gs400rpg introduction.

This is my first post. I'm from Sherbrooke Quebec Canada (so please excuse me for my bad english spelling at times).

I drive a black 1999 Lexus GS 400 for over a year now. After 3 years of searching for the right black vip platform car and tons of research later I have finally joined this forum. Here in sherbrooke, or even quebec in general the VIP scene is very small but growing. Just look up sherbrooke show and shine on google to get an idea of the typical cars driven here. I wanted to promote the VIP style in this area. So far the only thing VIP about my car is the platform. I won't post any pictures as currently I'm still testing wheel fitament, waiting to install the air ride, and far from VIP status.

Wheels:
I bought some cheap starter wheels to get the calculation for offsets and bodywork done. So the car currently sits on 20 x 10 with 225/35R20 all around. There is so much calculation needed to be done for the perfect stance and fittament I think I can convert between inches and mm in my head in seconds now. In chosing wheels so much is at stake; diameter, width, offset, ride height, camber, backspace, fender work clearence, and then ofcourse tire sizes. For true VIP it all has to work together. But I have a pretty good idea where im going for my next set of true VIP wheels.

Suspension:
Well i had to lower the car with the springs just to get an idea how the wheels will fit. Since having air ride with the stock wheels would look very funny I got the starter wheels and the first step I take towards VIP will be installing the airsuspension. But before just throwing on some bags I've started upgrading the rest of the suspension first. I have some FIGS solid spherical bearings for the castor arms since rubber bushings won't hold up to the lowered stress. FIGS RCA's in front 34mm, and soon his drop arms for the rear. Toe links are next because it's toe that eats tires fast not camber. I'm still waiting on the front UCA to be made so clearly this is still a work in progress but just like with the wheels and stance alot of calculation needs to be done.

Exterior:
I have no plans to add any bodykit at this time. The style lines from this car already are VIP enough for me but the idea could be revisited someday down the line. I have a few accesories like diamond licence plate and curtains but I'm still to chose a nice grill in the front. The car came with all the options possible except nav so it already had the HID's. I changed the bulbs to 6000K and changed the accent lights to M4's to match. Next exterior mod is the puddle lights (i'm thinking led's).

Interior: Lots of plans here but nothing done yet. First mod will be the front table from VIPIDout in matching wood grain. I think I will make my own rear table. I wanted the woodgrain stearing wheel from carson but at 720$ plus shipping I settled for a cheap cover from walmart at 12$ which atleast matched the interior, and helped hide the fast falling apart stock wheel. Yes I know not very VIP like but the sun really eats apart the OEM one and I want to keep the ability to shift to manual mode untill the rest of the car is up to par it will do. I guess I mentioned curtains in the exterior part. These I custom made with diamonds to set apart from those that just buy parts and just throw them on. So definetly a one off part that adds value and taste. But with curtains so rare up here it really turns heads. I'd dare say i'm the only one in quebec with them unless someone can prove they have them too. I wouldn't mind redoing all the leather someday, currently its the origional beige.

Motor, powertrain:
SRT intake, PPE headers, and a nice exhaust all yet to be bought. A LSD wouldn't hurt either. If the transmission ever lets go i'll get the one from TTI, and go with a SRT Supercharger kit. Thats years down the road but I plan to keep this car forever. For now the stock 300HP is enough for me.

ICE:
The car has the oem upgraded audio system no NAV was not an option. I plan to switch out and get a double din DVD/NAV with upgraded speakers in the stock location. Currently I have a box in the trunk with a 12" sub but thats going out to make room for the tank and compressers. I'll need to find a free flowing sub to put in the stock location with an amp rack somewhere nice in the back. I've thought about DVD screens on the rear headrests or on the visors but i'm afraid it will take away from the rest of the car.

So I think I'm off to a good start. This car is daily driven with about 50000km a year so rarely gets any down time. I know what VIP is. I respect those that don't because it is very unknown here. While it may take years to get this car where it should be I think it will be done right. This car is so rare here on its own that as is I keep geting comments, I can't wait once it's done! Thanks for reading, I'm open to comments and critizim and hope you can help me make this car perfect. I'm not a VIP guru but I maybe can help you too when it comes to calculations and suspension tricks for the GS model.

Remy,

All that and no pics.

[QUOTE=VI IX;462571]All that and no pics.[/QUOTE]

You guys don't know what a black GS looks like?

Either way gs400rpg, welcome!
Do a lot of reading and ask as many questions as you need to. Most of its been done before.

[QUOTE=gh0st;462673][/QUOTE]

Two pics coulda save you from writing a thesis

Welcome to VSC.

[QUOTE=Schnitz;462693]You guys don't know what a black GS looks like?

Either way gs400rpg, welcome!
Do a lot of reading and ask as many questions as you need to. Most of its been done before.[/QUOTE]

Thank-you, reading and learning is what I came here for. Most of whats been done dosn't interest me as much as whats hasn't been done yet and still in idea form. 

I won't post pics till I can post in all parts of the fourm...