Notices
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013) Discussion about the 2006+ model IS models

Best Mods Under $300?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 01:24 PM
  #16  
ms2619's Avatar
ms2619
Lead Lap
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 710
Likes: 1
From: VA
Default

10-15 HP off an intake??? try 4-5 HP we aren't no V-8 Cobras that it will add 15HP lol

Originally Posted by shadowman
Are you going to bring your car to the track or auto-cross? If not, I would spend that money else where. Noone is going to notice you have sway bars... If you like the car handling as is, then skip this. If you corner fast and drive aggressively, this will help reduce the body roll.

Intakes sit in the hood and nobody will notice it too. If you want the engine noise to be louder, then go for it. In terms of HP, it will add about 10 -15 HP. You won't notice the kick, so it's more of a noise maker mod.

Tints are nice to have...

lowering will make your car look nice... you want to choose springs with nice drop and comfort. Make sure you consider the road you drive.

I'm holding off on lowering my car since I drive on crappy roads and my work has tons of killer speed bumps. I hit 5 speed bumps in my work's parking lot to just go to my building. I bottom out going at an angle, on STOCK height. Annoying.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 03:30 PM
  #17  
brociouz's Avatar
brociouz
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (65)
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,689
Likes: 11
From: NorCal
Default

^ I believe it's actually even less than that. As in 2 HP.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 03:33 PM
  #18  
ms2619's Avatar
ms2619
Lead Lap
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 710
Likes: 1
From: VA
Default

^ reading that makes me sad lol
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 03:42 PM
  #19  
iRock's Avatar
iRock
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,125
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area
Default

Not that it matters.... I thought the Joe Z gave 5hp?
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 03:56 PM
  #20  
Kurtz's Avatar
Kurtz
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 7,810
Likes: 14
From: NC
Default

Originally Posted by iRock
Not that it matters.... I thought the Joe Z gave 5hp?
Yup, ~5 hp as shown on a dyno. F-sport should be similar.

Some of the other intakes might certainly be less... I've never seen any evidence of more from anyones though.

Sways are, by far the most noticable improvement to the car you can do from the perspective of the driver.

Cosmetic stuff might certainly be more noticeable to people on the street watching the car, but unless they're kicking in $ why should I care?
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 04:10 PM
  #21  
ms2619's Avatar
ms2619
Lead Lap
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 710
Likes: 1
From: VA
Default

i read on the forums that some people leave the front sway stock because its already pretty thick and just change the rear..and the most popular one looks like F sport
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 04:20 PM
  #22  
jmsharp02's Avatar
jmsharp02
Pole Position
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Default

The only reason to swap out your intake for a Joe-Z or an F-Sport (in my opinion) is for the sound...and also so when you pop the hood your friends can say "that's cool."
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 06:46 PM
  #23  
brociouz's Avatar
brociouz
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (65)
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,689
Likes: 11
From: NorCal
Default

Originally Posted by ms2619
i read on the forums that some people leave the front sway stock because its already pretty thick and just change the rear..and the most popular one looks like F sport
On the IS350 specifically, the marginal improvement of adding the front F-Sport sway bar after the rear F-Sport sway bay is relatively small. It's still a good improvement, but for the budget-conscious modder get the rear first then worry about the front later.

Originally Posted by jmsharp02
The only reason to swap out your intake for a Joe-Z or an F-Sport (in my opinion) is for the sound...and also so when you pop the hood your friends can say "that's cool."
You can also just drill into your intake box if you're going for sound. The Joe-Z and F-Sport intake tubes both look about the same. I actually think the limited edition blue Joe-Z intake is more flashy than the F-Sport chrome.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 06:48 PM
  #24  
Jzsicklexi's Avatar
Jzsicklexi
Lead Lap
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Default

Just ordered an ISF steering damper and rear Fsport sway bar from Sewell for $197 shipped. I'm looking forward to installing these!
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 09:18 PM
  #25  
Authorize's Avatar
Authorize
Driver
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: California
Default

How about painting the brake calipers? I believe the paint is what, $50 - $60?
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2012 | 08:52 AM
  #26  
brociouz's Avatar
brociouz
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (65)
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,689
Likes: 11
From: NorCal
Default

Originally Posted by Authorize
How about painting the brake calipers? I believe the paint is what, $50 - $60?
That's another cheap, but high-impact mod. You should be able to get the paint and decal for under $50.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2012 | 08:52 AM
  #27  
DKnight350's Avatar
DKnight350
Pole Position
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default

I did my calipers for $34 ($20 for the paint kit, $9 for the Lexus Decals, and $5 for the clear coat).

Next I will be getting the rear window spoiler and the blend mount for my 8500 x50 radar detector.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2012 | 09:10 AM
  #28  
dorkacho's Avatar
dorkacho
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,262
Likes: 4
From: CA
Default

I love my F sport intake right under $300. I'd also say tints and HID low/fog, and interior LED.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2012 | 09:17 AM
  #29  
badx33's Avatar
badx33
Pole Position
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (53)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,686
Likes: 19
From: carbon F, Fl
Default

best mod for under $300 is the fog light mod..
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2012 | 10:35 AM
  #30  
dorkacho's Avatar
dorkacho
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,262
Likes: 4
From: CA
Default

^ that looks nice! How do you make it so only LED DRL and fog comes on without lows?
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:01 PM.