Modifying a car is like being kind to a person who’s having a bad day. One little thing can make a world of difference.
You all know that. If one part is off, it’ll either drive you nuts, eventually destroy your car’s engine, or both.
Forum member Aswilley, aka Aaron, has been paying close attention to the small components going into his 1997 Lexus SC 300 NA-T build. For instance, although his SC is not yet turbocharged, he had an HKS blowoff valve flange welded into the pipe for his front-mounted intercooler. Aaron also drilled the pipe so it could accept the intake air temperature sensor, grommet, and wiring from a ’98-’02 Nissan Maxima. He said, “The second sensor, grommet, and connector I got will be used with the stock piping so I can do the [JDM Aristo] TT-ECU mod before boosting and running the IC Piping.”
To prepare his SC for forced induction, Aaron has removed the upper intake plenum, taken off the timing belt and rear timing cover, and pulled the cam gears. He’s yanked the cam caps, water pump, and exhaust manifold off, too. Right now, Aaron’s rebuilding the cylinder head.
That doesn’t mean Aaron’s forgotten about his car’s looks, though. Up front, Aaron’s Lexus has 55W 8K headlights and 55W 3K foglights. He swapped its chrome wheels out for the 19-inch wheels from an Infiniti G37S (of course, he tossed the Infiniti center caps).
We can’t wait to see more pics of your NA-T build, Aaron. Please keep them coming.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
Where do you go for answers when you have a Lexus with a gorgeous leather interior but are not sure about how to maintain that luxurious look? The "Club Lexus" forums, of course.
