IS250 Horsepower Mods
07-21-06, 08:21 AM
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IS250 Horsepower Mods
A friend and I were discussing if it's worth spending the money to increase horsepower of a IS250 RWD AT (edited). It seems pointless to buy a lower hp car and modify it to go faster. I realize some 250 RWD AT owners did not have enough $$ for a 350. For some, fuel efficiency is important. But if $$ was an issue to begin with, why spend it on mods? Now if the mods are for looks only, that's a different story. I'm not saying I'm against hp mods on a 250 RWD AT, just trying to find a practical reason.
Last edited by Flipsonic; 07-21-06 at 03:08 PM.
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bryceis250 (02-20-19)
07-21-06, 09:09 AM
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Originally Posted by terp05
Practical reason could be for all of us that put a greater emphasis on AWD, and couldn't get it on the 350
07-21-06, 10:14 AM
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I second the comments of terp05. Since there will not be a IS35OAWD, I am certainly looking for more ponies from the 2.5 engine. I would be happy with just at least 45 more bhp.
From review of other threads this is not likely to happen as compression ratio already very high, hard to fit/expensive supercharger (that one that looked like octopus with its piping in the show car is not seeing green light for production), etc.
From review of other threads this is not likely to happen as compression ratio already very high, hard to fit/expensive supercharger (that one that looked like octopus with its piping in the show car is not seeing green light for production), etc.
07-21-06, 10:22 AM
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One of my friends is considering the IS250AWD over the IS350 for the reasons elaborated above. He and I have both been looking at a turbo option, but again a lot of custom components to start off with. I have yet to see one (no Lexus down here), but if I get a chance to look at one close up I might get some ideas like I did with my RX300 and some other vehicles I have toyed with down here.
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07-21-06, 11:03 AM
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Ok...maybe I can re-write the original thread better. I'm referring only to IS250 RWD. I realize the AWD is available only in a 250. So let's exclude the 250AWD in this discussion.
07-21-06, 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Flipsonic
A friend and I were discussing if it's worth to spend the money to increase horsepower of a IS250 RWD (edited). It seems pointless to buy a lower hp car and modify it to go faster. I realize some 250 RWD owners did not have enough $$ for a 350. For some, fuel efficiency is important. But if $$ was an issue to begin with, why spend it on mods? Now if the mods are for looks only, that's a different story. I'm not saying I'm against hp mods on a 250 RWD, just trying to find a practical reason.
07-21-06, 12:17 PM
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well if we remove the AWD from the discussion as it stands today with current mods the scales tip heavily in favor of getting the faster car to begin with.
For a relatively small premium you gain 100HP factory warranty HP:
$4,280 difference between IS250 auto and IS350
$5,450 for IS250 manual vs IS350
$1,155 for IS250 AWD vs IS350
$1500 will get you a performance exhaust and CAI and gain you on average 20 HP or less. The prototype LMS superchargers are rumored to be 5K and net 40-50 HP.
Even if the prices came down enough to get an exhaust and supercharger for under 5K you still won't bridge the cost gap between the two models. And as you increase the HP on your modded IS250 your gas mileage will also decrease
Now of course if manual or AWD are important than the discussion is pointless since neither are available on IS350.
Another thing to consider is the manual tranny (just from reading posts) isn't as effective as the auto on the IS350 so your mods will have to overcome that as well.
Either way the whole IS model line is good so you can't go wrong
For a relatively small premium you gain 100HP factory warranty HP:
$4,280 difference between IS250 auto and IS350
$5,450 for IS250 manual vs IS350
$1,155 for IS250 AWD vs IS350
$1500 will get you a performance exhaust and CAI and gain you on average 20 HP or less. The prototype LMS superchargers are rumored to be 5K and net 40-50 HP.
Even if the prices came down enough to get an exhaust and supercharger for under 5K you still won't bridge the cost gap between the two models. And as you increase the HP on your modded IS250 your gas mileage will also decrease
Now of course if manual or AWD are important than the discussion is pointless since neither are available on IS350.
Another thing to consider is the manual tranny (just from reading posts) isn't as effective as the auto on the IS350 so your mods will have to overcome that as well.
Either way the whole IS model line is good so you can't go wrong
07-21-06, 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Flipsonic
Ok...maybe I can re-write the original thread better. I'm referring only to IS250 RWD. I realize the AWD is available only in a 250. So let's exclude the 250AWD in this discussion.
07-21-06, 01:49 PM
#13
If someone is buying an IS250 with the thought of saving money by modding the car themself, they will be in for a rude awakening.
The IS350 is $4000 or so more than the IS250 AT RWD.
The IS350 has 4-piston brakes whic would cost 2K+ to upgrade the front
Larger rear brakes(I beleive) probably another 1K.
The IS350 has 50%(102) HP more than the IS250. That gap is impossible to close without MAJOR modification(IE Turbo, Supercharger). These mods cost more than 4K and cost you your warranty and your reliability.
Its not worth buying the 250, if you hope to make it faster. With every bolt on you can find(intake, header, exhaust, UD Pulleys), I doubt you can add more than 20-25HP.
Its still a good car to cruise in. But its not going to beat a 350... without crazy modifications
The IS350 is $4000 or so more than the IS250 AT RWD.
The IS350 has 4-piston brakes whic would cost 2K+ to upgrade the front
Larger rear brakes(I beleive) probably another 1K.
The IS350 has 50%(102) HP more than the IS250. That gap is impossible to close without MAJOR modification(IE Turbo, Supercharger). These mods cost more than 4K and cost you your warranty and your reliability.
Its not worth buying the 250, if you hope to make it faster. With every bolt on you can find(intake, header, exhaust, UD Pulleys), I doubt you can add more than 20-25HP.
Its still a good car to cruise in. But its not going to beat a 350... without crazy modifications
07-23-06, 11:48 PM
#14
for me it was cuz i wanted a manual and price was an issue. granted, i coulda gotten a 350 barebone or a 250 with most of the available bells n whistles. i figured i'd receive greater satisfaction from the bells n whistles rather than the extra 100 hp.
07-23-06, 11:55 PM
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Most manufacturers of aftermarket performance parts simply do not make parts for the lower model for that very reason. They figure if this person really wanted performace, they 'd have gotten the more powerfull vehcile to begin with. Sure there will be some stuff, but nowhere near as much. There are a few exceptions, for example an M35 vs M45. The M35 has much more aftermarket performance parts but this is only due to the fact that that motor is used in many other vehciles that are very popular for performance mods.