This is my first post and I'm hoping you might point me in the right direction to find the answers I need. I'd like to determine if the IS300 is a good platform to use for the dual purpose of open lapping track events and some fair weather street driving (mostly to and from track events). I've tracked a '94 Supra TT (BPU, suspension/wheels) and '93 MR2T (GT turbo, susp/wheels) for several years at an advanced level, and would like to find a replacement for the Supra. I've used it for the trek to distant tracks like Road Atlanta, VIR, and Road America because of it's larger carrying capacity, and because it's quite competitive with the C5, Viper, and 911 guys with their lightly modded street cars that tend to run at the front at these events.
I was impressed with the basic nature and driving experience of the IS300 when we considered buying one for my wife's daily commute, but lack of a cavernous back seat and trunk and fwd led her to a Camry SE for a DD. I know I would need forced induction to increase power closer to the 400whp range that I suspect would be required to still hang with my track buds and to make it really entertaining on the street.
While 400 whp is no doubt quite achievable, I'm looking for insight from those experienced at tracking a higher powered IS300 as to whether they feel that the effort and cost of modifications to allow the car to be used in this way were excessive. I'm comparing this to the other cars mentioned above that in some cases needed little more than a boost controller, cooling mods, track brake pads, wheels/tires, and minor suspension upgrades.
I've never actually seen an IS300 out on the road course at any event I've done other than seeing Reg Reimer's 2JZ-GTE at Watkin's Glen running the One Lap series. I've spoken with the team that runs a couple in the Speed Touring series and know they have done extensive mods for their racing needs, but I'd only be interested if it could be a capable track car with a little boost and some basic track mods. I'd also be interested in seeing a link to dyno results from a car that has been specifically setup for closer to 400 whp with quick throttle response for autox and track days.
Thanks for reading, and I don't expect to get much feedback over X-mas. I'll be reading old threads to find info as well.
Happy Holidays,
Bruce
I was impressed with the basic nature and driving experience of the IS300 when we considered buying one for my wife's daily commute, but lack of a cavernous back seat and trunk and fwd led her to a Camry SE for a DD. I know I would need forced induction to increase power closer to the 400whp range that I suspect would be required to still hang with my track buds and to make it really entertaining on the street.
While 400 whp is no doubt quite achievable, I'm looking for insight from those experienced at tracking a higher powered IS300 as to whether they feel that the effort and cost of modifications to allow the car to be used in this way were excessive. I'm comparing this to the other cars mentioned above that in some cases needed little more than a boost controller, cooling mods, track brake pads, wheels/tires, and minor suspension upgrades.
I've never actually seen an IS300 out on the road course at any event I've done other than seeing Reg Reimer's 2JZ-GTE at Watkin's Glen running the One Lap series. I've spoken with the team that runs a couple in the Speed Touring series and know they have done extensive mods for their racing needs, but I'd only be interested if it could be a capable track car with a little boost and some basic track mods. I'd also be interested in seeing a link to dyno results from a car that has been specifically setup for closer to 400 whp with quick throttle response for autox and track days.
Thanks for reading, and I don't expect to get much feedback over X-mas. I'll be reading old threads to find info as well.
Happy Holidays,
Bruce