Thunderbird2

Here's some more of Brett's handywork, a 1JZGTE IS200 putting out 300rwkw that is owned by another member of our club: And here is our club's first V8 conversion (disregarding Boothy's V8 Altezza race car in NZ). 200rwkw without VVTi (it's not working yet) and bucket loads of torque. It's running through a 5 speed manual gearbox:

Still more work to be done! Post registration, there is more tuning to be done for the car's first outing on the quarter mile. At this time, Brett will set about chasing some records. So, he's still very busy on this project, but expect to see some updates before the year is out. Meanwhile, here are some pertinent images from the Toymods Toyotafest show:

Well, Brian_J and myself had a 'quick' ride in this thing on Saturday. OH. MY. @#$&%$ ***!!!!!!!!!! I've never laughed so much in a car in my life. Incredible. The enormous power, even at low psi was awesome, but I was stunned at how it revved and how instant the power delivery is, full blown race/drag car stuff. And amazingly, underneath it all you can still feel that there was an IS200 there to begin with. This car won 6(? - i lost count!) awards at Toymods Toyotafest on the weekend, including best interior. And no one was surprised. It's world class (and should be world record breaking as well).

Well, Charlie's not going to say it, so I will - his car has a straight through, and the 1GFE with a straight through exhaust sounds HILARIOUS! Yet to be dyno'd to see if it has really done anything tangible... but for the anti-social sound, it's a bargin.

FWIW, I did the Eibach Sportline springs way back when, and the initial (placebo) effect was great. But really, the stock shocks were never up to the task of dealing with shorter springs. Every IS/Altezza owner I know who has put shorter springs on their car and expects improved handling has ended up with replacement shocks/springs or coilovers (I have been through four different setups before I was satisfied). I also experienced a similar situation to what you describe, however this was due to greatly uneven rear camber between drivers and passengers side. Further down the line, one of my stock rear shocks began to leak (to be expected with shorter springs). But as far as bump handling goes, it's never going to be roses with shorter springs.

Looking good! The red IS was released in Australia as a Limited Edition run of 75 numbered cars, known as the Caliente. Is this the case for the UK? Either way, you don't seem to see too many around in this colour. Suspension next? *nudge nudge*

Heh heh - you would be right! I popped into the workshop a few weeks ago and Brett was fabbing up a new washer fluid bottle for the wipers! The exhaust system is exceptional as well, with the floor pan all modified so the much larger than stock exhaust can run through to the back without handing too low. The queue to ride shotgun starts behind me!

Update Production is finished! Orders have been despatched today. And here's what those people who ordered a tee will be receiving:

And at the end of the day, that makes very little difference to most people. Not EVERYONE wants to change gears themselves, and there's nothing wrong with that. Not to mention, the RS200 5AT has NOTICEABLY more torque than the RS200 6MT. Around town, 5AT > 6MT. And as proven on the circuit in New Zealand, 5AT can be > the 6MT there too. But now we're talking about different drivers... too many variables. I choose manual over auto every time (unless your talking about a Holden), but that's just me. Sean, might i suggest you look at intake and exhaust modifications, and perhaps a CAMCON controller. Many good reports on these types of mods for the Altezza can be found in these and other forums if you look.

I like the car, not the badge! Doesn't bother me what it's called! At the end of the day, it's much the same car to drive, and that's why we like all like it, because you drive one and you say, man, this looks good, it feels good - i want one! I have Lexus paraphenalia, Altezza paraphenalia, it's all good. 3 orders to fill before production begins, which should be the end of this week.

Actually, all IS200's IS300's were made in the Toyota factory in Japan as Toyota Altezza's. Rebadged as Lexus for European, US, UK and Australian/S.E Asian markets. Apart from varying trim levels and badges, your still driving an Altezza. Lexus IS200 = Toyota Altezza AS200 Lexus IS300 = Toyota Altezza AS300 Toyota Altezza RS200 has no Lexus equivalent as it was never sold outside of Japan (except as a grey import). Lexus Sportcross = Altezza Gita The Toyota Altezza was also offered in Japan with the option of 4WD. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_IS It wasn't until the release of the new generation IS that the Lexus brand was launched in Japan, and thusly the Altezza name ceased to exist.

Seeing as the Lexus IS200 IS an Altezza, and the IS300 is an Altezza, and the RS200 is an Altezza and the AS200 is an Altezza, then it makes perfect sense to just have the t-shirt say - 'Altezza'. I've ordered 4... not all for me, mind you. Still - spot the fan boy.

Hey there, Just wondering, i have noticed a few IS's on UK LOC sporting 'TRD' front lips which were sold here in Australia as part of the Elegance body kit (ie. not a TRD item, but a Toyota/Lexus OEM item). TRD do not list any side skirts in Japan, and I have a TRD front lip (not installed yet) and they are lower in profile than the Elegance lip, and the lip does not curl up as high on the side. Just interested to note if what is sold as 'TRD' differs between countries! Matt

We had an RS200 here in Sydney with much the same problem - car was ok unless you gave it a bootful, at which point it would 'flat spot' above 5000rpm as you have described. It turned out to be a faulty MAF sensor, and the owner ended up replacing the whole throttle body to sort the problem out.

Heh heh - and last week we were talking about bringing in some TTE S/C's through TDi, and i expect the 1J will be on the cards before the end of the month... 1UZ with 5spd ftw.... pending a drive of Mos's car (we hae a V8 conversion just about to be completed here in Sydney).