When Lexus released the LS430, it was designed to be a comfortable family mover. After seeing some of the aftermarket options for it, Samson Mak knew the car could be transformed to the perfect tuner. The owner of a car audio shop in Hawaii, Mak knew that audio would be an integral part of his build. Additionally, he went out of his way to ensure the factory options would remain fully operational as they came from Lexus, something which is often overlooked by many tuners. To the untrained eye, you could make the mistake that Mak’s car rolled out of the dealership fully optioned out.
Outside, the car was mildly upgraded. Taking inspiration from the Japanese VIP scene, Mak used some aftermarket parts to simply accentuate the body lines, not re-shape them. On the bumpers, a Silk Blaze front lip matches up to OEM Toyota Celsior (the Japanese version of the Lexus LS) side skirts and rear lip. OE JDM Toyota Celsior headlights and a front grill replace the Lexus units, while optional JDM Celsior fog lights fill the bumper openings. Trunk and roof spoilers from Admiration Japan give the car a more aggressive look, while Artisan Spirit fenders provide a touch of custom without being too gaudy. Custom blinker mirrors were crafted from an OEM Toyota Tacoma mirror, and Valenti puddle lights greet the driver and passenger upon entering and leaving the car. Otherwise the exterior of the car was kept simple.
The most aggressive appearance modification was actually made via the suspension. Mak teamed up with Air Runner suspension to utilize their ‘On the Ground’ setup and keep the car as low as possible. Nagisa Auto suspension arms keep all the alignment settings in check at any height, while Toms Japan braces help keep the chassis stiff.
At each corner, a set of Work Equip E05 wheels are dressed in Hankook V12 EVO tires; 20x10 with 225/35R20 rubber up front and 20x11 wrapped in 245/35R20 in the rear. Stopping power is provided by a set of Brembo GT eight-piston calipers in front, gripping 380 mm rotors and four-piston Brembo GT calipers in the rear, gripping 345mm rotors. With the upgrades, the car rides like luxury but can stop on a dime, keeping driver and passengers safe and comfy.
Under the hood, the 4.3-inch 3UZ-FE motor only received light modifications to help the motor breathe efficiently. A Tom’s Japan air filter replaces the stock unit, while a Tanabe Medallion exhaust provides better flow. Voltage is regulated by an A’PEXi grounding kit, while a Blitz throttle controller helps improve response. The engine bay also received carbon covers to update the look a bit but was kept simple.
Taking inspiration from the Japanese VIP scene, Mak used some aftermarket parts to simply accentuate the body lines, not re-shape them.
Inside the car, passengers are treated to a full-wealth of luxury. Optional lace Toyota Celsior seat trimmings and leather/suede seats are just the beginning. Rear passengers can enjoy reclining and massaging units built right into the seat. For the driver, controls are handled with a Silk Blaze gun grip steering wheel and shift knob, while a Dakota Digital air pressure gauge monitors each corner of the air suspension. The entire system is controlled from an iPod touch in the center console, or the Air Runner app, which can control the car wirelessly from anywhere.
Entertainment is managed by an Alpine INA-W910 head unit and the rear entertainment is fed through a pair of Alpine TME M780 headrest TVs. When driving, the OEM navigation displays on the main screen and the entertainment is displayed in the rear of the car – the OE screen is taken over with entertainment only when parked. Bluetooth, steering wheel controls and rear audio controls are completely integrated into the whole system, allowing for seamless integration that is rarely seen at the tuner level.
Taking a look in the trunk, Beat Sonic Musee amps and subs provide the low-end punch while Alpine Type-X components provide the higher tones. All trunk components are expertly-installed with the help of Rich and Aaron from Car Tunes Kailua, while all panels in the trunk are custom airbrushed to look like marble.
Along with the fully-polished air suspension components, the entire trunk feels elegant and plush, yet still retains over 90 percent of the storage capacity as designed by Lexus. When the front head unit is powered off, the OEM navigation and audio system returns to the interior speakers and the trunk system remains idle, providing for a comfortable ride if needed.
Overall, Mak’s attention to detail gives the car a look and feel of a top-end luxury car without sacrificing the luxurious features associated with the Lexus brand. Yet when out on the town, the car commands attention due to its low stance, aggressive wheel fitment and refined audio system. If we were President, we might hire Mak to build a fleet of cars with his heightened level of style, audio and class.
Photography by Jacob Leveton
ESSENTIALS
Vehicle: 2005 Lexus LS430
Driver: Samson Mak
Team: Team Revision
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
ENGINE
- A'PEXi Japan grounding system
- Blitz Japan throttle controller
- Tom's Japan (carbon fiber air intake ducks, air filter)
- TRD (gas, oil, radiator caps)
- Anceltion carbon engine cover
- Nintendo reservoir cover
EXHAUST
- Tanabe Japan Medallion eR (tuned dual exhaust and tips)
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
- Air Runner (On the Ground series air suspension, stainless steel four-gallon tank, tank pressure gauge, pressure sender manifold, manual paddle switch with dual gauge)
- Firestone DOT air lines
- ACCUAIR (E-Level management system, remote control system, VU4 manifold, water trap)
- VIAIR 380C air compressor (x2)
- Nagisa Auto Japan (upper control camber arm (f/r), upper and lower arm (r), toe control arm (r), traction arm (r))
- TOM's Japan (front upper strut tower bar, member brace (f/r), lower body spats(r), lower body brace (r))
- TRD Japan (sway bars (f/r), urethane bushings)Optioned Out: 2005 Lexus LS430
WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES
- Work Equip E05 wheels – 20x10 (f), 20x11 (r)
- Royal lug nuts
- Hankook v12 EVO tires – 225/3 R20 (f), 245/25R20 (r)
- Brembo GT brake kit (eight-piston calipers, 380 mm 2-pc. drilled rotors (f), four-piston calipers, 345 mm 2-pc. drilled rotors (r))
- Goodridge stainless brake lines
EXTERIOR
- Silk Blaze Japan (front lip, lip protector)
- JDM Toyota Celsior (side skirts, rear lip, PCS radar cruise front grille, rear mark, headlights, fog lights, sunroof, rear windshield, side windows)
- JDM Affection luxury rear emblem sticker
- Toyota Avalon blinker mirror lens
- Artisan Spirit Japan (front and lower fenders)
- Admiration Japan (trunk and roof spoilers)
- Valenti (parking, blinkers, puddle light mirror)
- Custom (extra parking and brake combination light, side view mirrors w/ blinkers)
- Philips Ultinon (6000k head light bulbs, 9006 6000k HID fog light conversion kit)
- BeatSonic side-firing LED stripsOptioned Out: 2005 Lexus LS430
INTERIOR
- Lexus factory-equipped Ultra Luxury option (suede interior, rear audio controls, rear fridge, reclining rear massage seats)
- JDM Toyota Celsior (excellent lace seat covers, airbag, door sills, premium floor mats, foot rest, master/emergency key, trash can ETC unit housing, cellular phone kit)
- Silk Blaze Japan (shift knob, gun grip steering wheel)
- Luxis Luxury (pedals, dead pedal)
- Junction Produce Recaro child seat
- AccuAir e-level controller w/ light up LEDs
- Dakota Digital air pressure gauge
- Blitz throttle controller
- Garax Japan (LED lights, dome light diamond housing)
- Toyota first aid kit
AUDIO / MOBILE ELECTRONICS
- Alpine (INA-W910 head unit, TME-M780 headrest monitors, Type R 8-in. subwoofers (x2), Type X Pro mid bass (x2), tweeters (x2))
- BeatSonic Musee (four-channel amplifier, two-channel amplifier, added AUX adaptor)
- Rydeen front camera
- Optima Yellow Top battery
- Stinger SR200 battery isolator
- Tsunami (fuse holder, battery top terminal, 4-gauge wiring)
- Monster Cable (main power wire, distribution block, 400 series and 300 series interconnects)
- NAVTOOL RGB adaptor
- AlumaPro 15-farad capacitor
SPONSORS
- Air Runner Air Suspension Systems
- AccuAir Air Suspension
- Work Wheels Japan
- Work Wheels USA
- BeatSonic USA
PHOTO GALLERY
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