Newsgroup 1

Date Received:	Author and Message:
23 Nov 1998	Steven J. Janda info@startrade.org We have our own max.speed delimiter. It is a small box that connects to the Engine Control computer. It works well, I got booked at 191 km/hr on a freeway past Campbelltown. .
25 Nov 1998	Automotive Concepts Inc Aci@cyberramp.net I have a tech-tip for you. I also own a SC400. 1995. Some SC400 and LS400 will have a 40 mph miss or stumble. Once above that or below, the problem is gone. Try cleaning the E.G.R. valve and filter. This will most likely cure the condition. .
27 Nov 1998	S.Nakamura tonkmr4u@cba.att.ne.jp If you have any info about GS300/400 security systems just let me know. .
07 Dec 1998	Owen McDonald omd@pnc.com.au Just purchased a 92 GTL in Pearl White 31000 genuine Km (no pics yet) Have allready added new wheels 16" * 8" 50mm offset with 2455016 Yokohama tyres.Wanted to keep the ride so no 17" or 18" wheels. I'm interested in any info on these cars and want to share what I can with others. Does anyone know where to get timber look dress up kit for the console-stereo. Also I get conflicting storys on the replacement of badges on boot lid. Can this be done without painting the boot and if so how. I have seen a car that seemed to have been done without paint (it took less that 2 hours to do) but other people tell me this cant be done. Can anyone advise me with this. .
13 Dec 1998	Owen McDonald omd@pnc.com.au I've have the cruise control delimited and I've fitted two 18Mhz FM modules (one for each antena) FM radio works quite well now.Seems to be better then a car I drove with only the main antenna moded. Its a bit of a pain to do the second antena (different plugs etc) but its done now. .
14 Dec 1998	Bob Devine bob@momo2000.com Do you by chance have interference in your stereo system when pressing the trunk release or some other such switches? i've noticed it in many of the soarers on the used lots here and both of my soarers were so inflicted. if you've solved this little problem or know of someone that has please let me know. .
14 Dec 1998	Jorge mindflux90@hotmail.com I want to modify the engine with some turbos and I have been studying the engine manuals from Toyota. Philbert has been great help so far since he kept me posted on the vehicles in Florida. He also mentioned that he could get me BLITZ and TEIN products. I have to make a choice soon on the wheels that I'm going to buy for the vehicle. I want 19" wheels but locally its going to be a bit difficult to get the tires. 17" tires are abundant here but they are too small for this vehicle in my opinion. 17" are small according to somebody that told me that he should have bought 18" or bigger because the car looked wrong since the gap between the fenders was too big. .
15 Dec 1998	Jorge mindflux90@hotmail.com Do you have a shift kit? I also I heard that it is necessary if you want to take full advantage of the electronically controlled transmission. I have to replace the transmission pan anyways so I will install one soon. I'm weary of the reliability of the transmission since it was not intended for max abuse. I'm thinking of taking the friction disks apart and replacing them with kevlar units, don't ask how but it can be done. I do want to retain the original comfort though it would be a crime punishable by death to swap trannys in order to gain performance. I was considering a conversion to stick shift but I started thinking on the turbos and how nice it would be to spool them up like a Grand National and letting the pedal of the brake and launching smoothly and softly but accelerating so rapidly and sequentially where the competition might seem more powerful but actually impress the competition by providing awesome record speeds at the finish line. /
15 Dec 1998	Robert Hayden rhayden@acepia.net.au to Jorge The brakes off the GT Soarer 2.5 litre twin turbo can be fitted if you need really awesome anchors. Haven't heard of anyone touching the tranny. Same tranny in the four litre as the TT 2.5 so I wouldn't be too worried about breaking it. Still thinking of the twin turbos hey? What about a supercharger. Much smoother, no lag and none of the standard turbo feel of still accelerating through a corner even after you have backed off. I took a twin turbo to Sydney last month and just did not like the characteristics of the turbo at all. Twisty, tight mountain roads caused me more nightmares than fun. Give me a V8 anytime. I would certainly consider the supercharger though. Nice even power from go to whoa. That's what a car like these needs. They are too smooth to play around with if it can't be as good as the manufacturer intended. Talking to the race guys down here, they say that I should expect 30-40 horses by grinding the cams and altering the valve timing. Next step is a custom built, tuned length set of extractors, and then stage three, when I'm feeling really sick, would be to supercharge it . Not with a Paxton, but with a custom manifold and a real roots blower, like on the Buick 3.6 litre V6. At this stage all I have is a standard air box with K and N filter, and the fuel pump. Next will be the exhaust. Oh! I have pulled out the two standard mufflers. I only run the cats and the two rear resonators. .
17th Feb 1999	Scott Leahy leahy1@yahoo.com I recently purchased a '93 LS400. The colour of the car is Silver Taupe, with Taupe interior. The car is in great shape and I am very happy with my purchase. One area that could stand improvement is the handling. I tend to enjoy a car with sporty handling and the big Lexus is a little too soft. I am considering changing out the springs and shocks to something more sporting. I am considering Eibach springs and Bilstein or Tokico shocks. I'm looking to reduce roll in the corners, dive on braking, and overall stability, without creating a bone jarring ride. I'm wondering if anyone on the list has tried using sport springs and shocks on an LS400, and what were the results. .
19th Feb 1999	FASTMONSTR@aol.com A little known fact: there are stiffer springs available from Lexus. They are listed in the parts catalogue as "Guatamala springs" they were designed for the South and Central American markets were the roads are much rougher that here in the US. They offer a stiffer rider without effecting ride quality too much. Hope this helps. .
23rd May 1999	Peter Mc Namara pelu@ozemail.com.au Congratulations on setting up the site. i have had 12 months of wonderful driving from my GS 300 and it has taken 30 years off my life - I feel 40 again! and you will be pleased to know i am no longer driving like a 70 y-o in a 1988 M-B 260E with its "doughy" acc. pedal and lack of zing. I'd tried BMW and M-B and had decided on the ES 300 when a friend handed me a copy of June'98 WHEELS and urged me to try the GS. I went off the deep end and decided to go the extra mile and I haven't regretted one dollar of it. in fact, I look on it as saving me $20K on the BMW and $30K and frustrations on the M-B. I'd be interested in hearing how you came by your coupe and your comments if you have tried the IS 200. .
24th May 1999	Robert Hayden rhayden@acepia.net.au to Peter Mc Namara. The Internet and Email may have bought the World together, but it is still remains interesting because you can't know the ages and backgrounds of the people with whom you communicate. I am closing on forty and my wife and I have no children, bar our two Belgian Shepherd dogs. We had two late model Range Rovers, one for the streets and one for the bush, and I came to the conclusion that we just didn't need two cars for the dogs, and that I would like to have a sports car. I hadn't owned a car for twenty years, as I'm an avid 4 wheeler and enjoy travelling and exploring this great country. I also felt that I was "loosing the edge" a bit. I mean, when you steer a four wheel drive around for so long, you tend to become a lazy driver and your reflexes tend to diminish. I felt that I needed to re-sharpen my senses and learn to drive again, as against steering. I wanted something that was fast and handled well, but also had to keep in mind that I occasionally need to transport a business colleague or pick up a client, so the car needed to have some creature comforts. I looked at Porsche and BMW, but it seems like everyone these days has one. I liked the 300ZX twin turbo, particularly with bigger turbos and after market blow off valve, but the more I drove them, the more disillusioned I was with them. Not very comfortable, awful suspension, chassis and suspension flex, poor handling, offset by good looks and great straight line speed. Build quality was also dubious as was the reliability and serviceability of the V6 engine. I called in to a showroom to look at a 300ZX with 550 Hp and didn't even look at it. Sitting in the corner was this beautiful looking sports coupe from Lexus. Never having seen one before, I asked every question under the sun, and it wasn't long before I had it on the road for a test drive. Over the next few weeks I drove many of them, all over the southern states of Australia, to obtain a good sampling and feel for what the dollar bought. I really wanted a hybrid that wasn't produced. A twin turbo model with all of the leather and luxury options, including the air suspension, but this option pack was never produced so I stayed safe and purchased the V8, feeling quite comfortable as it is the same engine drive train combination as the LS400 and parts and service were therefore no problem. The quality of build and fitment of the car has to be second to none. It is a technological marvel, and after eight months and fifteen thousand kilometres, I have experienced no real problems apart from a slight clunk from the transmission at very low speeds, which was repaired by the dealer last week. The car is really quick, very predictable in it's handling and extremely accurate to drive. It has a good balance of 'on tap' power and runs so smooth and quiet that you often have to look at the tacho to see if it is running. A colleague has a new 300 series Jaguar which I use often. The Jaguar has the look and feel that just oozes refinement and luxury, but it's certainly no embarrassment when we use my car over his. Where the Jaguar is superb in it's seating, magnificent Connolly leather and acres of burred walnut, the Lexus makes up for it with perfect ergonomics, visibility, and electronic wizardry, let alone that magnificent V8 sound. When it comes to service time, I know which car I'd rather own. The Jaguar has to be one of the most expensive cars to maintain and service. Give me Mr. Lexus every time. Most service parts are available from the local Toyota dealer, and are shared with other Toyotas, like the Camry and Landcruiser. If you ever decide that you don't really use you back seat too often, and want a change, treat yourself to a drive of a late model SC400 V8 coupe, it's the next step in the transition after your GS300. It's just a shame that only the USA got the GS400, as what a perfect combination that would be, GS shell with 275 Kw V8 power. I have an IS200 on my shopping list, but we are renovating and adding a new room or two so it may have to wait for a while. Actually, from all reports, the only draw back to the IS200 seems to be the power plant. I spoke to Neil Bates after Targa Tasmania (7th outright in IS200) and his only negative comment about the car was the lack of power. He tells me that the balance and poise of the car is as good, if not better than any other car he has driven, but it is let down by the performance. I would like to look at a personal import of a Toyota Altezza from Japan. This is the Japanese version of the IS200 with a four cylinder 2.0 litre turbocharged engine rather than the conventional 2.0 litre 6 cylinder that reached both Australia and the USA. The performance figures from the pocket rocket are bordering on Mitsubishi Evolution 6 and M3 BMW specs in a car that is slightly smaller and has a better chassis and suspension dynamics. You won't see too many of them here, but over the next year or so, the occasional one will sneak in as a personal import.