RichGS11

Very kind to mention me mate. Made me chuckle @FTBBCVoodoo 😂 Thank you!

Thanks man. Very kind of you to say 🙏🏽

Nice build and good to see the maintenance parts being addressed early on.

Regarding the front plate conversion to JDM, the main issue you'll have is the large, square holes either side that the UK sized plate covers. The mounting bracket fits into them and when you remove the mounting bracket you'll see them. They'll need filling and painting.

Caught the sunrise on the way to work today. Thought I'd add them to the build thread.

7 hours ago, jeffrosie6 said:

Been loving the ISF. Hate the TEYES head unit as I cannot get the climate control to work and it doen'nt even have decent sound. The only thing I like is the GPS speedometer. Now looking to get rid of it and reassemble my original unit. Need the climate control to work or inside will mist up and I'll freeze while driving.

My only issue with these aftermarket set ups. They look good, but I need 100% Lexus functionality and reliability. Shame it hasn't worked out.

You can repair the crushed pipe. Heat gun and an object round enough to reform the pipe and you're sorted. It's also oddly string too, so won't do it again unless you over tighten again.

I think it was 2012 onwards in the UK. As for Imports I've no idea, but Stateside it's was compulsory earlier.

9 minutes ago, GMB said:

I did not even know such a thing existed never mind a reset button. 2012 UK ISF never seen a tyre pressure warning. I don't think they have TPMS ?????? Maybe I should have a closer look at the dash warning lights at startup to see if one gets a quick check light. Can't say I have ever seen one.

TPMS isn't on all UK ISF's. It wasn't legally required until a certain year in the UK. My UK 2010 doesn't have them.

Yeah I'm keeping a keen eye on the updates and progress of the Elate set up. At this moment in time it is on the horizon, but I just wanted to make sure the cars that have it, run well! Time will tell.

As for the group buy there was no official post. I reached out to a few people that contacted me, but no one committed.

I'll talk to my contact at Nicromobeum and see what the deal is. I'll then make a proper post and put it up here.

Oh all mods come at a cost on these cars definitely. After having a GS300 and GS430 I can see why you'd say the breaks weren't enough from factory. 

Looks lovely mate 

Interesting upgrade for an IS3. How are they?

18 minutes ago, jeffrosie6 said:

Only complain of the 8kg front springs is that we have a lot of speed breakers here and the front dips a lot more, so have the stiffness almost on full. Will definitely be better with stiffer springs. 

I also agree with you Rich that corner weighing is like suspension mapping and makes a better handling car.

For a comparison I'm either 18kg or 20kg upfront (need to find the spec sheet). I wanted to eliminate as much roll as I could and with the weight of these cars, I thought even 16kg was too light (the weight on most ISF set ups).

So typically I didn't expect much to happen now going into the closing stages of the year for the car, but something did. I managed to get my car remote mapped by @Reflash.rd from Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/reflash.rd?igsh=Zmp5a2txamw3azdq

So these guys remote tune vehicles around the world and I've been watching their progress keenly. With my intention to supercharge the ISF and Elate MFG in Australia making a charger that suits my needs, it was Reflash.rd that got the car and charger working together when others failed. They also have the most powerful LC500 in the world at 601whp under their belts.

My main goal after talking to them was for them to custom tune the ISF and to 'get to know it' as they'll be the people mapping it when the charger comes. I was assured that I'd get a lot out of their tune and more than what I'm currently seeing....they weren't wrong!

So it started with a 05:30 wake up call, a charged laptop and connector and of course....coffee!

After an hour of 'on and off' driving, the car was where we wanted it. Relfash.rd had run 5 different maps in the end, tweeking their initial base map which was aimed at the fuel I use (99ron) and my modifications.

I have to say, the car felt so much more torquey down low and pulled hard to the limiter, but it's always been good at that so I enlisted the help of a friend who'd been passenger in the car after some fun a few days prior. His initial reactions were instant validation and amongst a few swear words, I worked out that it was indeed a lot quicker than before (something hard to judge when you drive it through the changes).

Would I use Reflash.rd again, yes, yes I would. His knowledge about our cars and of tuning came across with an enthusiasm and joy from someone that loved what they did.

He also gave me feedback on the car, being impressed with the engines strength and condition based on the data, and that with a E85 tune, the car could easily hit 11's on the quarter mile. So much so, that if I take that route he wants to sponsor me with a free E85 tune and mapping updates!

Now with that said, unless by some large cash injection, you shan't be hearing from me or my build for a few months lol!

13 hours ago, jeffrosie6 said:

Hi Rich. So very interested in the Titanium intake elbow. Please send me a link   🙂

Hi Jeff, PM pending mate.

Tein get good reviews from ISF owners. It all depends on your wants and needs. All I would reccomend is getting the car corner weighted and balanced on coilovers or don't bother with them. It costs, but it's the best way to marry up the suspension with the car. Mine is a completely different animal. My spring rates aren't for everyone, I get that, but balancing the car appropriately has the same effect as mapping the engine after big modifications.

Congratulations 

3 hours ago, saqib_v8 said:

It can sometimes be hard enough trying to sell a car in Glasgow. I've had potential English buyers act like it's on a different planet. Can imagine the Highlands being tricky!

GLWS!

I bought mine from Aberdeenshire and I live in Cambridge. I took the train and a hotel to collect mine. If you want it enough, you make the effort. Sadly there's a lot of time wasters.

A little trip to Caffine and Machine The Bowl to test the repair, which I'm now confident is back to normal.

Next up for the car:

- New outer facelift tail lights

- Choose CF seats

- LS460 3.13 diff swap with ISF LSD (essentially the same diff set up that is in the new IS500 Fsport)

- Arrange shipping for new CF bonnet and CF diffuser

- Remove and hydrodip window mouldings and front grill gloss black

- Look into brake upgrade

- Enioy the dry roads before winter comes along and she returns to the garage for a few months lol!

I'd love to get the car timed on Dragy before the winter arrives, as it would be nice to see where she currently sits before any more work. My friend came with me to The Bowl and is convinced that it's a lot quicker and nimble that it was stock. Sadly driving it and getting used to it, I have to see it in the numbers, but I'll take his word for it!

I would imagine that this is the last update for a while as I don't have immediate plans in the pipeline purchase wise and the above list is the winter plans. So hopefully she emerges from hibernation with the above achieved!

Thanks for reading.

Hello,

I am looking for the below style outer light units for the IS

Someone has quoted me £180 for the pair online but they're secondhand units and I feel the price is steep. I got the inners for £50 for the pair for a comparison.

Thank you all.

Rich

Once the parts from Toyota had arrived, totalling the grand sum of £17, it was time to go to work on rebuilding and tweeking the shift assembly to prevent this issue reoccurring.

First the little bundle from Toyota which was made up of grommets, washers, cotter pins, etc.

The little area I had to work with.

Reassembly and then reconnecting the Battery after removing to charge at home.

The best image for me! After a test run and putting the car through its paces, I was finally able to say she was back on her feet!

Washed up this evening and given a little treat using some detailing spray I purchased at the show! I have to say this stuff is really, really good. It's so workable and sits lovely on the ceramic coating!

I have to say it wasn't the highlight of my Lexus ownership but definitely one of the pitfalls when pushing the limits of modifications on such an incredibly rare car in the UK. Having one of the most modified ISF's in the country has its issues, but I'm learning more about this beast all the time. Will it stop me from further changes, no of course not. This winter will see some big changes in weight reduction and carbon aero before next year's upgrade to forced induction. 

Next up a retune to get the car at optimum performance before the winter tucked away for some hefty weight loss. If the weight loss is good enough, then FI can wait. I want the car to be driveable on the roads I use it on and a 700bhp ISF might be a step too far, we shall see!

I'm so glad she's back, I love this machine!

Well it's not always good updates whenever you play around with cars. You have to take the rough with the smooth and on Sunday just gone, we had the 'rough'!

It started with a great show in Newark at ExclusiveJDM's Season Finale. Some lovely machines on show and a great drive up there....

With that said, along came the 'rough'. So initially and unrelated to the latter issue, I wasn't able to get into the car as the fob stopped working. No low Battery warning previously and after some fettling with the Battery I was finally able to gain access to the car to leave the show!

A pleasant 45 minute drive home ensued, until I pulled into Starbucks 20 mins from home and the car lost all gears. I instantly knew what had happened, the gear linkage had separated and the car by default, went into N mode. The car was stranded in the car park until a couple of amazing ladies came out of Starbucks and helped push the car into a bay. A 5 hour wait for recovery took place with me being completely unable to find a gear....

Fortunately with the modified car scene being what it is, someone jumped to my rescue and let me leave the car at their lockup, with a view that it would need to go on a ramp to repair.

The next morning I went to the car knowing that if the linkage had failed, I'd be able to lift the entire shifter assembly out of the centre console and with that said, I went to work in the morning removing the associated parts. Fortunately luck favoured me and the shifter linkage was separated. The new pucks at the end of the carbon prop have larger bolts, and it looked as though a bolt had just clipped the cotter pin holding the linkage together. As a result it came out and the joint came apart. This was a result because I could dismantle the shift assembly and reconnect everything in the car without needing ramp time!

So I ordered parts from Toyota and the 4 day delivery wait started!

1 hour ago, Prospero88 said:

Cheers Rich and everyone. 🙂 I bet it was unforgettable to travel with the final goal to be the IS-F, I cannot wait! Btw not had the best sleep even before that test drive on last Saturday, so can't imagine what will be happening due the collection. 😄

Every now and then (likely too often 😄 ) I scan the domestic market and within the budget there are 2008/2009 models, so I will most likely head to the nearest one (not modified too much) over weekend in late September. Need more data to get at least some idea of the differences between early and late model. 

Currently it looks like I will be either after a UK based, but earlier model or later, but imported. Anyway, keeping my eyes peeled and not ruling out any option, researching old topics and making note of anything helpful - possible issues, any details to pay attention to.

I did a lot of waiting (COVID helped lol). I found a USB 2010 with no sunroof and under 60k. I absolutely had to get it!

Best of luck finding one. It's a great platform and the fun gets better the more serious you get with the modifications (obviously that's not everyone's preferred route, it is however mine lol). Bar a slight hiccup this week, purely down to my own lack of research, my car is incredibly competitive with today's market of newer cars (it's also a bit louder and harsher lol).

Enjoy the hunt for your ISF and the collection day when it comes. I travelled to Aberdeenshire for mine from Cambridge on the train. Stayed the night in Aberdeen (I didn't sleep a wink), then collected her and drover her the 9 hours back home. A fantastic memory!

Looks lovely mate.