Supercharged Lexus IS F vs 2JZ Swapped IS300: Which Build Would You Prefer?
Between this Lexus IS F and a heavily-modified IS300, it’s tough to pick a winner, but each has its own pros and cons to consider.
As car enthusiasts, we have essentially unlimited possibilities when it comes to modifying vehicles, which can be both a blessing and a curse. Choice is certainly a good thing, but at the same time, it can also lead to great procrastination, and oftentimes, we complete one job or mod only to covet another immediately or soon after. It’s a vicious cycle for sure, but that’s precisely where the internet comes in handy – we can scope out reviews on different types of builds – in this case, two very different Lexus IS F and IS300 models – and figure out which is the most appealing to us before plunking down our hard-earned cash on a series of upgrades.
First up, we have something relatively simple – a Lexus IS F reviewed by the folks at The Smoking Tire, which retains its original 5.0-liter V8, albeit with some modifications. The biggest is a Stage 4 RR Racing supercharger kit, which – with E85 in the tank – results in an output of 652 horsepower at the wheels. It’s accompanied by an array of suspension upgrades as well, which include custom Ohlins coilovers with Swift springs and Wilwood four-piston disc brakes, Megan Racing tow links, and Godspeed upper control arms.
The idea here is to enhance what Lexus made in the first place, essentially to “perfect” the IS F in general by giving it more power and more stable handling. The owner is no stranger to the Lexus IS F in general after owning one before this, but is quite pleased with his latest ride, which he notes is powerful, stable, and confident in the curves. Our host agrees, noting that it “feels incredible,” with the perfect mix of ride comfort and handling prowess, along with a very usable power band.
On the flip side, we have yet another Lexus build to mull over, but it’s far different from the first one – in this case, we’re looking at an IS300 sedan reviewed by That Dude in Blue that features a 2JZ swap, which has certainly become a popular combination in recent years. In this case, the owner procured a brand new crate motor from Toyota, but in this case, it’s dressed up like a 1JZ with parts from that motor, giving it more of an OEM+ look that makes this build super appealing.
This, uh, 1.5JZ of sorts has a fully-built head and coil kit – plus a modified 6262 turbo – some difficult to obtain parts that led to this particular build taking a full two years to complete. However, its owner wanted the ultimate IS300, and they’ve arguably created it here, with an incredibly sanitary engine bay, a tasteful body kit, and some incredible detailing to go along with its unique powerplant. With 581 horsepower and 533 pound-feet of torque at the wheels, it has plenty of juice to back up those looks, too.
Ultimately, that combination proves that the work that went into this build paid off, because our host notes that it’s “the best” IS300 he’s ever driven – high praise considering how many different ones he’s piloted over the years. Regardless, this begs the question – which route would you, devoted Lexus fan, prefer to take?
Obviously, it’s far easier and likely cheaper to buy a nice IS F and modify it versus obtaining a new or even used 2JZ and swapping it into an IS300, but there are plenty of variables at play – can you do the work yourself, or do you need to farm it out? – chiefly among them. Either way, these are two of the nicer Lexus builds we’ve seen in some time, and truthfully, we’d be ecstatic to have either in our garage.
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