This is my story why I created this Twin Turbo Kit.  I have been searching on the internet for the past two years trying to find out more about performance parts and bolt-on kit for the Lexus V8 engine.  However, no such luck.  There have been few cases that the Lexus V8 (1UZFE) being turbocharged, but as of right now, I have not seen any Lexus LS400 having twin turbo.  Please correct me if I am wrong. 

I have been driving and playing around with Mustangs for years.  Currently I own a 98 Mustang Cobra with forged internal with a 15 psi supercharged.  I love to drive the convertible SVT Cobra.  . 

Anyhow, after I got married and with little child on the way; I need a 4 door sedan.  I always like the luxury of Lexus since it was first introduced in the early 90's.  Well, I decided to purchase a 1990 LS400.  I like the 1990 year because it was the first luxury car from Japan.  Secondly, the LS400 is and was the best of the best from Japan.

After driving the car for few months, I looked around for performance upgrade.  As we all know, there isn't much performance parts for the flagship.  However, plenty of performance parts for other Lexus lines.  After months of reading on www.turbomustangs.com, www.supraforums.com and www.clublexus.com I finally have enough gut to start a project this magnitude.  Before my project started, I have a lot of people on the net have doubts and discourage this project.  Even the friend who gave me two ball bearing turbos also discouraged me.  I told them, if it is easy, it would not be challenging anymore.  If it is easy, everyone would have done it.  If it is easy, it would be very boring.  With my determination, I kept on asking questions, I kept on reading and kept on searching for knowledge of forced induction and the overly engineered 1UZFE engine.

The information on the Lexus V8 engine is so limited due to lack of interest in performance after market parts.  Therefore, I have to do my own Research and Development (R&D).  Calling different dealers (Toyota and Lexus) and asking questions about interchangeable parts and modifications.  Unfortunately, neither Toyota or Lexus technician would know the answer.  Being the first always have it drawbacks and rewards.

Beside being an active member of the above forums, I have purchased few books about turbocharging.  Maximum Boost was best turbo book I have ever read.  It gives very specific details and examples.  I would strongly recommend this book to everyone who is thinking about starting a turbo project.

My project officially started in late September of 2002.  I was given two ball bearing turbos from Joey of Spark Motorsports www.sparkracing.com In Rowland Heights California (now in La Puente, California.  If you need 2JZ-GTE swap into you SC300/400, please give Joey a call and tell him that I send you.  He will take care of you and your car at a great price.)  These turbos are imported from Thailand and which was imported from Japan off the Nissan Skyline VG30DET.  I was told that the turbos had about 25k miles on it.  The bearing spin free with no play.  The T3 turbos are both oil and water cooled with integrated wastegate.

While on the internet, I also have found that the Lexus LS400 engine is a very strong V8.  The LS400 engine (1UZFE) has been documented to produce over 2,700 horse power.  That is with built internal with 50 psi of boost.  Beside the Australian making monstrous power, Turbonetics also use similar motor to break the 200 mph mark in 1/4 mile.  Meanwhile, a Japanese high performance company called HKS also use the similar motor to produce mega horse power in their drag car.  However, beside being strong, the 1UZFE engine also demonstrated to be very durable.  The average life span of the engine had been widely reported to hit at around 400k miles.  Few instances the car had reached 600k miles.  For insurance purposes, I know I have a good strong foundation to start.

Currently, my LS has 150k miles and its running stronger than ever before.  At 150k, most car would require a re-build or a new engine.  Secondly, replacing a complete used engine from Japan is very affordable.  I have seen used 1UZFE drive train (engine and transmission) for about $300 U.S. dollars from wrecked cars.  The question is "why is it so cheap?"  My answer would be because the engine is so strong, its does not break and no one really need it.  Therefore, the demand for the well engineered engine is very low.

With the potential of making more horse power than Twin Turbo Supra (MKIV 1993-1998) engine, I can predict that many Supra owners would use this engine in the future for drag racing.  Currently, a built Supra TT is maxing out around 1000 rwhp.  Besides being a V8, stroking and boring is being explore by racing companies. 

When I talk about power adders, you must compare the price you pay and the horse power you gain.  For example, some people stroke their 4.0 DOHC to a higher displacement, but at what cost?  How about 152 rwhp for around $5,500?  Which is about $36 per rwhp.  Some people spend over $5,500 and only get around 20-25 rwhp that would be around $250 per rwhp.  I really do not think its worth it. 

Since I had much fun and headache with my Twin Turbo Lexus LS400 project.  My next project is to fabricate a single turbo kit for the first generation Lexus SC400 by using T74 Q-Trim.  This turbo is good for 800 rwhp.  With that amount of HP, it should scare some most Vipers, Vets and Porsche owners.  The SC400 has the same drive train as the LS400.  Remember, replacement for displacement is BOOST!