Above Forum Ad

Collapse

Announcement

Collapse
1 of 2 < >

Email Notifications Failing (mostly Telstra)

Hello everyone. Seems there is an issue with Telstra (possible others) blocking email from our server. If you are trying to sign up I would suggest a different email if possible. If you're trying to reset your password and it fails please use the Contact Us page:
2 of 2 < >

Welcome to the new look VWWatercooled

After much work and little sleep there is a new version of the forums running on more powerful and recent hardware as well as an upgraded software platform.

Things are mostly the same, but some things are a little different. We will be learning together, so please post questions (and answers if you've worked things out) in the help thread.

The new forum software is an upgraded version of what came before, it's mostly the same but also a little different. Hopefully easier to use and more stable than before. We are learning together here, so please be patient. If you have questions, please post them here. If you have worked something out and can provide an answer,
See more
See less

Something different.....im back with a Lexus IS-F

Collapse
This topic is closed.
X
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Something different.....im back with a Lexus IS-F

    Currently shopping for an Audi SQ5 for the wife so ive starting looking on here again. Used to have a 2011 Golf R and more recently a 2010 Golf GTI and was very active on here, but after i sold the GTI i naturally dropped off as i had nothing to talk about.

    Not sure if anyone on here would be interested, but this is the car i bought after selling my GTI about 14 months ago. I have always wanted a rear drive V8 but didn't want a Ford/Holden/Chrysler etc and didn't want the headache of a RS4, M3 or AMG in regards to reliability and maintenance costs - hence i present to you my 2011 Lexus IS-F. As these are qute rare, i had to look for about 4-5 months before i found a decent one that wasn't trashed.

    It doesn't have the pedigree or history of the Euro's, but it's super fun to drive, has a revvy n/a 5.0L V8 with a quick shifting 8 speed auto, is very rare (only just over 1000 sold in Aust), goes like stink and sounds fantastic. To top it off, they are supremely reliable and general servicing and parts are cheap.

    Purchased completely stock as a 1 owner car in July 2017, with only 42,000km on it i drove it home from Brisbane. I have owned it now for around 12 months and have done around 8,000km in it.

    Stock these are rated at 311kw and 505nm at the crank. The airbox has a vacuum operated flap that above 3,500rpm opens up (basically opens up a 20cm x 8cm hole in the airbox) and the induction noise is glorious. The engine really comes alive after 3,500rpm and just loves to rev all the way to the 7,000rpm limit. Below 3,500rpm it is quite docile and Lexus-like.

    The Aisin 8 speed auto is beautifully smooth when you leave it in normal mode, but put the car into sport mode and it locks the torque converter after 1st gear and bangs through the gears with DSG-like speed and really bangs the gears hard. The 7th and 8th gears are basically an overdrive so on the freeway at 110kph it sits on around 1,600rpm. The gearbox also allows you to truly be in control, and lets you hit the rev limiter and hold gears without changing gears for you....great for on the track.

    A very thorough detail was first on the agenda after getting it home from QLD and re-registered with NSW plates, and you can see the brakes and suspension were filthy and the paint needed a good 2 stage buff and sealant. Its a gorgeous colour once its all polished up and the sun is shining on it. It was also due for a service so i took care of that (the sump holds 9.5L....wowsers).

    Mods:
    - AFE panel filter
    - Silicone intake hose
    - RR Racing ECU tune
    - Xforce twin 2.5" exhaust with custom xforce VMK-250 Varex rear mufflers and Xforce Smartbox controller for the exhaust valves.
    - Factory exhaust manifolds hi-flowed (removal of cats and opened up flanges from 2.0" to 2.5"). Two new 200 cel stainless cats added.
    - 15mm bolt on wheel spacers
    - BaysonR front lip
    - Tinted rear tail lights
    - Tinted windows
    - Carbon fibre rear roof spoiler
    - Black grill

    Power:
    Stock: 235rwkw
    Intake and xforce exhaust: 249rwkw
    Intake and xforce exhaust and RR Racing ECU tune: 265rwkw (approx 10kw gain all through the rev range but most gains above 6,000rpm)
    Going back again in a few weeks to test the difference from hi-flowing the exhaust manifolds, but the car feels better up top.
    Attached Files
    Last edited by Lucas_R; 23-05-2019, 02:36 PM.
    2017 Ford Fiesta ST the go kart

    2015 Audi SQ5 bi-turbo V6 TDI family hauler

  • #2


    Last edited by Lucas_R; 09-08-2018, 01:05 PM.
    2017 Ford Fiesta ST the go kart

    2015 Audi SQ5 bi-turbo V6 TDI family hauler

    Comment


    • #3
      What a beast! Nice

      Comment


      • #4
        i'm a bit of a fan of the IS-F so I can only agree. A great choice.
        carandimage The place where Off-Topic is On-Topic
        I used to think I was anal-retentive until I started getting involved in car forums

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by slin View Post
          What a beast! Nice
          Originally posted by brad View Post
          i'm a bit of a fan of the IS-F so I can only agree. A great choice.
          Cheers - im loving it. The only real negative about the IS-F is that aftermarket modifications are very limited, and basically anything much more that what i have already done is big bucks (extractors are about $4.5k imported from USA and installed...big job as the engine bay is very tight, and turbo/supercharger kits are $10-15k supply only). So i think ill just do a few cosmetic mods to keep me happy and leave the engine as it is.
          2017 Ford Fiesta ST the go kart

          2015 Audi SQ5 bi-turbo V6 TDI family hauler

          Comment


          • #6
            Nitrous Injection?

            I think there's enough power.

            Most people need to learn to get up it a bit more and hold it in gear...
            carandimage The place where Off-Topic is On-Topic
            I used to think I was anal-retentive until I started getting involved in car forums

            Comment


            • #7
              Said it before and will say it again ... love the new ride.
              RS
              R

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by brad View Post
                Nitrous Injection?

                I think there's enough power.

                Most people need to learn to get up it a bit more and hold it in gear...
                Originally posted by Tuan View Post
                Said it before and will say it again ... love the new ride.
                Thanks Tuan.

                Its back to the dyno this week to see the power with some exhaust flow mods i've had done. It now has a 7,200rpm rev limit too.
                2017 Ford Fiesta ST the go kart

                2015 Audi SQ5 bi-turbo V6 TDI family hauler

                Comment


                • #9
                  Only just found this thread, but man, that sound is beyond glorious. Beautiful colour, too.
                  2018 Golf GTI, Manual - gone.
                  2017 Golf 110tsi Trendline, manual (gone - gladly)
                  2007 Golf GTI, Manual, (gone - sadly)
                  1978 Golf GLS; 1972 Superbug, (memories)

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Splashalot View Post
                    Only just found this thread, but man, that sound is beyond glorious. Beautiful colour, too.
                    Thanks mate - i love it too.
                    2017 Ford Fiesta ST the go kart

                    2015 Audi SQ5 bi-turbo V6 TDI family hauler

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Very nice, really liked them when they first came out.

                      The ECU's were hard to crack for a long time..

                      You should upgrade to the LFA in a few years time.... Price when they got released and probably still are, are ridiculous.
                      Tiguan Gen2 162TSI Etuners IS38 Stage 3 238.6 kw@4 wheels

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by INASNT View Post
                        Very nice, really liked them when they first came out.

                        The ECU's were hard to crack for a long time..

                        You should upgrade to the LFA in a few years time.... Price when they got released and probably still are, are ridiculous.
                        Thanks mate - yes the ECU was locked out until around 2016 i believe and RR Racing in USA were the ones who successfully tuned them for the 1st time. I know BPS in Brisbane has tuned a few locally as well as Autowerks in Sydney, but i went with RR Racing for convenience of a hand held tuner (they use the same Powergate 3 hand control some VAG tuners use) and for their experience seeing that they have tuned hundreds of these cars worldwide.

                        LFA would be lovely. My brother (who works for Lexus) has been in the LFA on a track and said it was amazing.
                        2017 Ford Fiesta ST the go kart

                        2015 Audi SQ5 bi-turbo V6 TDI family hauler

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Lucas_R View Post
                          Thanks mate - yes the ECU was locked out until around 2016 i believe and RR Racing in USA were the ones who successfully tuned them for the 1st time. I know BPS in Brisbane has tuned a few locally as well as Autowerks in Sydney, but i went with RR Racing for convenience of a hand held tuner (they use the same Powergate 3 hand control some VAG tuners use) and for their experience seeing that they have tuned hundreds of these cars worldwide.

                          LFA would be lovely. My brother (who works for Lexus) has been in the LFA on a track and said it was amazing.
                          I was considering a new IS350 F Sport as a replacement for the MK6 R at one point but the lack of parts and tuning available at the time made me steer clear of it.
                          Tiguan Gen2 162TSI Etuners IS38 Stage 3 238.6 kw@4 wheels

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by INASNT View Post
                            I was considering a new IS350 F Sport as a replacement for the MK6 R at one point but the lack of parts and tuning available at the time made me steer clear of it.
                            Yes parts are few and far between and very expensive for what is available - regardless of which model Lexus. As much as i love the car i am already considering moving it on and buying something else which can be modified more easily (Mk7 Golf R or Audi S4 perhaps) and cheaply with more options. Perhaps something that is a bit better on fuel too haha.
                            2017 Ford Fiesta ST the go kart

                            2015 Audi SQ5 bi-turbo V6 TDI family hauler

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              I do 6 month oil changes on my cars (overkill perhaps, but cheap insurance to know the oil is clean and not contaminated) and it was time for another one over the recent Easter/Anzac break. Its super easy to do a service on this car, no need to remove the whole under tray as they designed little windows that unbolt to allow access to the oil filter canister and sump area.

                              A few months prior i had access to a hoist for a short time so i changed the diff oil and brake fluid while i had the chance. In hindsight i should also have done the engine oil at this time because of the convenience of having the car in the air....but it wasn't due yet.

                              I love how easy and straight forward this car is to work on - no special tools needed for anything, parts are cheap and readily available too. The most expensive part is the oil, as the sump holds about 9.3L so i alwasy buy the oil when its on sale at Supercheap or Repco etc and either grab a 10L drum or 2x of the 5L bottles depending on which one works out cheapest.

                              I was due for some new front tyres as these cars are well known for wearing the outside edge out prematurely (soft lower control arm bushings). After researching tyres i decided to go with the reasonably new Falken Azenis FK510's which have rated quite well in multiple tyres tests both locally and overseas. The IS-F is a bit under-tyred from factory so most people throw a wider tyre on the factory rims. Stock tyres are 225 up front and 255 at the rear. I have now gone 245 on the front and will go with 275 on the rear in a few months once i finish killing whats left of the rear tyres.

                              Happy with the Falken's so far, very grippy, let you know when you are pushing the limits and quiet and they have a nice looking sidewall too. The wider tyre looks better on the rim and fills out the guards just that bit more too.


                              Click image for larger version

Name:	Diff 1.JPG
Views:	1
Size:	103.0 KB
ID:	1849350

                              Click image for larger version

Name:	Diff 2.JPG
Views:	1
Size:	91.9 KB
ID:	1849351

                              Click image for larger version

Name:	Dash.JPG
Views:	1
Size:	59.8 KB
ID:	1849352

                              Click image for larger version

Name:	Service1.JPG
Views:	1
Size:	105.1 KB
ID:	1849353

                              Click image for larger version

Name:	Service 2.JPG
Views:	1
Size:	130.8 KB
ID:	1849354
                              Last edited by Lucas_R; 20-05-2019, 03:14 PM.
                              2017 Ford Fiesta ST the go kart

                              2015 Audi SQ5 bi-turbo V6 TDI family hauler

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X