To keep the IS300 from spinning its wheels, or spinning out altogether, Erik had the car equipped with a Tein Flex system with an EDFC suspension controller. You'll also find TRD front and rear race sway bars, Tom's front and rear body braces, rear lower tie rod braces, and a rear lower suspension brace. There's a set of 18-inch SSR GT1s and Z-rated Bridgestone Potenzas on all corners, though mostly memories of the rubber are left after the photo stunts. As the sun drops behind the city, the silver Lexus sits calm for the first time all day. It may not look like a show car on the outside, but the interior is a different story. The dash and console are stacked with electronics, including Blitz electronics just above the shifter. GReddy gauges (EGT, oil pressure, fuel pressure) sit in a TRD setup in one corner and an Auto Meter boost gauge (with shift light) sits in another. But Erik's favorite toy is the Pioneer AVIC-N1 everything-in-one head unit with flip-out screen. "I love messing with this," he says as he pokes the touchscreen. Judging by the sampling of screens, it's Akihabara squeezed into a double DIN.
The touchscreen is wired to MB Quart components in the front, Boston Acoustics in the rear, and the JL Audio amps and W6 12-inch sub in the trunk. I get to experience it all firsthand when Erik pops in a DVD montage of his car, edited M2-style to the blaring sounds of Linkin Park. Doors closed. Windows up. A wall of guitar fuzz in my face. The video, most of it taken during an IS300 meet, cuts from high-speed run to burnout to doughnuts and back again, all of it reinforcing something I already know: this IS300 isn't just for show. "Do you want me to do a burnout?" asks Erik when the video ends. And, well, I guess this is where you guys came in.
SidebarSmooth ModeratorWhen Erik Winebrenner isn't lighting up his tires, you'll most likely find him lighting up the lines on IS300.net, where he moderates the Mid-Atlantic and Go Fast forums. A self-defined "gadget freak," Erik joined the IS300 forum three years ago when he had only six miles on his Lexus. "I got involved in the member forums," he says. "I was surprised at how involved everyone was in the threads. I could ask any question and see a response in a matter of minutes." He adds that the site now has more than 20,000 members. You'll also find galleries of events, videos, and members' rides. The site also has an Internet store, product reviews, and news summaries. But its bread and butter are the forums. When we last checked, the General Discussion forum had more than 250,000 posts. Says Erik, "I have met some truly amazing people who I'm sure I will be friends with for the rest of my life whether I own an IS300 or not."
Fast FactsOwner Erik WinebrennerHometown Columbia, MarylandDaily Grind Network Security ConsultantRide '02 Lexus IS300
Under The Hood 2JZ-GTE Supra block and head gasket; J-Spec '98 Supra Turbo six-speed transmission; Swift Racing Technologies Stage 3.5 turbo kit: Turbonetics T04 tangential divided 62-1 turbocharger and race gate, 3-inch SRT turbo downpipe, exhaust, open wastegate, large (22.5x12.5x3-inch) front-mount Spearco intercooler, cast-iron divided turbo manifold, Blitz Super Sound Dual Drive blow-off valve, RC Engineering 550cc injectors, AFE air intake filter, NGK spark plugs, HKS DLI ignition, custom SRT return fuel delivery system, Walbro fuel pump, Red Ground Fusion grounding kit, and GReddy E-Manage with software; RPS six-puck clutch with hub/pressure plate; Fidanza lightweight flywheel; custom one-piece telescoping driveshaft; custom SRT-spec B&M short shifter;
Stiff Stuff Tein Flex coilovers with EDFC; PLP rear strut bar; TRD front and rear yellow race sway bars; Tom's front and rear body brace, rear lower tie rod braces, rear lower suspension brace
Rollers 18-inch SSR GT1 18x8 (f), 18x9 (r); Bridgestone Potenza S03 Pole Position 225/40ZR18 (f), 265/35ZR18 (r)
Stoppers StopTech big brake kit