550 HP Sleeper Turbo 2JZ Swap Lexus IS300 - One Take 

The IS300 is one of the most beautiful sedans ever imho.

The car has such a timeless shape and look, it's no wonder why people bother swapping them.

"Friend send me a eBay link" Matt: "For the car or the turbo" I giggled.

That moment when Matt starts talking as if he going to help finish building the car......you know he was really into the car

Back to searching for a is300 again 🙃

i own an 04 is300 sport design, bone stock!! factory lsd and 5 speed. people look at me funny when i say i already have me dream car...

For $12K this is fucking awesome. Been a fan of IS300 for a long time, timeless body!

Does he know this will decimate all with over night parts from Japan?

is this Matt Farah's Million Mile Lexus?

This is why Farah's such a great host. Clearly Dan was nervous on camera, but Matt's ability to change his demeanor and make guests feel comfortable makes these one takes such great treats. Looking forward to more of these, and definitely could see Matt hosting a variety of (not necessarily car) shows. Cheers!

You can buy stock IS's for MUCH cheaper. I bought my fully stock , clean IS300 for 6500 with 90k miles and all services done. To do a GTE swap however does cost around 5-7k. To buy them already swapped can be found for ~8-10. I kinda feel like this guy overpaid for a 170k chassis.

that is an awesome car! this was an awesome video! constructive criticism: the keys kept hitting the dash right by the camera, that sound is rough especially through headphones. I know you guys knock it out of the park in so many ways in your videos just thought you might like to know.

I love how monotone and unexcited he seems despite having some ridiculous shit, by far my favorite part.

I like the way when he falls in love with the car he starts saying "we" when talking about upgrades xD

is300 is such a great platform. Best sport sedan in that era IMO! =)

R154 5 Speed Transmission was in MK3 Supras, Chasers (JZX90/100 etc), Soarers(Sc300 for USA). Basically it was used with the 1JZ engine.

The only 2 things I’m not a huge fan of: -IS F badge on the back -Chrome finish wheels

Truly one of the most underrated sport sedans of its time -- especially with a manual transmission. It's a pity Lexus didn't sell more of them. I will have a 5-speed IS in my driveway!!....someday.

Never understood the traffic thing on stick cars. I've daily driven cars with 6 puck clutches for ages. Even my fox had a bs aftermarket clutch cable that made the clutch feel like it weighed 100 lbs and I live 10 mins outside of NYC and I've never complained about having a stick car in traffic. I always complained that I was in traffic and I wanna go fast.

This is not Matt Farrah's million mile Lexus

TELL HIM TO COME BACK WHEN HE GETS HIS SUSPENSION SORTED OUT!

This video is a few years old, but just picked up an '03 IS300 for a thousand bucks. So much car for the money. And you can't beat that 2JZ reliability

Great car. But the f badge is a nogo. Is like a m badge on a 320i

That giggle at 4:07 xD

Watching this video while I have a 685hp 2002 is300 chilling in my garage lol

Finally! Especially being in the middle of this exact build! So sweet

9:42 Watch that 1 while drunk... like I was and I felt like the whole world is moving holy fuck, if you're drunk you will get the sensation of it! By the way I edited this comment... several times!

That 2jz-gte is capable of holding over 700hp stock internals which is pretty insane if you think about it how bulletproof they made these engines

I love the gauges of this IS model. I wish Lexus continued that kind of design.

I've always respected older is300s. In my area most are granny driven, it's really cool to see a built is300

2JZ-GTE swap!!!!! Get it friggin right 🙏. This car already comes with a 2JZ 🤷‍♂️

Please tell me what planet you can get the "really cheap" R154 gearboxes from!

I don't know what planet he lives on but I've never heard of a cheap R154, that's a myth and a busted one at that.

Holy crap! A spitting image of my cousins is300. He had a similar setup. Craziest car I've ever ridden. Enjoy it man!

4:20 You scared the shit outta him, dude ! :D

True '01 - Matt had nothing to rest his arm on. Thumbs up for those few IS owners here guys

Matt, I've 40+ and have been enjoying your videos for the past 5 / 6 years. Great review. I also saw your is-f review a few months back. Time for a SERIOUS question! I own the 2010 Lexus IS-F (lsd) and find it great as a GT car or a car for long straights or grand bends vs a track with a lot of shorts and tight turns. In comparison to this is300-2jz-turbo, if the suspension was sorted out, ala camber, tie and castor, dampeners, springs and sway bars, do you think it would HANDLE AS WELLl as an IS-F? As a car is not only raw power, but the summation of how the power, chassis and steering all dance together to create enough entertainment for the driver to enjoy. The reason I ask is that I wouldn't mind buying an is300 and installing the arista set up with a decent suspension set up, but only if it would be more entertaining than the ISF or do you think it would just be a better value play? Thanks in advance for the feedback! note: the IS-F is my summer family car, s2000 turbo is my toy....I also own 4 other cars, but that's another story for another time.

I’m buying a manual is300 tomorrow. Very excited.

This man said R154’s are cheap 😩 3 years ago

Just bought a is300 '01 that was hit by a deer for $1000 usd. I'm putting about $1500 into it, and it's gonna be great. I love the car. It's old, but could be a 2016 if it wanted to. It's just so good looking. Thinking of keeping it stock because it has a auto trans. But, bought it for $1000, it runs, 150k miles, good enough for me.

Is that Matt's million mile Golf?

Matt I really liked this video. You really treated him kindly and the two of you really seemed to mesh. You both got a lot of information across in the little bit of time. A great "interview".

He said the R154 is "really cheap" 😂

I bought an is300 and I'm working on a 2jz-gte / t56 manual swap thanks to this video. I'm lovin it!

Good night from Australia

Awesome video, glad to finally see an IS300!

The wagon version of these are so sweet. There's one that comes to the trail I mountain bike at and it looks fantastic.

I have a 2001 with 168,000 miles on it when I bought it and right now it has 240,000 miles on it and I pay $1800 with a little damage to the rear side. good design and good platform to do something more powerful.

is this BlackPanthaa's pleb IS200?

I have been waiting so long for Matt to drive one of these and I'm glad he likes it. I have an IS300 with the same swap and I love it. But I'm glad we are finally getting some love.

get some fortune auto 500 or even 510 coilovers. the dampening is beautiful! the ride quality is just like stock but more compliant!

Great car even stock. Literally the only true car Lexus ever made that put performance over luxury and it is a blast to drive on a road with some turns. I miss my IS..

DAMN DANIEL

One thing I’ve learned in dozens of Toyota swaps: If there is a better Toyota transmission available for your application, get the better option. It all costs the same eventually. LSD is not optional either.

The owner has the charisma of a potato. I bet he goes to car meets and stands next to his car and when people stop by to talk to him, he becomes a know it all.

I've been waiting for this vid for such a long time

Awesome car. Fyi would never pass CARB smog emissions without having a "guy."

I never realized how nice the video quality is on your videos until I got a new phone lol

This car would be even cooler if it was a wagon LOL!

I live right around Escondido in north San Diego and have a stock 5spd 2002 is300. Cannot wait to turbo it with GTE internals!! This video and car is a huge inspiration! Hope to see this car around sometime!

I absolutely love these as well. The only way it could be better if it was a Sportcross :D

I love the Toyota Altezza platform (from NZ) I have been tempted to buy an RS200 Altezza (IS200 I think in US) but they are just too common here. The Turbo 2JZ is the dream in a car like this. Great video, I love the variety of cars you get Matt, One Takes really have to be some of my favorite videos!

10:50 looks like it's in fast forward omg!!

It was my favorite looking sedan.. and then I found out it also packed a 2JZ-GE from factory 🤤

Matt buy Robs Supra hes selling it.. Im sure you know that so buy it!!!

I always get excited when I come on RU-vid and see a new one take! Even before I watch the video, I give it a thumbs up, just to support this series. This was a cool one.

i need to swap my is300 its too slow when it N/A

I put a set of Bilstein HD's for my wife's IS300 and even with the stock springs it really improved the handling. Since Bilsteins use a separate perch, you could have a machine shop turn a "lower" grove in the body to get a reasonable drop without loosing the ride quality (except across the big bumps)

Good morning from Oregon.

I hate Chicago more with everyone of your videos. The weather and these epic roads!!

why did he say "twin turbo swap" and then say "single turbo" ? the fuck

It's about time someone brought an is300 down 😄

12k is a score? i bought a lightly crashed 06 is350 for $1,600

DAMN DAN!!! BACK AT IT AGAIN WITH THE 2J IS!!!

This I wired. I have a 2005 lexus is300 and I got it for 2k.. it has a 9/10 interior and a 8/10 exterior.. don't see how he got his for 12k

I have 236,900 on my 04 and it is my every day hero. The best car I have ever owned.

Love this car. Toyota really got it right when they designed this body. The only down side to this car was it didnt come with a manual in the US. This swap is dope.

Not a Lexus fan... But this car could change that. I love a good boxy sedan. I LOVE those gauge clusters with the chronograph feel. Add in a manual transmission, a inline 6, and some turbo noises... And I'm sold.

"550-600hp", oh it's only making about 400. Not even close, thing would be lucky to be making 350 wheel.

I

What did the fox say

Yasssss finally. Been waiting to see this for over a week now!! What a car!!

12k for a 01 is300 ouchhh & I have the Same Car with 180k miles and mine cost 3k great condition and I tough I had a good deal

My IS300 has served the family since 2002. I think I need to do something like this now...

Is anyone else shocked that its on stock suspension besides me?

This is awesome. Daily driven for 2 years with no issues, wow jealous

You played yourself it already has a 2jz 😉

Damn Daniel, Bringing it back with the IS

Eh orions is meaner

Reminds me of my friends Toyota Altezza.....did a 2.2l Turbo Conversion..HKS everything....build quality of the car is very good...was pushing out almost 320 at the crank.

its needs a ls2 instead of a 2jz

this episode convinced me to get an is. 5speed with much more power to grow. fucking love its reliability

This is an amazing car. Practical, powerful, reliable, with excellent handling. Would love to have something like this IS300 when I replace my LS400.

I have a 2002 NA is300 with 257k miles on it, never 1 major issue with the engine. I kind of want to boost it.

Thanks god. Finally an is300. Jesus about damn time!!!

Bought an new R154 from a Toyota Chaser JZX-100 and installed it to my Lexus SC300 a couple years ago. In the states the SC300 had a W58 5-speed (similar to NA Mark 3 Supra) and in Japan the Toyota Soarer (SC300) also had a R154 5-Speed (I believe on certain 1JZ models). The shifter is pretty clunky, but from what I've heard the R-154 can handle a lot more power while the W58 shifts more smoother. I believe in Japan the Toyota Altezza (Lexus IS300) had an option of a 2.0L 4 cylinder 200 hp engine with a 6-speed manual, which is a lot of NA power for that kind of displacement back in those days.

That "IS-F?" badge though. He will rip any IS-F in a straight line and since this car is so light, possibly in the corners too.

That's Valley Center! You guys passed my old house on W. Lilac

I've always been a fan of Matt's all of his vids are great and real not scripted just tell it how it is. I like these vids good job!

Watching this video makes me miss old is300