Neo

Can you share some details on the install ? Did the pieces need any modifications? How does the stuff get installed ? Mistakes/pitfalls ? If you are comfortable installing tint film, then this is similar. If you buy the precut pieces, then there is no mod needed. If you have custom parts on the car (bumper, lips, ...), then you will need to buy a bulk, rectangular roll and cut out your own piece.

If you are concerned about the ride quality, sorry to say but it will get worse. It can't be helped since you are losing a lot of rubber (sidewall). Even going from the stock 16s to the stock 17s, you will notice a ride degradation. Only you will be able to tell if you are OK with it. Eveyone's tolerances are different. If you want to go ahead and do it, then "normal" sizes for 18s are 18x8.5 rims with 245/40 tires. This sizing will keep you within spec of the OEM wheels. If you want to go staggered (wider rear), I think it will look better. The only drawback is that you won't be able to rotate the tires. In this case, you still do the same fronts are above but get 18x9.5 or 18x10 with 275/35 tires. 2 considerations: offset - depending on how aggressive you want the look, i.e. how flushed to the fender you want, the correct offset is crucial because of rubbing issues. big brakes - if you ever have plans to upgrade your brakes with larger rotors/calipers, the correct disc fitment is also necessary. This is just an overview. Once you fill in the blanks of your choices, I (and others here) can answer more specifics. This is easier than to have a huge post saying "if you want this, then do that. if you wnat this other, then do that other" and so on. ;) Good luck.

Depends on the car. I don't have the answer onhand for the ES. I see in your link you have an LS (unless you did not list your ES ;)). My GS has no holes behind my emblems.

Whoa! Major generalization there. Most of the guys I know who fixes up their cars range from engineers to doctors to upper management types and so on. A lot of what we add is to address the things that Lexus did not cater to. For many, the Lexus is just right. For others (like myself), we like the looks, service, and reliability of a Lexus as a basis for change. As an example, for my GS (a sport sedan), I did not think that Lexus took it far enough so I added braces and support bars to help the responsiveness of the car. I love how it drives now. It is not as soft and cushy as the stock version, but I like it this way. I also added larger wheels for looks and handling. There are some body tweaks on the car too but nothing too outrageous (IMHO). I bought a 98 when it came out without Nav. I've learned to see the benefits of Nav so now I am adding an aftermarket one. I'm also upgrading my sound system since I have the stock Pioneer and the ML was not available at the time. I find these changes useful and add to the enjoyment of the car. I also like BMWs but do not like their service, attitude, and reliability history. What I've done is to get a Lexus that drives extremely close to a BMW. I respect your opinion that a nice luxury car like the Lexus should be left alone. (I actually once felt that way until I found how I can customize this car to be what I like.) In return, please respect other's decisions to fix up their cars without being compared to drug dealers and so on. I hope that you read this as a glimpse in the mind of someone "on the other side." I tried to make it sound as neutral as possible (which is the intent) but if it reads differently (in a bad way) to you, then I apologize.

From what I can tell, the OEM ones are McGard locks. You may be able to save a few bucks by buying the correct spec ones from another place vs. the dealer.

So far so good for me. :) I know a number of people who modified their Lexus without cutting corners. When they sold their cars after going back to stock, there were no problems.

What did you not like? Take off from stop (torque) or just overall at speed power (HP)? If HP, then there is not much short of FI. The intake/exhaust combo helps but it won't be significant. If it is torque, then a high stall torque converter + LSD will make the most out of the stock 325 and give you pretty good take offs.

A good size for those widths are 235/40 fronts and 265/35 rear. If you ran 265/40s in the rear, the total outer diameter would not match up with the fronts.

If you don't have one of those adjustable length wrenches, then the pipe is great. Just go to your local Home Depot, Lowes, or equivalent and buy some metal pipe that will fit somewhat snugly over your tire iron. The added should do the trick. I have the pipe and it works great. Sometimes you will find remnants at the store. You only need 2-3ft. They will run a couple of dollars.

I can't remember the pricing for the HKS but the Tein CS runs about $1300 for parts.

im probably gonna get 19s n want good cornering for the car How much ride quality are you willing to give up for that cornering? It's a game of give and take. You don't get something for nothing. ;) You are already going to give up some ride by going to 19s. You can get some ride back by doing the fat setup on 19s (more sidewalls) but you will have diameter issues like the rides with 20s. Also, what is your budget? The Tein CS suggested above are nice. I have them but they are not going to be low-priced.

Depends on budget, how much lowering, ride / handling characteristics, wheel size,... A little info on what you are looking for please. ;)

Did I answer you on CL already? I see these types of questions pretty often and I sometimes don't even look at the screen names (even though these are sometimes different on both forums). 1. There is no L-Tuned STB. There is a TRD STB. It will not fit a GS300. It will fit a GS4x0 if the engine cover is removed. Install is pretty straight-forward. There are 3 bolts from your shock tower (on each side) and there are 3 holes on each side of the STB. Guess how it goes in. ;) You may have to jack up the car on one side to be able to jiggle the bolts into place since there is some play. It all depends on how your car is sitting at the moment. 2. There are a number of under body braces. Depending on where they are, they help tie the connected parts together to act as one unit. The good thing is that the car feels more solid and respond in a more predictable manner. The bad thing (in terms of ride quality) is that it removes some of the flex and independent suspension. This gets interpreted as a harsher ride. The more bracing you add, the harsher the ride becomes to varying degrees. Some braces will contribute minimally to the ride degredation while others will be very noticeable. These braces are meant to improve handling and not ride quality, unless you view bad handling as bad ride quality. ;) Installation for these braces are also DIY but more difficult. They bolt on and require no modifications to the car but it takes a little more time and know-how than the STB. All suspension mods contribute differently. Having an STB does not preclude you from wanting/needing the other braces. 3. For purchases, the site HotBlue400 is a good place. It is the internet storefront for Carson Toyota in California. It is run by Steve Ganz, the parts manager. I've bought plenty of stuff from Steve. Good luck.

245/40/19 is somewhat commonly known as the "fat" setup. I know plenty of people who run that and it should be fine. The diameter of the wheel, however, will be similar to people running 20s. This means that the wheel will be out of spec with an additional 1" in the diameter. You will rub a bit when making full turns. Since you did not specify, I am assuming the wheels are 19x8.5 since you are asking about 245s. +38 offset should be fine.

Yup. 98-00 says Toyota. 01+ says Lexus.

I am usually a supporter of the "to each his own" when modding, but even I have to ask why with this mod.

I think the 95 SC calipers are also 2-piston. As for sale, here is one in this forum: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...topic=10682&hl=

They are both pretty similar. They are both 4-piston calipers so you'll have to just take your pick of which looks better. I am not sure on the weight comparison. Yes these are fronts only. Usually, the fronts and rears should have a balance to be optimal. Most BBK companies do test their front setups with the stock rear and tune the fronts to be balanced with stock rears. The TTs and LS calipers, however, are meant to work with the TT and LS rears. BUT, enough people have successfully used the TTs with stock rears on IS, GS, and SC cars that they should be OK. Even the RMM BBK is really just a prettied up TT setup. The LS setup is newer to the rerofit game and does not have as many verification points but the ones I know of are pretty happy. Don't quote me on the price since I do not sell these but I've seen them go below $300 for both but closer to $250. Since both TTs and LS calipers are bigger, they do need to work with larger TT and LS rotors. You will not be able to keep the stock size ones you are contemplating. Sorry. I hope this helps.

Yes. But also keep in mind that the calipers do not come the way the pic I posted. That one has been painted and has a caliper sticker on it. ;) If you are serious about the brakes, I can point you to someone who periodically gets used LS calipers. He does not always have them but will get some here and there. (As far as I know, he is currently out.) I have not bought these from him but know of satisfied people who have. I'm not endorsing or advertising for him but am just trying to help out other members. PM me if you want more info.

I'm about half an hour from SJ but there is a good amount of guys down in that area. We are trying to build up the NorCal group. Here is our website: http://www.lexusgonewild.com We have a good sized BBQ/meet coming up this weekend on Sat up in Folsom. I know it is quite a drive but we are trying to help out our Sac friends who come down for our meets here. We also have a bigger meet in SJ planned for September. If you are interested in coming, especially, to the one coming up, you can PM me for details.

Nope. Supra TT: LS:

He has two GS to play with. ;)

Neither of the two wings mentioned will cover the stock mounting holes. I know the Veilside won't because people have tried. I have the Win Racing and although it is a large piece, it will not cover the holes nearer to the back window. I only know of the DSR wing (stock looking but flushed instead of raised like the stock wing) that will cover the stock holes. It is not quite available yet, but soon. If you go for any other wing, you'll have to fill the stock holes and repaint.

This is relatively conservative so it should work fine.

Can't help you with the bulbs since I went ahead and installed HIDs. As for the side markers, the easiest way is through the fog light. Just remove it and you will be able to get to the side markers. Have fun. :)