BLK ISF

Hi Sydney people, I hope no one has had their ISF stolen recently. Good friend of mine advised me he saw a Black ISF abandoned on Beech road between the roundabout and Campbelltown road (near Costco, Crossroads). Drove past last night and saw the bonet was missing, 2 rear wheels. I have since been told it appears burnt out by another friend (assuming same car as he described the location of where it was).

Cheers for the update. No problem. Will pay next day or so. Any ETA when the goods will be arriving your place?

Nice choice. Cant go wrong with white. I had a white WRX for over a decade, much easier to maintain than my current Black ISF. Although black looks mean when clean :-) On the US forums, there are plenty of threads about filters like Takeda, HPS, Typhoon etc. K&N have some posts demonstrating x amount of HP gain with their cone type but others have shown that not to be the case. Many have gone aftermarket to go back to OEM again. Ive got a K&N but in the OEM box vs exposed. Im sure its from a compliance issue too if pulled over having a fitler exposed. As per previous suggestion, also got a HPS intake tube, didnt go metal. Been running my Varex for well over a year now. Great sound, good price and besides few hiccups with the electronics of the Varex, im overall happy with it. To achieve that mid note intake sound we all love at an earlier stage, you can block the vacuum hose from the actuator. Cheap and easy to do so you can remove it if you dont like. Literally takes 10 seconds to do it. If you do it, PEPs and other auto shops sell them. Its a 1/8th size as i discovered after a few trips lol. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-f-2008-2014/383384-diy-stock-intake-mod.html Ps Avoid big tacky stickers as they add weight to your car and will only slow it down haha

Yeah those lights look much better quality than the Ebay ones i got. I think we initially went down the same path haha. Fortunately mine havent started to flicker yet but i got incorrect bulbs sent out, then trying to communicate with them was a nightmare / funny but we got there in the end etc. Good to know which ones are good. Ill get those when my play up / die etc. I went a little bit extra bling, not to everyones taste but i like bright things (blue puddles and coloured LED interior when i want it via remote). Cant forget the gearknob either A few images....

Hey just curious if you wouldnt mind letting me know the cost of LSD, install etc. Could you PM me if thats ok unless willing to share here. Im sure once i get the PPE's, my lack of traction will only be more profound so realistically i might become more active in trying to source a LSD or what my options are but at this stage i havent researched it so no idea what kind of outlay im looking at. Any info greatly appreciated

Yeah ive got similar mods to you. I got the widened flange trick as per your advice lol. Always wanted headers as its such a known power gain but like you said, the cost is crazy however few weeks heard the tapping and its on the passenger side (which apparently is the side that typically has the leak) etc. So it was good timing with the group buy. I have contacted about 4-5 workshops regarding install costs which ranged from $500 to $1200 with varying advice. Also as the Xforce has not cats, ill need to purchase 2 x hi flow ones as i dont want the smell, possible fines etc associated with going catless so when you add it all up its about 3.5-4k. Definitely not a cheap quick mod but didnt see many other choices really. Buy OEM headers with the same flaw design, pay for labour to fix what i got but who knows if another leak surfaces or just get PPE's and be done with it. They wont leak if installed right etc. Here i was thinking the car was going to remain 100% stock lol. My tyres also needs replacing next few months or so. You can imagine my traction issues right now, i regularly see the traction light on with minimal effort lol

Damn that does sound good. Ah well, committed to headers for now and im sure i need them with the ticking noise im getting. In due time, it will have to be my next mod. I cant keep chasing HP without grip to match lol

That much difference for our cars. So the flashing traction light doesnt pop up as often anymore?

Sadly im not surprised. Was quoted by Lexus, $1200 to fit headers. Ok its debatable how long it takes for the install pending who you speak with but several other workshops who quoted me all gave a price indicating its approx $100/hr. Im sure it wont take 12 hours to fit headers lol. Wouldnt doubt the quality of workmanship they provide but yes like many manufacturers, they know how to charge.

Yeah its one of those things. Some have had no issue at all, others like us have. I know many in the US have had the same issue (based on US forum member responses) so many of them do away with them and just get aftermarket mufflers that come with their own stacked tips or those blue burnt tips etc. I elected to retain my OEM tips as i want the factory look and didnt want any further unnecessary attention (especially as i have an aftermarket exhaust)

From memory it doesnt as each stacked pair is bolted via its surround. Im sure someone else may be able to confirm for sure

Yeah they are crappy welds in 4 spots per tip from memory. Mine also fell off over a year ago whilst washing the car so fortunately i didnt run over it like ive read others have. Anyways i did a dodgy silicone fix, held on with zippy ties until it bit. Been meaning to get to an exhaust shop to reweld but its been over a year and its solid as can be, no movement at all. Was thinking of purchasing some extras as backup in case i did lose one in transit at one point. Something like this http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2006-2011-Chrome-IS-F-Style-Replacement-Customer-Muffer-Tips-Pair-For-Lexus-ISF-/152232848229?hash=item2371c8eb65:g:8G4AAOSwdIFXz82V. Even had the car professionally detailed and i know the detailer would of applied some pressure as the exhuast tips came back shiny and all 4 including the silicone attached one is still on firm.

Cheers Danny for organising this for us. So just to confirm, once the order is placed do you know how long approx before they land here ready to pick up. Do i need anything else for the fitter to install, repositioned dipstick etc or will it have everything. i.e Just need to pay for labour for someone to fit?

Yeah unfortunately the IS250 hasnt got an overly sensitive accelator feel and wasn’t supposed to. I have an ISF which is a lot livelier but I still fitted an Apexi throttle controller as it works being drive by wire. For me it’s great. With sports mode it’s like the car is on steroids and very sensitive so I’m sure it will help with your situation. They are also relatively inexpensive compared to other modifications.

Everyone will have a varying opinion on this. I did this for my ISF about 4 months ago. It had about 90k. I dont track the ISF and not sure about previous owners, hence why i wanted to do it as a preventative thing not knowing its full history. I was surprised, the oil was in good condition, no flakes, debris etc and colour lightish. I wouldnt have changed it had i known but nevertheless, was a good insurance policy at the time if you get my drift. Those who track their cars are more adamant to get it done which i get. Yes its a sealed unit but Lexus etc will still happily quote to do the job. Most get alot of it out but only a flush machine will really get all out. Most i think do the cooler, drain the pan, change the filter, gasket etc then of course the oil.

Sonny tuned my ISF and a few other members on this forum. Can only speak on behalf of myself but i was happy with the tune. I think its overpriced for whats invovled in the tune but it was the going rate if you get my drift. Every dyno is different but i was happy with the before and afters. Prior to getting his recommendation i contacted a few other places who can also tune the ISF (syd based): 1. BTA motorsports - Ali. He advised about 30rwk and 20% more torque as estimates. Obviously pending what mods you have currently influence this 2. CPI tuning - Sasha or Joe. Think they have interstate and oseas offices too. He sent me a dyno of a final tune but doesnt really mean much without the before so it looked like a happy dyno vs autowerks but still, havent used them so not sure of the quality etc 3. C&V advised they are sure they can tune it but wanted to see my car to be sure, see if their software is compatible etc so i can only assume they might be able to but havent tuned 1 before otherwise they would say yep can do etc.

Congrats mate, hope you got it for a good price. Guessing you'll get headers now in a week or so :-)

Hmm 380km per tank. Trust me, you'll be enjoying driving it too much to achieve that haha. Ok seriously though, i have achieved about 380 but thats a few times when time has gotten the better of me and my fuel light has come on which i usually avoid by filling up with about 20% left. I normally get about 350km give or take but as said, thats about 20% left. Not meaning to sound blunt, but id say for many ISF owners, its great if you can get plenty of km's per tank but im not fussed if i dont. Fuel economy wasnt high on my priority list for an ISF haha. As for the km's the car has, that wouldnt bother me. As others have mentioned, they are very reliable and less km's doesnt mean its any more reliable, pending the life its had. As long as its been well cared for, serviced regularly, genuine or good quality aftermarket parts etc, then you'll be fine. With your average yearly km's, you'll bring the average down. When you go to sell the car, the lower the kms the better but beyond that, drive it and enjoy it. 69k on an ISF is nothing. When you get it theres several things you can do to it or just leave it stock. There is things such as: Exhuast Tint Filter / Air intake Good set of tyres Headers Tune Body parts such as front lip, side skirts, rear diffuser (Toms etc) USRS (RR Racing steering bushes) RR Racing oil/air seperator Better brakes / rotors Apexi throttle controller...........and plenty more

Yep all under warranty. The wiring part was an easy enough thing to happen, cutting out near the rear. That was fixed easily. The motor part was annoying but again, these things happen and fixed without issue and touch wood, been working great ever since. Besides my time going back there, it was never an issue and they fixed/looked at the car n no problem.

Ive got similar mods but got a tune and modified primary exit restriction near the cats so its now 3 inches. Both made a big difference. Never been in a 350 let alone drive next to one to compare but heard they were quick for a 6. Im sure top end the V8 in ours will easily pull away but curious you found them similar to 100. Must be simply more power is trickier to launch with RWD. There is a possible group buy going for PPE headers right now on this forum

Looks great, and nice colour choice. You got the LSD, i dont in my older model :-( Looks stock, any modificaitons to it yet? I actually looked at the IS350 before purchasing my ISF. I know there are many youtube videos showing the difference but how do you find the performance difference between the 2. Is it what you expected or not as big as a difference?

I could be keen pending the price. Bit of a side note, but any idea what a fitter would charge for an install, Sth west Sydney?

Youre using commonsense unlike me. Hmmm little traction so you want a LSD. Me, i have little traction so i want more power haha

I actually have that exhaust, the XForce varex. I leave for work early so wanted to keep the peace with the neighbours lol. Initially i had some wiring issues so it kept blowing fuses (10 or 15amp) cant remember exact size. After about the second visit back to the workshop, they traced the wiring, fixed the issue and that was March last yr. So no big deal really. 4 months ago all of a sudden one motor on the passenger muffle wasnt responding. Permanently open. Again back to the workshop and without fuss, changed the motor and working great since. Despite this im happy with it as i open/close it every morning when leaving the house and its quiet, a little quieter than stock as its more closed. Then for the remainder of the day its open. 90db is the limit, it sounds loud but yet mine was about 92db. My WRX was about 96db so surprised the ISF didnt record a higher number. With the remote i can close it quick if i need it to be quiet and not attract attention. I was fortunate and got it fitted at the Xforce head office here in Sydney. I paid $1800 supplied/fitted. They have the blue tooth module now so you have more control options and can do so via the phone but that costs more and for me, it was more gimmicks. End of the day its open or closed, i dont need it 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% open etc lol. It turns heads and sounds great, you wont be disappointed. Contact Xforce direct, Daniel or Dean was helpful with me. They'll advise whose a stockist/fitter where you are.

Hi Sam G, ive had my ISF for about 1.5 yrs now. Prior to purchasing i got a similar report done indicating areas of concern for the paint, interior, engine, performance etc so yes its for peace of mind. They looked at the paint thickness, possible damges/repairs/variances in paint to indicate prior repairs etc. Seller didnt mind having to wait around for this to be done as he knew i was serious and would purchase pending the outcome of that report but i was fortunate to test drive it as well unlike yourself as its an interstate car. Overall they are great cars though and well engineered. As others mentioned, easy mod to do but you'll be surprised that its quite easy to just press the button for folded mirrors. My previous car did this automatically with the alarm, i thought like you but 18 months later, its a piece cake and i dont forget, its just an automatic thing i do like releasing the handbrake when driving off. The dont mind the audio quality from the ML system but yes its outdated in terms of features. There are several options to retain the standard look with the double din but use products like Navtool which allows mirroring of the phone to the screen including google maps etc. Also VLine GROM which allows Android Auto etc. There has been a few recalls for cooling fan screws and airbag and on the inside of the drivers door pillar area you'll see the stamp if its done. As for brakes i dont track the car so went with Slotted DBA's for replacements as many else have done. Didnt want cross drilled again. Also the OEM pads are horrible for brake dust so went with Project MU's specific for the ISF. Again many have done this and they are great for street use and create a lot less brake dust which is a big thing. No brake squeal either, well not yet but its been a while lol. I got my pads for about $160 and the discs (front only at the time) for about $400 then there is labour to fit pending where you get this done so a little over 1k is possible. Oil change, well yes its the same as other cars besides using about 9.5 to 10Lts but any qualifie mechanic can do this however a point to consider. Everyone is different and for some people, having the car serviced always by Lexus will increase its potential to be sold in the future. Im not fussed as long as the servicing is existent and the car is mechanically sound but some people will be turned off if its not serviced by Lexus, just saying. Obviously servicing elsewhere will save you a fair bit of $ upfront. Being the newer model unlike mine you get the LSD as well which is much better for traction. Youve done your research so you already know what a car the ISF is but yes i can confirm its a great, reliable, performance luxury car. Bit of a sleeper as the whole "F" thing confuses people. People will think youre driving a 4 or 6 cyl as there is no badging such as 5.0 or V8 but those in the know will know from the bulging hood, quad stacked tips etc. Get an exhaust to hear the great engine roar and you'll constantly be driving in manual mode to hear the downshift bleeps which never gets old lol. Good luck with it.