Building a Lexus GS 430 to Beat Germany’s Best

Speed Academy is a website and YouTube channel based on making things go fast and enjoying cars. Peter Tarach and Dave Pratte are the forces behind Speed Academy.

The TTAC Creators Series tells stories and amplifies creators from all corners of the car world, including culture, dealerships, collections, modified builds and more.

An AI-produced summary of the transcript, edited by a staffer, is below.

[Image: Speed Academy/YouTube Thumbnail]

Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by  subscribing to our newsletter.

Summary: Speed Academy's Lexus GS 430 "M5 Killer" Project

In this episode, Speed Academy's Peter Tarach and Dave Pratte introduce their latest project: transforming a humble 2001 Lexus GS 430 into a performance sedan capable of challenging the legendary BMW E60 M5 — while retaining Lexus reliability and comfort. 

The Premise

The hosts compare the GS 430 to the BMW E60 M5:

• • The E60 M5 offered a Formula 1-inspired V10 and 500 horsepower but became notorious for complexity, maintenance costs, and reliability concerns.
  • The Lexus GS430, by contrast, uses Toyota's durable 3UZ-FE 4.3-liter V8, known for longevity and smooth operation.
  • Their goal is to create an "M5 killer" using forced induction and suspension upgrades while spending far less money than an M5 owner would. 

Evaluating the Purchase

The newly acquired GS 430 arrived from British Columbia and immediately impressed the team:

Positives

• • Original pearl white paint appears largely untouched.
  • Body is exceptionally straight with virtually no dents or major damage.
  • Interior is remarkably clean for a 25-year-old luxury sedan.
  • Timing belt service has been completed.
  • Engine bay is largely original and unmodified.
  • Underside shows minimal rust and no significant oil leaks. 

Negatives

• • Cracked aftermarket fog light covered with tape.
  • Faded headlights.
  • Loose rear spoiler.
  • Poorly installed aftermarket alarm system.
  • Malfunctioning door locks and actuators.
  • Cheap aftermarket Sony head unit.
  • Evidence of questionable stereo wiring modifications. 

The Legendary 3UZ V8

A major reason for choosing the GS 430 is Toyota's highly respected 3UZ-FE V8:

• • Factory output: approximately 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque.
  • Known for exceptional reliability and smoothness.
  • Viewed as a strong foundation for significant power increases through forced induction.
  • The engine shows no signs of major leaks and appears well maintained. 

Discovering Previous Owner "Engineering"

Much of the episode's humor comes from uncovering questionable modifications:

• • A hacked-up stereo installation left cut wires throughout the trunk.
  • The muffler delete is described as one of the worst they've ever seen.
  • Exhaust components were crudely welded together.
  • A rubber glove had been stuffed into the exhaust mounting area to reduce rattles.
  • Homemade hangers and poor weld quality highlighted the previous owner's shortcuts. Pasted text.txt

Driving Impressions

On the road, the hosts find the GS 430:

• • Noticeably lighter and more agile than the larger Lexus LS 430.
  • Smooth and refined, as expected from a Lexus V8 sedan.
  • Faster-feeling than the LS 430 thanks to reduced weight.
  • Comfortable but excessively soft, with suspension upgrades clearly needed.
  • Pleasant sounding despite the crude muffler delete. 

What They Paid

The car cost:

• • Just under $6,000 at the time

The hosts believe this leaves plenty of budget for modifications while still remaining far cheaper than a comparable performance sedan. 

Planned Modifications

The project's ultimate goal is to create a Japanese luxury sedan with genuine performance credentials.

Planned upgrades include:

• • A large supercharger for the 3UZ V8.
  • JDM front bumper and TRD front lip.
  • Full TRD body kit.
  • TEIN coilovers.
  • TEIN EDFC electronic damping controller.
  • New brake pads and rotors.
  • Special wheels to enhance the car's appearance and handling. 

Main Takeaway

This episode serves as the introduction to a budget-minded performance build that flips the traditional German-vs.-Japanese luxury car narrative. Rather than chasing an aging BMW M5 with its expensive maintenance requirements, Speed Academy plans to prove that a reliable, overlooked Lexus GS 430 can deliver comparable thrills through smart modifications, culminating in a supercharged V8 sports sedan with strong JDM character.

from TheTruthAboutCars https://ift.tt/DXJL0h7
via IFTTT