500 HP 1JZ-GTE Powered Lexus IS300 With a Manual Makes One Enjoyable Daily
Built for drifting, this heavily-modified Lexus IS300 turns out to be wicked fun on the street, too.
Lexus has long held a reputation for building luxurious, ultra-reliable vehicles, though we enthusiasts tend to focus on the more fun, sporty examples that it has churned out over the years. The IS is such a machine, with older versions of the sedan proving to be quite popular among those that find the BMW 3-Series alternative to be a fun daily one can modify in infinite ways. This particular Lexus IS300 – built by Fisch Racing and recently driven and reviewed by the YouTube channel Roads Untraveled – is a perfect example of this, a fun, fast, and incredibly engaging machine that we’d drive on a daily basis without blinking an eye.
Our host wastes no time hopping behind the wheel and taking this heavily-modified Lexus IS300 for a spin in the twisties, and immediately comes away impressed. Not only does its 1JZ-GTE powerplant sound amazing, but it’s further enhanced with all of the turbo noises we like to hear, particularly when he switches it over to a louder exhaust mode. In terms of mods, the transplanted mill features 1050cc injectors, a 53mm turbo, BC cams, an upgraded manifold, and a beefed up fuel system to feed it.
Built for drifting purposes, this IS300 has no trouble getting loose out on the road when power is applied generously, though that also means spartan amenities inside the cabin. The interior is mostly stripped out save for a pair of racing buckets and a cage, but the FRS units are comfy enough for road use. Plus, rowing through the gears makes this experience much more fun, made possible by a Nissan 350Z bell housing adapter kit – the first of its kind to utilize this particular part, in fact.
In terms of looks, the Lexus IS300 has been enhanced with a BN-style body kit, along with some fat-spoked wheels and a giant rear wing for a classic JDM tuner look. With 500 horsepower on tap and a row-your-own transmission, it’s an incredibly fun – if not a bit harsh, thanks to its suspension setup – car to drive, one that “exceeds expectations in almost every way,” according to our host. For us at least, that’s what a daily is all about – providing a little bit of stress relief after the 9-5 grind, and this IS300 certainly delivers in that regard.
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