IS300 LS1/T56 Daily Driver Build
Back in June I was in a wreck with the car. Ambulance ride, night in the hospital, the whole nine yards. I was t-boned on the passenger side by a full size truck. The car was totaled (I'm lucky to have not been seriously hurt), the passenger door was pushed almost to the center console. Thankfully I was coming home from work and didn't have anyone in the car with me, they wouldn't have been so lucky.


Long story short, I bought the car back from insurance and pulled the drive train, parted out what I could, and scrapped the shell. I have since bought a clean 2005 that will be receiving the motor and trans this summer.
I never did a proper wiring diagram but since I'll be doing the swap again I'm going to try to document some of the details better this time around.
It was the low fuel light that flashed constantly. There was a short period where I did have low fuel pressure, but even after that was resolved it continued to flash. I never looked into it any more, eventually just pulled the bulb from the dash.
Here is a brief overview.
This and this...
Attachment 419807
Attachment 419808
Attachment 419809
Attachment 419810
Became this for about two years.
Attachment 419811
Then this happened.
Attachment 419812
Attachment 419813
Attachment 419814
I bought back the wreck and and pulled the drivetrain. Now this is getting ready for a motor swap.
Attachment 419815
Here is some of the carnage from the wreck. I'm in the process of remaking them now.
Attachment 419816
This and this...
Attachment 419807
Attachment 419808
Attachment 419809
Attachment 419810
Became this for about two years.
Attachment 419811
Then this happened.
Attachment 419812
Attachment 419813
Attachment 419814
I bought back the wreck and and pulled the drivetrain. Now this is getting ready for a motor swap.
Attachment 419815
Here is some of the carnage from the wreck. I'm in the process of remaking them now.
Attachment 419816
I bought back the wreck and and pulled the drivetrain. Now this is getting ready for a motor swap.
Attachment 419815
Here is some of the carnage from the wreck. I'm in the process of remaking them now.
Attachment 419816
Attachment 419815
Here is some of the carnage from the wreck. I'm in the process of remaking them now.
Attachment 419816
I'm picking up my first IS300 on Monday and had NO idea an LS1 could go in these. That's insane! I had a 93 RX7 with an LS1 and absolutely loved it so this has got me thinking, haha. I don't foresee doing this anytime soon since it'll be my first Lexus...but if this motor ever goes out, I'm doing the swap!
I don't have any real progress updates today but I got a bunch of parts (I bet the mail and UPS guy hate me).
3" Electric Cutout

Cats and 3" flex hoses

4" to 3.5" reducer for the intake

Weapon R Coolant Tank

LS2 GTO oit pan, windage tray, pick up, and dipstick (should get this notched and welded at work this week.

I got these a while back from a buddy at work, they came on his CTS-V and he didn't like them...so I got 'em.

I probably won't get much done this weekend since it's my wifes birthday. I'll probably just get the motor cleaned up and the oil pan installed.
3" Electric Cutout

Cats and 3" flex hoses

4" to 3.5" reducer for the intake

Weapon R Coolant Tank

LS2 GTO oit pan, windage tray, pick up, and dipstick (should get this notched and welded at work this week.

I got these a while back from a buddy at work, they came on his CTS-V and he didn't like them...so I got 'em.

I probably won't get much done this weekend since it's my wifes birthday. I'll probably just get the motor cleaned up and the oil pan installed.












