On to the next car, an LC500 (modification thread #4)
 

Long story short, my R8 deal fell through and I took it as a sign to be a bit smarter, financially speaking.

After the new owner of the Z drove off I set up the delivery for the LC500. I gotta be honest, I do miss the Z. I've never sold a car that wasnt put back to stock. Seeing it drive off with all my time and money put into it, made me feel a little regret, even now with the new car. I've had it for about 2 week and its definitely a completely different type of car, for lack of a bigger explanations. It catches a lot of attention, especially with the new exhaust on it.

I just got an Armytrix exhaust installed and am attempting to stretch out the modifying a bit, since theres so little that can be done to this car. For some reason I feel like Im in a rush to make the car look the way I want it to. Its almost like a need to get some cheap car I can mod, to essentially get that "high" I need.

I also just ordered samples to get the calipers powdercoated some shade of red and get the stock 21s powdercoated a dark grey of some sort, close to black.

Springs are still 2 months out due to no one having them in stock and 22" wheels cost an arm and a leg. So spening $8-10k on wheels will be something that wont happen right away...."right away" hah.

Anyways, heres a vid of the first start up of the car.

understand the wanting to mod quickly, sounded nice, enjoy it...

I think many of us suffer from the same issue but our bank accounts slow it down a bit

That’s one loud b1tch!

whats weird is it doesnt sound loud, inside the car. I guess I could argue the idea that the sound deadening and exhaust are a different quality than what I've owned previously. Im use to my nissans and infinitis being able to tell me how loud my set up was by how loud the cabin was. In the LC, it takes me passing by something to realize how loud it is. That and down shifting in the city. The low tones of a V8 are very different from all the motordyne goodies Ive always had on my nissans and infinitis.

Probably sounded louder with the shop echo as well.

Sounded mean as a mug! Me likes. :yum::driving:

A few updates on the car. These prices are so new to me, a little bit of sticker shock but I still followed through.

Im personally always curious about what people pay for things so I posting the price for people like me, that want to know but never ask.

Placed my order for the 4 piece Artisan Carbon kit ( Side and front splitter, rear diffuser, and duck bill spoiler), 4+ month wait incoming! After tax it ran about $8300

RSR springs ordered and fingers crossed they will be in in about 2-3 weeks.
Springs were about $800.

I also ordered 25mm spacers at*motorsport-tech.com. I had to get them made since Project Kics is out of stock and H&R doesnt make them.
Spacers were pretty normal price. $90 per spacer.

Ive got a date set for powder coating my calipers in gold and my wheels in a deep gunmetal. The wheels are 21" so they run about $200 per wheel and the calipers are around $150-200, with the size difference from front and back.

Oh and I also got the "Ti tips" for my exhaust. I made the mistake of getting the matte black ones, assuming I was going to go full jet black for the car but decided Im going to keep it white. Expensive mistake, costing about $780 for new tips...

I'm looking forward to see what you do with this. It sounds like it's going to look reallll nice. I LOVE the LC. Such a bad a$$, clean, classy, proper grand tourer. Honestly, it sounds like it was time for you to "step up" anyways, so hopefully you will get over your regret soon. The R8 is definitely awesome too, but I rather have JDM :) Plus, LCs are pretty exclusive.

Out of curiosity, did you ever consider the GTR? Seems like something you would have considering your history of vehicles.

I use to enjoy the GTRs appeal, in the early 2010s. After Seeing the car around for 14+ years, it slowly started losing that appeal to me. They did subtle changes but I feel like the car hasn't aged well, thats just my opinion.

Theres no question about its engine and power but Ive always been a sound, looks, comfort, then power.

Funny enough, after all the new things I just bought, theres not much more that can be done! The ECU hasn't been cracked yet and 21-22" wheels will run me $8k-12k, going off Rohana, ADV1s, HRE, Vossen, Savini, and AG...which a couple of those brands dont even make the best quality wheels yet are crazy expensive.

I could get PPE headers though. I think the car gets a bit raspy with them though. Im sure there will be more, just gotta dig a bit deeper!

what about a piggy back

little potato quality video of me leaving cars and coffee this morning

caliper and wheel update.

https://i.imgur.com/7yTa6Vn.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/EkxDZa3.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/xmM1oDI.jpg

I drove an LC500 at the Lexus Performance Driving School -- it's a pretty fun car and in factory form it handled a few laps around COTA well.

Nice buy. I've yet to see one of these on the street, let alone modded whatsoever.

cant say I blame people! This car is crazy expensive to modify. I miss my nissans :D

Luckily a shop in cali just cracked the ECU too. We are all just waiting to see the numbers after the tune.