SC300T

My dream IS would start as an IS350 AWD. Lexus could start with the 3.5. lower the compression a bit to around 10:1, add two small turbochargers with 7psi boost. Upgrade to forged internals. Keep the dual VVTI and direct fuel injection. Stock HP would in the 350-375 range, with over 300 wheel HP to all 4 wheels. Keep the AWD system's rear wheel torque bias under dry conditions, perhaps add a race setting, like the EVO stuff. Put 13" brake rotors on it, 18x8" wheels - not into the boyracer gunmetal looking crap. Progressive springs, perhaps the Bilstein shocks. Keep the ride smooth. Perhaps a 1/2" drop. Perhaps most importantly - add the Lexus Direct Shift 8-speed automatic from the IS-F. Keep the aesthetics very simple. NO IS-F B.S. like stacked exhaust tips. The stock IS body is a thing of beauty. Keep it simple. Perhaps most importantly, make the 3.5 bullet proof, make it the next 2JZ legend. People will be modding this thing for the next 20 years.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

The IS350 front rotors are already 13 inches (13.15 to be exact)...

I suppose you'd need to bump hp to 350 to make up for the extra useless weight the AWD system would add though :P

passnu2

iTrader: (33)

you made a good choice

hope you can bring it to a meet. In a few years once I am done with the GS thats where I plan to go again. Happy with the GS but I want something more just as I did with the IS. I do need 4 doors so I would like to pick up the RS4 in the next year or two depending on this market. Wait for the S it will be worth the wait

SC300T

Useless to me is having 350hp+ and being able to use it only a fraction of the time. Rolling burnouts are fun, but from experience when the zit faced guy in the Scooby in the next lane pulls a car length and a half by 60, you begin to dream about having traction... Clobbering him 60-120 was only partial vindication.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

$1000 gets you a -good- launch control system, without adding hundreds of useless AWD pounds to the car.

My last car was 500 hp, and I still wouldn't have wanted AWD on it.

AWD (for racing) is awesome on rally cars that race on uneven and unpredictable surfaces... on the street or other paved surfaces it's a lot more often dead weight than it is useful though. The 2IS is already a heavy pig with 2WD.

And as you note, you do catch up to the overly heavy AWD car by 60.

The guy people remember is the one in front at the -end- of the race.