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Club Racer project : TWO IS200s(LHD) with 3S-GE swap w/goodies

153K views 304 replies 77 participants last post by  street demon 
#1 · (Edited)
Hello!!


MY.IS forum has been greatly helpful building our race cars, so I would like to share our project. :)
We are located in Korea, and my friend and I have been building two IS200 race cars since Nov. of 2011.

Since Lexus IS200 were one of very few FR import car that were imported officially thru Lexus Korea since late 90s, it was one of cheapest FR cars you can buy in Korea market.
(For those who wonder, RHD JDM Altezza was NOT officially imported.)
As you know IS200 is pretty sad car with 155hp I-6 & 4-speed auto. :(

So we planned to swap the 3S-GE engine with 6-sp. :cool:
Due to displacement regulation of the league we are attending, we didn't bother with 2JZ.
2JZ would also increase the running cost this car in our country much higher due to its displacement.

Overall, we are building amateur club race car that won't break the bank.
Also car has to be driven on the street time to time.
(mostly on the way to the track)


Here are specs of the car we planned.
We are aiming total of US$35k for each to buy/build the complete race car.
(The budget is extremely subjective since we are located in Korea)

-. 3S-GE w/6-sp swap.
-. 6-point welded roll-cage.
-. Stripped Interior.
-. The car has to be "street-able" since we have to drive the car to track. Has to retain AC/Audio.
-. FIA approved front seats.
-. FIA approved 6-point harness
-. Wheel/Suspension work to be run competitive time in our class.
-. Reliable/low-cost running race car for at least next 5 years. (Maybe I will buy used FT86 later. ;) )
-. Tires : Radials (no slicks). Our class has spec tires, so we have to run Hankook R-S3 or TD.


I will be posting/updating the thread periodically as we proceed. :)



1. Buying IS200 from used car market.
It only costed us about US$5,000 to pick up MY01 IS200 with 100k miles on it.
It's extremely low price considering high price import car market that Korea has. (for example, brand new GS350 goes about $65k+)
Both cars(Grey-mine, White-friend's) were extremely clean condition.
Front end had some minor accident.(no frame damage) which is expect-able for 10+ year old car.
White one had been riced out by previous owner with LED tails and replica wheels. lol














2. Take it to track.
I know it's lame to take IS200 to track, but I had a chance to take it to track the day I bought the car. lol
I was also very fortunate to run the car in F1 track in Korea.
I didn't have a chance to take good pictures of the IS200 running at track.
This is only one picture I got right before I get into track.


Although the IS200 was light and nimble around the corners, it was seriously lacking power esp with 4-speed auto.
Also the steering pump was over-heat very quickly. 1-2 laps were enough to make PS whine.





3. Planning...
As I expected, engine swap with some diet on weight will make this car very competent in our class.(2.0L NA, 1150kg, No-VTEC)

I have started to order goodies such as engine, suspension, etc from US, Japan, Italy, HK, Taiwan, UK. :)
While parts are being delivered, I have planned to start taking interior apart for roll-cage work.

The 1st race is being held on March 11th.
So the car needs to run by end of Feb.


Here are last pictures of the car in "stock form" lol










 
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#174 ·
I also have in-cam vid!

First Lap : 2.00.8
Second Lap : 1.59.9(best of my lap on this day)





Same lap video from my friend's moderately modified S2000. :)
You will see me running with him from 4:30. Enjoy!!
 
#178 ·
LOL!





On Nov 2nd, I re-visited KIC to shorten my best lap time.
With TODA parts, I have achieved my best lap time at 1:32.6 which is almost 2 sec faster than my previous best lap time.

This day, I was keep trying to get into 31s.
The lap time in below in-cam vid was 1:32.8 even with 2 cars interfering, so I have kept pushing the car.
Shortly after, I got into crash with other car in 7th corner. At the end of vid, you will see me crashing into other car. :(



Damages on the car. :(
Fortunately the season is over since winter is coming. I will fix the car by spring.


 
#179 ·
Additional in-cam video from the friend's S2000(270hp Spoon Engine).
You will see me running with him from 1:15
Enjoy!

 
#180 ·
It has been while since the last updates.

I have made major modifications for 2014 season.
One of them is widebody.

Originally the kit was from the KIXX IS200, but I have modified to fit only on fronts(front bumper/fenders).
It is simply because I was already running 255s on front, and don't want to cut rear fenders to match the front.
The result came out pretty good.
Enjoy!! There are more cool updates coming soon!! :cool:









 
#186 · (Edited)
As my very earlier post indicates, we could NOT run the power steering due to different oil pressure between IS200 steering gear box and 3S-GE power steering pump.
Because JDM Altezza had quicker steering ratio, I believe the steering gear box pressure was designed differently.

I was also informed that running 2JZ power steering pump would work.
But the problem is there are too many oil line going thru the exhaust side if I keeping the hydraulic steering system.
LHD cars have fuel, brake oil, power steering, AC line on the driver side which is also exhaust side for the 3S-GE(RHD only engine).

So instead of installing 2JZ power steering pump, I decide to use EPS(Electrical Power Steering)
This way I can also get rid of worrying infamous 3S-GE power steering pump failures, and drive-train power loss.





I choose to go with Hyundai's MDPS system which is easily can be purchased locally in pretty low price.
Not only we had to modify the steering rack system, but we also need to create the circuit system to cheat C-CAN communication.
MDPS' control unit checks the C-CAN communication for the proper assist.
Without the communication, there are no assist.















Since I can not run stock key-box anymore, I have installed main cut-off switch.
For engine start button, I have used one form Honda S2000. :cool:

The EPS works ONLY at track.
I have made the 2-stage kill switch separately for the safety.
It was actually quite nice to turn off the power steering on the wet track. :)
Also updated BROS Laptor R1 to R2.











Some more pictures of my car on the road! :)







 
#189 ·
So you're currently retaining the is200 steering rack modified to work with your EPS? Curious to see what you think about the wheel feedback with the EPS. The general consensus of most enthusiasts is that Electric steering isnt all too hot as there's usually poor feedback and light steering feel.

I love the front fenders by the way. Any plans to install a rear diffuser?
 
#190 ·
That was our major concern too.
We are using the EPS from the compact car that uses only 175 tires.

Since I am running 255s on front with wider track, the steering feedback is not that bad.
Rather have less feedback than struggling with the steering wheel for 15-20 laps.

Custom rear diffuser is planned for this season.
Trying to figure out the best way to do it since the stock rear bumper comes down too much.
 
#194 ·
Mods never ends... :)


Got rid of Kumho V720 since I only used for the race regulation.
It was undersized(215s), so I went back to RE-11A (255/40R17)








Installed SuperPro reinforced differential bushings.
Definitely big improvements over stock.






I did slight over-run from last track day..(duh!!!)
Although engine was running just fine, I have open up the head.
Inspected the head carefully, and found some damages on the valve lifters.
I have changed the all the lifters.
Also milled the head little more to up the compression ratio.














Also installed the extra mirror to get rid of the blind spot.
WorksBell RAPFIX Lock has been installed too since my car no longer has key box.
(The car is driven street time to time...so extra security is always good thing!)








 
#198 ·
Finally decided to get rid of A/C+heater, and shave off more weight after last weekend's track day.

Now time to look for the nice trailer and truck. :)





More updates coming soon. ;)
 
#203 ·
Installed WorksBell RAPFIX Racing along with its specific harness.
Also installed Personal Fitti Racing(320mm) + BROS SSD!! (Steering Switch Device)
Extended steering wheel to have better driving position too.

















Saving more weight! Removed A/C & Heater!!
By coming spring, I am aiming for 2,400lb.






 
#204 ·



Since we removed A/C & heater...




Added few ducting for cooling me off. :)










Starter motor, launch control and etc were relocated to steering wheel. (BROS SSD)
Also electric power steering can be turn on & off.
Quick release system are made by WorksBell.




























Current weight is still at 2,600lb. Still needs to shave off 200lb by coming spring. :)
 
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