IS300 LS1/T56 Daily Driver Build
#1
IS300 LS1/T56 Daily Driver Build
I have always liked the Lexus IS300 and when I saw the LS1 swap was not only possible but practical I decided that was the route I was going for my daily driver. I picked up a 2002 IS300 with 187k on the car for a great price. After that I found a perfect donor car, 2001 Trans Am with 113K on the motor, lots of go fast goodies and a freshly built top end.
My goal is to have the swap done by the beginning of August. I plan to retain cruise control, A/C, and all the stock gauges. I know to keep the temp and mpg gauge working I will have to keep the 2JZ ECU hooked up. I'd like to keep all the creature comforts of the Lexus with more power! The only thing I should be losing is traction control.
I've ordered swap headers and motor/trans mounts from Dedicated Motorsports that should be here any day now. I've also got several other small parts on the way. I got the motor and trans out of the TA today. Next weekend I'd like to get the motor out of the Lexus and set the LS in to get dimensions for the drive shaft, power steering, heat, and A/C lines. Wiring is the only part that has me nervous but I should be able to work through it.
For now here are some pics of both the donor and the project car.
I will be parting out the rest of the TA after I pull all the parts I'm going to need to complete the swap.
My goal is to have the swap done by the beginning of August. I plan to retain cruise control, A/C, and all the stock gauges. I know to keep the temp and mpg gauge working I will have to keep the 2JZ ECU hooked up. I'd like to keep all the creature comforts of the Lexus with more power! The only thing I should be losing is traction control.
I've ordered swap headers and motor/trans mounts from Dedicated Motorsports that should be here any day now. I've also got several other small parts on the way. I got the motor and trans out of the TA today. Next weekend I'd like to get the motor out of the Lexus and set the LS in to get dimensions for the drive shaft, power steering, heat, and A/C lines. Wiring is the only part that has me nervous but I should be able to work through it.
For now here are some pics of both the donor and the project car.
I will be parting out the rest of the TA after I pull all the parts I'm going to need to complete the swap.
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#8
I don't have any real progress updates today but I got a bunch of parts (I bet the mail and UPS guy hate me).
3" Electric Cutout
Cats and 3" flex hoses
4" to 3.5" reducer for the intake
Weapon R Coolant Tank
LS2 GTO oit pan, windage tray, pick up, and dipstick (should get this notched and welded at work this week.
I got these a while back from a buddy at work, they came on his CTS-V and he didn't like them...so I got 'em.
I probably won't get much done this weekend since it's my wifes birthday. I'll probably just get the motor cleaned up and the oil pan installed.
3" Electric Cutout
Cats and 3" flex hoses
4" to 3.5" reducer for the intake
Weapon R Coolant Tank
LS2 GTO oit pan, windage tray, pick up, and dipstick (should get this notched and welded at work this week.
I got these a while back from a buddy at work, they came on his CTS-V and he didn't like them...so I got 'em.
I probably won't get much done this weekend since it's my wifes birthday. I'll probably just get the motor cleaned up and the oil pan installed.
Last edited by eng1nerd; 06-12-2013 at 04:52 PM.
#10
TECH Resident
I am very interested in doing this swap, very curious to know how to retain the factory AC function. Last update Matt did he had to use a seat heater switch but was working on getting to function like factory.
#11
I wasn't able to get the oil pan notched today at work but should be able to tomorrow. I also stopped on the way home and picked up the pan gasket, front & rear main seals, and an intake gasket so I can do some clean up this weekend and get the motor ready to go in the car.
I'm not certain that it will work since I haven't done it yet, but here is my approach. The A/C (auto function at least) relies on the Intake Air Temp sensor. This is the same one I believe that allows you to see the outside temperature on the dash. Since I plan to retain the 2JZ ECU I'm going to see if I can get that to engage and disengage the A/C compressor instead of the LS1 ECU running it.
Anybody know why this wouldn't work?
Anybody know why this wouldn't work?
#16
So I had another busy day at work today (been that way a lot lately). I wasn't able to get the oil pan welded, but I did get it cut and the panels to be welded in are ready for Monday.
We used the band saw for the vertical cuts in the pan.
Then moved over to the mill with a slitting saw for the horizontal cuts.
Finally have the clearance needed for the subframe, just need to fill it back in so it will hold oil.
I'm also going to have to cut a good bit out of the baffle to match the new shape of the pan.
Minus the welds this is what the pan will look like when it is done.
We used the band saw for the vertical cuts in the pan.
Then moved over to the mill with a slitting saw for the horizontal cuts.
Finally have the clearance needed for the subframe, just need to fill it back in so it will hold oil.
I'm also going to have to cut a good bit out of the baffle to match the new shape of the pan.
Minus the welds this is what the pan will look like when it is done.
#18
I am planning on keeping cruise since this will be a daily driver and family car. The TA had cruise on the drive by wire setup so I should be able to use that and just trigger the cruise module with the factory Lexus controls. I'll have to look at the wiring to make sure they operate the same but using the GM cruise has been done on a number of other swaps.