RA1 Odyssey / LS460 Exhaust Conversion

[IMG]http://image.automobilemag.com/f/6709857+w750+st0/0610_z+2007_lexus_LS460+rear.jpg[/IMG]

I know a few people have been eyballin' this mod for awhile....:biggthumpup:

I'm pretty good with fiberglass, i've had a few years experience from working in the audio industry so I thought i'd give this a shot. I did a lot of planning before actually starting, a good idea to do before hacking up your expensive body kit. Here's some progress I made today on my conversion. Instead of buying a single exhaust I chose to cut/modify my Garson LX Rear bumper for the dual LS460 exhaust, it seems the cleanest VIP style exhaust that I have seen on an RA1. Once I finish the rear bumper work I am having a local shop fab up the dual exhaust. Stay tuned!

[IMG]http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab269/jdmra1/New%20Pics/48557e3b.jpg[/IMG]

Started with stock cutout on passenger side that had to be filled in order to fit the tips, and the right side had to be properly cut. 
[IMG]http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab269/jdmra1/CHOP%20CUT/2aeda9c8.jpg[/IMG]

Finding the best angle for flushness on my template
[IMG]http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab269/jdmra1/CHOP%20CUT/005d4bf6.jpg[/IMG]

After cutting away the stock exhaust trim, grinding smooth and prepping the surrounding fiberglass to accept the new glass - OEM no more!
[IMG]http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab269/jdmra1/CHOP%20CUT/87d27ced.jpg[/IMG]

Roughed for body filler and initial prep
[IMG]http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab269/jdmra1/CHOP%20CUT/3935ab42.jpg[/IMG]

After finding the correct angle, measure twice cut once
[IMG]http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab269/jdmra1/CHOP%20CUT/fa438ed7.jpg[/IMG]

1 of 2 done...More prep for perfect fit
[IMG]http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab269/jdmra1/CHOP%20CUT/6e1b38b2.jpg[/IMG]

Still have to finish the passenger side cut but almost there after about 14 hours of work

excellent work on integrating it into the bumper.

Great job on ur mod:biggthumpup:.. I do autobody and fab work 2 and wanted to do this on my RL1 build...but seems like it becoming to common of a mod now on alot of builds:sad:. Gonna walk away from this one:shrug:

BEAUTY! Can't wait to see the bumper on.

I'll probably have the other side finished up tomorrow. Waiting for the molds to cure then I can start the template.

My goal is to make it as factory looking as possible, so it didn't appear to be a chop/cut and out of place.

badass

great work!!

wow looks really clean. blends so nicely in, i cant even tell

Looks nice

Bueno!!

looking good... Dope mod =)
 
Are you connecting your exhaust directly to it??? if so, are you concerned with heat and your fiberglass?

I like it.

[QUOTE=speedaddict;333099]I like it.[/QUOTE]

when you gonna get a van!?

i agree that the ls460 is getting a bit over used these days, but your van is something im really looking forward to.  this newest addition is awesome!

I am keeping the tips as removable from the bumper itself. The exhaust piping will be flared at the opening to fit snugly inside the mouth of the tip. Everything will be powdercoated matte black except for the outer chrome rim

Update.

Finished setting the right tip. This one was a pain in the ass, lexus didn't cut it quite as good as they did on the left one so it took hours of trimming and adjustments to sit properly...still have some finessing to do before filling and blocking.  It doesn't look as easy as the photo appears, it's not a simple "cut" and install. The tips have multiple compound curves that are very hard to match up so that it fits perfectly.

Note: if you are a beginner at fabrication I don't recommend you try this as your first project...Get some skills under your belt before doing something as demanding as this. I have about 24 hours into this conversion so far.

[IMG]http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab269/jdmra1/CHOP%20CUT/6086c34d.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab269/jdmra1/CHOP%20CUT/b3b79b0b.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab269/jdmra1/CHOP%20CUT/deee6501.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab269/jdmra1/CHOP%20CUT/3a25907c.jpg[/IMG]

that looks great.

Almost finished! Look at that fitment

[IMG]http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab269/jdmra1/CHOP%20CUT/14f07ccf.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab269/jdmra1/CHOP%20CUT/43f07f5c.jpg[/IMG]

that looks like it came like that from the factory!

i wonder how it would have looked if they were reversed... sort of like the slant would be according to the lines of the bumper itself

Cant' reverse them. The shape of the tips is a very hard angle with multiple compound curves. It's not as flat as you might think

Very nice and impressive fiberglass work!

damn looks good. need to do mine =)