The engine is boosted by a Precision SC61 turbocharger. Darren and a few friends installed the system which was sourced through Swift Racing out of Maryland. The kit put down 392 whp and 380 ft-lbs of torque, but some parts have recently been replaced in anticipation of having a more capable transmission. "I found a different intercooler that filled out the front bumper more the way I wanted it to [as seen in the photos]. Then next I'm putting in an AEM EMS to replace the Haltech. We have a lot more AEM tuners up here than Haltech, and the AEM has a lot more features," Darren says. "I'd say power-wise, I'm pushing the limits of the stock transmission. The manuals are known to be weaker than the autos. They're limited to around 350 to 400. The thing is, a good strong tranny is kind of expensive and I don't want to half-ass it and just get one that I hope will work. I'll probably go with a V160-the Supra 6-speed. That's bulletproof."
It's obvious that Darren loves his car and all of his friends that he's met in the tuning scene. And with his induction to the Lexotic Concepts national car crew, it's clear that the community respects him and his car too. Keep an eye out for it while the weather's still good, because come November it's going back into hibernation.
When asked if he had any plans for when the car comes out of the garage this year, Darren responded enthusiastically, "Oh yeah! Hot Import Nights was at Minneapolis for the last two years, but they're not coming here this year so I plan to go to HIN Chicago. And then locally there is a forum, Minnesota Sport Compacts, and we have smaller weekly meets and a big spring meet that draws a couple hundred cars. I mean, I'm going to various events I'd say about twice a week, whether they be local shows, meets or fundraisers for different things. And then there are the big shows where we go out of town..."
Specifications & Details
'04 Lexus IS300
Engine
3.0-liter 2JZ-GE inline-6
Engine Modifications
Swift Racing Technologies exhaust manifold, intercooler piping and exhaust with Vibrant muffler; Precision SC61 turbo, Blitz BOV, 2.5mm head gasket, Fidanza exhaust cam gear, 870cc/min injectors, Walbro 255-lph fuel pump, NGK spark plugs, Optima Red Top battery, AAC carbon-fiber covers, PLP radiator panel, TRD oil cap, Figs battery bar and hood prop kit
Engine Management
AEM EMS, Blitz boost controller and turbo timer
Suspension
Tein Flex coilovers w/ EDFC
Wheels And Tires
Manaray Sport 18x8.5 +45 Vertec VR5 wheels w/ Nitto 225/40ZR18 NeoGen tires
Exterior
TRD front lip and carbon-fiber grille, Seibon carbon-fiber hood w/ Aerocatch pins, RMM side skirts, Carson Tuned rear lip, Black chrome foglights and headlights w/ AAC angel eyes and C-West eyelids, MMsport LED taillights, Altezza short antenna
Interior
Sparco Torino seats, harnesses, shift knob, harness bar; AEM wideband A/F and fuel pressure gauges; Alpine head unit, amps, 12" sub; Focal speakers, Pac video bypass unit, custom-mounted 30BG iPod and Valentine 1 radar detector, carbon-fiber trim accents, MX250 fire extinguisher
Numbers
392 whp and 380 ft-lbs of torque
Thanks
Full Blown Motorsports, Dezod Motorsports, Swift Racing Technologies, BZ Car Audio, Street Scenes Tint, Carson Toyota,ISfanatics.com, My.IS, MNsportcompacts.net, and the Lexotic Concepts crew