Xterminate

Hello all! I just got a used 1998 lexus es 300 (not coach) with 121k miles on it for a very good price. The car runs great, engine is very clean looking, not dirty at all.

Seeing I'm new to this website and glad to be on it, I need to ask for some help. I'm planning to change the stock mufflers on the lexus to any aftermarket mufflers but I have no clue where to start looking I want a muffler that will make my car sound somewhat close to either the Infinity G35 or the Nissan 350Z. I don't want to put a flowmaster on because it will make it sound like a muscle car, and that's not right on a lexus

I want to spend somewhere between $50-100 for a muffler just to get by for now and later on have more money to change the whole new exhaust. I don't know anything about what to do after getting it, ie... do I have to weld it on or just screw it on? I saw some mufflers at autozone(forgot the brand) but looks cool enuff to make some noise but I am not sure that it is good at all. It cost like $125. Can someone show me what mufflers I can get with the price range I listed that has good low deep sound like a 350Z and have little performance gain? Maybe 5-10HP?!?!?!

Also I want to change the stock intake to a cold air intake but I don't know how to do that either I think I need to get a intake system that has a plug for sensor to my car since the stock intake has plugs to it for sensor, but not sure either.

Would posting pic of the engine and stuff helpful or is all 1998 es 300 (not coach) the same?

Please help me turn this lexus to my project car!

Thanks a lot everyone!!!!

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

I would suggest searching CL, ebay, and the web for parts.. I just got some struts/strut mounts from ajusa.com and they are really on the ball.. I have a K@N drop in in my ES.. GL..

Xterminate

Here are some pictures:



Car just parking.... Chrome rims came with the car so don't ask me how much it cost cause I don't know. One thing I do know and it hurts is that I just spent about $650 putting new tires on it, Fuzion ZRI 235/40/18





Stock intake, what to do with it when getting new one, how to install the new one?!?




Overall engine view





How do I clean that dirty looking foggy thing? I use the headlight cleaner thing but it still doesn't work cause its from the inside! Also if I get the HID kit for the car would it be worth it because I notice that the covering has a little metal cap like thing that blocks the light. So getting HID won't be as bright as the real HID will it?

oakhand

Your pics don't work...and that metal cap, is your projector lens, it's glass, it angles and focuses ur beam...

Xterminate

pics do work, im seeing it now it's on the site, sorry I cant make it smaller

bunthy

i've got aftermarket HID on my es 97; the focal point is more narrower than the stock is. But still is better lightout than stock. I have 6k, I wanted 4300k but they didn't have it. I'm also running 4300k in the fogs and with that I can really see! hehehe

Xterminate

the problem of HID kit is I'm afraid it wont put out much lighting due to that metal cap, the projector lens, blocking it...... on true HID lighting on nowadays car they have like a concave lens or something like that to project it further out..... I wonder if I can change the whole front headlight to one that has those lens?? Anyone know anything about that?

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

DO a search on CL.. i know alot of 97-99 ES owners have coverted to HID but have them custom made.

TOny

Xterminate

wat do i type in the search

LXMN

Here is a sample of a retrofit pic. This in my opinion is the way to go with our headlights.

Sash

Having HID lights on the ES looks better and gives a better output than the stock halogen. It's deff worth switching to HID even if that metal cap bothers you.

Cleaning the inside of the headlight might be a problem. I never tried taking apart the headlight but it looks like its on there pretty tight.

Xterminate

What do you guys think of my car btw...

Xterminate

ok heres one more pic after I just washed the baby today

HYPERBOY

looks really nice i like the rims.... the hid kit would be nice! try www.xenondepot.com they have the real deal stuff no fakes great service!!!!!


btw tint thos windows!!! lol

MCG33

iTrader: (4)

Not a huge fan of the wheels but the ride looks really clean. How is the interior?

As for HID, the 3rd gen came with HID as a stock option, so if you don't feel up to retrofitting you should search some junk yards for a set. Putting a kit inside your reflectors won't give you very desirable results.