nickj718

iTrader: (1)

Iv had many is300's and have been on here a while. Both my previous is300's were turbo one on a stock motor the other on a gte bottom end. Three years ago I got out of the game to buy a suv (Needed one for the house and towing) Since my exit things have changed and in October I pulled the trigger on a ISF. The car is near mint with 33k on the dash. Being my drive is so crappy to work I didnt want to drive it every day, so my IS300 daily search began. Upon looking I came across the unicorn which is the Sportcross. I have only seen one on the road ever and fell inlove. I went to look at the car and using the lexus app found the car was very well maintained. The exterior and interior was new perfect so I picked it up. I drove from chicago to detroit for it and it was worth it in my opinion.

Here is the car the day I bought it. Dont mind the ugly wheels,floor mats and nasty red calipers.





Finally home


I have a lot headed this cars way and will post as I go

nickj718

iTrader: (1)

This weekend I did some cosmetic items along with some maintenance items.

I got a emusa coilovers non dampening for close to nothing from a buddy who is a employee. Now before you light me on fire with the flaming please understand that the struts were in pretty poor shape and this is temporary although I must say they ride like stock maybe a tad stiffer and they are built pretty well. Word has it they are made in the same factory as Megan coils. Best part is when I took apart the front you can clearly see that the lower ball joints, front sway bar bushings, sway bar links and even the strut mounts were replaced and brand new. The seller told me this but you never know if they are blowing smoke or not.I replaced the rear sway bar bushings and links as well.



Also did a paint correction. I wet sanded the some problem areas used a microfiber cutting pad finished with a nice finishing waz and i gotta say im thrilled with the results. It looks new and the paint has amazing depth.



After all that I did a brake flush, oil change, spark plugs and a air filter which was nasty. Plasti diped the wheels and got rid of those ugly red calipers.

Pretty happy with the results. Ill post some day time photos as well

nickj718

iTrader: (1)

On my test drive of the suspension I stopped at my storage unit to grab the block from my old IS. Little more rusted since the last time i say it but once my machine shop gets it she will be as good as new.




I have some gte pistons and some brand new gte rods in my garage attic. So hopefully on Saturday i will be dropping the motor off to get going. Im gonna use the Apex Engineering who is the same guy who does all of the machine work for Sound Performance not to mention a insane amount of 2j's all over.

Ill be doing the following:
GTE Pistons with new rings
GTE Rods
Clevite Bearings and Thrust Washers
GTE or GE head gasket haven't decided yet
OEM Water Pump/Timing Belt Kit
New OEM Oil Pump
All OEM o-rings and gaskets along with sealant
Head will be checked and new valves,springs,the whole nine will be all replaced and new

Im gonna go for a safe every day 7-8 psi of boost on a Emanage Ultimate as well

nickj718

iTrader: (1)

Dropped off my block and head at Apex Engineering in Bensenville IL today. This guy is the 2J King around here everyone whos doing a build used him. He had 4 2J blocks a couple gte blocks and one 1J even. Should hear from him in a week of so to see hot to block and crank checks out.


Here's whats going in the block
GTE Pistons ( Newish they were out of a brand new assembled short block)
GTE Rods (New)
New Rings
Clevite Racing 77 bearings and thrust washers

As for the head
New springs
New Valves
New Valve Seals


Everything is going to be gone through and checked to make sure things such as engine deck,head deck,cam lobes, etc is in proper specs if something is off it will be replaced with new.

Once the engine is built it will be checked for squish and quench from that point ill decide to use the ge or the gte head gasket.

ScooterDon

Just bought my 2nd SportCross... Eager to see your path

nickj718

iTrader: (1)

Turbo kit came today!!!

I ordered the kit and it took just 4 days to receive it. Today I got it and I have to say I'm impressed.





First lets talk about the manifold. Every single weld is spot on each exhaust port is extremely clean, the T4 mount and collector welds are better than my last SRT manifold and its just freaking beautiful to look at.






The downpipe is the same way. It has 3 o2 bungs which is the same as most so you can support your B1S1 B2S1 and wideband sensor. Again welds are perfect and its heavy duty just like the manifold.It features a slight kick to better clear the firewall as well. My previous kit years ago from a different company was always close and I didn't much like that. The pipe is 3" features a v-band for the turbo and 2 bolt to complete the rest of the system.






The best part which I though would have needed ordering is it came with all of the necessary feed lines,fittings,vacuum lines,gaskets,hardwear,manifold and turbo studs, and even the oil feed adapter for the block.




The BOV is a RS style to the Tial style. I used to have a RS on old kit and I gotta say this looks the exact same. Quality is on point and love the v-band. Wastegate is a 4 bolt HKS style and seems good quality as well.




Turbo is a T4 styled after a Garrett GT35. Its oil feed only and has a ar of Compressor wheel (Front) is a AR of.60 and the exhaust side is a AR of .84. Full spool should be right at 3k. I also opted for the turbo blanket which is very nice.





The intercooler kit couldn't be better. The intercooler is nice and big but not so big that its gonna creat pressure drop. The hot side piping is 2.5 and the cold side is 2.75 which is the same as the stock intake tube so it will be perfect for the MAF readings since nothing is changing.



All in all Im impressed.

If you guys need anything or have questions let me know ill try to help. I hope this post helps others that want to boost but not go crazy in power and price. I plan to roll 8-10psi daily which this will have no problem at all doing

Fuel system and management is all thats left when you buy this kit.

Tons of you are asking me where to get the kit or contact someone. I dont sell the kit i just reviewed it for people to help. For info email this guy

xspowernick@gmail.com

nickj718

iTrader: (1)

Motor is currently at Apex Engineering getting the works done on the bottom end and full head rebuild.

In the mean time my new oil pump and Emanage Ultimate came today as well

driftaway

look great, cant wait to see you get the engine back.

mr2mkii

I'll keep an eye on this thread. Love to see restoration project that opt for upgrading stuff instead of just sticking to OEM that seem to keep a foot in the past

Stereorob

these are indeed pretty obscure. glad to see them being kept healthy because this is a car with low production numbers that could be extinct fairly quickly if not taken care of,

however I was hoping to see one that was in awful condition full of rust and mold that was dragged out of a barn and totally restored now THAT would be interesting!

knshro13

iTrader: (4)

Subbed. You sticking with auto or going manual swap?

Manual Sport Cross would be awesome

nickj718

iTrader: (1)

Small little update:

Still waiting on the motor to be finished up. Bill from Apex Engineering called and said everything was prefect and in spec. The block was hot tanked to have every single spec of rust removed and the blocks gonna get painted with POR

In the meantime I noticed a member on here was selling my old intercooler kit (The one from my white IS in the previous posts). It was custom made by myself years ago but noticed it to late and it was sold. But he did have the Garrett GT35R sitting in the garage so i bought it!!! Loved that turbo. The CHRA will be getting sent out for a new one and both housings are gonna sandblasted and polished.


Iv also begun to map out where my B1S1 and B2S1 sensors are going to be mounted. Iv decided to mount them in the manifold much like the headers are. This way they should read the proper way and help it see the system as stock.


Option 1:


Option 2:

nickj718

iTrader: (1)

Installed my CX Racing coilovers this weekend and i gotta say I'm loving them. I have them 5 clicks below full stiff and they preform great. Im still only a inch lower than stock height but thats because it still snow season here in Illinois. EMUSA lasted 2 weeks so i returned them for a refund womp womp

The coilovers I got were the 12/10k springs. This suspension will be perfect for anything I throw at it and should never have to be upgraded again. All suspension parts are now new on the entire vehicle. I have done upper and lower ball joints in the front, Swayer links and bushings in the front along with links and bushings in the rear.

Heres the suspension I got:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181593934561?euid=b512232430cd4e2aa6cdb294a442a452&cp=1
Forgot to take photos sorry!

nickj718

iTrader: (1)

I won't be converting to manual this is the DD and the car my wife has to drive on occasion with the dog and stuff like that. But I will say this will be the first wide body Sportcross much more to come once the turbo and motors in

IcyBishop

I was going to ask if you were still going to daily it after all of this work, lol. That's one bad *** daily driver!

Love the Sportcrosses, great find!