JANUARY 2004 RIDE OF THE MONTH | Stef Oshima's 1999 GS300

jO3

1999 LEXUS GS300
Part I: The Interview

Ktown213: Hey Stef, tell us about your team, your ride, and yourself, and how you got into modifying your car.
Stef Oshima: Cars have always been a hobby of mine every since I was a kid. I think a few years ago I really got into knowing what was out there and did a lot of research on cars and which mods are good and efficient. I had a 2001 Civic Coupe before this car and was going to swap the motor with a K20A from Japan. After thinking about it I figured that with that kind of investment I could go for a different project.

As soon as I got the GS300 I was going to just enjoy it and drive it around stock for at least some months. Yeah right, like that was going to happen, haha... The next few days I threw on rims, wing, front bumper, roof spoiler, and little things here and there. From that point on 'till now is history... My car, or "The Beast" as people like to refer it as, runs about 460hp to the wheels and about 500hp to the crank. It's a Single Custom Turbo Kit from Spark Racing. I'm boosting about 18psi and had all the major upgrades to the motor. The look I guess that I'm trying to keep it as is just clean but aggressive. Gotta say thanks to SPARK RACING (Joey, Anthony, Kevin, and Jerry) who made it possible to make something that doesn't really seem possible. Can't forget THANKS to Jay & Hiro from ABFLUG USA my other two bosses!!!! So many nights and so many ideas.. Too bad there's more for you guys to work out for me. Thanks for the (2) new tires Jay!! haha..

The company I'm in is called ABFLUG USA and for now specialize in Lexus, Supra, and RX-7.. It's a company based in Japan and our friend decided to open the market in the US. So in the company is 2 guys, and myself but recently people when they talk about us refer us as Team ABFLUG.. Haha.. Whatever works is cool with me. Since then we have some friends with pretty hooked up cars that is in our "Team" so to speak which is cool. We entered a few shows, just to let the people know what we carry and what's available for them.

KT213: What are your future plans for your car?
SO: Future plans for my car?? Hmm.. Everyone tells me that I'm practically done with my car but there's never enough room for perfection. There's still a lot more ideas and mod's that are going to be slapped on this beast but until then we'll have to see...

KT213: What's your favorite joint in Ktown?
SO: There's soooo many places now in Ktown that it's hard to keep up. Places that I just like going to for like K-Club would be places like VR or Le Prive. I heard that there are other places but haven't had a chance to go check them out yet. Nandarang is cool b/c it gives you the outside patio effect, Green Belt, NY NY, and ol'school Intercrew which has been there since I was underage to drink!!

KT213: Awesome, bro! Hey, thanks a lot for taking the time for this interview! Make sure to keep us posted with updates on your car!
SO : Thanks, Ktown213! I'll definitely keep you guys posted! See you guys in Ktown!

Part II : The Specs

Part III: The Gallery
All Photos taken by Ktown213.com

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johnny · Ktown Grand Master Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Posts: 2210

the amount of power the car is pushing with turbo is cool but the wheels gotta go... the car looks too plain IMO, and the body kit does the car injustice. The wheels definitely gotta go though.

Sweettalker · Ktown G-ster Joined: 07 Sep 2003 Posts: 130

Car maybe fast...but outside looks like @$$ sorry Sad

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SuSiExPrEsHuS · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 6:27 pm Post subject:

it looks nice to me..
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money · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 8:00 pm Post subject:

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Daichi · Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 3:30 am Post subject:

I think that's the best car of the month I have seen. Has some bad ass performance mods along with the usual body kit and wheels. Kinda iffy on the wheels, but who cares, he has turbo and a fat intercooler.
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johnny · Ktown Grand Master Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Posts: 2210

Daichi · Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 6:23 pm Post subject:

^ Yeah I know wheels make the car. They could be better, but they're acceptable, I guess. I would of got some 18 or 19 deep dish wheels. And "plain" is what the owner of that GS was going for. Well, "clean."
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johnny · Ktown Grand Master Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Posts: 2210

Daichi · Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 6:40 pm Post subject:

Oh damn. I didn't see a close up of the wing. I thought it was just a simple stock looking one. Ok kinda iffy on the wing too.
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panda007 · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 11:49 am Post subject:

definitely an eye-turner.. i love the wangan VIP mixture of brute force and elegant executive styling. Thumbsup

honestly, the front bumper was quite awkward though.. but creativity and originality makes up for it.

how about a 6 speed conversion? a formidable foe against the worldly m5's.

HKSrps13SR20DET · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 12:09 pm Post subject:

Ewwwww... Tein... Ewwwww
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jO3 · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 1:37 pm Post subject:

Yeah, when I saw the front bumper, my first immediate thought was, "OOOOooooooooooh, GERMAN ENGINEERING, BABY!" But seriously... The pictures don't serve this car justice... In person, you'll be in awe at what this car can do...
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KraGiE · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 12:16 pm Post subject:

I'm fond of Tein! This ride looks alright actually. Even though the 430 has the stronger impressive ratio, I absolutely adore the I6 Toyota stamps. It's potential is quite phenominal, and what it used to do in the last gen Supra made me weak to my knees.

The V8 Toyota's been using is cool too, but that I-6 block is probably my second most favored engine next to the Chevy 350 LT1 Corvette Engine.
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OpPeRz · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 12:48 pm Post subject:

i want LT1 for my camaro Smile

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Sweettalker · Ktown G-ster Joined: 07 Sep 2003 Posts: 130

What a dumbass, I just noticed that his steering wheel is the momo one. No airbags... dur
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2003 Audi A4 1.8T
Black 19" ADR M-Classics Oettinger front,Reiger sides,Reiger rear,Reiger spoiler,quad exhaust, downpipe,testpipe,europlate Clarion vrx925 vd 7" touchscreen, 5.6 myron&davis headrest monitors,2 Image Dynamics ID12,Crossfire cf602a amp,RF power punch 400a amp
NEUSPEED springs,shocks, 1.5 chip, short shifter
HKS boost gauge pod,SSQ bov,Blitz boost gauge
CF hood,CF engine cover, CF splitter,Kamei grill,eyelids

KraGiE · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 5:26 pm Post subject:

What do you need an airbag for? I'm more scared of airbags than the steering wheel itself.
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