{"id":1095,"date":"2006-04-06T21:21:03","date_gmt":"2006-04-07T01:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.elusivemedia.com\/v3\/?p=1095"},"modified":"2010-05-16T21:32:50","modified_gmt":"2010-05-17T01:32:50","slug":"featured-car-labor-of-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elusivemedia.com\/v3\/?p=1095","title":{"rendered":"Featured Car &#8211; Labor of Love"},"content":{"rendered":"<iframe src=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/like.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.elusivemedia.com%2Fv3%2F%3Fp%3D1095&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=true&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;colorscheme=dark\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" style=\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px;height:60px;margin-top:5px;\"><\/iframe><table border=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<pre><strong><img src=\"http:\/\/www.elusivemedia.com\/gallery\/d\/27027-2\/IMG_3294c.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/strong><\/pre>\n<\/td>\n<td><strong>Labor Of Love<\/strong><br \/> <em>Date:<\/em> April 5, 2006<br \/> <em>Text: <\/em>Rich<br \/> <em>Images:<\/em> Eric<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<pre><strong><table border=\"0\"><tbody><tr><td><a href=\"http:\/\/www.elusivemedia.com\/gallery\/v\/members\/eric\/photography\/ps_rich\/IMG_3297.JPG.html\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/teamelusive.com\/gallery\/v\/members\/eric\/photography\/ps_rich\/IMG_3297b.jpg.html\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http:\/\/teamelusive.com\/gallery\/d\/27044-2\/IMG_3297b.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td><a href=\"http:\/\/www.elusivemedia.com\/gallery\/v\/members\/eric\/photography\/ps_rich\/IMG_3294c.jpg.html\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http:\/\/www.elusivemedia.com\/gallery\/d\/26806-2\/IMG_3294c.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/td><td><a href=\"http:\/\/www.elusivemedia.com\/gallery\/v\/members\/eric\/photography\/ps_rich\/IMG_3304.JPG.html\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/teamelusive.com\/gallery\/v\/members\/eric\/photography\/ps_rich\/IMG_3304b.jpg.html\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"http:\/\/teamelusive.com\/gallery\/d\/27047-2\/IMG_3304b.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/strong><strong><br \/><\/strong><\/pre>\n<div align=\"justify\">My name is Rich Arjoon and I drive a Lexus IS300.<\/p>\n<p>I initially purchased the IS300 in June 2000 to replace my ailing Mazda RX7.  The car&#39;s original intent was to be realiable luxurious transportation.  After becoming a member of an enthusiast forum, I was introduced to many owners that shared a passion for tuning the IS300. This started me on my journey towards tuning the IS300.  5years later and thousands of dollars spent, I think I have achieved a car that will take me into the next decade with ease.<\/p>\n<p>After eight months of ownership, I traded my initial boring blue IS300 for a much tuner friendlier yellow IS300.   I have never looked back as to this day I still enjoy my IS300 in every aspect.  I have been through every bolt on mod that was a hot ticket items in the Lexus realm.   As time progressed and breakthrough&#39;s in tuning lead to higher horsepower cars,  I took the plunge into the land of no return.<\/p>\n<p>As a founding member and officer of Lexotic Concepts, we are dedicated to showcasing Lexus tuning at its finest.  We hand select members based on their enthusiast attitude, personality and their automobiles. With the encouragement of the club members, we continue to push the envelope with in most cases &quot;Do-It-Yourself&quot; tuning.  As an enthusiast, I admire and applaud those true enthusiasts that work on their cars with their own two hands no matter what the task.  I have always said, this is a hobby, and why would I pay someone to do my hobby.   We pride ourselves on our collective knowledge,  project management and problem solving skills needed to accomplish each tuning goal.<\/p>\n<p>The TURBO IS as it is infamously known has reached a plateau in tuning from which there will not be much further modifications.  From an aesthetical standpoint,  the car is currently fitted with a JDM MAXRacing Bodykit (courtesy of FIZZ Autosports).  A VIS Carbon Fiber hood and VIS Carbon Fiber trunk break up the monotone color.  To add a little accent, the car is adorned with C-west headlight garnish  on hand painted headlights, JDM smoked tail lights, PIAA Fog lights, and a modified E46 M3 trunk lip spoiler.  On the inside the interior has been preserved due to my contentment with Lexus standard.  The Interior has been accented with Carbon Fiber trim,  Schroth Rallye 4-point harnesses, and a Pioneer DVD Navigation system.  Planned for 2006 is a new custom Pioneer Audio setup to replace the ailing stock system.<\/p>\n<p>Whats not as visible is what under the skin of the beast.  TEIN HA Coilvers, Area51 Sway bars, TRD Strut tower braces, and StopTech brakes. The current rolling gear are 18&quot; JDM Blitz Type 03 wheels wrapped in Dunlop SP Sport Race AutoX tires. The motor has been my ongoing project that has evolved through many phases.  Currently I have put together a custom turbo kit by sourcing parts from distributors like Boost Logic, Turbohoses, and Precision Turbo.  The car is currently fitted with a PT61 turbo mounted on tubular manifold with all the bells and whistles provided by HKS.(BOV, WG, Intake, Exhaust)   The engine is kept in check by a GReddy E-manage ECU, Defi Gauges, and a Blitz Boost Controller.  All the by-products of this hodgepodge is routed to the ozone layer via a custom 3&quot; mandrel downpipe back exhaust fabricated by RJ&#39;s custom fabrications in College Point. The IS is current performing at an optimal level.  I am very satisfied with the performance and output of the vehicle.   Future plans include a hand built 2JZ motor and a custom R154 transmission swap. Those are my hobby\/ long term goals.<\/p>\n<p>I must reitterate, I am an enthusiast, I enjoy tuning my car with my knowledge and skills.  I am a part of this hobby for the pure fun aspect.  I never once ever wanted to have the most show worthy IS300, as I have won several trophies at local car shows that mean nothing to me. I never once wanted to build the highest horsepower car known to mankind.  I also never cared about 1\/4 mile times.  I think people that need to brag about numbers should be in mathematics, not cars.  I enjoy the engineering aspect and technical knowledge I gain with each project I undertake.   My primary goal was to build an enjoyable, daily driven street car that could output above manufacturer spec power levels, and look good doing it.  I think I have achieved that goal and I think I have also helped many people along the way.  Those who doubt the power levels my car will put forth will sadly fall at my feet. As we all know there are a lot of nay-sayers that enjoy being armchair tuners, that regurgitate lyrics to a tuner song.  I tend not to go that route.<\/p>\n<p>I would like to thank everyone who I have gathered information from as well as those who have inspired me to dream the impossible of tuning and building a great car.   From Professional Shops like FIZZ Autosports and SRT, to died hard &quot;true&quot; enthusiasts like Dave Henry and De Hsieh, who are out in their garages busting their knuckles for the love of the hobby.  I tip my hat to you all.   Thank you, and look forward to bigger and better things from NYC, as there is a LOT in the work for the car with respect the the heart of the beast.<\/p><\/div>\n<iframe src=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/like.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.elusivemedia.com%2Fv3%2F%3Fp%3D1095&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=true&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;colorscheme=dark\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" style=\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px;height:60px;margin-top:5px;\"><\/iframe>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Labor Of Love Date: April 5, 2006 Text: Rich Images: Eric &nbsp; My name is Rich Arjoon and I drive a Lexus IS300. I initially purchased the IS300 in June 2000 to replace my ailing Mazda RX7. The car&#39;s original intent was to be realiable luxurious transportation. After becoming a member of an enthusiast forum, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[126],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.elusivemedia.com\/v3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1095"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.elusivemedia.com\/v3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.elusivemedia.com\/v3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elusivemedia.com\/v3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elusivemedia.com\/v3\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1095"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.elusivemedia.com\/v3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1095\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1107,"href":"https:\/\/www.elusivemedia.com\/v3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1095\/revisions\/1107"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.elusivemedia.com\/v3\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1095"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elusivemedia.com\/v3\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1095"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.elusivemedia.com\/v3\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1095"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}