My son wants to try his LS400 at an upcoming track day. It's got coil overs and wide wheels but all the rest is stock.
He would run it in the novice group so it he won't be trying to drive it flat out.
Side note I will be at the event with my Datsun so should the Lexus not like it he can jump in the Datsun.
This is also a low speed track with only two heavy braking zones on a 1.8 mile track.
Outside of braking, due to weight and heat build up, it should be stout. I'd consider replacing the coolant and transmission fluid if it hasn't been done in the past 60,000 miles.
Maybe a new set of pads and rotors? Something that is a little more track oriented?
No first hand experience here, but I agree that it should be fine. I know those have been races in LeMons quite a bit and generally do well mechanically.
Definitely flush the brake fluid if it isn't fresh, and new pads and other fluids would probably be a good idea. Hope he has fun!
I've driven a Lemons race prepped one on track and it was great. A relatively stock one will be different but they're still pretty stout. My similarly prepped gs430 (as in, wider wheels and that's about it) was fun but really put the hurting on the street brakes and I wasn't pushing super hard. They're just so, so heavy. What year is his?
If he's opened the exhaust up at all, it will definitely make the right noises.
Hi, 1uz fanatic here. The issues you'll find are if you turbo, at higher psi things get weird in the PCV system. Also, even the early cars don't like some things being disconnected. The Ecu will freak. And with a luxo barge like that you'll want it to lose weight. An aftermarket ECU solve all that.
the auto transmission (A340e) actually isn't bad, though a 4spd. and could be swapped for the 5spd version from a later 1uz powered car, and then controlled via an aftermarket box.
Alternativey, you can swap to a w58 (dont) for cheap, or the r154 ($$$) for a manual option.
Lots of things break on these, especially interior wise, but that shouldn't matter for racing. Also, the aftermarket LSD for these is really expensive. OS giken is it, unless you want to spoil it or Ford 8.8 swap. Most suspension parts will swap from the SC3/400 chassis. VIP parts abound, so careful selecting coilovers due to damping selections.
In reply to dculberson :
It's a 2000 and why yes it does have open exhaust.
In reply to Buck Futter :
He is mostly just curious to see what it's like on track.
If he doesn't like it he can drive my Datsun as I'm running the same event.
In reply to Tom1200 :
It will sound great. It will have plenty of power but a lot of weight. Be prepared for lots of tire noise!
In reply to Tom1200 :
For a novice at their first track event, you should be fine. Bleed the brakes and check how much pad life you have. Change the transmission oil as mentioned if it hasn't been done recently. Maybe engine and diff too.
Beyond that, check that ball joints and tie rods aren't worn and send it.
Thanks guys I wanted to make sure there weren't any known issue when tracking these. We've already had the be mindful of the brakes discussion.
Before taking it on track, pull the ECU, and check the capacitors. If they are bulging, you might have a weird track day where things do/don't work.
My gs430 turned the (relatively new, but totally stock) brake rotors blue after my one track day with it. I wasn't gentle on it. I didn't notice any problems from it after.
Remember to set the transmission switch to PWR mode.
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