Congrats on the whip and glad you are loving it. I think I am in the same boat as you - while an exhaust upgrade might be nice, this car still gives me what I want stock. At least that intake roar is intoxicating, and the power always feels great.

I am finding I was wowed by the car when I first got it, but that's gradually evolved into simple appreciation. I can't wait to take this thing back up to the mountains and enjoy it, but I also just like being in this car. It feels cool.

 

I had a '22 350 for a year then traded up to 500. I've only had it for 3 months but I can say it's definitely worth it. The growl gets louder as you go over the ~3.5k rpm mark!!

 

Yank the vacuum line off the intake flapper and you get to enjoy the growl at lower RPMs, too. :-)

 

I have to wonder if that has any impact on performance, though. Supposedly the narrower intake passage used at low RPM is there to provide better fuel economy and efficiency at low loads.

 

that is the impact. the more air, the more fuel needed. same would go for an open box filter set up (i.e. typical injen or AEM). unless there's a wall or cover, you'll soak high temp air from engine, but the mass is a lot more. disconnecting tube will keep flap open and let more air in; having heat shield (like RR Racing) will assist with heat soak.

 

^^^^This so-called mod, is now 16 years old, having been first tried on the ISF back in '08. Results showed a negative impact on performance. This thread describes it:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ntake-mod.html

 

Thank you! Same to you! I’m really loving her. Wasn’t really a fan of the matte black BBS wheels at first but they have grown on me. When I took her for a test drive at the dealership I was happy to see they changed the gauge graphics for Sport+ mode. Used to be the same white band for sport and sport+ on the 2018. As silly as it will sound the updated gauge graphics and engine growl and pull up top sold me The car really does put a smile on my face.

 

Hmm, makes sense. You need air flow to the engine bay to keep the intake from sucking in hot ambient air, so they keep the bottom passage closed at lower RPMs where the driver is likely to be moving more slowly. Thanks!

 

Yup. And since I'm driving for pleasure not racing for pinks, I'm happy to make that tradeoff.

 

It's basically a noise mod. You get more intake noise and earlier. I'll pass. Lexus designed the intake well. Function before form in this case.