ls1 swap into IS300 chassis
01-12-2009, 08:53 PM
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ls1 swap into IS300 chassis Hey guys im planning this swap with a car im gonna buy of the insurance company. I had a turbo IS a while back and was a fun car but would love to build an IS with a LS1 motor and maybe supercharge it later on. the car comes with a 3.0L Straight six. So it looks like there would be plenty of room for motor and tranny. Would love the six speed matted up to the motor as well. Has anybody attemped a swap like this or know how I should begin with this swap. Thanks in advance.
James @ 360 Motoring
James @ 360 Motoring
01-12-2009, 08:57 PM
#2
We used to lease on of those is300's and man are they fun to drive, very nimble and great overall look and interior. Good news is that you would probably lose 30 lbs from swapping out the iron 6 cyl and replacing it with the aluminum ls1. Bad news is no one to my knowledge has done this swap because its just so damn easy and cheap to swap in a 2jz. Goodluck with it tho, it will be a monster when your done and surely turn heads.
01-12-2009, 11:34 PM
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Thanks guy. yeh I loved my first one and it was Totaled in crappy Tourist drivers in Destin. I look at getting an engine conversion harness from Speartech to help with the Harness. Only thing im worried about is making strong motor mounts for the thing. There no weird electronics like Canbus or anything so that should go fairly smooth. Is there any pointers with any swap conversion that you guys could point out?
01-13-2009, 12:49 AM
#7
ya but those lexus v8's are some heavy *** ****'s and limited on power so the ls1 is the way to go. the problems your gonna run into are getting custom headers made, you might have to do a custom oil pan for crossmember clearance. you have to check to see how the steering shaft will clear the headers. Transmission mounts, new radiator etc... you can send your wiring harness out to Daftinnovations.com they can modify it for $300, and you might want to ask Rich from daft if he could make you a set of headers. hes a great fabricator.
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01-13-2009, 12:51 AM
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Awsome thats what I needed to here. You dont think the 3 L radiator will keep the motor cool? And saft can take my harness in the IS and completly mate it for the LS? Thats awsome I hate wiring but love fabbing.
01-13-2009, 08:38 AM
#9
did a quick search on this forum for lexus and found this
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...xus-is300.html
there were 1.5 pages of different lexus cars though, so it might be worth it for you to do a search. I'm not sure whats compatible across the different platforms
-jason
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...xus-is300.html
there were 1.5 pages of different lexus cars though, so it might be worth it for you to do a search. I'm not sure whats compatible across the different platforms
-jason
01-13-2009, 08:58 AM
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ls1 sounds good, the only thing that sucks about the IS300s is you really cant fit too much tire in the back without major mods. That being said I'd love to see it done.
01-13-2009, 08:59 PM
#12
Here's a link to a friend of mine's 1UZFE powered IS300 for reference. He was tempted to throw an LSX in it, but decided on the Yota V8 and he's been very happy with it. I keep on thinking about building one as well, but haven't run across a smoking deal on a chassis yet.
http://home.roadrunner.com/~bedellracing/v8swap/
http://home.roadrunner.com/~bedellracing/v8swap/
01-13-2009, 09:11 PM
#13
well, i just sold my wifes is300, and they already come with a 2jz minus the turbos...it is all aluminum straight six.....i looked hers over very well and thought very hard about putting a lsx in it.......there is plenty of room and would definatly work with a fbody pan and may work with a c6 vette pan.....i dont think headers would be that big of a problem either..........someone give it a shot, they are getting pretty cheap here lately......i think you could use the is300 radiator and fan too....
01-13-2009, 09:17 PM
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you are talking about the is-f series.
i had a yellow is300. that car got me in more trouble...girls and cops think you are rich...hell i got a wreakless driving ticket in mine, doing a u-turn??
think god i have lawyer friends. lol
i would like to see the ls1 is300 too!
i had a yellow is300. that car got me in more trouble...girls and cops think you are rich...hell i got a wreakless driving ticket in mine, doing a u-turn??
think god i have lawyer friends. lol i would like to see the ls1 is300 too!
01-13-2009, 11:10 PM
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Yeh heres a pic of my old one
Had 20" wheels and t3o4 turbo kit. Had some great power and could move, But i can get this car for $2200 bucks and kinda hated the tiptronic auto tranny. Would love to give a new IS-F a run for its money and burn my dads Z06. LoL. So you think i can use the pan in the Fbody. This would be to easy! Hope to be able to build the whole car for under $12K. Very streetable and reliable. I saw the build of the yellow one with the toyota V8 but not enough aftermarket support u know.
Had 20" wheels and t3o4 turbo kit. Had some great power and could move, But i can get this car for $2200 bucks and kinda hated the tiptronic auto tranny. Would love to give a new IS-F a run for its money and burn my dads Z06. LoL. So you think i can use the pan in the Fbody. This would be to easy! Hope to be able to build the whole car for under $12K. Very streetable and reliable. I saw the build of the yellow one with the toyota V8 but not enough aftermarket support u know.
01-27-2009, 08:59 PM
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Here's a link to a friend of mine's 1UZFE powered IS300 for reference. He was tempted to throw an LSX in it, but decided on the Yota V8 and he's been very happy with it. I keep on thinking about building one as well, but haven't run across a smoking deal on a chassis yet.
http://home.roadrunner.com/~bedellracing/v8swap/
http://home.roadrunner.com/~bedellracing/v8swap/
- Jack C
01-27-2009, 11:23 PM
#18
I remember watching on TV Rod Millen and his son Rhys did a IS300 swap using the larger GS450 engine. If they could do that, a LSx would be no problem.
It was on one of them TV show, Yeah, I believe that it was Rides. they did some major front frame mod's, but you might be able to get alway with out them.
It was on one of them TV show, Yeah, I believe that it was Rides. they did some major front frame mod's, but you might be able to get alway with out them.
01-28-2009, 08:25 PM
#19
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I have seen IS300s with 18X10 with 285/30/18 on the back, with the correct offset and shaving or rolling the fender. I had 265/ 35/ 18 on mine, 18X9.5. I love that yellow sportcross with the v8 swap. Id really love to see to see a LS1 swap in one.
My old is
My old is
