Originally Posted by 3dog

Just the usual sways. coilovers, the toms stuff. 3.76 LSD and a 2800 stall TC

3dog

Originally Posted by TLW

No refunds

Originally Posted by 3dog

I've just got to chime in here.

Last April I bought a RMM Supercharger off another member here.
Cost $4000 and included injectors, BOV, and Apexi SAFC2
I had it installed by RMM in Huntington Beach Calif, that meant I had to
drive from Seattle to So Cal to get this done. Stayed with relatives in SO Cal
Cost of install was $1000

Next I took car over XS Engineering also in Huntington Beach and had them install the Apexi SAFC2 and
tune the car. I think this was about $450.
Started out with 227 rwhp I had a dyno done here in Seattle
After SC install and tuning dyno'ed at 360 rwhp

Then I went over to California Performance Transmission and had the Valve Body upgrade on the tranny. They are also in Huntington Beach and the owner Art Carr is in the Hot Rod hall of fame. Cost of this was around $400.


Total cost about $6,000
I stayed with the 3.33 pulley and am very happy.
Seems that everyone wants to hit 400 hp and everyone ends up with the belt slipping.
360 hp at the rear wheels is plenty fun.
Car is set to run a little on the rich side so sometimes there is a puff a black smoke.
Well I don't see that for long.

Would I do it again.
Hell Yes I Would!

There are very few cars that you can buy that do 0-60 in 4.5-5 sec
I know the new Vette is faster but that would cost me way more than $6000 and then I would not be riding around in the comfort of a Lexus.

Okay you ask what problems I have had.
I needed a new tensioner pulley, the bearings were making some noise.
Also the intake hose got a small hole in it from something rubbing on it.
And my mech. noticed some small cracks in the belt, so
I had all of those parts replaced.
Total cost of the 3 parts $85.00

I also replaced my tires as some of the rubber disappeared somewhere




Oh and around town where I get on it constantly I get 12 mpg
Out on the freeway I get 20-22mpg.

I have not had any tranny problems and this is my everyday car.






3dog

Originally Posted by trbopooh

wow, even better. i thought you might be running full exhaust & headers to achieve those numbers. NICE!!!

Originally Posted by Dx3

3dog,

Couple of questions.

1 - what size injectors are you running?
2 - are you talking about the serpentine belt tensioner?? If so, I am confused. The belty tensioner the supercharger bracket is fabbed around was not available after the 98/99GS. After that Lexus switched designs and the new design did not fit around the SC bracket. It would take serious cutting of the bracket to make it work. Please explain how you did this?

Jonny

Originally Posted by 3dog

My mech also said I need to replace the tensioner pulley as it is starting to make some noise.

Originally Posted by GILLEXUS

3Dogg do you know what psi your RMM S/C is running at? sounds like you got frear HP #'s from your w/o any issues. Oh man, just think if you add the S@S headers. I think you could add 15- 25 more hp.

Originally Posted by Dx3

Speaking from experience, you cannot replace it as I mentioned above. It sucks! I ended up getting a gatorback belt that was 2 sizes too small and it has worked perfectly.

jonny

Originally Posted by 3dog

Now I don't understand

Why can't you replace the tensioner pulley?

And why would a belt fix the pulley?
Also I don't understand what a gatorback belt is or why you would want one 2 sizes to small

Could you enlighten me I'm really confused

Ivan
3dog

Originally Posted by Dx3

Ivan,

1. Why can't you replace the pulley?

When the GS was released in 98 it had a belt pulley on it ( doh don't know why I just said that!!) . We will call this pulley "A". However, the 1999+ model years had a newly redesigned pulley - we will call pulley "B". Although they both bolt up to the block together, pulley A is shaped and built a little differently. When RMM designed the sc bracket, they designed it off the pulley A. But, unfortunately for us you can no longer buy a pulley A, only a B. And the problem with this is that the sc bracket does not fit around pulley B. If you were to cut the bracket to make it fit, the bracket would lose its structural integrity in the part where it is needed most. Basic synopsis - we are screwed!

2. And why would a belt fix the pulley?

My problem with the pulley is that it had a lot of play - I didn't have problems with my bearings. The belt does not fix the pulley - it just keeps it very tight so there is no play in the pulley.

3. Also I don't understand what a gatorback belt is or why you would want one 2 sizes to small.

A gatorback belt is a brand of belt made particularly for performance cars. If you look at your serpentine belt you will see it has ZERO grip. A gatorback belt basically has tread like a tire so it grips. The pulleys are smooth so there is a possibility of belt slippage with an OWM belt - hence using the gatorback. The reason for getting it 2 sizes to small is explained in answer 2. This only applies if you have too much play in your tensioner.

OK, my hands are tired!! Hope this answers your questions.

Jonny

Originally Posted by 3dog

I don't have a boost gauge so I don't know for sure what the PSI is.

I asked the previous owner what he remembered getting when he ran it with the 3.33 pulley and he thought it was around 5 PSI.

My wife is still mumbling incoherently about the 6 grand.
I've had to buy her several pieces of jewelery to keep her civil.

I don't think the headers are gonna happen because of how much I've spent.
But thats okay, the car is pretty dam quick already




Ivan
3dog

Originally Posted by 3dog

Yes that does answer the questions.

I do remember now that RMM told me once before that the tensioner pulley was no longer available. They did say that you could replace the bearings in it. Whether that is really an option I have no idea.

Thanks for taking the time to write all that down.


So as I understand it, this is a Lexus made part, am I right?
Do you think it would be possible to find the pulley on a 1998 model that was totaled.

Also if it is a Lexus part shouldn't be available somehow from Lexus?

Thanks for the input
Ivan
3dog

Originally Posted by GILLEXUS

DX3,
Do you have any pics for referance to see ,the pulley/tensioner that you are talking about.. Isn't the tensioner totally different on the 430 motor.?

Originally Posted by Dx3

So basically yes, you will have to try and have yours redone with new bearings

Glad I could help Ivan.

Jonny

Originally Posted by 3dog

Hey Jonny

Thanks for all the info.

You've looked at this pulley very closely.
In your opinion is it possible to replace the bearings?

Thanks
Ivan
3dog