Respect. Respect to those who pour their heart and soul into building cars-it really shows a love for the game. Respect. Respect to those who always strive to create something out of nothing, especially the ones who are given a four-week time constraint. Respect because this can be challenging; even more so if the project debuts at a huge show, like SEMA's IAS-that means less room for error. Respect. Ernie Manansala Jr. is a man you need to respect.
As part of NOS Energy Drink's marketing team, Ernie was placed in charge of crafting this beautiful Lexus SC300, sporting the darkest of blues with orange graphics to mimic the same colors found on a can of NOS Energy Drink. Advised by one hell of a professional drifter known as Vaughn "JR" Gittin, Ernie teamed up with MA-Motorsports to turn this once luxurious cruiser into a drifting force. But before anything could be taken to the next level, there were problems to address: 1) Could it be turned into a true Soarer? 2) If not, what other alternatives could he look at?
Unfortunately, the 2JZ-GTE that was originally planned to be swapped-in didn't meet budget, so a 1JZ-GTE was chosen instead. Even then the choices for a turbo upgrade and bottom end components were slim to none. Ernie contacted GReddy for one of their massive G64 turbos, and had JE Pistons custom fabricate a special set of pistons for the rebuild. The cylinder head was then sent to AHM Performance, where their mechanics installed a set of Endura Tech valves, valve springs and retainers. Once MA got the 1JZ back into their hands, they reassembled the long block, then installed their own fuel rail and intake manifold.
With piping supplied by Fujita 5, MA custom fabricated an intake as well as intercooler piping for their intercooler core. Magnaflow stepped in providing a higher flowing catalytic converter and exhaust system. The transmission also needed work, particularly since it will be drifting and competing in Time Attack challenges in the near future, so MA fitted both an ATS carbon triple plate LSD and a triple plate clutch. An Earl's fuel pump feeds the 1JZ an adequate supply of the good stuff as Electromotive's XDI spark plug wires and NGK spark plugs ignite it. Boost is regulated and adjusted electronically through a World Racing creation, the TBC-1.