UPDATE: Just want to point out that my conversion of KW to HP is incorrect. 230 KW = 308 HP (not 276 HP as indicated in the video). Now sure how I messed that up but it does bring the number up to a normal level instead of being almost 25hp down. Sorry :)
I never noticed just how much the Chevrolet SS sedan looks like an evolution of the IS F. They're remarkably similar too. A very stout NA V8, RWD, very impressive brakes and suspension all in a sedan package. Too bad the IS F didn't come with a 6 speed manual both cars sold so poorly. In the US the CTS-V sells very well, so you would think a more robust performance oriented NA version of a V.2 CTS-V would similarly but I guess the market just isn't as robust for a sportier 430HP sedan versus a more luxurious 556HP model. Great looking car and awesome mods.
In all honesty to compare a Chevy (Commodore SS) to an ISF is an insult. The ISF was manufactured to compete with the C63, Audi RS4 and BMW M3 and it does that well. The build quality, engineering and technology is leagues ahead of the SS.
Just removing the two lower cats and getting aftermarket mufflers and an intake really open this car up. I wish I never sold it but at the time when I owned it there was no tunes available or supercharger kits
I will be going down that path myself soon. My passenger side engine mount is like that really bad one lol. I will replace that when I do the headers. First thing will be getting a stock run as soon as I can after the valley plate leak is fixed.
Yup its common on all the IS-F's. I still have the valley plate leak and plan to do it myself once I have a daily. It's an ultra slow leak so not worried. Just maintain the water more often. I recommend the Figs mounts. RR have a few options from "oem" to "race". Best to ask people who have experience with them. But I do like the Figs. At first it vibrates, but it either wears in a bit or i just don't notice anymore lol I also recommend getting both the forward-lower-front control arm and forward-lower-rear bushings. Both will improve overall handling and under steer.
I ended up working with a talented fabricator called TMR to custom make headers and exhaust for the NZ and AUS market. It's been a long road and we are off for a tune on the 20th. Unfortunately tune technic didn't want to do it and I found somewhere called Revolution Engines in Morrinsville who are confident they can. Thanks for your video, it can be a bit hard to get anything done for these and it was inspiration to keep trying. @@jaminmedia
do you recommend changing starter while doing the header install? Just got my car and bought headers with 75k miles. wondering if its really necessary. If you do respond, thank you in advance!
Hey mate I'm looking at getting an ISF myself! I was wondering if you've had any reliability or maintainence issues after your tune? Cheers mate, that thing sounds bloody amazing and looks great!
Hey, no maintenance issues after the tune. If anything, during high rpm and load there is slightly more black smoke from the exhaust suggesting it could be running rich at the point in the map. More time on the dyno could have refined that.
I ran mine on the dyno a few weeks ago and ended up with 302.5 HP at the wheels. Car was stock and for some reason very rich up high and lost about 5-8 hp. I have just upgraded to the RR-Racing tune, carbon inlet and oil separator. Going back on the 22nd to see how that goes before a full exhaust upgrade in the new year.
Hi, the tuner said it could have been because someone previously modified the ECU. It could have been to remove the speed cut as I never had a speed cut on mine even before the tune.
Any numbers on how long the header install took? Just in case I end up buying one and need to replace the broken header flange, which is actually handy to be aware of 😅
Hi. Just an update on my latest Dyno run. Added the full dual exhaust, 2.5 custom with X-Pipe and 3 inch GESI cats, ISF rear mufflers and PPE headers. Before the exhaust with the RR-Racing tune, 306.9. After, 352.9, so a 46 rwhp jump and a big jump in low - mid range torque. Next mod will be the RR-Racing 87mm MAF inlet / airbox, and port and polish the inlet manifold. I may go further and put a GSF/RCF throttle body on, but that means machining the inlet from 80mm to 87mm. These mods I will use a hub dyno as they are far more consistent between runs over rollers. All going well I should see super low 12s or even a high 11 if the weather conditions are perfect 😀
Mate you power figures match mine exactly (note the mistake in my hp to kw conversion, it should have read 304hp). Join my discord and share your results. I'd love a challenge :D discord.gg/6ZEsWM9yS9
Hi, when you bought the headers what options did you choose? when I go on the ppe website there are so many other addons next to the headers. Also could you please say how much the headers cost to bring to nz and how much for the installation and tune.
I got mine as part of a group buy out of Lexmania Australia. They handled everything and I got them at a large discount. I'm not able to really give you a realistic price as exchange rates would have changed since then too. But I got them for about $1000 off retail.
I thought the same... but taking into consideration the high mileage, I'm thinking those catalytic converters where mostly to blame for the power loss.
Old worn engine, had muffler delete and was on 95, not 98 octane due to no supply in my area. It was low but it was what I was expecting. Also since filming I've heard Mainline dyno's tend to read low.
why do people always do this? I think the correct way to measure things is: install headers and do a run to see how much power headers add, THEN tune and go for another run. That way we all know how much power each mod does individually. Because since headers usually add 40-45whp, we don't really know how much power the tune really added.
Thanks for the comment. We did about 20 runs but I only show three in the video. After headers pre tune was 255wkw. So gained about 25kw from headers alone. Problem is it was detonating at high rpm so it’s wasn’t safe. The o2 sensors were causing it to run lean so I really drove it slow between the install and tune which was about 6 days. The tune fixed the detonation and it put down 261wkw. After KLCV it was 298wkw. So all up I gained 68kw total with headers and tune.
@@jaminmedia oh, now it makes sense. About 35whp for the headers, around 10whp for the tune and then with the adjustment around 20whp. 10 whp sounds about right for those reflashes. I still want to see a custom dyno tuned ISF. I'm sure that if I went from 260whp to 292whp on the same day just with the custom tune on my IS350, a ISF should be even better!
This was a custom tune. The car was on the dyno about 6 hours. Once we had reflashed the the ECU he was able to load up a tune from a previous isf then make some changes on his laptop to pull out more power. Again I don’t show all that because it was pretty boring
@@jaminmedia they your tune try tweaking the lift and duration of cams? On my IS350 my tuner changed the lift and it went from 263wtq to 282wtq from one pass to the other just by changing that.
definitely the most detailed video ever of an isf header install, keep it up ben
Not really detailed 🙄
Check out KG and you will see detailed video 😜 lam le did awesome videos way before any other ISF owners now.
Then you haven't seem the sikky header install vid. I mean this one isn't even 10min.
@@greebuh
Forgot about them 🤦😜
But you right 👍
UPDATE: Just want to point out that my conversion of KW to HP is incorrect. 230 KW = 308 HP (not 276 HP as indicated in the video). Now sure how I messed that up but it does bring the number up to a normal level instead of being almost 25hp down. Sorry :)
How much would it cost to do same tune
Good job Ben. Your ISF is making quite a bit more horsepower than my GTR now.
The car sounds awesome! Cant wait to do this to my 2012 when I get it all finished up.
Damn that Lexus V8 engine sounded so healthy and throaty 🙂
I never noticed just how much the Chevrolet SS sedan looks like an evolution of the IS F. They're remarkably similar too. A very stout NA V8, RWD, very impressive brakes and suspension all in a sedan package. Too bad the IS F didn't come with a 6 speed manual both cars sold so poorly. In the US the CTS-V sells very well, so you would think a more robust performance oriented NA version of a V.2 CTS-V would similarly but I guess the market just isn't as robust for a sportier 430HP sedan versus a more luxurious 556HP model. Great looking car and awesome mods.
In all honesty to compare a Chevy (Commodore SS) to an ISF is an insult. The ISF was manufactured to compete with the C63, Audi RS4 and BMW M3 and it does that well. The build quality, engineering and technology is leagues ahead of the SS.
sounds like a dream
Just removing the two lower cats and getting aftermarket mufflers and an intake really open this car up. I wish I never sold it but at the time when I owned it there was no tunes available or supercharger kits
I love your IS-F mate. Definitely one of my top 10 favourite cars. Sounds amazing.
I'd love to do a review on one some day.
Thank you! I would love to see more reviews on the IS-F! :)
Great video. Though, sad to see that the last run was not on the same dyno.
Sick bro! keep em coming! Hope we can make some fun videos after lockdown with the 180 and soarer!
This such a good video!! Well done mate!
Awesome video man!
Nice video 👍🏾 ....a little short but nice keep up the good work
I tried :D
interesting to see headers that fit a RHD drive car - here in the UK the options are quite limited
It's not like they're off-the-shelf items. In Australia, we have to import them - PPE UEL from USA, or Novel Racing EL from Japan.
I will be going down that path myself soon. My passenger side engine mount is like that really bad one lol.
I will replace that when I do the headers. First thing will be getting a stock run as soon as I can after the valley plate leak is fixed.
Yup its common on all the IS-F's. I still have the valley plate leak and plan to do it myself once I have a daily. It's an ultra slow leak so not worried. Just maintain the water more often.
I recommend the Figs mounts. RR have a few options from "oem" to "race". Best to ask people who have experience with them. But I do like the Figs. At first it vibrates, but it either wears in a bit or i just don't notice anymore lol
I also recommend getting both the forward-lower-front control arm and forward-lower-rear bushings. Both will improve overall handling and under steer.
Install video of your oil catch can would be cool.
Great suggestion!
Did you ever take it back to the drags after your tune? I see 12.8 was your best before right.
Can you share what year and where you bought the car from !? I see it’s a rhd ! 😍
It was an 2008 import from Japan. All the cars here are jdm imports :) it has full Japanese dash and everything hah
looks and sounds amazing 👏
Very well done video mate!
Excited for mine, think headers and exhaust will be the first thing done, where did you buy the headers from?
I got them from PPE directly
I ended up working with a talented fabricator called TMR to custom make headers and exhaust for the NZ and AUS market. It's been a long road and we are off for a tune on the 20th. Unfortunately tune technic didn't want to do it and I found somewhere called Revolution Engines in Morrinsville who are confident they can. Thanks for your video, it can be a bit hard to get anything done for these and it was inspiration to keep trying. @@jaminmedia
im going the decatted stock manifold route with a rr tune after i get all the kinks and repairs done
. sweet vid btw
Good luck I hope it sounds good! :D
do you recommend changing starter while doing the header install? Just got my car and bought headers with 75k miles. wondering if its really necessary. If you do respond, thank you in advance!
Hey mate I'm looking at getting an ISF myself! I was wondering if you've had any reliability or maintainence issues after your tune? Cheers mate, that thing sounds bloody amazing and looks great!
Hey, no maintenance issues after the tune. If anything, during high rpm and load there is slightly more black smoke from the exhaust suggesting it could be running rich at the point in the map. More time on the dyno could have refined that.
Hey bro new sub here i recently got an isf how much for all the work done
It was just under NZD$5500 installed and tuned
I think I have seen you on Club Lexus - why was your stock dyno so low? Have you checked your compression? What altitude are you at?
Compression is 100%. Engines lose power as they get old. Mines done 210k and had a hard life. At sea level too
I ran mine on the dyno a few weeks ago and ended up with 302.5 HP at the wheels. Car was stock and for some reason very rich up high and lost about 5-8 hp.
I have just upgraded to the RR-Racing tune, carbon inlet and oil separator. Going back on the 22nd to see how that goes before a full exhaust upgrade in the new year.
hey mate how'd u go after the mods and tune ?
Hey how much in total for everything done ? Cheers.
Nice video my man does that place tune the new lexus IS500 as well?
We don't have the IS500 here in New Zealand so no I would assume not :(
@@jaminmedia IS500 is USA only
Hey Mate. Just wondering with the ecu write problem. Is that due to your car being a jdm car
Hi, the tuner said it could have been because someone previously modified the ECU. It could have been to remove the speed cut as I never had a speed cut on mine even before the tune.
Nice video !
Just got an isf what's the price for the headers and piping system and engine mounts
do i have to remove the stock mufflers to use the ppe headers or can i keep them? becuase id like the most power but not too loud
Nah they bolt up to oem exhaust fine. My xforce also bolts up to the stock headers so. I thing really changes
This is a fantastic video.
What was the KLCV # at the second dyno? I'm just curious. Mine is at 20.3 right now. Still trying to get it higher.
I don’t recall the exact number but it was heavily retarded
What tyres are you running mate?
Falken FK510
Could we get more info on the ECU mods? Is this a service US customers can take advantage of?
Hey it’s a custom tune by the tuner at tune technic. He had tuned one previously and offered the tune to me. No more detail I’m afraid
RRRacing in the US will send you a box to tune the ISF
Cool vid :)
Any numbers on how long the header install took? Just in case I end up buying one and need to replace the broken header flange, which is actually handy to be aware of 😅
I'd would likely change the flanges to a v band.
That's my next plan to fix the exhaust leaks
Wait these make 416 crank but only makes 270 wheel???
@@MD-uu5nt yea I agree no way it’s losing 100 whp out of thin air
Old engine is the culprit another one is the cats are clogged probably. Should make 348-350whpish
1 year later and its probably time for a Tune By Loi ECU and TCU tune?
Hi. Just an update on my latest Dyno run. Added the full dual exhaust, 2.5 custom with X-Pipe and 3 inch GESI cats, ISF rear mufflers and PPE headers.
Before the exhaust with the RR-Racing tune, 306.9. After, 352.9, so a 46 rwhp jump and a big jump in low - mid range torque.
Next mod will be the RR-Racing 87mm MAF inlet / airbox, and port and polish the inlet manifold. I may go further and put a GSF/RCF throttle body on, but that means machining the inlet from 80mm to 87mm.
These mods I will use a hub dyno as they are far more consistent between runs over rollers. All going well I should see super low 12s or even a high 11 if the weather conditions are perfect 😀
Mate you power figures match mine exactly (note the mistake in my hp to kw conversion, it should have read 304hp).
Join my discord and share your results. I'd love a challenge :D discord.gg/6ZEsWM9yS9
Damn great vid
🙏🙏🙏
nice video
What are these like on fuel? Cheers
Pretty bad. 6.5 KPL / 15 MPG
@@jaminmedia I get 23 mpg FBO. Try not to have a heavy foot at every stop light, lol.
How long was the header install?
About 5 hours if you have all the parts there... took a few extra hours to get the o2 sensors at lunch and we also did lower control arm bushings.
こんにちは、
LEXUS ISF 良いね。（笑）This such a good video👍😊
Hi, when you bought the headers what options did you choose? when I go on the ppe website there are so many other addons next to the headers.
Also could you please say how much the headers cost to bring to nz and how much for the installation and tune.
I got mine as part of a group buy out of Lexmania Australia. They handled everything and I got them at a large discount. I'm not able to really give you a realistic price as exchange rates would have changed since then too. But I got them for about $1000 off retail.
Niceee
also how much was headers cost
how did he get 272whp on the first pull? Did I miss something? and he thinks that's okay?
I thought the same... but taking into consideration the high mileage, I'm thinking those catalytic converters where mostly to blame for the power loss.
Old worn engine, had muffler delete and was on 95, not 98 octane due to no supply in my area. It was low but it was what I was expecting.
Also since filming I've heard Mainline dyno's tend to read low.
@@MD-uu5nt it has worn valve stem seals and valley plate leak so these engines aren’t perfect
@@MD-uu5nt also see my comment update, stock was 308hp (I converted it incorrectly in the video)
Only 270whp??? Isn’t that extremely slow? Meaning like 330 crank?
The conversation from KW to HP was wrong. It was 308hp at the wheels before the tune.
What's the cost for everything.? Tune and parts?
$6000 ish
Shouldn't an isf be like 416hp stock?
Yea 416 hp crank. But stock make around 320 whp. Full bolt on are around 420+ whp
@@Norbious sorry but what's the difference between crank hp and wheel hp? Thanks
@@drytoon1507 ua-cam.com/video/6Cl8gHq_USI/v-deo.html
@@drytoon1507 This should help you understand
Almost a 50whp drop from stock in 120k miles doesn’t seem right
Yeh I messed up the conversion... posted an update in the comments. It should be pinned.
why do people always do this? I think the correct way to measure things is: install headers and do a run to see how much power headers add, THEN tune and go for another run. That way we all know how much power each mod does individually. Because since headers usually add 40-45whp, we don't really know how much power the tune really added.
Thanks for the comment. We did about 20 runs but I only show three in the video. After headers pre tune was 255wkw. So gained about 25kw from headers alone. Problem is it was detonating at high rpm so it’s wasn’t safe. The o2 sensors were causing it to run lean so I really drove it slow between the install and tune which was about 6 days. The tune fixed the detonation and it put down 261wkw. After KLCV it was 298wkw. So all up I gained 68kw total with headers and tune.
@@jaminmedia oh, now it makes sense. About 35whp for the headers, around 10whp for the tune and then with the adjustment around 20whp. 10 whp sounds about right for those reflashes. I still want to see a custom dyno tuned ISF. I'm sure that if I went from 260whp to 292whp on the same day just with the custom tune on my IS350, a ISF should be even better!
This was a custom tune. The car was on the dyno about 6 hours. Once we had reflashed the the ECU he was able to load up a tune from a previous isf then make some changes on his laptop to pull out more power. Again I don’t show all that because it was pretty boring
@@jaminmedia they your tune try tweaking the lift and duration of cams? On my IS350 my tuner changed the lift and it went from 263wtq to 282wtq from one pass to the other just by changing that.
@@Danu01c is a tune like this better then rr racing OBD2 tune?
how come only 300 HP ?! they are produced with 416 hp they lost 100 hp over 10 years?