Club Lexus Member Transforms '14 IS to '17 JDM/EDM Spec

Turning Japanese

We U.S.-based Japanese automotive fans tend to be a little jealous of the lucky folks who live in Japan. Which sounds silly, but for whatever reason, people in the Land of the Rising Sun always seem to get the coolest versions of our favorite rides. Club Lexus member Edwin8484 refused to take that sitting down, however. 

Upgrade Me

The idea was to take the best parts of the Japanese and European Lexus IS and fit them to his own U.S.-spec car. Not only that, but Edwin8484 wanted to upgrade the looks of his 2014 IS to the more current 2017 model.

>>Join the conversation about Edwin8484's IS 350 F Sport right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Facelift

So, that's exactly what he did, starting with a massive parts list. The biggest part of the conversion, obviously, was fitting his '14 IS with front and rear fascias from a '17 model. He then capped off those fresh looks with JDM/EDM headlights and taillights. 

>>Join the conversation about Edwin8484's IS 350 F Sport right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Blacked Out

To accentuate this new look, Edwin8484 then fitted his IS with black chrome badges and smoked taillights, a color-matched rear diffuser, and black LED rear side markers, front, and side grilles. 

>>Join the conversation about Edwin8484's IS 350 F Sport right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Looking, Sounding, Going Right

To give this IS a little more sound and performance, Edwin8484  then fitted it with an Apexi exhaust and F-Sport intake. With RSR lowering springs and wheel spacers, it also sports a killer new stance.

>>Join the conversation about Edwin8484's IS 350 F Sport right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Keeping it Clean and Mean

The tidy exterior of this IS was then finished off with some gold paint on the F-Sport brake caliper logos and an Artisan Spirit Black Label front lip. The end result of all those efforts is one seriously clean and unique looking car.

>>Join the conversation about Edwin8484's IS 350 F Sport right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Modernizing

The upgrades for this IS didn't stop with the outside, however. Edwin8484 also worked some magic on the inside with a full 2017 retrofit including a new center console, stereo, 10.3" screen, A/C controls, and rear seatbelts. 

>>Join the conversation about Edwin8484's IS 350 F Sport right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Finishing Touches

To that, the OP added an RC F rear view mirror and touch map dome light, JL Audio subwoofer and amp, front and rear dash cams, radar and alarm system, white LED lighting and some dark limo tint. 

>>Join the conversation about Edwin8484's IS 350 F Sport right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Wish List

Personally, we're really digging all of those complimentary changes. But of course, Edwin8484 isn't satisfied with his build just yet. In fact, he shared a future wish list and he's open to suggestions from other members. 

>>Join the conversation about Edwin8484's IS 350 F Sport right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Stay Tuned

That list includes, of course, some aftermarket wheels, along with coilovers or air suspension, foglights, a supercharger, tune, and steering wheel. So be sure and head over here to stay tuned for future progress, and chime in with your thoughts on what direction you think this build should go in next!

>>Join the conversation about Edwin8484's IS 350 F Sport right here in the ClubLexus forum.

For help with do-it-yourself maintenance and modifications projects, check out our how-to section.