Naturally, the sound system's only auditory rival is the 2JZGTE engine underhood. Supported by an HKS SSQV blow-off valve and GReddy M-Spec intercooler, the 3.0L inline-six turbo motor produces upwards of 330 hp at the wheels using a stock transmission. Johnny and his friends did all the engine modifications since he's had terrible experiences with going to shops. "When I first started getting into cars, I hired this mechanic to build my motor," he said. "He was supposedly the best from California, but he ended up costing me a lot of money since the engine he built blew up three times. Now I just do everything myself."
The most intriguing detail behind this GS400 was Johnny's motivation to buy the car in the first place: "My previous car was a Mazda RX-7 and I was tired of being cooped up in it like a coffin and not being able to take my friends out. So I wanted a car that I could load up with a bunch of my friends and still be comfy and look luxurious." Despite the GS400's extravagance, high-fashion, and exaggeration, Johnny can't enjoy the glory that Kanye rapped about, that which pretty much sums up the tuning subculture, without sharing it with his friends-that is how he defines VIP style.
'99 Lexus GS400
Output:
330 whp at 6,000 rpm; 350 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm
Engine
2JZ-GTE VVTi turbo engine swap; HKS blow-off valve; GReddy M-Spec intercooler and piping, boost controller; Blitz SBC i-D; custom downpipe; Sard intake; NGK spark plugs
Drivetrain
'01 2JZ-GTE transmission
Suspension
Air Runner kit, eight-valve solenoid
Wheels/Tires
Fabulous Profound wheels (20x9 +23 offset front, 20x10.5 +29 offset rear); Falken tires FK452 (235/30-20 front and 255/30-20 rear)
Brakes
Tom's four-piston caliper; Project Mu's rotors
Exterior
Junction Produce front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper, rear wing; Ugo roof spoiler; JDM rain guards, chrome door handles, chrome trunk bar, chrome grille; Underground Graphics vinyl
Interior
Pioneer AVIC-D3 head unit; Digital Designs S4 amplifier, M2A amplifier, DDC speakers, DD3512 subwoofers; Xstatic BatCap 2000