Project: Lenor. The 1999 GS300 Winter Beater
#1
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Just picked up a 1999 GS300 For $2,000. It's not perfect inside or out, but it's been maintained at the same Lexus dealership since new. Mechanically, it has a leaky valve cover gasket and a CEL for a bad O2 sensor and evap leak. Seats are a little rough, carpet is a little rough... It's definitely a big difference from the SC400 I used as a winter beater last year.
Plans are tentatively: MS3, BFI, exhaust, and giggle gas.
![](https://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff430/McCloudsWJ/20150628_104338_zpsvbryecfw.jpg)
Plans are tentatively: MS3, BFI, exhaust, and giggle gas.
![](https://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff430/McCloudsWJ/20150628_104338_zpsvbryecfw.jpg)
![](https://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff430/McCloudsWJ/20150628_104332_zpsvtavyy8k.jpg)
#4
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Gracias. Tuning is
I'm actually in Colorado now. I got the GS as a winter vehicle because my Jeep was useless in the snow and Colorado gets a lot of snow.
A little off topic, but... I was the second lowest static ZJ Grand that actually got driven. Eibach springs, Bilsteins, UHPs, 5.9L V8, long tube headers, big injectors, solid motor mounts, all polyurethane suspension bushings, big TB, 3" exhaust, custom tuned by me. Lots of fun unless it rained; terrifying in the snow.
I'm actually in Colorado now. I got the GS as a winter vehicle because my Jeep was useless in the snow and Colorado gets a lot of snow.
A little off topic, but... I was the second lowest static ZJ Grand that actually got driven. Eibach springs, Bilsteins, UHPs, 5.9L V8, long tube headers, big injectors, solid motor mounts, all polyurethane suspension bushings, big TB, 3" exhaust, custom tuned by me. Lots of fun unless it rained; terrifying in the snow.
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#6
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Back on topic, I'd like to take care of the the Christmas lights all over the cluster. I have CEL, BRAKE, and the brake light out indicator lit up. CEL pulls codes for bank 2 O2 sensor and evap leak. From reading around here, the VSV seems suspect? I ordered a OEM VSV and o2 sensors.
The BRAKE light is probably a bad contact somewhere. I verified that the parking brake (and release) do actually work.
The brake light out indicator looks like it's from the stupid LED tail lights the PO put in.
The BRAKE light is probably a bad contact somewhere. I verified that the parking brake (and release) do actually work.
The brake light out indicator looks like it's from the stupid LED tail lights the PO put in.
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For this winter-duty SC400:
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#8
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#10
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I dont know how you do it, I was scared I was going to slide off the mountain and I was driving an AWD Audi when I was there, the GS in the snow on colorado mountains is a legit cheek clencher.
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My wife drives a lifted Jeep--if the weather is ever actually bad enough to be dangerous, I'll probably take her car.
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#13
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It's not difficult if you have the Pioneer ("Lexus Premium Sound") stereo, the amp is just behind the glove box and you can use two standard Toyota wiring harnesses so that you don't have to cut any factory wiring. There's a few helpful DIY threads and I just did this a few weeks ago, so I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Seems like a solid "beater," best of luck with the project, dude!
#14
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Just in case you aren't already aware, aftermarket head units require a few extra steps to install than typical cars. You have to bypass the factory amp to make the speakers work. This will also get rid of the factory subwoofer, so you'll have to add an amp to get the bass back.
It's not difficult if you have the Pioneer ("Lexus Premium Sound") stereo, the amp is just behind the glove box and you can use two standard Toyota wiring harnesses so that you don't have to cut any factory wiring. There's a few helpful DIY threads and I just did this a few weeks ago, so I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Seems like a solid "beater," best of luck with the project, dude!
It's not difficult if you have the Pioneer ("Lexus Premium Sound") stereo, the amp is just behind the glove box and you can use two standard Toyota wiring harnesses so that you don't have to cut any factory wiring. There's a few helpful DIY threads and I just did this a few weeks ago, so I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Seems like a solid "beater," best of luck with the project, dude!