Grey One

Guys - I know we are severely depleted on numbers of cars here compared to the US, but we also seem a very tame lot in comparison to our US cousins on general modding (not always a bad thing). Two areas I am interested in are retro fitting a mechanical slippy diff to the pre-2010 cars and also custom exhaust manifolds. I'm just curious if anyone has looked at either? In particular, I have seen these exhaust manifolds for the ISF - any thoughts on this mod from those better informed than me? www.ppeengineering.com/products/lexus/isf.php Thanks

Hi SiM22 My battery went flat last year (09 model) - TBH all modern cars put a lot if drain on the battery when standing (alarm, auto systems etc) and a week or so not being used takes it's toll, as does a run of short journeys. Surprised by comments on here because to my mind five years is about right for a battery to last. I ended up ordering a Bosch one online from my local EuroSpares outlet, it wasn't (in the end grrrrr) a precise fit so had to jossle a bit to make it fit the bolt-on holding bracket, but nothing too damaging, it's been fine and dandy since, but a big block engine and heavy electrics will wear a battery down. I should add that the AA couldn't supply one, nor my local Halfords and local stealer wanted a huge amount to supply and fit a new one (added to which the car was dead on my drive with a battery completely gone) One of the problems because our cars are so rare is getting proper off the shelf replacements for some parts. Cheers

Kind of 'off topic' but regarding the calipers flaking, are there any good mobile services that would do a repaint of the calipers? It's one of those funny jobs no-one seems to do and isn't an undertaking I'm too keen to 'DIY' on. Ant thoughts/recommendations of interest.

All the reviews on the RCF I have seen (to repeat earlier comments) are that it is too heavy, doesn't handle well and doesn't match the competition. Personally I think the NA approach is a plus, it is more likely the bulk the car has to haul around that creates so much of a gap with the turbo'd German rivals. Two door sports coupe (or 'coup' as the yanks say) = 911 or GTR IHMO, Lexus making the RCF a heavy two door seems an odd choice rather than just doing a straight ISF replacement, but then Lexus has done some awful cars in the past in the genre (remember the IS coupe and convertible). I think we may all have lucky to own the 'wild child' car of its generation from Lexus for the masses before they went back to type...

At the end of the day "you pays your money and takes your choice" - for me, owning a performance car like the ISF, it has to be V-Nitro and for my other cars too. In the end it may all be marketing smoke and mirrors, but I reckon over the long-term this is what performance cars needs and I definitely notice the difference in terms of responsiveness and performance...

Haven't yet seen an RCF in the metal (my dealer hasn't got one in yet) but having read several reviews, including the M4/RCF burn-off on Pistonheads today, I feel the ISF is the better car by a long margin: - current price (cheaper) - four doors - less 'lairy' looks - lighter and same performance Maybe the GCF will be an improvement on the ISF, but will have to wait and see....

Thanks for the feedback - probably just needed some more background on it. Happy to keep as is. :)

Hi Guys Thanks for the responses viz the H&S exhaust. Having done some searches online it appears the loud cold start 'thing' is common with these types of exhaust, especially as the engine in idle jumps to about 1, 500 rpm in start. Sounds strange, but when I leave the car at the airport for a day or two and drive home it has a nice mellow sound, but when driving cold from home it just feels louder and more raucous - it may be something to do with it being colder first thing, not sure. I also called H&S and TBH they didn't have much to say except bring it over and they can have a look - either way I doubt there is anything wrong with the exhaust, and it'll mean more expense and leaving it there for a few days for any mods, so will keep that as a last resort, for now will see how things go. One 'top tip' is to engine gear almost as soon as the car fires up from cold (reverse in my case) and this brings the revs right down and quietens the engine. Maybe H&S could consider checking with customers first what level of 'loud' they want. Cheers

Hi Guys Just further to update earlier posts: - I've now had the Portersfield brake pads added, haven't done much on them yet, but early signs are good and less brake dust - In other news, my H&S exhaust fitted about six months ago seems to be verging on the 'too loud' and seems to run more smoothly/quiet at different times. Has anyone else had this issue with this installation? Cheers

Hi Sully I've deferred doing this until the New Year, but am 99% will go for the Porterfield pads by Whifbitz. I did think about Mintex pads, as I had them on my VX220 Turbo and was very impressed, but owner feedback on them for the ISF online seems quite damning. Cheers James

Guys - thanks very much, may give me some good options here. Cheers James

Hi Guys Looks like I will need to get my front pads changed soon (now on 43k has them new at 25k) the dealer wants around 550 for just the fronts installed and around 350 for the rears. So two questions: - are there 'less dusty' non OEM pads anyone has tried/recommends for the ISF and what are the costs (e.g. Green Stuff pads etc) - has anyone a good experience of any indie/specialist in London/SE to supply and fit these or other types of pad! Thanks