Mild Lexus RC F Build Wins Us Over with Subtle Excellence
When you’re starting with something as cool as a Lexus RC F, it doesn’t take much to take things to the next level.
Most builds featured here in the Club Lexus forums are, well, pretty wild. And those extensive tear downs are certainly fun to watch come together. But when you’ve got something as nice as a Lexus RC F, crazy body kits and flashy paint jobs aren’t really necessary. A perfect example of this came to us recently in the form of SoSlow‘s build thread. With only a handful of carefully selected mods, this RC F went from stock to stunning.
“I picked up the car two weeks ago with 17k miles on it. Has all packages including performance pack.
First thing I added was a Uniden R3 with mirror mount. Yesterday, I swapped out the door sills for the illuminated ones. While things were apart, I added the Apexi throttle controller.Today, I am getting 15% ceramic window tint, black out chrome window trim and smoking the reverse lights and mirror turn signals. I’m shopping wheels. Don’t care for the 20 spokes that came with it. After wheels, I’ll probably get an exhaust. Not sure after that. I think I’m going to leave the suspension alone.”
As promised, the mods start hot and heavy. Including simple things like illuminated sills. But the OP also doesn’t waste any time installing an Ark Grip exhaust, AEM intake, and a set of 20″ Vertini wheels. With some tinted windows, smoked mirror signals, and blacked-out chrome trim, it was already looking, sounding, and performing like a totally different car.
Next up, an APEXi controller, which improves the way the car feels right off the bat.
“I’ve put about 50 miles on since adding the controller. I added it based on reviews and the lack of tunes available for the car. Seemed like a simple and inexpensive way to improve throttle response. In red, it does feel like it removes the stock lag in the pedal. It was raining yesterday. I had car in S+ mode and broke the tires loose leaving a red light without trying. So, it gave me more power instantly that I was not used to. Almost too notchy for rainy day city driving. I haven’t explored the other modes.”
Unfortunately, the new wheels and tires look great but cause a few issues with rubbing. Thus, the OP has to go back to the drawing board.
“Wheel update – turns out the front wheels were made at +30. I guess they needed it to clear the caliper, but going from 19×9+50 to 20×10+30 added 1.25″ of poke and I think that was the real problem. The front wheels and tires were replaced with 255/30/20 on 20×9+30. The fit is much better and no more rubbing issues. Down side is the wheel face ins’t concave now. Not a huge deal.”
As of now, that’s as far as the OP has gotten. But those few mods are also more than enough to totally transform the way this Lexus looks and drives. Regardless, we’re pretty confident that this isn’t the end. So head over here and stay tuned for future updates!
