Fantasy-Spec: Chris Garbacz 1997 Lexus SC300

Photos by Ray Flores

Everyone goes through a fantasy-spec period for their build. Before you even pick the car up, you already have a rough idea of where you鈥檙e going to go with it and how you鈥檒l go about doing that. Many times, the end product delivers slightly below your expectations, but that gives something to build towards. When Chris Garbacz finally got his hands on the SC300 he鈥檇 been holding out for, he proved to be the exception.

The SC300 houses a 2JZ-GE inline-six, which, if you didn鈥檛 know already, is a potent tuning platform. Garbacz says that his original goal for the SC was a conservative 400 horsepower. That quickly changed.

鈥淭he first time it went on the dyno, it made 502 horsepower at 20 psi,鈥� Garbacz recalls. 鈥淎fter that we said, 鈥楽crew it, let鈥檚 see what she can really do!鈥欌€�

With some help from his buddies at Sound Performance, new life was breathed into the NA motor with some custom fabricated goodies, boosting by Precision Turbo, and a little support from a few choice Supra Turbo components. When the smoke cleared and the shop doors opened, the SC was throwing down 660 horsepower and 515 lb-ft of torque.

鈥淚 love the engine bay,鈥� says Garbacz. 鈥淓very time I open the hood, I can鈥檛 believe that it鈥檚 my car.鈥�

This SC isn鈥檛 all function with no form though. Garbacz has made some simple changes that really bring the out the showstopper in his Lexus. A Shine Auto front bumper and custom headlights round out the front end. A custom midnight purple paint looks almost black, but is a treat to the eyes once it hits some light. Toyota Soarer sidemarkers were also sourced, because everyone needs a little JDM.

Lowered tastefully on CX Racing coilovers, the SC squats over a set of 18-inch SSR SP1 wheels and Toyo tires all around. Past the gloss black wheel faces, Wilwood four-piston calipers peek out up front.

Garbacz set out to make a tastefully quick build, which soon became a road rocket. He had his doubters, but never strayed from his goal. Garbacz actually has some choice words, for one of his doubters in specific.

鈥淭he day I bought the car, the first place I went was Sound Performance to show my good friend Reid Dawson,鈥� laughs Garbacz. 鈥淗e came out, took one walk around it, looked at me and said, 鈥榊ou鈥檙e never going to do anything with that.鈥� I laughed and said, 鈥極ne day, you will eat those words.鈥� After four years it鈥檚 finally ready and I hope you鈥檙e hungry, Reid, because I win!鈥�

ESSENTIALS

Tuner Battlegrounds Live Event: TIC Car Show - Skokie, IL - June 29, 2014
Vehicle: 1997 Lexus SC300
Owner: Chris Garbacz
Location: Grayslake, IL, USA
Engine: Toyota 2JZ-GE 3.0L Inline-6
Horsepower: 661 hp
Torque: 515 lb-ft

Chris Garbacz's 1997 Lexus SC300 is featured in PAS Dec/Jan 2015 issue