Hey everyone I've been lurking here and gathering information for years on the 2jz-gte platform. I have built a few cars before but his is my first build thread so bear with me. My brother has an sc300 with a 1jz-gte single turbo and has been trying to get me to get a sc for years I have always looked at the sc's and even bought a shell to get a project started but never could get the project going and ended up selling the shell. I've always loved the gs and I recently wrecked my Acura tsx due to an idiot in a speeding across the parking lot not looking where he was going.

The aftermath of the accident:


Since i needed a car and wanted something I could mod but also something reliable that could fit family in the 2G gs300 was my first choice. I looked for about 2-3 weeks until I found something in my price range and ended up will a 2003 Black on tan gs for a steal!

Here is a picture of the first day I got her:




wrapped the fogs and got a wash and wax:


First things first maintenance. I changed the plugs, valve cover gaskets, coil boots, and replaced all the fluids. I also inspected suspension and as usual with 2g gs it had a slew of suspension issues. The first couple of things i noticed was that the #2 caster arm bushings were completely shot as well as the lower ball joints and the struts. So I order a Dazien Front end bushing kit, Sway bar kit, and Steering rack bushing kit.

Bushing kits and ball joints:






old bushings:






New bushings being installed;





When I saw the Dazien caster arm I was not happy with the design. For those of you that don't know the cater arm moves at an odd angle and solid bushing are not ideal because they give little to no movement and over time with break the solid bushing. So i ended up ordering the poly bushings from FIGS. As far as struts im more than likely going to go with some Megan EZ coilovers in a few weeks... Feel free to leave comments or suggestions! Stay tuned!

 

Welcome to the forums and off to a good start....

 

Where did you order the daizen bushing kit at? Can't seem to find anywhere to buy them

 

Thanks
I actually found them on Amazon through TM engineering

 

welcome to the forum, looking forward to seeing what else is in store for the GS

 

Thanks

I have a buddy that is pretty much giving away some Varrstoen 1.1.2 wheels that he had on his 3G GS for 2 days then took off the wheels to trade in the car. Not my top pick in wheels but for 300.00 bucks I cant pass it up. The only thing i'm worried about is the size and offset. I should have some time to test fit the wheels this weekend.

New wheels with tires:


They are F 19x9.5 22 R 19x11 25. I've seen other people on here run those and be pretty flush with a front roll and rear shave and slight pull so im going to give it a shot.

 

wow thats a steal, perfect starter wheels man.

 

great looking wheels for $300. also FYI the daizen bushings are poly bushings but FiGS also offers the metal type for the caster bushing

 

Yea can't complain. Thanks!


They have a metal and polyurethane bushings. I emailed figs to see what would be best for my build and he recommended the polyurethane. The metal is more for full race and the polyurethane for a street car. And thanks bro

 

Great start! Like the way your taking care of the important stuff first.

 

Appreciate it. No point in making the car fast if you can't control the power or stop....

 

Had some free time today so i changed out the tie rod ends and the lower ball joints:








Steering is nice and tight and there is an huge improvement in ride quality. I also ordered some BC 30 wayadjustable coilovers with custom spring rates Front 12k and Rear 10k which should be here in 1-3 weeks

 

wow those tie rods were beat up... definitely needed changing

 

So I test fitted my wheels today and they sick out quite a bit. The fronts have 225/35 ' and the rear 265/30's. Hopefully when I lower the car some camber will take care of most of that. If not then I'll be on the market for some new wheels.