IS250 to IS350 6MT Build

[Jeff Lange]

After years of waiting and researching, I feel like everything is right for me to start this project and I'm pretty excited to say the least!

Car started as a 2011 IS250 6MT and over the years I have done a lot of changes to the car, including suspension, LSD, a few computers and exterior parts. Still, this is the biggest change I've done for sure.

And so it begins!

Jeff

 

[Jeff Lange]

4GR-FSE successfully removed. Now to swap over any parts that I want to keep onto the used engine and need to finish modifying the engine-side of the wiring harness for the manual transmission. My attempts to find a larger clutch disc that would fit the 4GR pressure plate and flywheel have failed (had hoped a 7M-GTE/1JZ-GTE clutch disc or 5VZ-FE clutch disc would work, they don't), so I will be sticking with a stock-sized 236mm clutch disc.

Of note: the RA62 is in reality, quite a large transmission.

Jeff

 

[Suprapowaz!(2)]

:nono: Couldn't just leave it alone. Well, at least we know it'll be done right. Keep us posted, and provide plenty of eye candy.

 

[Jeff Lange]

Why leave it alone? I want it to be faster! Haha. The chassis and suspension are good for so much more than the 4GR can provide.

It's going to be awesome.

Jeff

 

[atmperformance]

that's a silly looking 2j
sub'd

 

[Jeff Lange]

Looking over the engine when I got it, I noticed a few things that looked pretty clean, but didn't think too much about it other than it looked like the heads had likely been rebuilt at one point or another. But looking at it again today, it looked like the timing cover (which I was planning on swapping from my old engine) had been recently replaced, which was interesting, and upon closer inspection it looks like the shortblock has also been replaced relatively recently, as indicated by both it's cleanliness and the fact that it has no engine number stamped on the block.

So it looks like this was a very good find for a used engine, a lot of new parts going on up in here.

Jeff

 

[emiliorescigno]

I will be watching this. Super cool.

 

[Jeff Lange]

Started swapping everything I wanted to keep from my original engine over to the new engine yesterday, as expected the used engine looks even cleaner inside than my original engine, pretty rare when buying a used engine! I got a pretty amazing deal to be honest.

Also finally got the final clamps and brackets required to get the port injection feed line installed into the car.

So here it sits, hoping to get the engine back into the car next week!

Jeff

 

[Jeff Lange]

So things are now finally coming together with the transmission and clutch bolted up and the engine harness, which I finished modifying and cleaning up yesterday, being installed on the engine. The new fuel feed line has been connected to the tank as well.

Jeff

 

[Zazzn]

how much power does the RA62 hold? Curious why we have never used it in any other platforms.

 

[Jeff Lange]

Aisin rates it for 345ft-lbf. Highest I know of in a factory application is actually the RA63 in the IS220d which had 300ft-lbf, highest I know of in a factory-approved application is the TRD Supercharged Tacoma which uses the RA60 and has 334ft-lbf, finally the highest I know of in an aftermarket application is the Ray Hall FR-S in Australia which is putting down 550ft-lbf at the wheels, but I have no idea how long that has held up for though.

Still, it's not a super common transmission and there isn't much aftermarket support out there for it. But it is nice in that it is an FR manual transmission that will bolt to the 2GR/3GR/4GR engines.

Jeff

 

[Jeff Lange]

I got the wiring harness almost completely installed before getting the engine back into the car. Still waiting for that fuel line to come in, but it can be installed with the engine in the car (it is holding up installing the intake manifold though). There's definitely a lot less going on in the bay now though!

Jeff

 

[Jeff Lange]

So I was in Hawaii for a bit over a week on vacation and then Christmas happened, but work is underway again. Engine is basically assembled now, save for a hose. Should hopefully be able to send the ECU for programming in the next week I hope!

New brakes and a new windshield also going to happen in the next few days as well.

Jeff

 

[Jeff Lange]

Well a couple major milestones have been passed today. After filling all of the fluids and bleeding the clutch it fired up first try! I even managed to drive it inside the shop a bit! It's slowly coming together! After driving the car a bit I think I will need to adjust the clutch pedal a bit as well.

See it in action in this super lame video!



I'm getting so excited to be able to properly drive it and feel what the car should have felt like from the factory.

Jeff

 

[Jeff Lange]

So I figured now that the car has actually driven with a 3.5L engine, I can legit change the nameplate on the back.

Behold!

More to come.

Jeff

 

[Jeff Lange]

Finally got the stopping parts of this swap in yesterday, I had really wanted to go with the GS350/RC350 2-piece 14-inch brakes, but I didn't want to be forced to run 18-inch wheels in the winter (plus needing 2 new sets of wheels, 2 new sets of tires, a new spare wheel and tire, etc.), and so I stuck with the 4-piston aluminum monoblock caliper 13-inch brakes from the IS350/GS350 that will clear 17-inch wheels. They're more than enough for what I do with the car, if it ever becomes a track car that may change, who knows. I'm using the stock F-Sport/high-friction Textar T4146 brake pads, they dust a lot, but the initial bite they provide combined with the low noise is a fantastic combination.

Just need the shims to come in from California to get these installed.

Also got the new windshield installed as well so I can finally get the cowl and wiper linkage put back in place.

Jeff

 

[Jeff Lange]

Things keep progressing. Getting things figured out and the new brakes are now on the car. Hopefully can drive it properly soon!

Jeff

 

[emiliorescigno]

So if I bring you an IS-F, how much for the RA63 swap?

 

[Jeff Lange]

Good question. I've been thinking about it, not entirely sure the RA is the best trans to use, but yeah, I've been thinking about it...

Jeff

 

[emiliorescigno]

What other transmission options are there? I'd imagine Toyota's array of longitudinal manuals is quite thin.