smooth1
May 16 2007, 08:19 AM
Hello everyone. I just bought a 2005 IS 300. I LOVE THIS CAR!!!!!!! It is by far the nicest car I have ever owned. So, I'm gonna be working on it to make it even better. Because,,, that's what I do. the car has 21,000 miles on it now. It's silver with the Black leather interior. I am going to be doing some appearance mods first, then go into performance mods, and along the way we'll see what pops up.
I have already put new rims on the car. I went to 18x9's. I am very happy with that change so far. The handling is crisper and turn in response is much quicker!
Next I have purchased black headlight housings and Halo rings for the headlights. they should be in later this week. I will be installing those and for now, I want to just black out the tail lights until I find something I like better. I will be posting picks as I go along so everyone can see before and afters and so on.
I also am going to redo the brake system also. Now that I have new rims, you can really see the calipers and the discs, So i want to change to slotted or drilled, I haven't really made up my mind about that yet. Also, I'm looking into new calipers, or just repainting the stock ones I have. I'm adding steel braided brake lines, and new performance brake pads.
I also want to add a cold air intake, maybe an underdrive pully, and who knows, maybe look at a supercharger down the line.
So, it all begins here. If anyone has advice, maybe suggestions on mods that really work, let me know. I hope to learn and pass on the knowledge as I go.
I will be posting those pics later this week. Saturday, the car goes in for service, ( I want to convert it over to full synthetic oils and trans fluid first. Then I'll start putting all the stuff on the car.
Parking17
May 16 2007, 01:00 PM
From my experience with two of these cars, I would not recommend putting a cold air intake on these cars. Actually loose horsepower, unless you go with SRT, which is not smog certified in California, nor do they plan to be CARB exempt in any of the 50 states after contacting them. If you want real gains, probably have to go turbo down the line.
I just turned 40k on my '04 and will be converting to AMSOIL synthetic.
I did get demon eyes, however did not install yet due to getting the headlights out is a pain in the rear, gotta take the front bumper completely off. I'll eventually get to it, but they do look sweet!
Glad you're happy with the car and can't wait to hear about/see your mods.
BTW - a good dash kit completely enhances the interior.
Also, here is a link for caliper decals:
http://www.jvdgraphics.com/prod-cs%20Lexus2.htm
smooth1
May 16 2007, 04:03 PM
Are you sure about the intake? Man I have had a K&N intake on everything I ever owned. It even comes with a Dyno sheet showing the hp gain! and where the gain is on the rev band. why do you think you got less hp? and what systems were you using?
And the Demon eyes are SWEEEEEEEEET!!!!!! The first time I saw them I knew I was gettin em! I don't care if I have to set the whole weekend aside to install em, their goin in!!!!
The dash kits are a sticky decision if you know what I mean,

I know I want to do some highlights with Carbon Fiber, but I only want the real Carbon Fiber, not that stupid lookin imitation stuff that is just awful!!!! So I have to find someone who specializes in making carbon fiber parts and misc. and see if there is a cost effective way to go about it.
Hmmm, 15 dollar stickers to cover the calipers huh? great idea. Even if they don't last, it's only 15 bucks! I'll order those this week. Do you have them on your car? What do you think?
I'll be posting pics this week of my car. So we can all get a basic idea of where I started. It's funny, until I started to list the stuff I have done, I thought I haven't done anything to it yet. But I forgot, I also ordered a Hyper ground system and a hyper MR voltage system also. Those should be here in about two weeks. I wanted silver, so they have to make em.
smooth1
May 17 2007, 07:37 AM
Click to view attachmentHere is a photo of the car the day I bought it. Very happy day!
smooth1
May 17 2007, 07:40 AM
I have had the car now for 2 weeks. I've added 18x9 einki's ( only 18 lbs. each!), tinted the windows and put on the mini mast for the antenna.
Click to view attachment
Parking17
May 17 2007, 10:39 PM
I used an AEM. Anything under 3000 on the tach and you have nothing. Basically, the cpu will not adjust the mixture for the added airflow on these cars. SRT system is the only one that has a piggyback unit that wires into the cpu, to make it work. It's about $500. Other than that, you're just spending money for looks, which for me, I rather take off fast from the line from the light if I need to. You can probably just order a good looking tube without the resonator and get a K&N drop in filter, but I would just make sure you leave the stock intake box.
About the caliper stickers, I went with red brake caliper paint which is really a dark orange, following the instructions. I wanted it darker, so after a coat of that, I put some 1400 degree engine paint, cherry red. After spraying that and letting it dry, I applied the white stickers, then put a coat of clear coat to seal it. After about 20k miles, still looks good.
Try NYC Dash. There are real fiber carbon kits out there for the dash. My dad got one for his Prius and I am almost thinking of removing my cherry wood and getting what he got. It's pretty killer.
As soon as I wash it, I'll post some pics of the exterior with the calipers.
smooth1
May 18 2007, 04:26 AM
Nice work. The gauge set up looks awsome. Next to you transmission control buttons, what are those 2 orange buttons? I can't quite make it out, looks like one turns on and off a radar detector/scanner? And what's the other? I don't have the heated seats either, so I was thinking of turning those blanks into something useful later.
I did notice there are subtle differences in our cars I think. I will have to go look at mine again to be sure. I think it's because you have the manual trans and I have the auto, but where your trac off/snow button is, mine just says trac control. and the snow button is on the center console next to a button that also says power. ( I like that setting with the trac control off. It really goes thru gears 1-3 like now!!)
Are you planning on running forced induction? I am seriously looking into a supercharger. It won't happen for awhile, but as I go along doing the modifications to the car I will keep that in the back of my mind. So for now it's just one step at a time.
Ok you confused me on the caliper color and coats also. Let me get this straight, you originally wanted your calipers to be red, but after you painted it you weren't happy with the color, so you painted them cherry red with high temp paint. So are your calipers red now or white? and what did you use for a clear coat?
My steel braided brake lines came in. So now all I need are the EBC green pads and one Saturday soon I'll bleed the system down, and install the brake lines, recoated calipers, new brake pads and rotors. that should finish that end for awhile.
And about the dash kits. I went to NYC Dash. They have nice kits, but I seriuosly want to be different. For example, on your center dash console, everything you have in cherry wood, that plastic trim that goes from the shifter all the way up and around the console and back bown the other side, you have your gauges on top now, but I have a dash tray there, all that I want carbon fiber. After I know I can get that , then I was thinking of the brushed stainless steel or billet Aluminum look for the face of the console. If I can get a billet face, then I think I want it to be a graphite color. I'm still toying with all the ideas. I have already located a carbon fiber custom molding fabricator. We haven't talked design ideas or prices yet. I know it's gonna be expensive. But hey you only live once right? I have actually done this before. I went to the junk yard and bought a center console out of a totalled Nissan 300Z for 50 bucks. I sent that in and they did a replication in carbon fiber for me. Cost me 600.00 plus shipping. But man was I happy with how that turned out. After that you can just buy a flat sheet of carbon fiber and shape it to just do highlights around the interior with.
Parking17
May 18 2007, 12:24 PM
The calipers are cherry red with a clear coat of gloss applied after the sticker application.
Once I wash the car and detail it, I'll post some more pics. My wheels in this are kinda dirty.
smooth1
May 18 2007, 12:45 PM
Oh okay, yeah that looks great! very nice job. What did you use for a clear coat?
And by the way, kinda dirty??? You otta be ashamed!! LOL! Isn't there a car wash in your neighborhood? JK!!!! how long have you had it? What are you working on next?
Parking17
May 19 2007, 01:05 AM
I never take it to the car wash. I wash it myself, along with doing my oil change, rotating tires, etc. I think I used Krylon clear coat. I also use Meguires Tech wax and Turtle Wax Ice.
smooth1
May 19 2007, 09:44 AM

It's okay to use a touch free car wash. I just get the rinse and wash setting. Then I hop out and chami dry it. Keeps things shining between the real detail days.
Yeah, I do all my own work as well.
I just put a magnetic oil filter ring on, and one at the bottom of the oil pan. So my next two oil changes I will remove the pan completely and clean it out and regasket it. After that I'll wait one or two oil changes and see if there is anything at the bottom. Amsoil is great oil. I also just converted to a 25/75 coolant mix. I already noticed the car runs cooler. Next I'm looking at a heat shield. By the way, while I was under the hood, did you notice alot of play in your throttle cable? I noticed that in mine, so I tightened it up with the adjusters and it took every bit there was to get it back to tight again. When the car goes in I'll have them reset it, but after I fixed it, I did notice that the obvious result was better throttle response. Now I just touch the peddle and the tach jumps to 2500 rpms. Just a tip if you haven't already done so.
Parking17
May 20 2007, 04:34 PM
Car is washed. It's so shiny, that in some pics, you can see me as a reflection. Enjoy.
smooth1
May 21 2007, 05:47 AM
OHHHHH!!, it's a Lexus IS300!!! Well then, now officially all the IS 300 community can once again publicly acknowledge you.

JK!!

Lookin Good man!!! Nice ride. I too spent the better part of my Sunday in the garage washing the 3. Last week I took a clay bar to it, and put on two coats of sealer and 1 coat of wax. This time I washed the car real good, waxed it and buffed it. then I also used a teflon coating on the rims. ( The bottle says it helps reduces the ability for brake dust to cling to it) Seems to make sense, we'll see. They shine nice though. I figure until all the parts I've ordered come in I can spend my energy shining up the ride. the headlights should ( Better!) be here this week. I really want those on the car.
I'm also thinking of ordering the Apexi power programmer. Anyone using this? Every web site I go to seems to steer me right to this one. I looked into the uni chip, but that was a quick laugh. Isn't there something better than the apexi? or is the Apexi sent by the gods to the warrior IS300 owners???? And has anyone gone thru the super chip thing?
Thanks.
bartkat
May 21 2007, 06:16 PM
Without going FI there's really not a whole lot of power you can get with NA mods.
smooth1
May 21 2007, 06:41 PM
hey there bartkat, what a coincidence! I was just over at another thread looking into some power mod applications. You posted a web link to a Lexus performance shop that puts turbo and supercharger packages together. You posted the link like a year ago. Link still works for the info!!

So after looking into it I have decided to go Forced induction after all.
Yeah, I've searched the web up and down to find out all the performance gains and pros and cons of each. There are some interesting combinations out there, but for the money, sure seems like alot and a crapton of work for so little. So, rather thatn waste my time and my money, I just tonight decided that I will return the Typhoon by K&N. I'll skip doing the ICU Programmers or a piggyback power chip of some kind, and go with the Raptor V supercharger.
My IS is an everyday driver. So I don't want to mod it to race only settings. I figure if I can get between 300-350 hp, I'll be happy. I was going to look into headers and exhaust, but I really like the quiet of stock, so I'm not really sure what I'm going to do there. Also I want to put anti sway bars on to help stablize things. Maybe upgrade shocks and springs if I need to.
Right now I'm in the planning stage of all this, I want to have a definate starting point and a finish point. Even if I decide to add or change things later, I atleast want finish one thing at a time. Heck the halo's for the headlights aren't even here yet!
So, I figure it will take about four weeks for them to build the supercharger and assemble all the parts for the system. ( Piping, blow off valve, oil cooler / intercooler, etc.etc.) I figure less than five grand will cover it. And I will get to 300 hp atleast for sure with no problem!
smooth1
May 22 2007, 06:40 AM
Does anyone know of where I can get a new face plate for the a/c controls on the center console? Is it a seperate piece?
smooth1
May 22 2007, 06:43 AM
BTW, I'm still reseaching supercharger or turbo. I haven't made up my mind yet. The arguments for either one is pretty good, so until I decide what exactly I want out of my IS, I'm gonna keep researching. I did a bank check and the funds aren't an issue. So I just need to figure out what I wanna do.
bartkat
May 22 2007, 01:44 PM
smooth1
May 23 2007, 10:53 AM
QUOTE(bartkat @ May 22 2007, 02:44 PM) [snapback]241822[/snapback]
Yeah Man! That's definately a nice ride! He went a little further than I'm looking to go right now. I don't want to lose the everyday drivability of the car. I love the sport-luxury combo of the car. So that's why I am really trying to take my time and see as much as I can to figure out what's right for me. On one hand I love the supercharger's streetability, but yet all the really nice factory rides come with turbos. HMMMMmmmm, what to do, what to do.?
I have time yet. But I am kinda leaning on supersharger. I found a kit that is ready to bolt on with no other mods or upgrades needed. With factory headers, and exhaust, no tuning and 93 octane gas produced 100 rwhp more. pretty nice to me!
smooth1
May 25 2007, 05:54 AM

Well, this is just an update. All the parts I have ordered are just now starting to slowly come in. The Hyper ground system and the Hyper MR voltage system will be here next week. The new headlights are here, I've already opened them and I have already primered and put on the first coats. I'll fiinsh them this weekend and then install the halo demon eyes. ( I got the hyper whites.)
I ordered this week a set of front and rear slotted rotors from Power SLot. I guess it takes an extra 4 days to cryo treat the rotors, so those will be here in about 10 days. I also ordered EBC Green pads for the front and rears. The steel braided brake lines are already here. I bought red high temp piant and clear. I'm also going to piant the disc hubs black. The Lexus brake decals should be here any day now. All I need is DOT 3 brake fluid and I'll have a nice afternoon project with that. Again I'll post pics of before and afters.
smooth1
Jun 3 2007, 07:36 PM
Okay everyone. I had a busy weekend. I have finally started to get a few the projects that I have been lining up for the car done. This weekend was " interior audio revamp" project.
I took out the stock 6-disc changer and replaced it with the new Din Pioneer AVIC-A3. Full touch screen Navigation, DVD player, ipod diect connect controller, with 2 A/V inputs and Sirrus Sat. ready. I replaced all the factory speakers with Polk Audio Momo Competition speakers, 10" triple voice coil JL Audio sub, 2 Alpine V-power amps, and Monster cables throughout.
Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment
smooth1
Jun 3 2007, 07:43 PM
And here is the sub system. Here I cut a hole in the carpet mat on the floor of the trunk. The big round hole that the plastic cover makes over the spare tire is the mold I used to make a fiberglass box that fits exactly in there. Then I used a 1" thick particle board to do all the heavy mount work and to anchor the speaker in. I covered it in charcoal vinyl to look good. I ordered some stainless steel mesh that I will make a grill cover for so the speaker won't get damaged when I use the trunk.
Click to view attachment Click to view attachment
smooth1
Jun 3 2007, 07:51 PM
What I really think is cool, is that I can connect my 30 gig ipod directly to the pioneer. The ipod sits in the glove box and I can use the pioneer to navigate my ipod and play all my music via playlists, or by groups, albums or whatever. I can even watch a movie that is downloaded on the ipod on the pioneer screen! So, what this means is that I don't even need a CD player any more. Between Sirrius sat, and my ipod, I have more music than I could ever even carry before at my fingertips! This new Pioneer is awsome!!!!!! It also has 2 A/V inputs so I can hook up a back up camera, and also have a playstation or Xbox plugged in.
Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment
dcfish
Jun 3 2007, 08:02 PM
Nice project

What's next ? ?
smooth1
Jun 3 2007, 08:06 PM
As far as the sound goes, I have alot of sound tuning to do yet. I am still playing with all the high pass filters, digital sound imaging, and EQ settings. But even withall those not dialed in, the sound is wwwwaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy nice!!!!!!
Mid-bass is soooo much nicer and of course the sub gets the lows thumpin!!! the texture of the music is soo much richer!!!!
By the way, I don't know if any of you have actually seen the amp that they use from the factory,,I will spare you the pics. It's the size of a sandwich with cooling fins on it!! The door speakers atleast aren't that cheap paper cone with paper surrounds. Although the 6x9's in back are. I knew they were though cause I could see them from inside the trunk. I could also see how small the magnets were, so I figured the stock system, although sounded better than most stock systems I have heard was seriously anemic. So after the close of this project, my conclusion here is " Way awsomely happy with the results!!!"
smooth1
Jun 3 2007, 08:12 PM
QUOTE(dcfish @ Jun 3 2007, 10:02 PM) [snapback]243922[/snapback]
Nice project

What's next ? ?
Well, this week my Hyper ground system and my MR voltage system should be here. So I will install that next and finish all the sound tuning.
After that will be the brakes project. All the parts are still coming in, so once they are all here I will do that from start to finish.
Along the way I will finish painting the new headlights, installing the halo's and putting those on the car. ( That is a major time project there!) and I also want to tint down the tailights. Almost black them out.
dcfish
Jun 3 2007, 08:28 PM
QUOTE(smooth1 @ Jun 4 2007, 02:12 AM) [snapback]243924[/snapback]
QUOTE(dcfish @ Jun 3 2007, 10:02 PM) [snapback]243922[/snapback]
Nice project :cheers: What's next ? ?
Well, this week my Hyper ground system and my MR voltage system should be here. So I will install that next and finish all the sound tuning.
After that will be the brakes project. All the parts are still coming in, so once they are all here I will do that from start to finish.
Along the way I will finish painting the new headlights, installing the halo's and putting those on the car. ( That is a major time project there!) and I also want to tint down the tailights. Almost black them out.
What are you using to tint the tails ? Painting the headlights ?
smooth1
Jun 3 2007, 08:48 PM
QUOTE(dcfish @ Jun 3 2007, 10:28 PM) [snapback]243928[/snapback]
QUOTE(smooth1 @ Jun 4 2007, 02:12 AM) [snapback]243924[/snapback]
QUOTE(dcfish @ Jun 3 2007, 10:02 PM) [snapback]243922[/snapback]
Nice project :cheers: What's next ? ?
Well, this week my Hyper ground system and my MR voltage system should be here. So I will install that next and finish all the sound tuning.
After that will be the brakes project. All the parts are still coming in, so once they are all here I will do that from start to finish.
Along the way I will finish painting the new headlights, installing the halo's and putting those on the car. ( That is a major time project there!) and I also want to tint down the tailights. Almost black them out.
What are you using to tint the tails ? Painting the headlights ?
I am tinting the tailights with auto clear bra's tint kit for tailghts. It's a film tint. It's only temporary until I decide what I really want to do back there.
As for the head lights, I have opened them up and taped off the actual chrome part that surrounds the bulb, the rest though I am painting black, and then installing the halo's around both highbeam and lowbeam. Then I'll put the lens back on and install them.
bartkat
Jun 4 2007, 05:38 AM
Looks good. Nice system install.
My02Is300
Jun 4 2007, 11:51 PM
QUOTE(smooth1 @ Jun 3 2007, 08:06 PM) [snapback]243923[/snapback]
As far as the sound goes, I have alot of sound tuning to do yet. I am still playing with all the high pass filters, digital sound imaging, and EQ settings. But even withall those not dialed in, the sound is wwwwaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy nice!!!!!!
Mid-bass is soooo much nicer and of course the sub gets the lows thumpin!!! the texture of the music is soo much richer!!!!
By the way, I don't know if any of you have actually seen the amp that they use from the factory,,I will spare you the pics. It's the size of a sandwich with cooling fins on it!! The door speakers atleast aren't that cheap paper cone with paper surrounds. Although the 6x9's in back are. I knew they were though cause I could see them from inside the trunk. I could also see how small the magnets were, so I figured the stock system, although sounded better than most stock systems I have heard was seriously anemic. So after the close of this project, my conclusion here is " Way awsomely happy with the results!!!"
Hey there smooth1, I am new to the board and have enjoyed your updates and pics. Question on the speakers. It was my believe that the stock speakers are Bose. I have been very impressed by the sound and haven't messed with replacing the amp because I heard the speakers run at 1 ohm and regular amps wouldn't power them properly. Is this true or false. ..
Also your cd player. Whats the cost and what retailers can you buy it from.
Thanks
smooth1
Jun 5 2007, 07:33 AM
QUOTE(My02Is300 @ Jun 5 2007, 01:51 AM) [snapback]244133[/snapback]
QUOTE(smooth1 @ Jun 3 2007, 08:06 PM) [snapback]243923[/snapback]
As far as the sound goes, I have alot of sound tuning to do yet. I am still playing with all the high pass filters, digital sound imaging, and EQ settings. But even withall those not dialed in, the sound is wwwwaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy nice!!!!!!
Mid-bass is soooo much nicer and of course the sub gets the lows thumpin!!! the texture of the music is soo much richer!!!!
By the way, I don't know if any of you have actually seen the amp that they use from the factory,,I will spare you the pics. It's the size of a sandwich with cooling fins on it!! The door speakers atleast aren't that cheap paper cone with paper surrounds. Although the 6x9's in back are. I knew they were though cause I could see them from inside the trunk. I could also see how small the magnets were, so I figured the stock system, although sounded better than most stock systems I have heard was seriously anemic. So after the close of this project, my conclusion here is " Way awsomely happy with the results!!!"
Hey there smooth1, I am new to the board and have enjoyed your updates and pics. Question on the speakers. It was my believe that the stock speakers are Bose. I have been very impressed by the sound and haven't messed with replacing the amp because I heard the speakers run at 1 ohm and regular amps wouldn't power them properly. Is this true or false. ..
Also your cd player. Whats the cost and what retailers can you buy it from.
Thanks
Regarding the manufacture of equipment there is something that needs to be addressedfirst. Bose, is not a quality speaker manufacturer. They just have a great marketing department. They employ what is called " Acoutsic focusing Technology." They have done alot of research on focusing a sound stage through channeling acoustic waves as "ambient sound" giving it a much fuller sound. That is what Bose does. They themselves are not a speaker manufacturer. they are a speaker cabinet designer that employs there technology. In fact,85% of so called speaker manufacturers don't actually build the drivers themselves. They purchase them from an outside source. Now I am talking about popular home stereo names. You would be surprised by the names on that list. Bose, M&K, Infinity, Sony, Yamaha, Boston Acoustics, JBL, Klipsch,( they used to but not any more.), Altec Lansing, Athena, MTX, ect. ect.
So, regarding Bose, go to a store that carries Bose and try to remove the grill covers. In most cases you can't, and when you can or do, you allways see the same paper cone with either foam surrounds or on thier really cheap line, ribbed paper surrounds. EVERY HIGH END TRUE AUDIOPHILE SPEAKER atleast employs butyl rubber surrounds and some variation of polypropeline cone, with vented voice coils in design. When you go to the audio department, how many after market speakers do you see with paper cones and surrounds? Other than the blister packed " OEM replacement" line at your local automotive store?
The reason you're getting good sound is because they used 6x9's on the rear deck, and component 6 1/2 door speakers with seperate tweeters. ( By the way, they don't even use a crossover. They use an inline resistor between the 2 speakers that limits the wattage fed to the tweeter.) In any case, round speakers sound better than oval, and when you seperate the tweeter and use a descent rear bass, your going to get descent sound no matter what. I have heard some impressive 4 channel 20 watt systems. Remember that high wattage doesn't translate to better sound. What your ear hears determines better sound. Everyone is different. What sounds good to one mey be to tinny to the next, or to bassy, or not enough mid range punch. If your happy with the sound you have then stay with it. I wasn't. I like alot of different styles of music from Jazz to techno, to hip hop, to hard rock. I love it when the snare drum pops and the bass is deep and tight. And when you turn it up, the low frequencies don't bother the high ones.
I have never checked into the stock impedence load for the system as I knew I was going to replace the whole thing anyway. It is possible that it runs on a 1 ohm load, but that only changes the wattage requirements and the efficiency to convert power to motion. I know that the head unit is a Pioneer unit. Pioneer provides the internals and user interface, Toyota makes the housing and fitting.
The head unit I have retails for around a grand. I bought it at wholesale from a contact I have in the trade. I think Sound Advice carries the unit, but like I said, it's a brand new model and it may be a short time before it starts to show up everywhere. I was in the electronics business for quite a few years so I guess I have an advantage there. Plus I love this stuff.!!!! If you really are interested and want details about the install and so fourth or just want advice then you can private message me and I'll be more than happy to help.
BTW, the sound tuning is going great! I am going to get a servo correction unit for the sub, that should help the bass become more accurate, and I'm now starting to really like where the sound is going. Shouldn't be too much longer and everything will be set.
smooth1
Jun 6 2007, 04:26 PM

Okay,,,, Hyper voltage system is here and Hyper ground system is here also now.
Click to view attachment Click to view attachment These will go in by the end of the week.
smooth1
Jun 6 2007, 04:32 PM
Also, All this came in today also:
Click to view attachment Click to view attachment These are the steel braided brake lines that were already here:
Click to view attachment And here is a before pic of the brakes and calipers before the job, with rims already though.
Click to view attachment Click to view attachment This will probably be the next project. when I have it all installed I will update everyone then with how it all went and after pics.
smooth1
Jun 8 2007, 12:47 PM

Finally!!! I just finished painting my headlights, installing the halo's and putting them back together. Here are some pics before they go on the car.
Click to view attachment Click to view attachment I think I'm gonna install these first, then do the brakes next.
smooth1
Jun 8 2007, 06:06 PM
Whoo, I just reviewed my last post and saw the pictures are FREAKIN HUGE!!!! Sorry about that. I think I forgot to change the setting on my camera back. So, here are some better ones.
Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment I'm sure glad this part of the project is behind me. Now for the install............
dcfish
Jun 8 2007, 07:25 PM
So far so good, Can't wait for pic's of the final product.
smooth1
Jun 9 2007, 07:02 PM

Alright, the new headlights with halo's have been installed. I have to admit that the IS300 is by far, the hardest car I have ever seen to change headlights on. And, not to mention the fact that I noticed if the blinker light goes out, you have to go thru all the steps I did today just to put new bulbs in. After doing this I thought we might need a step by step tutorial if we don't have one. I'll check into that later. But for now, here are the pics;
This is the new black headlights housings I painted after installation :
Click to view attachment Click to view attachment And here are the headlights with the Halo's
Click to view attachmentClick to view attachmentClick to view attachment
smooth1
Jun 9 2007, 07:06 PM
I took the car out into the street so I could step away and get a good night view of them and yeah man, they are baddd a$$$$!!!!
Parking17
Jun 13 2007, 07:30 PM
[quote name='smooth1' date='Jun 9 2007, 08:02 PM' post='245146']

Alright, the new headlights with halo's have been installed. I have to admit that the IS300 is by far, the hardest car I have ever seen to change headlights on. And, not to mention the fact that I noticed if the blinker light goes out, you have to go thru all the steps I did today just to put new bulbs in. After doing this I thought we might need a step by step tutorial if we don't have one. I'll check into that later. But for now, here are the pics;
Here is a step by step. Lights look great! I'll be doing mine soon.
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=205644
smooth1
Jun 18 2007, 06:27 AM
Alright, had another busy day in the garage. Brakes are done! Sunday I started at 11:30am and finished at 9pm. I installed the steel braided brake lines, EBC green pads all the way around and Power Slot Cryo slotted discs, painted all the calipers ( 3 coats) applied the Lexus emblems, then 3 coats of clear. Rotated the tires while the car was up on jack stands.
Here are the results:
Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment A nice surprise was the way the green shows on the EBC's through the ends of the calipers.
dcfish
Jun 18 2007, 06:38 AM
Looking good

What's next ?
smooth1
Jun 18 2007, 06:47 AM
QUOTE(dcfish @ Jun 18 2007, 08:38 AM) [snapback]246919[/snapback]
Looking good

What's next ?
front and rear anti sway bars, and I was looking at the Tenko or Greddy suspension systems. I also found a body kit that I like and so I'm doing research now on that.
After I get that far, the decision for supercharger or turbo will need to answered..........HMMmmmmm.
smooth1
Jun 25 2007, 08:52 PM
Okay, anti-sway bars are on order. I decided on the the L-tuned front and rear set. I also got the chassis bar to go with it. So now I wait, and continue to research turbo or supercharger...........
smooth1
Jul 6 2007, 10:08 PM
okay, sway bars are on the car. I have decided to wait to put the chassis bars on as I may need to remove them for other planned mods.
I have decided after much debate, and lots of reading time that I will go with the supercharger. I have been talking with Yan at Myti Auto and we are going to put together a front mount intercooler, and run a 10 PSI system. Next week I will begin ordering the headers and exhaust system. Our goal is to get to 400 HP with as linear a torque curve as possible.
So, here we go....
Parking17
Jul 7 2007, 04:24 PM
I liked your rotors. I just ordered mine. I got the Brembos, slotted, and Hawk HPS pads all around. Got Goodrich lines to go with it. Waiting for the parts to ship. I really wanted the drilled, but saw many reviews regarding warping and cracking. The brake upgrade kit by Brembo is sweet, but for what it costs, you could almost go turbo for that price.
Regarding the lights, so far, so good. I have the LED superstars from autoillumination.com. These lights come outfitted with an aluminum heat sink all around. Although they are LEDS, they do get hot to the touch with the high output LED, which in my opinion, look better than the standard round LEDs. The standards just do not give enough light. They suggested running them at 80% and they will be fine and will not go out, per the e-mail I received from them. I've had them for about three months and they are still good. I would suggest white, since it brings out the yellow in the KPH area and the orange needle against white numbers.
smooth1
Jul 9 2007, 06:10 AM
Yeah man, I think the best real world decision is to go with slotted. I wanted drilled also, so if I were racing the car at the track and was replacing rotors and pads every few races anyway, then sure, but thats not happening. The braking improvements I have now are incredible. I doubt I would see much more for the price they are asking for big brake kits.
When you say run them at 80% you mean with the dimmer dial control on the dash? How about a pic so I can see what they look like? I see the speedo light looks easy enouph to change. the others look like alot more work though.
BTW, when your rotors come in and if you decide to paint the hubs,( I painted mine black.) You might wanna find an alternative to high temp spray paint. I went to rotate my tires the other day and where the hub and the rim come into contact the paint has all chipped off. The sides of the hub where you can see when the wheels are on still look fine, but I have a feeling that as time goes by I may start seeing more chipping. I'm thinking about having them powder coated. We'll see if it becomes more of a problem.
smooth1
Jul 14 2007, 04:31 AM
Alright, big changes in the garage. An opprotunity has presented itself that I just could not refuse. I just bought a Millinium Silver 2005 IS 300 with 24000 miles on it!!!! and every option available including the uprgraded leather with the heated seats.
So that means I have had to redo everything I have done so far. What a long week it's been! But I have completed changing everything over. The audio system was a 2 day affair by itself, but complete and the stock unit put back in the 03'. The brake change over went smooth enouph, and everything else changed out nicely also.
I now have a 2003 IS 300 for sale if anyone is interested. Also I have a stock 6 disc changer for sale along with all the stock speakers and stock amp.
I'll post pictures of the new car later. ( It really looks just like the 03' only with the stock spoiler on it now.)
DArustik
Jul 15 2007, 12:36 PM
QUOTE(smooth1 @ Jun 9 2007, 09:02 PM) [snapback]245146[/snapback]

Alright, the new headlights with halo's have been installed. I have to admit that the IS300 is by far, the hardest car I have ever seen to change headlights on. And, not to mention the fact that I noticed if the blinker light goes out, you have to go thru all the steps I did today just to put new bulbs in. After doing this I thought we might need a step by step tutorial if we don't have one. I'll check into that later. But for now, here are the pics;
This is the new black headlights housings I painted after installation :
Click to view attachment Click to view attachment And here are the headlights with the Halo's
Click to view attachmentClick to view attachmentClick to view attachmentThat look is SWEET!!!
smooth1
Jul 18 2007, 08:53 AM
Okay, I have decided I want to go with a supercharger system on the IS. The problem I have encountered is the fact that I would like to be able to turn the system on and off when I want. Anyone have any ideas? The supercharge I want to use is the Raptor belt driven. I am also going with an intercooler.
smooth1
Jul 20 2007, 08:35 AM
Iv'e been looking at some new shoes for the ride. I have bridgestones on there now, but they have a weird wobble sound to them. They ride smooth, traction is good, but the sound is annoying. Anyone have this problem? What tires are you running and what life are you getting out of them?
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