Vette Boy

means what? torque converter takes 8.9L and the actual transmission takes 1.8L?

will filling thr torque converter with amsoil make it run better and smoother or?!

←

The TC hold 1-2 quarts max. If you want to replace all the fluid, power flush.

re: SRT intakes:

how's that old line go, "figures don't lie, but liars figure"?

...I'll also try it with the VSC off too. BTW, what do you mean by TC...

←

Yes, to get the best times, you'll need to be PWR mode with VSC off. As noted, TC is torque converter. It's the clutch of an auto trans. By loading it up to the stall speed you eliminate any delay in spooling up the drivetrain.

With a little practice, you'll max out the number, whatever that is. Meeting magazine nunbers on an auto trans is much easier that a manual. I've been able to max out my old Imapala SS with auto trans, with my manual trans Vette, I'm a 1/2 second slow in the quarter mile, after 6-7 trips to the strip.

...From a dead stop I basically floor it. 

←

To get a good launch without spinning the tires:

At a complete stop, brake hard and load the TC up by reving the engine to ~1500 RPM (right under the stall speed of the TC). If you have to much gas, the rear wheels will start breaking loose, back off slightly.

At the same time, release the brake w/left foot and roll into the throttle w/right foot. This is the part that takes skill. If the throttle is just mashed, then the tires will spin and the time will suffer, if it's not rolled into fast enough, the max performance isn't realized.

...Is there a way to reset the location so I can set the correct starting location?

If you go to lexus.com and join the owners area, you can download the manuals for your car. That's the only place I can get a nav manual for my '02 (unless I pay the dealer $20).

...The only sure cure then is to replace them.

←

What's a good brand? I see rotors on-line for ~$120 a set.

You could try a shock tower brace to stiffen it up some. Maybe shocks and springs as well and change the swaybar bushings.:whistles:

←

So you're saying the shimmy is normal and I need to upgrade the shocks/springs and swaybar bushings to make it right?

Been discussed. Multiple times on this forum.

←

Sorry, I missed that. I've only seen master keys on ebay, no valet or wallet keys.

When I really step on my brakes the front end shimmys just a little bit, I can feel it through the steering wheel. Is it rotors, bushings or something else?

where can I get 'em cheap?

What does the valve body mod do?

Where to begin.Ill try to mak it short....

Yer sick brother, get some help

I modded up my SS big time. Then I went for an LT4 Vette 'cause it weighs 1000lbs less and has 100 extra HP. I'm keeping my GS stock....once I crack the factory set up and start "improving" the rattles and hassle start coming. I need a clean reliable business ride, the GS is as fast as my SS stock.

Yeah I dont have any lt-4s under my belt but alot of lt-1s....

An auto LT1 w/2.59 gear is a 14.2 sec car, that's 50% of all LT1 Vettes. With your mods you'll take 'em down in style.

yeah, I am not sure if you're pulling our collective legs

On the Vette forum, people brag about how low their mileage is, proof you're not a waxer

His mileage seems about right, I doubt there's any different in mileage between the 6cyl/8cyl motors. With a modern computer controlled engine, mileage is more a function of the weight and aero charactistics (for a given driver). Of course, once you step on it, the bigger engine eats more air, so it needs more fuel.

One reason to keep an eye on the mileage (whatever level it's at) is to make sure the O2 sensors are not getting "lazy". As the sensors start to fade, they don't react as quickley to throttle changes and poor mileage is the result. The driver can detect the sensors are going bad by noticing the gas mileage is dropping. Another symtom of fading O2 sensors is poor idle at stoplights, esp if the idle recovers in a few seconds. Unfortunatley, the weak link of any computer controlled engine is that there's no way to detect a fading O2 sensor. The freaking thing needs to be nearly dead before the SES light is set.

What are your opinions?

I'm new here, but I modded up an American V-8 sedan (96 Impala SS). The best mod I every made on it (and I made many!) was a shift kit and looser TC. I see the favorite TC of all the Vette/Camaro/F-bird/Imapala hot rodders is available for the GS430. The PI Vigalante is able to take over 600 ft*lbs of torque, that should cover the Supra Turbo 6 cylinder folks.

- IMHO, my GS420 needs another ~1000 rpm stall speed. It takes too long to spool up the motor with the stock TC.

- Even with the sport mode shift enabled, it's too long a shift time.

- 0.5 seconds in the 1/4 mile seems a little high, I'd expect 0.2~0.3 seconds reduction, making the GS430 a 13 sec car...not too bad.

- What do these valve body kits do?

- I checked the TransGo site, they make the BEST kit for GM/Ford/Chrysler...nothing for the Lexus :cries:

- I doubt you'll need a trans cooler with a looser TC, esp with a kit that shortens shift time (valve body kit?). Unless you go with an outragous stall speed (>3000rpm) the heat build up isn't much for a 2500-2800 rPM stall speed converter.

Congrats .Sounds like you got a great car.Good Luck keeping it stock thats what I said .It didnt work.

←

I'm afraid to ask...what mods, any 1/4 mile times?

Ive eaten many vettes for breakfast and my car is still a daily driver!

←

For my LT4, 380/380 HP/torque isn't enough, that's why I'm installing long tubes, an 847 cam and porting the heads. 460HP/420FT*LBS should put me in the ~11.5 sec 1/4 mile and a 3.8 sec 0-60, that should take care of the new 911 Turbo

Great fun when it ran correctly.  And it will be the last domestic car I ever own.  Trust to that.

I hear ya. I will always own a Vette, I love creaming all the posers in thier Eurotrash M3/5 and 911s. They always ask me how come they lost, R&T, Car & Driver says they should win (never assume a Vette is stock ) As for a daily driver, I can't take the GM interior anymore.

...Had I had to pay someone, I think I would have had to sell my house.  So the SS was off the list pretty quick....

I'm looking at the Lexus dealer where I bought my GS, they look pretty pricy too. Owning an Impala has taught me how to fix my own cars. The GS won't be any different. I'm not dropping $1,000 for the 90K service which includes about $150 worth of parts and fluids.....

One thing I have noticed is it's lots easier to swap the plugs on a Lexus V8 compared to a GM V8 :)

It's cranking fine, just takes a little long to start. I'm used to GM optispark, a piece of junk, but very fast starting, maybe I'm overreacting, The car is only 30 months old and has 70K miles, I figure everything is original. Here's what I was thinking for a 70K mile tune up:

sparkplugs (denso iridiums?)

O2 sensors (Stock denso; does the GS430 have 4 sensors or 2?)

K&N air filter

flush brakes (ATE super Blue)

power steering (valvoline synth)

trans (mobil 1 ATF)

rear diff (mobil 1 GL5 75W-90)

engine coolant (what kind?)

fuel filter (Denso?)

anything else?

what do you think about the tune-up parts selection?

....Do you have the owners manual.

←

Yes I do, I read it last night. I guess I'm going to swap all the fluids out and swap the plugs for starters.

- Is there a factory service manual?

- Any discount Lexus parts from internet sellers?

Hello All,

I just picked up an '02 GS430 with 70K miles. 30 months old, fully loaded with Nav, Mark Lev and 17" wheels.

I replaced my 96 Impala SS with many mods, runs a 5.7 sec 0-60 and 14.2 sec quarter. I was tired of the old hag but I couldn't give up the performance...so I started looking at V8 sedans. Then this GS popped up, lots of miles in a short time period, just what I wanted.

I also have a 96 Vette, LT4/6 speed with lots of mods and more coming.

I plan on keeping the GS430 stock, I love the performace and luxury. It'll take me a few miles to learn to drive the speed limit. My Impala was a lot louder

Eric

I just purchased a '02 GS430 with 70K miles on it. It's starting a little slow, I was wondering what was involved with an 80K service. What exactly does the dealer do @ 80K miles?

Eric