Hey there guys. I have a 2009 IS350 without the Sports Package and I was wondering if it's possible to get a stiffer steering response?

I drove my friends 335is the other day and I loved how stiff his steering wheel was. I have never tracked my car and probably wont anytime soon, but I just love how the 335is steering feels. What can I do to achieve this without sacrificing too much ride comfort?

(Can maybe someone give me a comparison between all these parts for stiffer steering + effect on ride comfort)
F-Sport Rear Sway Bar?
F-Sport Shocks?
F-Sport Suspension?
Normal Sports Package Suspension?
Any General Recommendations to get Stiffer Steering?

 

Steering damper:
http://is.sewellparts.com/accessorie...2009/2123.html

Rear sway bar:
http://is.sewellparts.com/accessorie...2009/2178.html

Sway bar will drastically improve the handling and damper will tighten up the steering. You could always get coilovers but that's going to make the ride stiffer as well.

 

Later cars with the sport package have a different power steering ECU, not sure if that changes the steering feel much.

Jeff

 

I've been meaning to get a Rear Sway Bar for some time now, so that is probably my 1st priority modification now. Didn't think about a steering damper though.

How much do you think the Rear Sway Bar will affect passenger ride comfort?
Since F-Sport Springs are progressive, do you think those will still allow me to retain decent ride comfort?

 

anthrax pretty much nailed it on the head. Steering damper is the best you could do, but our steering will never be like your friends 335is

 

Just the sway bar will have virtually zero effect on ride comfort. F-sport springs will be stiffer but it will definately get you closer to that 335 feel. It's a personal preference. Many people love the ride with the Fsport, others not so much. But if your primary focus is tighter handling, springs will help.

 

Thank you so much for the help anthrax. I'm putting in an order now for my Rear Sway Bar + Steering Damper. I'll probably install the steering damper myself, but hopefully I can get a good deal on the sway bar install.

 

Installing isn't that difficult to do yourself if you're willing. Here's an interesting thread on it:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...sway-bars.html

I had a problem getting the endlinks off as well and ended up taking it to the dealer - $70 for the install. I thought that was pretty reasonable.

 

how do you install the steering damper

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ng-damper.html

Search is your friend. =)

 

Trade your Lexus for a BMW. It will save you time and money!!!

 

If you want that heavier steering, then sway bars won't do a damn thing. It'll affect your car's handling, but making the steering heavy is not one of its duties.

I don't know about the 2IS but on the 2GS, we could disconnect our steering ECU and that would make the steering less boosted. However, I experienced some hard spots so I plugged it back in. Your results may vary, but I'm not sure how the 2IS will respond. Note that having a less boosted steering will only net you a heavier feel, but it won't do much for steering feedback.

 

Haha no, not if said BMW ends up in repair shops half the time. Let's see who saves time and money then?

 

Repair shops LOL!!!!!My 350 has had way more problems than my BMW has had zero problems from day one.

PS I'm telling you now if you want handling and better steering trade car for BMW. Lexus with the electric steering justs flat out SUCKS!!!

 

coils and damper