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[Solved] Modifying my 2009 Lexus ES 350

  

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Hey Scotty I have recently been modifying my  lexis ES 350 she’s got 175,000 miles on her, I put a cat back exhaust on it rims tires and and now Im thinking about doing coil overs and a cold air intake does my car have too many miles on it to start modifying it anymore? 


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I'm in agreement with @InThrustWeTrust on this. You're not really getting gains from the changes you are making. Depending on your rims/tires setup, you may be slowing yourself down. Catback exhausts are just for sound and don't really add power unless you also swap out your headers which, on a Lexus and IMO, wouldn't make any sense. I've never done it, I know that.

 

Mileage really is only an issue for actual engine mods like forced induction, cams, etc. because you are adding strain to the engine internals which are worn. I would, however, be really careful with what you choose to do with your suspension. Just adding coilovers will throw off your camber, especially with aftermarket wheels. You'll need to buy adjustable camber plates for the front strut towers, install them, and REALLY (I mean REALLY) know what you are doing to dial in the geometry correct and not ruin your tires. I recommend a professional install on that. Also note that changing the suspension adds more stress on virtually everything (ball joints, tie rods, etc.) because all those other parts were not designed to work at a different right height. Parts will wear out prematurely, that's just the nature of the beast. The only way around it is to do a FULL suspension setup, which on my '98 Camaro was over $8k. On a Lexus, I shudder to think.

 

The intake is also an issue. If you want to gain any power, you have to use one with a larger MAF radius than stock. Otherwise you just have a nice looking engine piece but no power as you are still sucking in the same amount of air. Moving to a larger MAF requires a tune, and I again recommend a professional for this as you will get maximum gains and also be sure you are running Stoich and not lean or rich. Problem is, between the intake and a tune you're looking at $800ish. That's a lot for what will amount to MAYBE 8 - 10 horsepower. Maybe. And of course, all bets are off on longevity as the car is no longer running as Lexus intended.

 

I would not tinker with it. You have a good car to drive around in, but it is not a good car to modify. Anything, and I mean just about anything, can be made to be fast if you have the money. But I would not invest mod money into an ES350. I don't know if you are looking to road course it or drag race it, but that car will never be good at either. It wasn't made to do those things. And it can be made to, but trust me when I say it would be cost prohibitive to turn it into a competitive car for either event. 

 

My vote is drive it and enjoy it. Its a really nice car and I doubt you want to mess it up or you wouldn't have asked before doing more changes. Leave it as is and it can really last you a long time. That's my opinion.


Thanks appreciate it i’m not really look in the drag race it or anything I just want it to sound really nice and look cool The reason why I was thinking of doing coil overs is because my rear struts just went out I got three different quotes to replace them it it was around 1400 I went online and bought some ksport coil overs I only plan on lowering my car about an inch then I’m gonna get my alignment done and run stock camber and toe


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Seems like you want to rice it, not really modify it. 

You can kiss the legendary Lexus reliability & luxury goodbye, though.

@mod_man will go into the nitty gritty of your plan of action.

Me personally, I think you’re wasting money for not much gains.


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Any car can and will last forever with enough maintenance and bs. Also it's lexus--->toyota luxury brand. You should be fine unless you don't maintain your car at all. Are you having buyers remorse? Cause an exhaust and rims (good ones) would set you back wayyyy farther than a cold air intake and coilovers. They be cheap in comparison.


Thanks man appreciate it and no I change my oil every 5 thousand miles and did all the fluid changes when I bought the car it’s my first car and my family is saying I’m wasting my money


Depends on what your definition of money wasting is, if your mom goes to nail salons and gets her perm done, isn't that also? It makes you happy to personalize your car right? Granted cars do cost more by huge margins sometimes. Like the mechanics below, I agree with what they are saying though. For me I learn my lesson through doing it myself so I won't tell you not to and It's your car so go nuts. If you are looking for aesthetics only then you can also consider getting the car bagged on air suspension. If you are actually trying to make your car go faster then you are indeed doing it wrong lol


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