Considering GS 430 "Sport Design"
09-24-08, 08:51 AM
#16
I have been thinking the same thing. Especially with the market for V8 lux sedans being so bad right now.
I am not necessarily opposed to boost, but I just don't know if I want to go into that stage of modification with expense and maintenance. I would rather just have something NA, but I guess I wouldn't completely rule out a turbo. Isn't a decent setup like 5K though?
I am not necessarily opposed to boost, but I just don't know if I want to go into that stage of modification with expense and maintenance. I would rather just have something NA, but I guess I wouldn't completely rule out a turbo. Isn't a decent setup like 5K though?
a WHOLE kit, thats still cheaper than doing the other swap you wanted!
11-01-08, 08:42 AM
#18
With the economy being so bad right (especially V8 luxury cars) now I have continued to kick this idea around. Believe it or not one of the main reasons that I am considering this switch is the highway mileage on the V8. At 70 mph the 300 is revving at 2700 rpms...at 80 its over 3k. As a result my car absolutely guzzles gas on the highway. I know the 430 is around 2100 or 2200 rpms at 70-80, and I have seen many of you saying that you get 27ish mpg on highway driving.
The extra 75 hp wouldn't be bad either
.
At the same time I love the 2JZ as an engine- smoothness, the sound, etc. I also wouldn't want to buy both, swap the thing I want to swap, and then not be able to sell the 300 in this economy.
Any further input? Thanks in advance.
The extra 75 hp wouldn't be bad either
. At the same time I love the 2JZ as an engine- smoothness, the sound, etc. I also wouldn't want to buy both, swap the thing I want to swap, and then not be able to sell the 300 in this economy.
Any further input? Thanks in advance.
11-01-08, 01:04 PM
#22
The V8s rev around 2600-2700rpm at 80mph. Still rather high, especially firing on all 8 cylinders.
You change the final drive by changing out the rear differential. You'll lose a bit of acceleration depending on which diff you use. The OEM GS3 ratio is 3.92. GS4 ratio is 3.26. Transmission gear ratios are the same so it's the final drive that's making the GS3 rev higher. It's there to compensate for less power.
You change the final drive by changing out the rear differential. You'll lose a bit of acceleration depending on which diff you use. The OEM GS3 ratio is 3.92. GS4 ratio is 3.26. Transmission gear ratios are the same so it's the final drive that's making the GS3 rev higher. It's there to compensate for less power.
11-19-08, 11:36 AM
#24
The V8s rev around 2600-2700rpm at 80mph. Still rather high, especially firing on all 8 cylinders.
You change the final drive by changing out the rear differential. You'll lose a bit of acceleration depending on which diff you use. The OEM GS3 ratio is 3.92. GS4 ratio is 3.26. Transmission gear ratios are the same so it's the final drive that's making the GS3 rev higher. It's there to compensate for less power.
You change the final drive by changing out the rear differential. You'll lose a bit of acceleration depending on which diff you use. The OEM GS3 ratio is 3.92. GS4 ratio is 3.26. Transmission gear ratios are the same so it's the final drive that's making the GS3 rev higher. It's there to compensate for less power.
11-20-08, 10:27 AM
#26
Does anyone here have any other advice on this? I am reaching a point where I am either going to start doing more expensive mods to my 300, or would wait and look for a nice 430.
I am looking at new paint + exhaust + headers + intake for my 300 and I just don't want to do all of that and then still be like..."Wish I had the 430!"
My thought is that I might be able to buy a 430 with better paint than my car and then I could forego the paint job which would be a nice perk to the deal. My 300 would definitely have to be painted.
If I bought a 430 I would end up swapping:
Saddle seats and door panels
shift ****
Center Stack
Smoked headlights
Spoiler
Wheels
Floormats
door sills
Struts??
Essentially I would want to end up with a GS 430 but with all of the GS 300 features. The main thing I struggle with is engines because I LOVE the 2JZ- the smoothness, sound, power delivery, etc. I love the engine. I just dread driving on the highway because it revs so high. The 430 seems to get significantly better highway mileage but I haven't driven one so I don't know how significant the power difference is. Obviously looking at the numbers...GS 300 0-60 in 8 secs vs 5.7ish for the 430 is a significant difference. I am not disappointed with the acceleration or power on the 300, mostly because it's such a great engine. So, on one hand I have an engine that I love but I hate the highway gas mileage, but on the other hand the V8 is more powerful and more settled on the highway with better gas mileage. Each one has their pros and cons.
Thoughts? Opinions? What are fair prices on 2003-2005 Black/black Nav/ML GS 430s right now? Most of the ones I have seen on autotrader are still like $24K!
I am looking at new paint + exhaust + headers + intake for my 300 and I just don't want to do all of that and then still be like..."Wish I had the 430!"
My thought is that I might be able to buy a 430 with better paint than my car and then I could forego the paint job which would be a nice perk to the deal. My 300 would definitely have to be painted.
If I bought a 430 I would end up swapping:
Saddle seats and door panels
shift ****
Center Stack
Smoked headlights
Spoiler
Wheels
Floormats
door sills
Struts??
Essentially I would want to end up with a GS 430 but with all of the GS 300 features. The main thing I struggle with is engines because I LOVE the 2JZ- the smoothness, sound, power delivery, etc. I love the engine. I just dread driving on the highway because it revs so high. The 430 seems to get significantly better highway mileage but I haven't driven one so I don't know how significant the power difference is. Obviously looking at the numbers...GS 300 0-60 in 8 secs vs 5.7ish for the 430 is a significant difference. I am not disappointed with the acceleration or power on the 300, mostly because it's such a great engine. So, on one hand I have an engine that I love but I hate the highway gas mileage, but on the other hand the V8 is more powerful and more settled on the highway with better gas mileage. Each one has their pros and cons.
Thoughts? Opinions? What are fair prices on 2003-2005 Black/black Nav/ML GS 430s right now? Most of the ones I have seen on autotrader are still like $24K!
Last edited by MPLexus301; 11-20-08 at 10:37 AM.
01-24-09, 09:18 PM
#28
Well...for what it's worth...I continue to kick this concept around. I know this is a somewhat odd idea but I would really like to hear from you guys on this and really want opinions.
I am at a point right now where I am either going to pour a good bit of money into my 300- shocks, springs, ball joints, intake, PAINT ($$$), etc
or
more seriously consider this 430 swap idea. I found this car that is a bit away from me but it's the right color and just makes me wonder. Price is somewhat fair but I wonder if in a down economy they wouldn't be hard pressed to make a deal and let the car go for somewhere in the $15K range. Not sure though.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
Clearly the chrome stuff on the tail lights would have to go and I would be swapping over a bunch of the SD accessories and interior from my car to this, then swapping want I didnt want from this 430 into my 300, then selling my 300.
Again...would really appreciate insight here guys.
I am at a point right now where I am either going to pour a good bit of money into my 300- shocks, springs, ball joints, intake, PAINT ($$$), etc
or
more seriously consider this 430 swap idea. I found this car that is a bit away from me but it's the right color and just makes me wonder. Price is somewhat fair but I wonder if in a down economy they wouldn't be hard pressed to make a deal and let the car go for somewhere in the $15K range. Not sure though.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
Clearly the chrome stuff on the tail lights would have to go and I would be swapping over a bunch of the SD accessories and interior from my car to this, then swapping want I didnt want from this 430 into my 300, then selling my 300.
Again...would really appreciate insight here guys.
01-24-09, 11:42 PM
#30
I think it is going to come down to price. If I see that car in person and like it and can haggle it down to at least the mid $15K OTD range then I might go ahead and pull the trigger.
I think that I can realistically sell my 300 for about the same money, and if I want to keep it I am looking at $1-2K for paint alone.
Thanks for the input
I think that I can realistically sell my 300 for about the same money, and if I want to keep it I am looking at $1-2K for paint alone.
Thanks for the input