is300 Information
Websites, YouTube videos, Google docs, forums, and information about Altezza's and Lexus is's. You will find that each section is something different for these chassis. Whether you want to do a manual swap, need to know the difference between aero, or simply want to watch is300 YouTube videos, this is the place for you.
Altezza/IS Aero Information
list of various body kits:
https://lexusis1.fandom.com/pl/wiki/Toyota_Altezza_/_Lexus_IS200/300_Body_Kit_Guide
Where can I buy high-quality body kits and aero?
https://www.kbdbodykits.com/2000-2005-c-160_161_162.html
https://dunlapaerosolutions.com/
https://www.mintyfresh.jp/collections/altezza
Will the factory is300 crash bar work with an aftermarket or Altezza bumper?
No, you will need an Altezza crash bar or an aftermarket crash bar due to the factory is300 crash bar being too bulky. You can find an Altezza crash bar at https://ekb-plast.com/tproduct/375282704-348785533321-front-crash-bar-is200-altezza or https://www.project-ekp.com/product/toyota-altezza-is200-front-crash-bar. There are also options for aftermarket crash bars.
Difference between is300 and Altezza bumpers?
The is300 bumpers stick out further than the Altezza and is200.
Difference between is300 sedan and sportcross trunk lights?
Visually, the sedan trunk lights are flat, while the sportcross trunk lights are slightly raised.
Difference between Vertex v.1 and Vertex v.2?
Wheels/Camber/Suspension
*Note: DON'T CHEAP OUT ON SUSPENSION
How do I add camber to the front of my is300?
Aside from adjusting the ecentric bolt on the FLCA (Front Lower Control Arm), the best way is to change the FUCA (Front Upper Control Arm). I recommend Cusco or SerialNine. Cusco offers both is300 and JZX FUCA's. Luckily for you, JZX FUCA's will fit on the is300. The difference between the two is that is300 FUCA's are longer when compared to JZX FUCA's. This means JZX FUCA's will allow for far more camber adjustability than is300 FUCA's since they naturally pull the wheel in further. I will leave a diagram below to help you understand better. With Cusco is300 FUCA's, you can expect up to -3 degrees of camber. Cusco JZX FUCA's can give you adjustability up to -10 degrees! SerialNine offers two FUCA options: "ONI" and "SPORT". ONI will provide more negative camber adjustability while SPORT will allow slight positive and slight negative camber adjustability.
SerialNine - https://serialnine.com/products/is300-jzx110-jzs171-billet-front-upper-control-arm
Should I shorten my spindles (Steering Knuckles)?
Yes, yes, yes. When you lower your is300, the spindles (or steering knuckles as labeled in the picture above) will be too close to the strut tower and begin to hit it. By shortening the spindles, they will be physically shorter which creates more space for the spindles to travel up and down without hitting the strut tower. I advise you to do your research and find a trusted service provider to shorten your spindles. Another thing to note when shortening spindles is "tilt". Whoever shortens your spindles can add tilt which ultimately adds camber. You don't have to add tilt.
Are there any alternatives to shortening my spindles?
Yes! You can buy coilovers or springs with a higher spring rate so your car rides stiffer and the suspension travel is less drastic. You can also buy FIGS bump stop spacers to control up-travel and eliminate the issue. However, it is still recommended to have your spindles shortened professionally.
How do I add camber to the rear of my is300?
For the back, you can either get UCA's (Upper Control Arms) or LCA's (Lower Control Arms). LCA's may be a better option due to the ease of adjustability and the amount of adjustibility. Keep in mind, if you are getting different arms for the rear of your is300, you should get toe arms as well for extended adjustability. That way you don't have a ton of camber with toe that you can't adjust back to zero. Once again, I recommend SerialNine.
Should I roll my fenders?
Yes, get your fenders rolled and maybe pulled.
When should I replace my bushings?
When they begin to crack, make noise, or have excess play.
Where can I buy suspension parts?
Torque Specs (Front)
Torque Specs (Rear)
is300 Models
Base Without Options
The base is300 with zero options is very rare. It has 16-inch wheels and no sunroof. Furthermore, it has manual cloth seats and only comes in an automatic transmission. If i'm not mistaken, it is also the lightest model offered.
Base Automatic (2001-2005)
The base automatic is the most common is300 offered. For the interior, it has either the power adjustable hybrid suede leather seats or full leather seats. A sunroof is also included on the sedan versions. Furthermore, you will find 17-inch 5 spoke wheels.
Base Manual (2002-2005)
All the same options listed above but with a W55 manual transmission.
Options for any non-base model is300
For any non-base model is300, there is a heated front seats option and a navigation system option.
Sportcross (2002-2005)
The sportcross is the wagon version of the is300 sedan. They only come in automatic, however, they have features unique to the sportcrosses only. Sportcrosses have a folding front passenger seat and folding rear seats.
SportDesign (2003-2004)
The SportDesign had 11-spoke wheels and SportDesign badging on the sides. They were available with a full-leather grey or black interior. These come in both automatic and manual.
L-Tuned (2002)
L-Tuned was the attempt at making a Lexus version of TRD (Toyota Racing Development). It included various aesthetic and performance mods. Performance mods include the L-Tuned exhaust, L-Tuned springs, L-Tuned sway bars, L-Tuned specific Rays wheels (which came in gunmetal grey or silver). Other various mods include L-tuned badging on the side, grille, and trunk, L-Tuned floor mats, and an L-Tuned specific dash. The L-Tuned is300 also had a specific body kit that included a front bumper, side skirts, rear lip, rear spoiler, and carbon fiber-style grille. Finally, the L-Tuned is300 only came in manual.
Lexus is300 Colors
2001-2005 Common Colors
Millennium Silver Metallic
Grey Graphite Pearl
Black Onyx
2001 Only Colors
Auburn Sky Pearl
Diamond White Pearl
Spectra Blue Mica
Imperial Jade Mica
2002-2005 Colors
Intensa Blue Pearl
Inigo Ink Pearl
Bluestone Metallic
Savannah Metallic
Crystal White
Electric Green Mica
Solar Yellow
Absolute Red
Cibola Gold
SportDesign Only Colors
Thundercloud Metallic Grey
Alabaster Metallic
Altezza/IS Lights
Taillights
Chrome, dark chrome, and blue chrome taillights were offered from the factory. Only darker-colored is300s from 2002-2005, however, had dark chrome taillights. SportDesign is300's had chrome taillights with a blue tone.
Chrome vs Dark Chrome
Blue Chrome
Headlights
For headlights, chrome headlights are offered on all is300's besides the SportDesign. The SportDesign has chrome headlights with a blue tone like the taillights.
Chrome
Blue Chrome
is300 vs Altezza Headlights
See pictures below for the difference between is300 and Altezza headlights.
is300
Altezza
Altezza vs is300 vs is200 (courtesy of garageoshi)
Altezza
The Toyota Altezza (SXE10) was introduced in 1998 and the engineering work was led by Nobuaki Katayama, who was responsible for the Toyota AE86 project. As a result, many people referred to the XE10 chassis as a "grown-up 86". That is until the GT86 made its appearance. The Altezza was only sold in Japan and came in three versions: AS200, AS300, and RS200. The AS200 is an in-line 6 1G-FE that produced a whopping 158 HP. The RS200 has an in-line 4 3S-GE pushing 207 HP. Finally, the AS300 came with an in-line 6 2JZ-GE giving drivers 217 HP.
is300/200
Both the is300 and is200 are Toyota Altezza's but rebranded under Lexus. The is300 is the near equivalent to the AS300 with its 2JZ-GE while the is200 is the near equivalent to the AS200 with its 1G-FE. North America got the is300 and the majority of European countries got the is200.
Difference Between 2001-2005 is300's
https://www.my.is/threads/2001-2005-is300-definitive-changes-list.201863/
Manual Swap
General Information
When considering manual swapping your is300, there are many things to know. From choosing the correct transmission to a specific bearing, this section will include it all. To keep it simple, we will start by listing the most popular and common transmissions used: W55, W58, R154, AR5, and the CD009. This is where it gets important... Don't swap a W55 into your is300 then make 600 HP (it will blow up).
W55
The W55 came in is300's from factory and is the cheapest option on the list. The whole process from sourcing to installing is hypothetically easier as it is OEM. However, the W55 is rather weak and can't hold power well. Therefore, if you plan on making more power or boosting your is300, this isn't for you.
W58
The W58 is pretty much like the big brother to the W55. It has OEM aspects like the W55 but never came on is300's from factory. In my opinion, the W58 is the best option due to its price point and reliability. Furthermore, the install is easy as it bolts up to stock components like the W55. Though It is significantly better than the W55, it is still not suitable for big power gains.
R154
The R154 is for those who want to make significant power gains. Though the R154 is strong, some parts are hard to come by making it an expensive swap. Furthermore, older versions don't shift very well. As always, do your own research, but you can expect to make 500 WHP without a problem.
AR5
The AR5 is similar to the R154 but it comes out of a newer set of vehicles. As a result, you can expect it to be cheaper than the R154 since it's more common. It holds a decent amount of torque and people often make good power. This may be a better option if you want to make decent power while avoiding the hefty price and poor shifting characteristics of the R154.
CD009
The CD009 is the only 6-speed transmission that we'll talk about. It's a decent alternative to the R154 and for good reasons. The CD009 is known to shift well and hold a lot of power. However, the whole swap can be a pain and it can get expensive. In addition, CD009 gear ratios aren't the best for the factory rear differential on an is300. Therefore, you will have to price in swapping gears to get the true benefits of the CD009. I'd only recommend the CD009 if you got a serious project going on. Otherwise, the previously listed transmissions should suit you fine.
How-to (W58)
DISCLAIMER: For the sake of personal experience, only the W58 swap will have detailed information. Information for other swaps listed above will either be brief or will not include everything required to complete the transmission swap.
Everything Needed for W58:
- W58 Transmission
- Slave cylinder and rod kit (31470-53032)
- Pilot bearings (90363-12024)
- Throwout bearing (31230-22101)
- Xcessive is300 W58 driveshaft
- Trans output seal (90311-38032)
- Expert clutch kit KTY17+FX Xlite flywheel fits 2002-2005 Lexus is300 3.0 2JZGE
- Fly wheel bolts ARP (203-2802)
- Clutch pressure plate bolts (90119-08026)
- Factory manual clutch and brake pedals OR cut auto brake pedal and buy Xcessive manual clutch pedal MS cylinder
- MS cylinder t100+is300 reservoir (31410-53020) Not needed if you buy the Xcessive manual clutch pedal MS cylinder
- Clutch pedal stop SerialNine (needed if you buy the Xcessive manual clutch pedal MS cylinder
- Cubespeed sc300 short shifter
- Shift boot
- Shift knob
- Shifter rubber boot (33555-22130)
- Shift breather (90930-03114)
- Clutch line - all star 46100 48"
- Clutch line fitting 3AN-10mm banjo (x2)
- Auto transmission crossmember can be used, but flip it and file out holes OR Xcessive JCE10-SXE10 Transmission crossmember
- Rear W55 transmission mount (12371-46230)
- Tunnel cover fabster industries
- ATEMU emulator and resistors Quantum-Auto
- ABS & TRC module (89540-53150), only needed if your is300 has VSC. You can check by turning the key and looking for a VSC dash light.
- Manual gauge cluster (optional)
- Cruise safety switch (88280-14030) (optional), goes on the brake and allows cruise control to cancel when brake is engaged.
- Clutch safety NS149T
- Design engineering 050501 floor & tunnel shield 2 21" x 24"
- Red Line (50304) MT-90 75W-90 GL-4 Manual Transmission and Transaxle Lubricant (MTL) 3 Quarts
More Detailed List (Siraj Meera)
YouTube Videos
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoljcecO7_Ij0sAb17boJAAUG7v-5gqGn&si=GjQ_KrVXM5IyzdQ2
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoljcecO7_Ig3e5TxSlZoHidChLM2P9Xt&si=Jz1KgRF9Rabkg3bx
Common Issues
Sticky Dash (2002-2005 is300)
Sticky dash is a common problem on is300's and is simply a defect from the factory. It is accelerated by humidity and exposure to the sun which causes the adhesive to liquify. The only year is300 that sticky dash is not a problem is 2001. To fix this, most people either replace the entire dash with a 2001 is300 dash or pick up a dash mat. You can get a dash mat here:
Altezza/IS Videos to Binge Watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEjLB6ifVSA&list=PLz5p88ODpgUMZtnO-_HW-Lg2ZsDme7C03&pp=gAQB