I have an 02 IS300 auto, it has 165,000 miles. I was thinking of just putting a turbo kit on but it seems like there would be to much strain on an engine and tranny with so many miles on it. I've seen a few v8 swaps and several GTE swaps. I need to keep it a daily driver and wanted to know which one would give me more bang for the buck. i would not be doing this myself. I know someone who can dothis very well for me so installation price is nothing to worry about. It also has to be able to pass emissions in Texas, or would not be possible with a swap.

 

v8 swaps give you bang for the buck because they are full of torque and horsepower but compared to a gte swap they are not very powerful. a gte swap will give you tons of power but is not as reliable as a v8.... I think turbos are way more fun

 

As much as I love my V8, turbo is probably the better option in your situation.

 

GTE not reliable? what are you smoking?

 

what about a 1.5jz? I mean you already have a 2j block, throw in a 1j head and call it a day right? There are a few guys in the sc forums with 1.5's...cant ya do it to the is3 also since they have the same motor? Im an sc guy possibly lookin to buy an is300 btw!

 

2jz-gte with stock twins do it right and it will last forever.

 

165K isnt a ton of miles, and with proper maint. it should run many more miles. i would leave it stock, or turbo it whichever you decide, but as far as engine swaps, i wouldnt worry about that until the time comes it is necessary to do so, like when this motor blows or something happens to it.

 

Thanks guys i really appreciate all the help. Sorry i havent been able to get on latley. about the maint. I dont know how well the past 3 owners have taken care of it. The only thing i do know is that none of the used any premium gas. Only the cheapest

 

it sounds like they may have not taken care of it like they should, but who knows since you dont have any service history. i bought mine with 95k on it, and i dont have any service history but me personally i have always changed the oil every 3k and i always run 93 octane gas. i do know this if you go to lexus.com and register your is300 and you as the driver of it, they will give you access to all of the past service history that has been done at a toyota/lexus dealership. so that may be a start. go to lexus.com and at the bottom of the page on the left it says owners, click that link and at the top right click register and once you do all that just confirm your account and etc with your email and it will let you see all of the past service history. i did this to my lexus and found out it was very well maintained by the first owner at lexus of rockville where it was bought new from 0 miles to 63k miles.

 

All these motors are reliable, its just who tunes it and keep it up to maintenance,

 

thanx.. i really appreciate all the help

 

+1..........

 

what how do u fit a v8 in a is3

 

its been done several times. Foose used a gs430 engine, ive seen 1 or 2 ls1's, and there is a full juornal step by step on a yellow IS sportcross with a gs400 engine. (i think he also put a s/c on it)?

 

with a shoe horn