Lu Bu's IS-F
 

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...aa11b952e7.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...6fb03b8d9b.jpg


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...1edfceb17c.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...1be1b61379.jpg



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Original 5/4/23 post:

Last night, I finally realized a dream. After searching for over a year for the right IS-F for me, I have finally obtained it. I've been a car enthusiast since I was a teenager, and have had many cars throughout my experience up to this point.

This car will include "many firsts" for me:
-first Lexus vehicle
-first F vehicle
-first RWD vehicle
-first staggered wheel setup
-largest displacement engine yet
-fastest vehicle yet
-most prestigious vehicle yet

Because the IS-F is rare, I had to look at C63 AMG's as well. I was actually supposed to purchase 7 different C63 AMG's in the past year, and if you can believe, all 7 transactions failed due to sellers lying about aspects regarding their cars... I will take pictures in the coming days, and begin to explore how I want to proceed with my journal/build thread.

My current vehicles are:
-2008 Lexus IS-F
-2013 Acura TL SH-AWD 6AT

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Most recent update on 9/18/25:

Parts waiting to be installed:
-2012 IS F coilovers

These are the currents parts that I'm considering on purchasing at the moment:

1) Sikky 19mm rear sway bar with endlinks
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...7915911bdb.jpg

2) Figs LCA bushings
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...1971e5d629.jpg

This is the only picture that I have at the moment. I am trying to drive as much as I possibly can, and learn the RWD/FR platform characteristics.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...986943dc60.jpg

Last night was an exhilarating experience. I will write down a detailed assessment once I drive some more. I wanted to cry last night, due to sheer the level of performance. I'm an enthusiast who appreciates handling, and hard turns, over straight line acceleration. What I felt last night was a new level for me. The IS-F is truly sensational.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...4d8e816fa2.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...05b7eecacc.jpg

Car looks really clean! Congrats!

Welcome and hope you enjoy the F!

I also just got an AMG GTS (kept the F) a few months ago. So I can appreciate your search.

Here's my F for some mod ideas...
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/bui...2-s-build-blog

Thank you, this car is superb. I don't believe that I will modify it in regards to performance since I like it in stock form as it currently sits. How you see the car is how I purchased it. There are some nuances that I dislike.
1) I don't like how the A/C system operates... I just want normal airflow from the exterior without the A/C being on.
2) The sound system is quite disappointing, and this car has the Nav/ML option. Obviously, I didn't purchase the car to listen to music.

I need to fix a few issues to bring it up to par according to my standards. Overall, it's in great condition for the mileage. The engine and transmission are phenomenal, and I'm extremely happy to finally experience an IS-F. I'm fortunate that the Vland headlights were already installed because visibility is extraordinary. The interior panels were redone and restored with new parts.

I will want to learn how to drift at some point, and I assume this car should be easy to learn in since it has plenty of power.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...2cc8294a12.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...2a2f0b8583.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...e935f28a56.jpg

Congrats! nice pick up, and nice line up of cars!

As someone who also doesn't care much about straight line, I would recommend getting an LSD (whether you can swap a 10+ OEM or get an OS Giken is up to you). It will drastically improve the handling. Also why I kept searching for a 10+ until I got mine, since I didn't know any local shops that could install an OS Giken for me that I could trust.

Giken spool is worth every penny. I'm taking the Torsen out of my Supra and putting a Giken spool in it. I also like the Giken spool better than the TVD in the wife's GS F. It's really that good.

Yep - just push the A/C button to turn it on or off. Easy peasy.
Agree the sound system is meh. Ironically if you put a DVD in it, the sound is so much better. So maybe it doesn't do well with compressed audio files.
And finally - for drifting I whole heartedly agree with the OSG Giken recommendation. I track my F and it made a world of DIFFerence!

From what I've read, and actually experienced, the A/C doesn't turn off... It still pushes out conditioned air whenever the system pleases. Whether the A/C button is on or not, it's still conditioned. Is there another way?

Either your unit has an issue because its 90 here yesterday and if I turn the lighted AC button off that air circulating or being blown from the exterior gets rather warm quick....or you didn't give it time to cycle to not feel the cooler air??

What should the idle RPM be when the car is at operating temperature?

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...e727c7c22c.jpg

With park lights ON and/or AC ON, ~700rpm. Without any load that raises the idle, ~500rpm.

Well, according to what has been stated, it means that the A/C is not on... However, it still feels like the A/C turns on by itself whenever it chooses to, based on the temperature of the airflow.

This is more of a nuisance than I'd like it to be:
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...a3c94f0e53.jpg

I need to find a door pocket, and also an exhaust garnish/tip for the driver's side, as one of the tips is missing.

I love driving this car like a grandpa, and I also love hooning in it. I have a ScanGauge 3 in my daily driver. I'm going to go on a long cruise tomorrow, and I'll take the ScanGauge with me to monitor the car's parameters. I'll take a picture for you guys.