IS300 Drifting Setup Guide: Coilovers, Camber, Angle Kits & Suspension Mods

After years of drifting with a stock IS300, I've fine-tuned it into a simple yet highly reliable configuration that offers excellent performance both on the track and on the street. Let me walk you through the specifics of my setup:

Coilover Setup: Stiff but Balanced

For the suspension, I prefer a stiffer coilover setup. I’ve chosen 18k front springs and 16k rear springs for a solid yet responsive ride. This setup allows me to handle both aggressive drifts and everyday driving with confidence.

Front Suspension and Camber Adjustment

When it comes to front suspension adjustments, there are several routes to go. I recommend using JZX upper control arms or extending the lower control arm for proper camber adjustment. It’s best to avoid using the eccentric bolt, as it can simultaneously adjust both camber and caster, which may negatively affect the car’s handling.

For caster, I target a range of 7 to 8 degrees. Caster plays an important role in self-steering, and achieving the right angle ensures better control during drifts. As for camber, I aim for as much positive camber as possible, using the eccentric nut along with the JZX uppers and adjustable caster arms. This results in a setup of -5 degrees camber, 7 degrees caster, and 0 toe for a well-balanced front end.

Maximizing Steering Angle

To improve my steering angle, I opted for an angle kit that corrects the roll center and provides up to 59 degrees of steering angle. Installing the kit requires cutting the ball joint and switching to a new tie rod setup due to a new pickup point. I use IS300 inner tie rods paired with GS300 outer tie rods for this purpose.

Rear Suspension Setup

For the rear suspension, I aim to achieve 0 degrees camber and 0 toe for optimal stability. When lowering your IS300, the stock suspension limits how much you can adjust the toe. To bring it back to factory specifications, aftermarket rear toe arms are necessary.

As for camber, stock components won’t allow you to dial in 0 degrees without aftermarket parts. Most upper control arms can interfere with the frame, potentially leading to failure, unless you purchase from specific brands designed to accommodate this issue. From my experience, the easiest solution is to adjust rear camber through aftermarket lower control arms.

Building a Reliable Drift Car with a Stock IS300

With these modifications, you’ll have a solid, reliable drift car that still retains excellent streetability. This setup strikes a perfect balance between performance, durability, and daily drive comfort.

Parts Used in My IS300 Setup

Here are the specific parts from my current setup, available on our site for your convenience:

• BC Racing Coilovers: BC Racing Coilovers for 1999-2005 Lexus IS300

• Angle Kit: SDRATS Initiate Angle Kit

• Cut Ball Joints: Front Lower Ball Joints (Cut Down) for 01-05 Lexus IS300

• Rear Toe Arms: Xcessive Manufacturing Rear Toe Arm Pro Street

• Rear Lower Control Arms: Megan Racing Type II Rear Lower Arm

By following this simple yet effective setup, you’ll have an IS300 that performs reliably on both the street and the drift track. Keep experimenting with your setup and find the balance that works best for your style of driving!

Submit a web inquiry if you have any questions about my setup or need more tips on tuning your IS300 for drifting.