Neil E

Yes an 8 speed 5 litre ISCF or SCF (tempting) would be a hoot but it could be very tricky to get it all to work. I think it might be easier to find a decent ISF shell, swap the good bits over and consider adding something wild like a wide arch kit or hi spec air-ride. Make it a very visible and well documented build on here to demonstrate that it's been done properly.

No worries, none of the border forces will have anything to catch up with you.😀

Announce the date for the Nurburgring tour and ticket sales should fund an eight man pit crew + fuel tanker. No pressure but you may need to get this finished by the end of March 2019 for a trouble-free passage to Germany.

Will the standard tank hold enough fuel to keep this baby on the circuit for more than 20 laps or should you consider a bigger fuel tank?

It does look quite dramatic but once you have done it a couple of times, it's surprising how quickly it all comes apart and goes back together.

Yes, I can't find any in the obvious places so searched a bit further and I've just seen an archive on another forum that suggests they are main dealer only and over £300 each.😲 Perhaps sourcing from the US is the best option, As an alternative, MeisterR adjustable coilover units are about £700 for all 4 + fitting. They make a significant difference to the way the car performs and they would allow you to lower it if that appeals. Many owners say it's the best upgrade for the SC430.

Despite 150,000+ miles I haven't done one on the RX yet but would say about £100 ish to fit the rear strut. Try sending a few emails to the online breakers and you might get a good unit for a bit less than £300. My specialist is on the Sussex coast so if you have someone local that sounds a good option.

Yeah, that's what I would do if you can hear the leak and everything else is in order. Try Dewsbury Auto Salvage or a similar breaker. If you can find a secondhand strut it's not too difficult to swap them or we know someone not too far away who could do it for you.

They do look like a bargain (there maybe some import duty to add) but unless you are looking to upgrade, I would stick with original equipment from Lexus. How much of the exhaust needs to be replaced? There is some good resource not too far from you.

Yeah, I read it was possible some time ago. Upgraded the front ARB to a Vertex/GS430 and that firmed up the front with the MeisteR coil-overs but the back end has always been a bit soft. It's difficult to measure or quantify any improvement but I've convinced myself that it feels more assured at the back end now and better balanced overall. Nice easy upgrade if you can acquire the parts.

Small update. Thanks to the excellent design of the ISF rear suspension, I was recently able to swap the oh so thin rear anti-roll bar on the SC430 for a much thicker American ISF sway bar. With new ISF drop links and brackets for the larger bushes it's a simple swap. The back end now feels so much better through the twisty bits. It's just a shame that the UK ISF owners are so careful with their prized machines that I had to resort to importing the part from the US.

Where is it leaking from? It might be worth replacing the one strut.

Love it, more front end fabrication to follow.

Yeah, it's a piece of cake, ask Halfords to fit it while you wait. 🤣 Beatsonic are the people to talk to unless it's going to be a whole system upgrade. The European harness version of the Beatsonic MVA13L interface module is what you need. It's a special order direct from Beatsonic or you can import and adapt the US market version as I did. I suspect at least one of the UK car hifi installers has access to Beatsonic as I've seen 2 other SC430s with double din installs now.

Graphic pictures of big inter-coolers should be okay on a Saturday night 👍.

Great work Graham, the lights look much better without the tint. What's next on the list?

Great work Graham, it's good to see an SC getting some radical treatment. The leather steering wheel with red stitching is a nice touch.

You just can't (b)eat the original electric retracting telescopic aerials. They give the best reception and are far less tasty. More likely this fella's grey cousin, leave some peanuts out, make friends and maybe the aerial will be spared.

Yeah, looking forward to seeing the interior. It should be quite dramatic. If I bought an ISF I would be looking to upgrade and enhance the interior. I know how much work is involved but seeing all of your pictures does bring it home.

Looking good there Graham, lots of effort and attention to detail. 👍 Any thoughts to making it go quicker yet? Does it already have MeisterR coil-overs or is it still on the original shocks?

Nice work again Rob, dispensing with the body-kit plan must bring the launch day forward a little. Would you please confirm receipt of my IS300 2JZ GE NAT #No compromise 2019 calendar order?

I've only spoken to them a couple of times and bought some minor stuff from them but I know their reputation. Yes, there's a distinct advantage to having a very quiet car to begin with, that's where Lexus generally scores well but once moving, even the LS introduces some extra unwanted noise to contend with. It wouldn't fully address the variable levels of car and road noise but does the RC feature preset listening settings so that you could have one mode for 'parked up' and another for general driving? A little nod to the ML SC430 system, it does compensate automatically for when for roof is down.

Sound advice Peter, that's the way to go. Unless the model is an LS400, don't be taken in by the Lexus marketing department, the number of speakers listed or the fact that Lexus partner with a company that make very expensive home audio equipment. Find a car with hifi that sounds better to your ears and ask the owner how it was achieved. @B1 RMA In my view, if you were to start with expensive Focal speakers (or any others that sound right to your ears) you would be heading in the right direction but sadly with Lexus, it's not usually a simple case of straight replacement. Improving Lexus audio is a big can of worms that until quite recently, even some of the best in-car audio installers would shy away from. Power hungry 4 ohm Focals need a suitable amplifier to drive them. Modern amps and line output converters make it a bit easier now. In Hampshire, these guys would be worth consulting www.sextons-portsmouth.co.uk/car_audio_visual.html

You don't have to pay those prices. I think my last Denso exhaust sensor was about £90. Which headlight 'sensor' and suspension component needs to be replaced? There are some very good independent garages that can help.

The most common cause of the engine light is an O2 sensor failure. If you can get the code read it should confirm where the issue is.