2000 Lexus GS300 - DGR Fabrication

DGR poured all this sweat equity into Jay's Satin Black GS because the company saw it as an opportunity to develop an engine-mount kit for two popular Lexus platforms, plus they felt it would function as an excellent vehicle to showcase its fabrication skills on. Having unveiled the car and the engine mounts at the Sonoma Formula D event back in August '09, Jay explained his rationale for a V-8 swap like this: "The cost of a LS1 motor is about $4,000 including a T56 transmission, so when you add to that the approximately $1,500 for the mount kit, $300 for the wiring conversion, and $300-$400 for a driveshaft, you get an engine easily capable of 400 horsepower at the wheels for about $6,500. Compare that to the cost of doing a 2JZ swap, which to do right can easily run you $15,000, a GM LS V-8 swap is really very cost-effective."

With all that V-8 torque under the hood, Jayson also prefers the way his Lexus drives compared to his S14. "I've taken the GS to Buttonwillow a few times and to Thunderhill and it feels amazingly planted. I do have to use the e-brake after initiating a drift in order to control the extra mass this car has, but then it's on the power and you can nail a big smoky drift. I also love the fact that I'm able to drift it in fourth and fifth gears the whole time because of the V-8's torque. It's really hard to get into trouble with the car-it just responds and does what I want it to do. I may do some Pro-Am drift events with it in 2010, depending on my budget and level of tire support."

Although satin paint finishes and in particular Satin Black tends to elicit a love-or-hate reaction, Jay chose this paint finish because, "If you actually look at it, all the chrome is replaced with Gloss Black, the roof is Gloss Black so that it looks like glass, the wheels are Gloss Black and the decals are Gloss Black. The Satin was chosen because of its subtle contrast, which draws the eye to the details. I knew the paint scheme was working when I brought the car to the Autumn Gathering and there were guys who just studied the car for a half hour to try to figure out what was different about it."

With another perfectly executed show-and-go project car under his belt, it's only a matter of time before Jayson realizes his dream of collaborating with an OEM. "If you look at the Pontiac G8, for example, there's a car that could look so amazing with some subtle changes here and there. I hope to be able to work with an OEM to bring their vehicles that type of street-level insight so that they're able to attract younger generations of car enthusiasts into their showrooms."

Specs & Details
'00 Lexus GS300

Engine
GM LS1 5.7-liter V-8('04 Pontiac GTO)

Engine Modifications
DGR Fabrication LS Motor Mount Kit w/ urethane isolators, intake system, aluminum airbox, and stainless exhaust system w/ Borla mufflers; COMP Cams Tri-Power Xtreme camshaft and valvetrain upgrade kit; Hooker Headers Shorty headers, Canton Accusump system

Drivetrain
T56 6-Speed manual transmission, B&M short shifter, Clutch Masters FX400 6-Puck clutch and aluminum flywheel, DGR Fabrication 1-piece driveshaft and machined differential adapter, KAAZ 2-way LSD

Suspension
HKS Hipermax-D coilovers, Ikeya Formula front upper control arms, front lower control arms, RCAs, pillow tension rods, rear member spacers, rear upper camber arms, traction rods, and toe rods; VERTEX/SUIVAX JZS160/1 steering knuckles, TRD antisway bars (f/r)

Wheels, Tires & Brakes
Gloss Black Volk Racing TE37 19x9.5 +12mm (f) and 19x10.5 +12mm (r), Falken FK452 235/35-19 (f) and 265/30-19 (r), Toyota JZA80 Supra TT calipers (f/r), DGR Fabrication JZA80 Supra TT rear caliper brackets, Endless CCA brake pads (f/r), Brembo slotted rotors, SS braided brake lines (f/r)

Exterior
VERTEX Lexus GS JZS160/1 bodykit and rear spoiler; Veilside Gandor sideview mirrors, ABFlug front grille, custom Satin Black paint w/ Gloss Black accents