Notices
IS F (2008-2014) Discussion topics related to the IS F model

headers...will it really add that much power? Is it noticeable

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 17, 2018 | 03:48 PM
  #1  
goto35's Avatar
goto35
Thread Starter
Pole Position
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 200
Likes: 15
From: CA
Default headers...will it really add that much power? Is it noticeable

debating if getting headers are worth it?

Looking at $2600-2700 with installation. Will it really add 50 horsepower? Is the difference noticeable during for a daily driver?

My car is a 09 with 106k miles. bought it with 103k miles. 2 owner. previous owner had it for 8 years. was a cpo car and was never abused (old japanese lady).
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2018 | 05:28 PM
  #2  
Jwconeil's Avatar
Jwconeil
Moderator
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,069
Likes: 978
From: Indiana
Default

I never drove my car without aftermarket headers, but mine is very fast with them. Sorry that doesn’t help.
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2018 | 05:32 PM
  #3  
msgs350's Avatar
msgs350
Pole Position
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 247
From: WA
Default

Originally Posted by goto35
debating if getting headers are worth it?

Looking at $2600-2700 with installation. Will it really add 50 horsepower? Is the difference noticeable during for a daily driver?

My car is a 09 with 106k miles. bought it with 103k miles. 2 owner. previous owner had it for 8 years. was a cpo car and was never abused (old japanese lady).
Whether or not its worth it is up to you. For me, its a yes. Lots of threads out there with people providing feedback. Another thing, you can wait to see if your manifolds develop cracks and replace it with headers then.
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2018 | 10:36 PM
  #4  
Vitveet's Avatar
Vitveet
Racer
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 270
From: Nc
Default

I had joez exhaust and hps intake tube before going to Sikky V2 headers and gesi cats. $3.5k or so is what I believe I had it all with the headers, cats, installation, travel, etc. Well worth it to me. Money is made to be spent! Can always earn more!
Sound alone was worth it to me!
As far as power goes, in the higher rpms there is a DRAMATIC difference! Below 3k rpms, I don't feel like there's much of a difference. Highway pulls are definitely stronger and triple digits come in no time. Love it and I highly recommend it 👍

V.

Last edited by Vitveet; Dec 8, 2018 at 09:20 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2018 | 11:22 PM
  #5  
isfvss's Avatar
isfvss
Racer
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 157
From: New South Wales
Default

If it gave me 50hp flywheel or RWHP I would buy them today. I have xforce, primary cats opened up 2" to 2.5" (or there about) HPS +K&n intake & Tune.There are a few drag vids with headers v no headers and there is stuff all in it, but you can make up your own mind, yep there expensive but are they worth it......
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2018 | 12:52 AM
  #6  
bnizzle87's Avatar
bnizzle87
Lexus Fanatic
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,595
Likes: 61
From: CA
Default

Personal experience- I held off on getting headers since I was still researching its benefits over the negatives (thank you California), and I can honestly say, I wish I had done the headers install while I had my exhaust done. Would've saved me a trip to the shop and could've enjoyed the power and sound a lot earlier in my ownership. You will get substantial power, since the stock manifolds are quite restrictive. Depending on mod choice, FBO IS Fs range from 415-430+ WHP. That's pretty awesome, I think. Seeing these cars become more potent and be driven on track and auto courses are quite fun. Installation will be a pain to shell out money for, but once you get everything bolted up and you get a chance to fire up the car for the first time post installation, it is a symphony for the ears!

Money wise, I would value this particular mod higher than exhaust for sure. You will be able to feel it daily driving, since acceleration will be quicker, with high end power and torque being gained. Low end, I could feel a difference compared to a stock IS F, but it is nowhere near as drastic as when you get to the high end powerband.
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2018 | 01:51 AM
  #7  
samjones's Avatar
samjones
Driver
10 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 166
Likes: 15
From: new york
Default

I just did mine and in all honesty, my radio has been OFF for the last two weeks lol I love it; the sound and the power is addictive
had cat back, intake elbow, and tune previously but the headers beat all of these mods hands down
Your oem manifolds are most likely gone anyway, get new headers asap

Reply
Old Oct 18, 2018 | 07:35 AM
  #8  
BS ISF's Avatar
BS ISF
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 28
From: illinois
Default

Hands down the best mod for the ISF!! Look into all the proven results over the years.
Reply
ClubLexus Stories

Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

story-0

2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Oct 18, 2018 | 07:42 AM
  #9  
MGallagher's Avatar
MGallagher
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 47
Likes: 7
From: AZ
Default

I believe someone already mentioned this, but the stock exhaust manifold will eventually fail. That's the reason I'll be upgrading mine at some point. The added power and sound is just the icing on the cake.
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2018 | 08:33 AM
  #10  
mk416's Avatar
mk416
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 674
Likes: 50
From: CA
Default

Just a side note - not much of power difference between unequal and equal lengths for headers. The biggest difference is the harmonic of exhaust flow - high pitch, exotic-like for Equal Length, and rumbling, muscle-like for Unequal Length.

I'm personally saving up for equal length, but it does cost extra pennies....
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2018 | 08:44 AM
  #11  
Meraki Autoworks's Avatar
Meraki Autoworks
Your #1 Lexus Vendor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 19,389
Likes: 815
From: CA - USA
Default

100% worth it. Don't know anyone that regretted headers.

PPE all the way!

-Josh
__________________

Your One Stop Aftermarket Shop!
PPE / Apexi / GTHAUS / Borla / Swift / RSR / Tom's Racing / Lexon / LEMS / Rowen + More!

Orange County, CA
Email: info@merakiautoworks.com
Text/Call: 213 394 2886
Website: www.MerakiAutoworks.com
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2018 | 09:06 AM
  #12  
Rossi's Avatar
Rossi
Racer
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 239
From: Ca
Default

As mentioned before, the stock manifold fails eventually. I was able to remove it before it cracked and sold it for 600 bucks, which pretty much payed for installation. Got my brand new Sikky V2 headers on eBay, PayPal offers 0% financing for 24 months like once a month. So 79 bucks a month, never look back.
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2018 | 11:58 AM
  #13  
Kubbz's Avatar
Kubbz
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 35
Likes: 4
From: Ca
Default Did you add high flow cats

Did you add high flow cats? If so, how is the performance? Did the cats change the sound? Do you have any video clips of sound, WOT etc....

Thanks

Originally Posted by samjones
I just did mine and in all honesty, my radio has been OFF for the last two weeks lol I love it; the sound and the power is addictive
had cat back, intake elbow, and tune previously but the headers beat all of these mods hands down
Your oem manifolds are most likely gone anyway, get new headers asap
Did you add high flow cats? If so, how is the performance? Did the cats change the sound? Do you have any video clips of sound, WOT etc....

Thanks
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2018 | 12:39 PM
  #14  
Beachtyme's Avatar
Beachtyme
Advanced
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 670
Likes: 92
From: The Beach
Default

Definitely worth it, even if just for the new tone and rumble.
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2018 | 12:40 PM
  #15  
GaaraOTS's Avatar
GaaraOTS
Driver
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 154
Likes: 4
From: Chaos
Default

Any does anybody have information about just Headers and the OEM exhaust?
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:44 PM.

story-0
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

Slideshow: the 2026 IS 350 isn't all that new, and that's why we love it!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-04 14:35:23


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

Slideshow: 10 most confusing things Lexus has ever done.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-04 09:40:55


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

Slideshow: Our First-Drive Review of the 2026 Lexus ES!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-29 20:30:16


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

Slideshow: 10 Lexus bargain that are cheaper than a new Toyota.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 10:28:20


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

Slideshow: From hoverboards to luxury yachts, these are the strangest projects Lexus has ever attached its badge to.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-16 11:34:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Some luxury cars chase trends, but these Lexus models look better now than they did when they first rolled into showrooms.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 17:58:29


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

Slideshow: How to Get the Best Fuel Economy with a Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-05 20:54:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

Slideshow: 10 best Lexus models no one remembers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 17:33:28


VIEW MORE
story-8
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

Slideshow: diving into 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium's pricing, performance, fuel economy, features, and amenities!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-23 13:09:18


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: the 10 Lexus and Toyota vehicles you need to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-23 10:34:24


VIEW MORE