.. it rode pretty smooth when i had the stock wheels on.. it was like riding on air! so smooth! but when i got my 20's i knew it was gonna affect my ride but i got it anyway. its still a smooth ride but i just feel bumps more often now..will those kind of springs make it feel like a damn ricer car cuz if it does that would suck.. i alreayd had my share of bumpy ricer cars.. i "was" a proud owner of a 94 toyota supra tt tricked out and everything.. i cant stand a bumpy ride now.. so i guess i got too spoiled from riding in my dads lx470.. i learned to appreciate a smooth ride.. its comforting and luxurious..

[cgasper]

Thanks for the reply. 

With the Tein CS coilovers; in the preset position, if it is preset at all, does that lower the car, by how much and maintain, to a large degree,  ride quality?  Additionally, and I don't want to bore anyone, if I wanted to go to larger wheels, e.g. 18s, without too low a profile tire, if that is possible (I don't like the small tire wall (terminology?)), is there a wheel/tire that fits, provides the "aggressive" look and maintains, somewhat, ride integrity?  I'm not going racing with the car, however, I wouldn't mind adding a more sport like look to an already great design.  Thanks, again, for your comments.

Honestly, I don't know what the preset height is. My installer knew where I want the drop to be and he knew how much to adjust it at install time. I never saw my car at the preset height.

Without going into all the issues of rim width, offsets, and staggered setups, if you have a typical 18" wheels that will fit a GS, you will be running a 245/40 tire. This will keep the outside diameter (OD) similar to OEM.

You can get a bit more sidewall if you run 245/45. Your ride will be more comfortable but you will lose some of the handling characteristics. This size will make the OD about 1" wider. This OD would be like someone running 20" rims. The majority of 20" owners do not get a tire setup that is at spec since 1) it involves running a 30 (and possibly a 25) series tire and 2) the appropriate sizes are not as available as the "typical" setup.

Anyway, there could be rubbing issues depending on your lowering. Even if you run these bigger tires without swapping out the OEM shocks and springs, there could still be rubbing if you hit appropriately sized bumps or dips. This is because of the soft nature of the OEM S/S. I am glossing over some details and varying conditions here but I just wanted to get a relatively quick overview out.

Hope some of this helps.

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate your insight. I'll proceed with caution and let you know how it turns out, if I do it. I spoke with my Lexus dealer yesterday and they are reluctant to participate, unless, of course, the items are purchased through them, which I don't mind if the cost is comparable, considering the install warrantee through them, etc.

[Neo]

Take a look at the ones from Daizen Sport Tuning and Espelir.  Both are nice with about 1.7" or so lowering and close to stock ride.

i recently got a set of 20's on my gs430 with 245/35ZR20 tires.. it rode pretty smooth when i had the stock wheels on.. it was like riding on air! so smooth! but when i got my 20's i knew it was gonna affect my ride but i got it anyway. its still a smooth ride but i just feel bumps more often now..will those kind of springs make it feel like a damn ricer car cuz if it does that would suck.. i alreayd had my share of bumpy ricer cars.. i "was" a proud owner of a 94 toyota supra tt tricked out and everything.. i cant stand a bumpy ride now.. so i guess i got too spoiled from riding in my dads lx470.. i learned to appreciate a smooth ride.. its comforting and luxurious..

Those two springs, and the Espelir in particular, retain a lot of the stock ride. The benefits for your set up (20s on stock s/s I assume) would be the following:

1. Lowered ride. You won't be dumped and tucked but it would reduce that fender gap.

2. Better handling. These springs respond better than the OEM ones. These will especially reduce that float feeling when you go over bumps or undulating roads.

3. With 20s, you are now have an extra inch in diameter on your wheels. There could be a rub problem if you hit a big dip and the soft OEM springs don't react quickly enough.

Without knowing your wheel setup in details, I can't tell if you may have a rub issue with the lowering. As you can already tell, you are not going to be able to get the stock smoothness back. This has a lot to do with you having more metal and less but stiffer tire sidewalls. These spings are not the ultimate handling springs but it does not sound like that is what you are after anyway. They will give you the benefits I outlined above while not making the ride quality any worse than what you have now. With the float reduction, I actually think the overall ride would be better.

Disclaimer: Everyone has a different "butt-o-meter". Stiff for one person may be acceptable to others. I tend to be more conservative and like things on the smoother/softer side. I don't and won't claim to know how you like your car set up and am just offering my experiences with my car. :)

[lxs_hotboi]

Take a look at the ones from Daizen Sport Tuning and Espelir.  Both are nice with about 1.7" or so lowering and close to stock ride.

i recently got a set of 20's on my gs430 with 245/35ZR20 tires.. it rode pretty smooth when i had the stock wheels on.. it was like riding on air! so smooth! but when i got my 20's i knew it was gonna affect my ride but i got it anyway. its still a smooth ride but i just feel bumps more often now..will those kind of springs make it feel like a damn ricer car cuz if it does that would suck.. i alreayd had my share of bumpy ricer cars.. i "was" a proud owner of a 94 toyota supra tt tricked out and everything.. i cant stand a bumpy ride now.. so i guess i got too spoiled from riding in my dads lx470.. i learned to appreciate a smooth ride.. its comforting and luxurious..

Those two springs, and the Espelir in particular, retain a lot of the stock ride. The benefits for your set up (20s on stock s/s I assume) would be the following:

1. Lowered ride. You won't be dumped and tucked but it would reduce that fender gap.

2. Better handling. These springs respond better than the OEM ones. These will especially reduce that float feeling when you go over bumps or undulating roads.

3. With 20s, you are now have an extra inch in diameter on your wheels. There could be a rub problem if you hit a big dip and the soft OEM springs don't react quickly enough.

Without knowing your wheel setup in details, I can't tell if you may have a rub issue with the lowering. As you can already tell, you are not going to be able to get the stock smoothness back. This has a lot to do with you having more metal and less but stiffer tire sidewalls. These spings are not the ultimate handling springs but it does not sound like that is what you are after anyway. They will give you the benefits I outlined above while not making the ride quality any worse than what you have now. With the float reduction, I actually think the overall ride would be better.

Disclaimer: Everyone has a different "butt-o-meter". Stiff for one person may be acceptable to others. I tend to be more conservative and like things on the smoother/softer side. I don't and won't claim to know how you like your car set up and am just offering my experiences with my car. :)

thanks for your help.. it does rub though only when im coming out of my driveways and turn it extremely to the right.. other than that it doesn't rub at all..ill definately go with those springs..