Thinking Outside The Box: Mike LaCoste's 2001 Lexus IS300

Vehicle Features Adam Gordon

The IS300 platform has seen a meteoric rise in popularity among tuners and drivers alike in recent years. With a 1JZ-GTE swap, and some unique styling cues, Mike LaCoste’s 2001 Lexus IS300 stood out from the crowd at the show. If the Work Emotion T7Rs didn’t immediately sell you on this car’s cool factor at ground level, his custom light-up splitters certainly would. Props to LaCoste for thinking outside the box while keeping things clean!

Mike won the Editor's Choice award at PASMAG's Tuning 365 Show at Formula DRIFT: St. Louis and received a print feature in PASMAG #168. Click Here to order.

Photography by @sameproductions, @vadedjs, @benjamn_martens

ESSENTIALS

Owner: Mike LaCoste
Vehicle: 2001 Lexus IS300
Location: Granite City, IL
Engine: Toyota 1JZ-GTE 2.5L Turbocharged I6

SOCIAL

Facebook: /michael.lacoste.7
Instagram: @mlacoste09

ENGINE

Toyota 1JZ-GTE VVTI engine swap + Future Fab downpipe + UpFab J-pipe delete kit + HKS fuel cut defender + ChaseBays power steering reservoir + Drift Motion lightweight pulleys + Xcessive Manufacturing engine mounts + Custom front-mount intercooler

EXHAUST

DHgarage custom 3-inch straight pipe exhaust

DRIVETRAIN

R154 5-speed transmission + Cube short throw shifter + Drift Motion stage 2 clutch kit + ARP flywheel bolts + Xcessive Manufacturing (driveshaft, transmission mounts, crossmember)

WHEELS / TIRES

Work Emotion T7R wheels - 18x9.5 +12 (f), 18x10.5 +12 (r) + Cosmo MuchoMacho tires - 215/35/18 (f), 235/40/18 (r)

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION

Silvers Neomax coilovers (22K/16K springs) + KFD (Front upper control arms, rear upper control arms, rear lower control arms, rear toe arms, rear traction arms) + SerialNine (solid subframe bushings, differential bushings) + EZKnuckles (V4 angle kit, adjustable caster arms, 40mm extended lower front control arms, inner and outer tie rods) + Offset rack spacers + Eccentric lockout bolts + Welded differential

EXTERIOR

Don Musk 50mm 8-piece overfender kit + Fineline Tuning (BN Style body kit, hood) + Minty Fresh roof wing + 326 Power style wing + AeroWolf (splitters, mirror visors) + Altezza JDM (headlights, grille) + Window deflectors + Aerocatch hood latches + Custom light up splitters + Avery Gloss White vinyl wrap

INTERIOR

ChaseBays reverse pull hydraulic handbrake + Grip Royal steering wheel + NRG (Prisma bucket seats, hub, quick-release) + Planted seat brackets + Garage Moon Power floor mats + AutoMeter gauges + Billetworkz shift knob + Xcessive shift boot + Cipher harness bar

SPONSORS

Togue Culture + Same Productions + DHgarage

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