My 10 years of glory ls400
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The year was 1999 and being a Toyota nut i couldn't believe that you could obtain the flagship for under 10 grand , Took the plunge on a high mile 1989 taupe in color LS with 175,000 on the clock. Put my would be wife in it and used it as a family car.
I put some 18's on it and some clear turning lenses, don't laugh as that was was happening stuff in the year 2000.. lol
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/IM000091.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/IM000086.jpg)
Trouble free car for the most part, basic maintenance and every time i got to drive her i thought this is what i really want a Lexus. In the meantime i was driving and building Supras and Corollas. This car led me to build my 1999 GS with a 6 speed 2jzgte, but that's another story all together.
Nothing really exciting happened over the next few years. I painted her and she was good enough for my limo at my wedding.
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/lsmarrige.jpg)
Most common thing was people thinking your rich with a Lexus little did the now her age and price, even had people at my wifes work try to hit her up for a loan figuring she was well to do. lol
Fast forward to 2010 car is approaching the 300,000 mile mark and im figuring on getting the wife a newer version. the transmission was acting up but still never left her stranded.
I was looking at the 1999 versions as i love the more classic look of the older body style but for the money difference and the fact that i would kick myself if i didn't step it up to the next level. I took the plunge on a 01 430 ultra with 130,000on the clock and didn't hesitate. I'm hoping this one will do me the same way.
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/Pfds.jpg)
The cars trans totally took a dump the day i gave her the new car, Although it did limp to the shop on her own power. Finally its mine, all mine I get to hot rod her up.
Found a junkyard transmission and put it in only to find out it was bad, Ended up building a low milage Aristo Transmission combined with my LS trans and got her on the road again.
Put some of these on
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0035.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0036.jpg)
And some of this
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0045-1.jpg)
to fit these
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0040.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0039.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0038.jpg)
to get this
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/DSCF3188.jpg)
and threw in Celsior grill and lights
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/DSCF3189.jpg)
at this point i figured why stop now,made in intake and had some powder coated valve covers that needed a home.It needed some valve cover gaskets anyhow.
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/ls400016.jpg)
cant stop there, made this
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/pipe1.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/pipe2.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0017.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/xpipe.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/ex1.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/ex2.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/ex3.jpg)
I put some 18's on it and some clear turning lenses, don't laugh as that was was happening stuff in the year 2000.. lol
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/IM000091.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/IM000086.jpg)
Trouble free car for the most part, basic maintenance and every time i got to drive her i thought this is what i really want a Lexus. In the meantime i was driving and building Supras and Corollas. This car led me to build my 1999 GS with a 6 speed 2jzgte, but that's another story all together.
Nothing really exciting happened over the next few years. I painted her and she was good enough for my limo at my wedding.
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/lsmarrige.jpg)
Most common thing was people thinking your rich with a Lexus little did the now her age and price, even had people at my wifes work try to hit her up for a loan figuring she was well to do. lol
Fast forward to 2010 car is approaching the 300,000 mile mark and im figuring on getting the wife a newer version. the transmission was acting up but still never left her stranded.
I was looking at the 1999 versions as i love the more classic look of the older body style but for the money difference and the fact that i would kick myself if i didn't step it up to the next level. I took the plunge on a 01 430 ultra with 130,000on the clock and didn't hesitate. I'm hoping this one will do me the same way.
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/Pfds.jpg)
The cars trans totally took a dump the day i gave her the new car, Although it did limp to the shop on her own power. Finally its mine, all mine I get to hot rod her up.
Found a junkyard transmission and put it in only to find out it was bad, Ended up building a low milage Aristo Transmission combined with my LS trans and got her on the road again.
Put some of these on
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0035.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0036.jpg)
And some of this
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0045-1.jpg)
to fit these
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0040.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0039.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0038.jpg)
to get this
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/DSCF3188.jpg)
and threw in Celsior grill and lights
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/DSCF3189.jpg)
at this point i figured why stop now,made in intake and had some powder coated valve covers that needed a home.It needed some valve cover gaskets anyhow.
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/ls400016.jpg)
cant stop there, made this
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/pipe1.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/pipe2.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0017.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/xpipe.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/ex1.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/ex2.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/ex3.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/ex4.jpg)
#2
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 365
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Received 0 Likes
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![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0015.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/exdone.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0022.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/DSCF3190.jpg)
Always wanted to do this just couldn't justify it for the wife. Then reality sunk in the motor started knocking, don't know if i gave it a heart attack or what but it quit. I sat it aside on thinking what i was going to do i was also feeling a little bummed since i just put a few grand in her.
Got my spirit up and went back at her.
took out old blue.
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0002.jpg)
Ordered a 96 jdm motor from my importer with 90 kilometers on it only to find out that the newer motors are interference motors . Ran with it anyhow thinking of all the miles to come.
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0004.jpg)
stripped her down and used the best of both motors, no egr and stripped away any usless stuff.
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0003.jpg)
cleaned up my old harness
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICjhjghT0001.jpg)
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PICT0005-1.jpg)
Made it all cool
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PIChjjT0003.jpg)
Had to switch it up
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/PRICT0003.jpg)
Definitely labor intensive, but worth it.
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/DSCN0091.jpg)
Been driving her for a while and nothing but smiles. She is probably good for the next 10 years, we shall see. I'm also looking forward to 10 years from now where i get to do the same thing to the newer LS.
![](http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h103/grip2000/ls400/Pfds.jpg)
Thanks for reading , an hoped you enjoyed my LS story.-Robert