IS300 LS1/T56 Daily Driver Build
#21
So the first thing I did on the car today had nothing to do with the swap, oh well. I ordered a Chrysler antenna the other day to replace mine which was worn out.
You can see a bit of the donor car in the background in this one.
While the motor was out for piece of mind I replaced the rear main seal. I pulled the clutch and flywheel, which are Monster but have seen much better days.
I'll be looking into a new flywheel and clutch this week.
This also gave me a chance to confirm the cam.
Did the front main and timing cover for good measure while I was at it.
I didn't get any pictures of it but I pulled the intake as well to clean up the top of the motor and I think I'm going to paint the intake while I have it out. My goal is to get the motor out of the Lexus and set the LS in next weekend. Hopefully I will have my motor mounts and headers by then...
You can see a bit of the donor car in the background in this one.
While the motor was out for piece of mind I replaced the rear main seal. I pulled the clutch and flywheel, which are Monster but have seen much better days.
I'll be looking into a new flywheel and clutch this week.
This also gave me a chance to confirm the cam.
Did the front main and timing cover for good measure while I was at it.
I didn't get any pictures of it but I pulled the intake as well to clean up the top of the motor and I think I'm going to paint the intake while I have it out. My goal is to get the motor out of the Lexus and set the LS in next weekend. Hopefully I will have my motor mounts and headers by then...
#23
#25
It did seem to bite well but since this is going in a lighter daily driven car I think I'm going to look at a slightly heavier flywheel (still less than stock) and a less aggressive clutch.
Last edited by eng1nerd; 06-16-2013 at 02:10 PM.
#27
I found this a couple weeks ago when I was looking at buying everything new, as far as I know these numbers are correct.
Oil Pan (pan, non magnetic plug, gasket and bolts) GM# 12581209
Oil Pan Gasket GM# 12558760
Magnetic Oil Pan plug GM# 23011420
GTO (Holden) Oil Pump Pickup GM# 12572654
GTO (Holden) Windage Tray GM# 12558189
GTO (Holden) Dipstick GM# 12562468
GTO (Holden) Dipstick Tube GM# 12561544
Oil Pan (pan, non magnetic plug, gasket and bolts) GM# 12581209
Oil Pan Gasket GM# 12558760
Magnetic Oil Pan plug GM# 23011420
GTO (Holden) Oil Pump Pickup GM# 12572654
GTO (Holden) Windage Tray GM# 12558189
GTO (Holden) Dipstick GM# 12562468
GTO (Holden) Dipstick Tube GM# 12561544
#28
My headers came in today and I must say they look awesome!
Here you can see the clearance for the steer column.
I laid out roughly what I have in mind for the exhaust system:
Headers > Cats > Flex Hose > Y-pipe >(maybe a resonator, not shown) > Cutout > Factory Lexus Muffler (also not shown)
While I was in the garage I took care of that ugly, dirty grey color on the intake. Since I will be running a set of red Corvette covers I figure this should go well flat black.
Before:
After:
I also heard from Dedicated Matt today and my motor mounts were getting welded up so it is game on for this weekend. My wife is out of town and the garage is all mine, the motor is coming out of the Lexus, bay is getting cleaned and I will probably get started on chasing wires.
Here you can see the clearance for the steer column.
I laid out roughly what I have in mind for the exhaust system:
Headers > Cats > Flex Hose > Y-pipe >(maybe a resonator, not shown) > Cutout > Factory Lexus Muffler (also not shown)
While I was in the garage I took care of that ugly, dirty grey color on the intake. Since I will be running a set of red Corvette covers I figure this should go well flat black.
Before:
After:
I also heard from Dedicated Matt today and my motor mounts were getting welded up so it is game on for this weekend. My wife is out of town and the garage is all mine, the motor is coming out of the Lexus, bay is getting cleaned and I will probably get started on chasing wires.
#31
Today was when the real fun began. After stopping by the Lexus dealership and giving them way to much money to have a spare key made (don't know if it can be programmed after the swap) I backed the car in the garage for it's last night with the 2J. All the fluids got drained, radiator, and core support came out to make room for the motor and trans on the way out.
At this point it was time to come out of the garage and get a bath.
And just for fun this was the pre-clean-up carnage in my driveway/garage.
I also ordered a few more parts when I came in for the night. Walbro fuel pump, K&N filter, and battery relocation kit are on order. I'm going to Clutch Specialties this week to drop off my clutch and flywheel to have a custom set made. I should be spending most of tomorrow sifting through two wiring harnesses and maybe moving my ABS module.
At this point it was time to come out of the garage and get a bath.
And just for fun this was the pre-clean-up carnage in my driveway/garage.
I also ordered a few more parts when I came in for the night. Walbro fuel pump, K&N filter, and battery relocation kit are on order. I'm going to Clutch Specialties this week to drop off my clutch and flywheel to have a custom set made. I should be spending most of tomorrow sifting through two wiring harnesses and maybe moving my ABS module.
#34
Sorry about that. Most of them are alright on my computer but I'm looking at a 23" monitor. I'll post smaller pics from now on and when I get a chance go back and fix what is there.
#35
With any luck tomorrow this will be the last time my teaser pics are just parts. I got my battery relocation kit, Walbro 255 fuel pump, and most importantly my motor and trans mounts in the mail yesterday.
I also got my oil pan back from being welded today. It took longer than I hoped but is just in time for the weekend.
The goal for tomorrow is, after picking up my clutch from being rebuilt, install the flywheel and clutch, motor mounts, mate the trans and motor, then set it in the car. I'm sure it will need to come back out at least once for wiring and other odds and ends but I want to see it resting in its new home.
I'll be sure to take pics tomorrow as I go.
I also got my oil pan back from being welded today. It took longer than I hoped but is just in time for the weekend.
The goal for tomorrow is, after picking up my clutch from being rebuilt, install the flywheel and clutch, motor mounts, mate the trans and motor, then set it in the car. I'm sure it will need to come back out at least once for wiring and other odds and ends but I want to see it resting in its new home.
I'll be sure to take pics tomorrow as I go.
#37
I'm just curious, but did you ever think of doing a turbo conversion of the 2JZ that was in there? I know it isn't cheap, but damn it would've been a lot easier.
What sort of #'s is that LS1 going to put out, about 400-450rwhp? You could easily do that with a turbo swap on the 2JZ.
Although I will admit the V8 is going to have a much nicer power curve and sound better.
What sort of #'s is that LS1 going to put out, about 400-450rwhp? You could easily do that with a turbo swap on the 2JZ.
Although I will admit the V8 is going to have a much nicer power curve and sound better.
#38
I'm just curious, but did you ever think of doing a turbo conversion of the 2JZ that was in there? I know it isn't cheap, but damn it would've been a lot easier.
What sort of #'s is that LS1 going to put out, about 400-450rwhp? You could easily do that with a turbo swap on the 2JZ.
Although I will admit the V8 is going to have a much nicer power curve and sound better.
What sort of #'s is that LS1 going to put out, about 400-450rwhp? You could easily do that with a turbo swap on the 2JZ.
Although I will admit the V8 is going to have a much nicer power curve and sound better.
With the parts that are on the motor already I should be around the 425-450 HP range AND still get low 20's MPG. Boost is awesome and I love driving boosted cars but I know I'd want to turn the boost up all the time.
The sound of muscle car growl coming form a Lexus was a huge selling point too.
#39
I would like to chime in on why to ditch the 2J. The engine in the IS needs to be torn down and rebuilt with GTE bottom end parts to handle enough boost to make it worth it. The second problem is the trans. The manual trans that come in the few cars blessed with a third pedal is garbage. A built R154 is the cheapest option.
After all of this you have the foundation to build boost but don't expect to just slap on a turbo. The Toyota electronics do not play well with others like a Chevy PCM. There are several computer solutions but none of them are cheap.
Cliffs Notes: Chevy swap is cheaper and easier to make power.
After all of this you have the foundation to build boost but don't expect to just slap on a turbo. The Toyota electronics do not play well with others like a Chevy PCM. There are several computer solutions but none of them are cheap.
Cliffs Notes: Chevy swap is cheaper and easier to make power.