Does the IS300 have a turbo?
The IS300 does not come with a factory turbo. In its stock form, this Lexus model uses a naturally aspirated inline-six engine. However, it is a popular platform for aftermarket forced induction and engine swaps among enthusiasts.
Understanding the IS300's design helps explain why boosting it is a topic of ongoing interest: it’s built around a proven 3.0-liter inline-six platform, with a reputation for tuning potential and reliability when properly managed. This article lays out the stock configuration and then outlines common paths to add turbocharging or other forms of forced induction.
What is the IS300?
The IS300 is the U.S.-market version of Lexus’ first-generation IS lineup. It was produced in the early 2000s as a rear-wheel-drive compact luxury sedan, sharing its platform with other models in the IS family. The name is most closely associated with the 2JZ-GE-powered version, which was released in North America with a focus on balanced performance and drivability. There was no factory turbo option for this model from Lexus/Tremium Toyota/Lexus divisions.
Engine and performance (stock configuration)
Before we list the key stock attributes, it’s important to note that all IS300s from the first generation used a naturally aspirated engine. The following points summarize the core specifications and outcomes you’d expect from a stock car.
- Engine: 3.0-liter inline-six (2JZ-GE) with VVT-i, naturally aspirated
- Power delivery: typically around the mid‑200 horsepower range, depending on model year and market
- Drivetrain: rear-wheel drive, with availability of a manual and automatic transmission in various markets
- Turbo status: no factory turbo option; any turbo setup is aftermarket or a swap
These stock characteristics explain why the IS300 has long been a favorite starting point for tuners who want to explore boosted power while maintaining a comfortable daily-driver profile.
Turbo availability by market
For the IS300, no official turbocharged variant was offered by Toyota/Lexus from the factory. Enthusiasts seeking more power typically pursue aftermarket routes or engine swaps rather than a factory turbo model. The absence of a factory turbo has contributed to a robust after-market ecosystem around forced induction for the 2JZ‑GE platform.
Aftermarket routes to boost power
If you’re considering boosting an IS300, here are the common approaches builders evaluate to add forced induction or increase performance while staying within a reliable framework.
- 2JZ-GE turbo kit options: Several aftermarket suppliers offer bolt-on turbo kits for the 2JZ-GE engine, allowing single- or twin-turbo configurations with supporting hardware like intercoolers and upgraded exhausts.
- 2JZ-GTE swap: A popular high-performance route is swapping in the turbocharged 2JZ-GTE engine (as used in the Toyota Supra), often paired with upgraded transmission and drivetrain components to handle increased power.
- Supporting modifications: Boosted setups require upgraded fuel delivery (in-tank pump, higher-flow injectors), a capable engine management system or tuning solution, intercooling, exhaust improvements, and upgraded cooling and lubrication as needed.
- Reliability and tuning considerations: Boost levels, fuel quality, and proper tuning are critical to maintain longevity; many builders emphasize professional dyno-tuning and phased power goals.
In practice, these paths reflect a robust aftermarket culture around the IS300 and the 2JZ family, with options ranging from budget-friendly bolt-ons to full engine swaps designed for high horsepower targets.
Bottom line
Factory turbocharging was not a feature of the IS300. The stock model relies on a naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE engine, which has earned a reputation as a solid platform for tuning. If boosted power is the goal, enthusiasts typically turn to aftermarket turbo kits or a confirmed engine swap to a turbocharged 2JZ variant, with careful attention to supporting systems and reliability.
Summary
In short, the IS300 does not come with a factory turbo. It is powered by a naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE engine, and while Toyota/Lexus did not offer a turbocharged IS300, the car remains a popular platform for aftermarket turbo kits and engine swaps. For buyers and enthusiasts, the key considerations are choosing a boosting approach that matches their power goals, ensuring proper fueling and cooling, and planning for a tuned, reliable setup.
