My IS300 story so far....
My IS300 story so far....
I know that this is really overdue, and I haven't really taken many pics during the modding. But here we go...
So my initial purchase was a Strathcarron Blue IS200 in the middle of 2010. I paid absolute top dollar for her on the promise that she was a minter, had never had an accident, was well maintained etc...
Unfortunately she wasn't. After giving her a few washes I started noticing areas that had been resprayed and other bodged repairs. So I PX'd her for a Black IS300 which I'd located in Devon as being a 'minter':
Of course joining car forums is NEVER a good idea and after a short while I found myself itching to start modding.
First went on the GROM adapter so I could listen to my MP3's, then an iPhone 4 cradle so I could do the whole handsfree thing along with TomTom on my phone.
Then I wanted to hear that gorgeous I6 sound, so I purchased a Japspeed catback exhaust:
Something needed to be done about the cars stance though. Those stock springs and shocks made it look like a 4x4...just look at that gap!!!
That was soon sorted by some BC Racing Coilovers:
...and some 18" Dotz GT-R rims:
But there was still an inkling for some extra performance. So after doing some searching on the net I snapped up a K&N FIPK v2 intake, a set of Brian Cower 264 cams and an AEM adjustable cam gear. This all went to a local Toyota specialist to be fitted.
Next up were the window visors. I ummed and aahhed about getting some genuine Altezza ones, but I just couldn't bring myself to tape something to the paintwork of my car. So I settled on some Climair ones instead:
Then came the accident. Some *** in an Audi decided to try and outrun me and cut across my lane. He ran out of road so just smashed into me instead.
I took this as an opportunity to get some other stuff done. So I ordered a GReddy front lip from Japan, a TRD skirt from Toyota a new GReddy IS300 exhaust from the USA and left them all in the hands of a very good bodyshop down the road from me to sort out while I was away on holiday.
When I came back, the car looked like this....
At the same time I'd gotten a bit bored of the K&N intake and wanted something with a bit of bling. So yet another parcel arrived promptly from the USA, this time containing my Injen intake:
The next mod was a bit of a marmite one for some. But I really liked the look of the CWest eyelids. IMO they give the car a bit of an evil stare which suited the more aggressive looks of the car following the other mods.
Which brings me neatly up to this picture taken a month ago:
I'd started to get a taste for all things JDM though, and soon enough really fancied some super-special wheels. Although the temptation was there to buy some brand new Rays CE28N's they just didnt look awesome enough for the price. So I started hunting through various websites until I came across these:
Yep, proper skank looking right? However, these wheels were quite special in that they are around 8+ years old and were only made by Rays for a VERY short time before another company bought the design (Ro_Ja), made them look horrible and then went out of business.
So I snapped them up for what was still a lot of money and sent them away to be refurbed.
It caused me a lot of grief (and money), but I eventually got them back looking like this:
..and wasted NO time getting them fitted:
Finally I was (almost) happy with the looks, so it was back to the performance to see if I could make it go as fast as it looked. Thats when I came across this for sale:
..a 9PSI ProCharger with all the piping, intercooler, injectors, fuel pump, ECU..the lot. Previous owner spent over £1000 getting a good tune done on it and made a very nice 305rwhp on low grade gas.
Of course, you cant have F/I without having all the little gauges and stuff as well. But I wanted something a little more descreet. So instead I went with a PLX setup that has controllers for EGT, BOOST, AFR and a whole lot more. Here it all is during the fitting...
For the moment everything is just sitting in place waiting to be hooked up to the supercharger when it eventually comes off the ship from Canada!
I hope you enjoyed the read. I'll have more soon I'm sure
I love your car Jim
but two questions where did you get the full set of wind deflectors and where did you get your eye brows been looking but cant find them in that style
Lexuspat I love your car Jim
but two questions where did you get the full set of wind deflectors and where did you get your eye brows been looking but cant find them in that style
Lexuspat I love your car Jim
but two questions where did you get the full set of wind deflectors and where did you get your eye brows been looking but cant find them in that style
Some great work mate! cant wait to see whats next
And it's about time too Jim... Makes for a good read... What are your plans beyond the charger?
DaveEdin And it's about time too Jim... Makes for a good read... What are your plans beyond the charger?
DaveEdin And it's about time too Jim... Makes for a good read... What are your plans beyond the charger?
Amazing transformation mate, really looking forward to how this one progresses :thumbup1:
looks really nice mate, when you get bored of the charger let me know