Glad to be back on the LS club! Just picked up an '02 V8 for $350!

[FALECF4]

I've been wanting another LS for quite a while now but because of poor life choices on my part that hadn't been happening. Well, now I am a bit smarter and have my sheesh a bit more together. It sure doesn't hurt to find a great deal either! Two nights ago I was doing a random CL search for LS's and one popped up in Milwaukee (an hour away) for only $500! They said it had a hydraulic leak and would overheat. I contacted the person right away and ended up meeting the girl and her boyfriend the last night. I offered her $350 and she was just happy to be rid of it since she had already gotten a new car. Overall the car is in pretty damn good shape with 180k on the clock.

Not the best pic but there will be more later.



List of to do's off the top of my head:
VCG, plugs and coils
passenger side mirror (housing is cracked and hanging)
front window regulators (pass is out, driver side is just slow)
clock spring
fix cooling fan or replace with electric

After those main items it should be ready to rock and roll. Of course there are other things to check out and optional upgrades I want to do.

Other items to consider:
CAI
brakes were squishy - brake job or total upgrade
check timing chains and guides while replacing VCG's
degas bottle and plastic cooling parts (should I change these out preemptively?)
LED interior lights
replacing some random interior plastic parts that are missing
fix display buttons

After all that other stuff:
Exhaust upgrade
Suspension
Who knows what else I'll find to spend money on

 

[FALECF4]

I do have a few questions to go along with my post. I will be using the search feature but since threads usually tend to derail and veer off course anyway I figure a few questions can't hurt.

Has the debate ever been settled on what the best replacement coils are? OEM was recommended by some, Accels by others and some say use whatever if they are cheap enough to replace (Wells?).

For this hydraulic leak with the cooling fan, provided I find where the leak is, is it an easy thing to fix/replace or would it be a better option to replace it with an electric unit?

Were there upgraded calipers for the LS or just bigger discs and pads as a kit? Suppose SS brake lines would be a worthwhile upgrade while I'm in there.

Again with the cooling parts. Should I replace the plastic parts or upgrade to the aluminum Jag version of the parts with as many mile as this car has? If the degas bottle is original should I also replace that and save myself a headache?

Is someone still selling interior LED kits for the LS or what is the recommended site(s)?

 

[jwct7]

Congrats on a great deal. The Jag brakes are bigger and will work for you, there are plenty of entries here for you to search. The degas and hoses normally are done at 100K miles so check yours and change them as and when...... Check Ebay, of course. Good hunting!

 

[FDR]

The Jag brakes are bigger and will work for you, there are plenty of entries here for you to search.

I'll quickly expand on this. The LS has 300mm front brakes and 280 or 288 rears. The S-type Sport has the same rears, but 320mm fronts. The StR has 365mm fronts and 300mm rears. For street performance, you don't really need the upgrade, as the stock brakes will lock up the All Seasons. I can't comment on Summer tires. For track performance where heat buildup is a problem, they help. If you have larger or more open wheels, the StR brakes definitely help fill out the space.

I think the 320mm fronts fit in stock sport 17s, but the 365s definitely do not. Your spare won't fit over them either

 

[FALECF4]

Congrats on a great deal. The Jag brakes are bigger and will work for you, there are plenty of entries here for you to search. The degas and hoses normally are done at 100K miles so check yours and change them as and when...... Check Ebay, of course. Good hunting!

I'll quickly expand on this. The LS has 300mm front brakes and 280 or 288 rears. The S-type Sport has the same rears, but 320mm fronts. The StR has 365mm fronts and 300mm rears. For street performance, you don't really need the upgrade, as the stock brakes will lock up the All Seasons. I can't comment on Summer tires. For track performance where heat buildup is a problem, they help. If you have larger or more open wheels, the StR brakes definitely help fill out the space.

I think the 320mm fronts fit in stock sport 17s, but the 365s definitely do not. Your spare won't fit over them either

Thank you for the replies. I just read the thread that details the upgrade to 320mm fronts. Looks like I can also get a set of SS lines for under $200 front and back after a quick eBay search.

 

[cammerfe]

FWIW, although it takes leaning on them pretty good, it's possible to slow down enough to make the first turn-off at ECTA races while using factory brakes and ceramic pads. That's coming down from 140+.

I'm now using drilled and slotted rotors with the ceramic pads and contemplating going to Wilwood calipers and Wilwood aluminium hats and their race rotors for further fun.

KS

 

[FDR]

I'll quickly expand on this. The LS has 300mm front brakes and 280 or 288 rears. The S-type Sport has the same rears, but 320mm fronts. The StR has 365mm fronts and 300mm rears........
I think the 320mm fronts fit in stock sport 17s, but the 365s definitely do not. Your spare won't fit over them either

Came across this by accident, just want to correct some stuff.

Stock LS is 300/288
S-type Sport is 320/288
StR is 365/320
Some (early? base? v6?) XFs are 320/320
Some XFs are 365/320 and share some StR parts

Sport 320mm fronts and R 320mm rears will fit in stock 17s. At least, the rears fit in my Sport 5-spokes and some others have done the fronts

Discs can be listed as 320, 325, and 326mm. All the same thing

 

[1LoudLS]

reading through, I would say that the OEM brakes will lock up all seasons because of how poor all seasons behave because instead of being really great at something, they are designed to be very average at everything, and will do fine for most normal driving... back when I had some real sticky tires, you could stand on the pedal all day and the ABS wouldn't kick in on a good road. but even with how good the OEM brakes actually are, they feel terrible and even with lesser tires, better brakes will still have a better feel with less fade... if the car is driven hard, upgraded brakes are never a bad idea.

 

[FDR]

reading through, I would say that the OEM brakes will lock up all seasons because of how poor all seasons behave because instead of being really great at something, they are designed to be very average at everything

Well, yes, but I'd bet most LSes are running all seasons, so the stock brakes are sufficient for DD duty. But bigger brakes and better pads will improve things if you track it, run seasonals, or just hate the look of sporty/open with baby brakes (me)

...like 19" Niche Targas (sorry to the owner)