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Marklouis

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Posts posted by Marklouis

  1. I'm sure there are die hard Lexus owners that still get thier babies serviced at Lexus - it would be neat to rifle through the Lexus Database and look at some of the mileage the cars are clocking - for sure these cars can go 1 mil + with the proper maintanance - if a camry can do it the LS sure can!

    mine is a 95 LS with 240k now with wonderful compression in all cylinders.

  2. my Speedometer needle sticks also especially on hot days, if I am not mistaken a posted thread on this issue stated that the small amount of grease at the base of the needle liqifies by the heat and causes a vacuum effect with the base. I believe extruding the excess grease off of the needle fixes this, in which you have to remove the instrument Cluster and that shouldnt be too difficult - this is something i am having to fix in the next couple of days so I will let you know how it goes ;)

  3. Hello Newbie,

    If you are uncertain about the Condition of the Timing Belt you need to at least inspect it closely to see if you can squeeze a few more miles till you can get it changed out - good luck with solving the pinging issue, I would definately start with the basics and work your way up from there, I actually did have a pinched plug wire under the plastic cover that caused my car to misfire -

  4. I'll probably replace that while I'm working on the car, but I doubt it's a vibration from that. The car shudders noticeably, and it reminds me of a trans. trying to search for a gear. It also feels the same with O/D on and off at 55, and comes and goes kind of randomly.

    ok, now I see what you are saying. fluid and filter change wouldnt hurt anyways!

  5. I have a 94' LS400 w/ 190,000 miless, and since I've owned the car its been flawless. Lately the car seems to stutter between speeds of 50-70mph, or under load around 45mph. The car seems to free rev smoothly, and pulls smooth if I run it WOT, so it seems like a partial throttle issue. With that in mind it seems like either a transmission issue, or maybe the TPS sensor on the fritz. My plan is to change out the trans. fluid and strainer soon, but I wanted to check on here first to see if anyones had this issue before... if so what was the underlying problem?

    Have you already checked the Transmission mount to see if it needs replacing? that's a main contributer if your stutter seems like a vibration -

  6. I think it may be a positive modification for more aggressive drivers - that's not too bad a price either, may consider adding that to my shocks package - and if i dont like the feel of the modification right away, then further adjustments can be made to stiffen or soften it a bit. Remember, there is no "absoulte 0" when it comes to tuning any cars suspension there are always +'s and -'s to fine tuning. just be sure to do your homework as you have done before installing any aftermarket products.

    Thanks for the reply. In talking with addco and research on other forums on this car the ride quality on normal roads is not changed and only comes into play on corners obviously. Addco also stated the bar was tested in conjunction with the stock front swaybar setup from the factory. It will most likely be my only suspension mod other than maintenence as the roads in the state of Massachusetts can be brutal after the winter plows ruin them and makes potholes etc.

    What have you done to your LS400 ?? I am a Lexus noob but have worked on cars abit over the years.

    Thanks

    My LS400 is as stock as you can get right now - premium maintanace has only been done to it so far. but it is ready for some replacement parts especially in the suspension dept - Powertrain is as optimal as it will get for now with new fluids, timing belt, pulleys, plugs, plugwires and filters.

    after inspecting all components in the suspension all bushings are dry, cracked and way "out of spec" shape so im positive that is contributing to my "boat" like feel. The shocks may be fine but i am opting for more stiffer Bilstein shock absorbers. thought heavily on the Muffler delete but also I love the quiet suprise essence the car has now - they don't notice me untill I pass by them - wouldnt want to alert them with a Throaty V8 sound. lol even though I love to hear my throttle body opening up with rushing air.

    Sounds to me your doing things the right way, making sure everything is up to snuff before adding anything.

    I went to my buddies shop today and we unclamped heated and removed the rear mufflers. They can be reinstalled if I want,,but I really like the sound! They're exiting before the rear axle now but it is quiet still but a nice mild rumble. Close the windows and you dont hear it unless you really stomp on it. I already made an appointment for making the pipes to the rear of the car as I like it that much. Not loud at all. You should try it for a day or two and if you don't like it clamp them back on. I was amazed the bolts for the clamps weren't seized with the winter salt up here but no problem! Yours should be cake!!!

    never hurts to try anything once, and they are remarkably easy to remove and that is a reflection on how these cars are designed - very user friendly to the amatuer mechanics.

  7. I think it may be a positive modification for more aggressive drivers - that's not too bad a price either, may consider adding that to my shocks package - and if i dont like the feel of the modification right away, then further adjustments can be made to stiffen or soften it a bit. Remember, there is no "absoulte 0" when it comes to tuning any cars suspension there are always +'s and -'s to fine tuning. just be sure to do your homework as you have done before installing any aftermarket products.

    Thanks for the reply. In talking with addco and research on other forums on this car the ride quality on normal roads is not changed and only comes into play on corners obviously. Addco also stated the bar was tested in conjunction with the stock front swaybar setup from the factory. It will most likely be my only suspension mod other than maintenence as the roads in the state of Massachusetts can be brutal after the winter plows ruin them and makes potholes etc.

    What have you done to your LS400 ?? I am a Lexus noob but have worked on cars abit over the years.

    Thanks

    My LS400 is as stock as you can get right now - premium maintanace has only been done to it so far. but it is ready for some replacement parts especially in the suspension dept - Powertrain is as optimal as it will get for now with new fluids, timing belt, pulleys, plugs, plugwires and filters.

    after inspecting all components in the suspension all bushings are dry, cracked and way "out of spec" shape so im positive that is contributing to my "boat" like feel. The shocks may be fine but i am opting for more stiffer Bilstein shock absorbers. thought heavily on the Muffler delete but also I love the quiet suprise essence the car has now - they don't notice me untill I pass by them - wouldnt want to alert them with a Throaty V8 sound. lol even though I love to hear my throttle body opening up with rushing air.

  8. I think it may be a positive modification for more aggressive drivers - that's not too bad a price either, may consider adding that to my shocks package - and if i dont like the feel of the modification right away, then further adjustments can be made to stiffen or soften it a bit. Remember, there is no "absoulte 0" when it comes to tuning any cars suspension there are always +'s and -'s to fine tuning. just be sure to do your homework as you have done before installing any aftermarket products.

  9. It is a timeless machine for sure - I keep pushing mine everyday and it pushes right back. Road trips are much better in the LS, and it seems you bought the car for all the right reasons - it will serve you very well.

    Thanks again by the way for finding that Passenger sideview mirror on Ebay for me - didnt get it in time - next time i will be faster on the draw. hope you found what you needed. enjoy the LS and have a good time in Dallas - will be traveling to San Antonio in June myself for a wedding.

  10. Sorry GS fans, the LS is better and just as quick - remember the LS is the Flagship and gets the most attention in quality and detail. unless you actually prefer the GS bodystyle of course - to me the LS badge definatley speaks more volume in comparison.

  11. How much more will they charge you for the extra 300 mile battery? It says you only get the 160 mile battery with the base model. If you can really get 5-7 years like they say per battery, then it seems like electric cars are becoming more and more of a sustainable option. So long as a new battery doesn't run you $6K+ like most batteries of this type. BTW I think it looks more like a Maserati than an Aston. Never the less it's a stunningly good looking car.

    good question, hopefully not too expensive on the extra range - it's lithium ion battery packs and I can only see the number of cells as being the difference in them. 600lb - 1200lb battery pack, thats a lot of power cells! and the longevity 5-7 years or more surely is a plus - battery maintanance and the correct charging methods can lengthen the life of the cells. I believe some of the original Prius battery packs are still going stron also. the 160 mile range pack is still the longest range for any EV, so that would be satisfactory for now. another thing is they hope to build Battery switching stations accross the country, which is still long ways down the road, but will be an awesome convenience.

    and it does look more like a Maserati your right, EV's don't have to look so geeky!

  12. If you're looking to get some more noise out of it just delete the resonator and change the mufflers out, and leave the x pipe, and cats. you shouldn't fail any emissions and you'll be surprised with the sound you get. I've gotta get an x pipe put on my car soon hopefully it'll be a little bit more quiet. Everyone says i've ruined my car by putting headers on it and making it loud but to each his own. Being the youngin' that i am i like my car to sound like it's got some muscle. I know the ls is no race car by any means but it's a great boulevard cruiser and embarrassed some kid in a tiburon tonight on the expressway.

    Tiburons are fun to smoke!

  13. Marklouis,

    Looks like a nice car! 300 miles on a single charge is great. I found it interesting where the website states that the base price includes the $7,500 tax credit. Does mean that the price is really $57,400?

    Good that you're keeping your Lexus. It'll make a great road trip car while the Tesla could serve as a city run-about.

    Congrats on the new toy. :)

    Micah

    yes, the Base price is $57,400, but may drop or rise the closer it gets to crunch time - the rebate will keep going up for sure I hope. The only reason I bought the Lex is because of it's longevity, comfort, safety, and decent gas mileage - and it's the best "used" car in most categories. and i will continue enjoying it for sure -

    I have never bought a new car, and this would be my first - I'm willing to take the plunge and go through all the little technical challenges ahead with this model S, but the Roadster has had great reviews so far on reliability and quality, so hoping this would be the same.

  14. Nice looking cars but these guys have some voodoo science going on.

    They say 300 miles on a $4 charge. That’s $0.0133 per mile. A 30MPG car at $3/gal gas is $0.10 per mile.

    I know gas engines aren't super efficient but electricity has losses too. There are losses of energy in the charging system, in the batteries, in the electronics to the motor and the motor itself. I just find it hard to believe there is a 10x efficiency pick up with electric. I think the $/mile claims are exaggerated on all these electric cars.

    I agree the claims are exaggerated and I'm also somewhat skeptical - they really don't need to use fudged numbers as "+- amount of coal/gas consumed = +- amount of electricity used" as a selling point because I was sold on the fact that my wife doesnt have to stop at a gas station again and we can charge it in the garage at night - and the fact it looks like an Austin Martin and not an ugly little eggshell. I believe this technology will keep improving and have longer ranges as well - We can get rid of our $400 monthly gas bill also.

  15. we have just reserved one of these Tesla Model S all electric sedans for later 2012 - i know it's not Lexus related, but it caught my interest immediately because I am a fan of the Tesla roadster (or anything fast) and this would be a great investment for the future - Im still keeping my Lexus because it's paid off and will outlast me probably. But i thought I would share this new toy with you guys and thought you might enjoy checking it out.

    http://www.teslamotors.com/models/index.php

  16. Ditto on Blacktop - to really gain more horsepower will take some good money and good tech knowledge - these powertrains are way ahead of their time and still are more sophisticated than some modern powertrains as well - I've had these same thoughts as you untill I changed the timing belt and checked my valve clearances and compression, then I realized this is one powertrain not to be rifled with unless you have extensive knowledge on modern powertrains and thier limits - it is easy to work on but not easy to modify without loads of $$$

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