MurileeMartin wrote:The Benz got through the BS Inspection unscathed because the suspension was convincingly crappy. We pay more attention to suspension stuff than anything else. Those guys work in a Mercedes-Benz shop, yet they somehow resisted the temptation to "find" some high-performance parts "just lying around the shop" and "buy" them for "5 bucks."
If you can resist the same temptation with your LS400, you'll be fine. We might even be willing to believe the adapter-plate/Supra transmission story if you want to put a manual transmission in your car... but the V8 in the Lexus makes 250-300 horses (depending on which one you're using, and before you work your hot-rod tricks on it- yes, yes, I know you'd never do that), i.e. way more than the Benz motor, we know you're an experienced race car builder AND you work on Toyotas for a living, so we're going to be quite inquisitive about the car when it shows up for the BS Inspection.
That said, we like the idea of more big Japanese luxury cars racing at Lemons, just like we like the idea of more big German luxury cars racing at Lemons, so we're totally happy to give zero BS laps to a car that's all sweat/no checkbook.
I'm looking forward to it! Hard to believe I know, but Toyota connection doesn't do a thing for me, and I don't wrench em, I work in computers! As to the motor I didn't so much as pull a spark plug or change the air filter. Seems to run ok, so I'm gonna try it as is (I hope to not regret that). I'm a 4cyl guy and don't know squat about getting power out of these, and it probably doesn't need any more anyway (This is the first gen 250hp one). As to suspension, stock everything, pluse ebay coilovers and junk yard struts (LF is a newer one replacing air suspension - all 4 for $100 from pick and pull). I may try drilling and putting heavier oil in. As light as it is now, it doesn't feel fast, but maybe thats just because of its lame tranny and the fact that its 100hp down on my 1.8l 4cyl Audi street car Probably see you next year with it, mebbe even CMP?
You can see every detail of the build blow by blow with comments on my facebook site for it. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1 … =645133029 See something questionable? Just ask!
"Don't mess with Lexas!" LS400. We survived another one! See website link for build details.
Maker of the "unofficial Lemons fish!" - If you ask nice, I'll likely give you one at the track.