The Stillen brake system on Project IS employs four-piston AP Racing calipers with sequentially sized pistons for firm, sure response. The cross-drilled, chamfered and slotted 13-inch rotors allow for proper out-gassing and optimum cooling characteristics, and are cadmium plated for corrosion resistance. Braided stainless-steel brake lines give the driver outstanding responsiveness and firm pedal feel. In fact, the four-piston AP calipers bite so hard they could teach a pair of vice grips a thing or two about clamping power. We have been quite pleased with the expanded safety envelope the Stillen package affords.
With such big rotors, a rolling stock upgrade is a must. To get us on the road, Stillen allowed us to run a set of its GTV wheels with 225/40ZR-18 BFGoodrich G-Force rubber. The GTV wheel, developed exclusively for Stillen by Enkei Japan, has the look of a wheel designed for a brake upgrade company. The wheel is a five-spoke design, with thin spokes that serve to open the wheel and expose the major brake components. The G-Force tires are at home on the IS and we have been steadily pushing the car. An off-ramp we started taking at 60 mph is now at 72 mph and the car is still well within itself. We are still getting used to accelerating, not decelerating, off the freeway.
Future Plans
The time has come to bolt on some power and see what we can get out of the IS 300's 2JZ-GE powerplant. The Lexus is a good deal of car for its $31,000 base price and we look forward to pushing the performance envelope.