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Hi Guys,

Following the true tradition of Lexus ownership, I have let go my old trusted IS250 (currently for sale) and became the new owner of ISFBloke's old car (MY11 Black ISF).

Before buying this car, I had exchanged some detailed messages with Andrew (ISFBloke) as well as getting the car fully inspected by Chris the master tech of Lexus Chatswood.

Some of the members here knows this ISF well, it had PPE header & RR racing USRS Bushing fitted and the last owner added JoeZ PTS exhaust, tuned by Autowerks in Beverly Hills currently output a health 275.7kw at the wheel quite consistent with what the US guys are getting with similar mods. I can see a few ISF owners here will be running this setup soon :D. I'm also considering to add the RR racing intake and oil catch can to complete the stage 1 bolt on upgrades.

To carry on the legacy of this awesome machine, it'll go to the track a few times per year, I was invited to the recent Burrows Drives Day at SMSP Eastern Creek sponsored by McLaren, had the chance to let loose the beast and chasing down a few 911s/M3/C63, only lost pace at the corners to AWD cars with the crappy road tyres I had. Upgrading to Rays wheel with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 !!! The car was pre & post track checked by Chris of Lexus, he is very excited to see this car back in the stables, big thumb up to Lexus Chatswood.

On the Burrows day, I also had the opportunity to test drive the new McLaren 720S, which is now my new favour supercar. And very pleased to meet an owner of RCF (Peter) testing his new RR racing oil catch can on the track who shares the same passion of Lexus, also goes to Chatswood for track prep. I've invited him to sign up this forum.

I look forward to join the F Club events both on or off track, the F are being used for school runs so I'm considering a few options to deal with the catless setup. I'm open for suggestion, highflow cat/PPE with stock exhaust/HKS SSM??? Exterior upgrades are also on the card - Tom's front lip and rear diffuser.

Andrew (ISFBloke), I wish you all the best in your oversea venture, your car is in good hands.

Drive Safe

William

Here is some photos showing off my three "babies" and the track day.

On ‎12‎/‎10‎/‎2017 at 7:16 PM, 18ADF said:

The market for is250s is a dead market, soo many on car sales as it is. I had a 08 x manual, mint paint with heaps of tasteful mods with 205ks, lexus history etc. Ended up stripping some of the mods and just left coilovers in and is350 brake upgrade. Sold as is for 12k as is to a family member, had trade in offers of under 10k but thats how it is. Given the age of yours low teens would attract alot more buyers.

Yeh, such a solid car, only selling to upgrade. I had to start stripping it as well now.

Exhaust removed, price dropped.

13-14.5L for me, daily to Sydney city

10L on highway to Canberra

Full tank does 380-400km max

Car has H/E and tuned.

SOLD!!!

20 hours ago, BLK ISF said:

Local exhaust shops do hi flow cats for about $200ish i think but PPE want.  

Atleast PPE site is on sale vs 330ish for RR Racing for the magnaflows.  We need 2 of them so thats already about 550US + postage.

Not sure of the comparison in regards to flow between a hiflow local perforamnce cat vs the Magnaflow ones PPE and RR use.  

Would be good to know how you go, cheers.

Ok, went to see PEC in Northmead this morning, saw Hakan and Arthur, got quoted $450 each side fully installed with Magnaflow High Flow 100 Cell 2.5" CAT, if you want TIG weld then extra $50 each side. So $1000 for the total job, how's that sound? or maybe just put back the stock exhaust lol.

4 hours ago, LTuned said:

 

congratulations on the ISF, you will enjoy the it.   they are a fun vehicle, & they just keep on going.    I remember ISFBloke & his ISF.   did a few track days through Lexus at Eastern Creek, & one at Wakefield with him.    you could get a varex type of exhaust to make it quieter when you need.    I like the way the PPE headers and JoeZ exhaust sounds.   it is a bit loud if I leave home early in the morning, but such is life.

Thanks John, I had exchanged a few messages with ISFBloke just before buying his old car, took it straight to Burrows Day at SMSP last week, such an awesome car, chasing up a few 911s at ease but only losing around the corners to other AWD cars. Chris Marriott the Master Tech at Chatswood Lexus helped me with vehicle inspection and track prep. I'm really loving the car, just need to change a few things to make it more livable for me.  

Thanks BLK, I'll do a proper re-intro thread on forum this weekend.

I also have a 3yr kid, using the F for childcare runs, the open exhaust setup might not be best suited for this task.

PPE website shows they supply optional Megnaflow brand CATs: http://www.ppeengineering-onlinestore.com/Lexus-IS-High-flow-cats-935002.htm, so this is what I'll go for.

I'm going to see Performance Exhaust Centre in Northmead tomorrow, let you guys know how I go.

5 hours ago, Babalouie said:

I'd imagine that the cat would have to be in the first part of the exhaust itself (ie after the header).  Since aftermarket exhausts generally delete the secondary cat, you would have to get this done at an exhuast shop?

Yes, you are right mate. Also just did some research, found a photo on PPE website, exhaust need to be chopped/shorten near the flange for high flow cat to be welded in-between.

3 hours ago, BLK ISF said:

Ill be catless for a week or so as the fitter im using doesnt have cats nor welds them in as the PPE doesnt come with it.  Most exhausts shop have all sorts of hi flow cats so ill either go independant or arrange through the header installer afterwards.  Doesnt have to be at the same time.

As Babalouie said, most with exhausts including me with my Xforce lost the 2 rear cats and will lose the remaining too with the PPE install.

I'm now the new owner of ISFBlokes's old car. (MY11 Black), car already has PPE header and the last owner had the JoeZ exhaust fitted, Dyno tuned at 275kw at the wheel.

The performance and the sound is unreal, you guys will love it!

With PPE and JoeZ, this setup removes all the CATs. After driving it for a week, honestly I'm a bit sick of the constant smell and drone below 2500RPM.

After some research on the US forum, it appears a high flow CAT on the exhaust will remove the smell and ease the drone. So I'm planning to get a CAT installed and see how it goes, some will say the CAT will reduce the header gain by 10-15hp and defeat the purpose of installing a header, but I rather sacrifice some performance to not poison myself and the family, also avoid a hefty fine ($10K apparently for no CAT) from police.

Let me know how you guys feel after install the PPE, especially those who also has catless exhaust.

Are you guys installing the PPE header with the CAT or without the CAT?

Can the CAT be fitted afterwards without taking the header off?

Guys,

I'm selling my MY07 IS250X, got a bit of km on it but extremely well maintained, zero accident.

http://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/topic/13995-for-sale-facelifted-2007-is250x-11-month-rego-much-much-more/

Will be parting it out if no taker this weekend.

William - 0408 266 666

Guys, can you recommend any tyre shop for semi slicks?

Thanks John! It's now on Carsales.

Got a bit of km on it, 164000km, mostly on highway between Sydney to Canberra, I'm managing a project down there.

Full service history at Lexus Chatswood, never missed a beat.

Put a IS350 engine in it, you got yourself a nice looking IS350 F-Sport.

Might have to part-out if can't sell at the price.

SOLD!!! 

Cheers! I guess a set of KW will fix it up nicely.

2 minutes ago, LTuned said:

Yes you are correct about the wheel arch space, on a stock car with oem wheels. 

Thanks John!

But it looks a bit weird when they not evenly spaced, I would thought if any the rear should have more space to absorb the passenger weight and acceleration down force.

Gents,

I'm in market for a MY11+ ISF, saw a few of them last week already. One question for your stock ISF owners, the wheel arch space (between fender/guard and tyre) in the front is noticeably bigger than the rear. The front has about 3 fingers and rear about 1.5 fingers. When you look at the car far from the side, it's very apparent the two spaces are not even.

Is this normal on stock car with OEM wheel? Any reason why Lexus has this setup?

Thanks

William

Just now, Gen03 said:

Thanks .Yes its a 2010 done 103.000ks smoky granite mica paint on it .Beautiful car and wow its fast :-)

Well done, enjoy the car.

3 hours ago, Gen03 said:

Thanks Mate . I picked one up yesterday I couldn't turn it down for $34,000 needs a bit of a clean up but mechanically its perfect .Now I can see why you guys love the ISF's

Congrats Gen03, is that a 2010+ you bought or earlier model? And how many km if you don't mind I ask.

OK guys, I've just done the transmission oil flush and diff oil change at TNK automotive Girraween today. Dropped my car in at 9am this morning, got a call from Ahmed around 1pm that the car is ready for pickup. It has been a great experience with TNK, they've done many 2IS, very familiar with the flushing process. It's a family run business, Bill (the owner) and his son Ahmed (head mechanic) are top blokes. I highly recommend anyone in Sydney thinking flush the transmission oil to go see TNK, might be a long drive for some, but well worth it. And thanks to Danny (ilv1004s)'s recommendation at first place.

As I couldn't wait around, Ahmed is also kind enough to take photos of the whole process for me. See photos below

You can see the gearbox oil is first drained by removing the pan, but that will only take out about 50% of what's inside, then a special flushing machine must be used to pump out the residual oil and inject new oil while the car and gearbox is running until you see the fresh oil (pink colour) comes out.

My car has done just over 160,000KM, so the old oil in gearbox is very muddy and the magnets at the bottom of the pan have collected many fine dusts over the time due to wear and tear. I'm really glad I did this oil change, it's hard to image how this can be "unchangeable oil".

Then new transmission oil filter is installed along with a new pan gasket. While the car is on the jack, I also asked TNK to do the Diff oil change. The diff oil has this creamy colour, not sure if this right or not? Finally a plug-in scan/test to make sure no fault code.

With the new transmission oil, I don't notice too much of a difference. I feel the shift response has a subtle improvement, especially during uphill acceleration, the gearbox shift in the next gear slightly quicker. Overall, I think it's more of a piece of mind knowing your transmission is looked after. 

Anyway, hopefully this give you guys a better idea of the process, and Sydney sider has a reputable workshop to go. http://www.tnkautomotive.com.au/

Thanks to gfs250 for starting the thread.

William

Thanks bazzle, there is some merits to the "old" oil theory, I've seem a few online debates about this too.

Some say If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But like you, I'm always try maintain my car proactively. No oil will last for ever.

I'll get the Diff oil changed too.

16 hours ago, gfs250 said:

Hi Will,

It will be interesting to see the colour of the "unchangeable oil" when it comes out :) this is around the some kms as I had mine done for the first time. 

Best of luck to you and thanks for the post

gfs250, how many km is your car now? i'll post some photo of the "unchangeable oil"

12 minutes ago, bazzle said:

Mine getting done next Monday (inc Diff) at Kewish Automotive next monday.

bazzle, is the Diff also a so called "sealed unit"?

Guys,

My IS250 is now at 160,000km, car drives flawlessly, engine is still going strong as ever, Motul oil every 7500km, no problem with gearbox what so ever.

I'm just taking precaution here and booked for a transmission full flush at TNK automotive Girraween on this Friday. I mentioned Danny's referral, the owner (Bill) sounds very nice to deal with over the phone, his main mechanic also his son Ahmed will do the actual work.

I'll take some photo and let you how it goes and how the car drives afterwards. This will be the last service to my car before I upgrade to a newer car at the end of year.

Will

Congrats Peter, have you taken delivery of the car yet? I don't think that blue one in your HUGE signature is your car.

There is a grey GS-F goes around Sydney world square, looks so good in the flesh with muscle car stance, definitely a standout.

I have a 2 year old kid and maybe another one next year, so also looking to upgrade to a GS for more leg room. Always love the 3GS look than the 3IS. Don't think I can quite reach the GS-F but definitely the facelifted GS350F is on the shopping list. Waiting for the next L'exhibition

Name now officially trademarked, so exciting to see a new performance car era from Lexus & Toyota.

http://www.caradvice.com.au/519894/lexus-lc-f-trademark-hints-at-flagship-performance-coupe/

SOLD! What a bargain.

SOLD!

Wife wants me to clean-up the garage, need to get rid of these spare tyres.

Two tyres only, 19" Bridgestone RE050A, 235/40R19, about 90% thread left.

Perfect for the RC (front), too wide for ISx50 without fender mod, not sure about fitment on IS-F.

Retail over $400 each, someone just take it from me for $200 both.

William