Performance advice for new IS owner
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Ca
Performance advice for new IS owner
Hey, I'm a noob on this site... so go easy on me! LOL : Just bought my first Lexus a week ago 
and I'm eager to get some mods done on it. Got a 2012 IS350 with the F-Sport package. Was thinking of starting with the motor, throwing some headers, intake and exhaust on it. Problem is all I can fond online is the PPE headers but I still need it to pass smog. Any other companies out there making headers for the IS? I hear Megan Racing makes some for the 250 that they say will fit the 350 as well but that seems strange to me since the motors are two different sizes. Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated!
and I'm eager to get some mods done on it. Got a 2012 IS350 with the F-Sport package. Was thinking of starting with the motor, throwing some headers, intake and exhaust on it. Problem is all I can fond online is the PPE headers but I still need it to pass smog. Any other companies out there making headers for the IS? I hear Megan Racing makes some for the 250 that they say will fit the 350 as well but that seems strange to me since the motors are two different sizes. Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated!
The exhaust manifolds/headers will fit on an IS250 or 350 (they're the same from the factory on some years).
I won't comment about the benefits/downsides, I'm just making a comment about them fitting.
Jeff
I won't comment about the benefits/downsides, I'm just making a comment about them fitting.
Jeff
Sorry to burst your bubble... there is not much "performance" mod you can do for an IS. We're limited to intake, header, mid-pipe, and exhaust.
As for header, both megan and ppe will not pass smog. Unless the manufacturer has CARB certification, you are SOL. That's one of the reason why I stuck with F-Sport Intake... they have CARB certification. That's pretty much the same hassle when you install mid-pipe since it deletes the secondary cats which becomes smog illegal.
If you really want header that bad, then install them. You can always swap them back to stock when it's smog time.
As for header, both megan and ppe will not pass smog. Unless the manufacturer has CARB certification, you are SOL. That's one of the reason why I stuck with F-Sport Intake... they have CARB certification. That's pretty much the same hassle when you install mid-pipe since it deletes the secondary cats which becomes smog illegal.
If you really want header that bad, then install them. You can always swap them back to stock when it's smog time.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Ca
Sorry to burst your bubble... there is not much "performance" mod you can do for an IS. We're limited to intake, header, mid-pipe, and exhaust.
As for header, both megan and ppe will not pass smog. Unless the manufacturer has CARB certification, you are SOL. That's one of the reason why I stuck with F-Sport Intake... they have CARB certification. That's pretty much the same hassle when you install mid-pipe since it deletes the secondary cats which becomes smog illegal.
If you really want header that bad, then install them. You can always swap them back to stock when it's smog time.
As for header, both megan and ppe will not pass smog. Unless the manufacturer has CARB certification, you are SOL. That's one of the reason why I stuck with F-Sport Intake... they have CARB certification. That's pretty much the same hassle when you install mid-pipe since it deletes the secondary cats which becomes smog illegal.
If you really want header that bad, then install them. You can always swap them back to stock when it's smog time.
I love my Tanabe... with exhaust, it basically boils down to preference of sound. As long as you don't modify them to exceed the sound limit, they are street legal. You should have no problems with smog since the cats are untouched.
Tanabe has a nice deep rumble without being too loud. It's loud when I want it to be.
There isn't any annoying drone sound. It's the next thing up from stock in terms of sound... without spending too much cash.
Hang around the meets sometime and get a chance to hear all the different flavors. Or you can check out the performance section and listen to the sample clips to get an idea. It's only used as reference becuz it'll sound different in person.
Tanabe has a nice deep rumble without being too loud. It's loud when I want it to be.
There isn't any annoying drone sound. It's the next thing up from stock in terms of sound... without spending too much cash. Hang around the meets sometime and get a chance to hear all the different flavors. Or you can check out the performance section and listen to the sample clips to get an idea. It's only used as reference becuz it'll sound different in person.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Ca
I love my Tanabe... with exhaust, it basically boils down to preference of sound. As long as you don't modify them to exceed the sound limit, they are street legal. You should have no problems with smog since the cats are untouched.
Tanabe has a nice deep rumble without being too loud. It's loud when I want it to be. There isn't any annoying drone sound. It's the next thing up from stock in terms of sound... without spending too much cash.
Hang around the meets sometime and get a chance to hear all the different flavors. Or you can check out the performance section and listen to the sample clips to get an idea. It's only used as reference becuz it'll sound different in person.
Tanabe has a nice deep rumble without being too loud. It's loud when I want it to be.
There isn't any annoying drone sound. It's the next thing up from stock in terms of sound... without spending too much cash. Hang around the meets sometime and get a chance to hear all the different flavors. Or you can check out the performance section and listen to the sample clips to get an idea. It's only used as reference becuz it'll sound different in person.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,030
Likes: 7
From: Windward, Oahu
the blocks are the same, its the bore/stroke that make the motors different therefore the same header with fit both cars.
Trending Topics
I wonder if the Megan headers really will add power. I've never seen a dyno for them. As for being smog legal, I wouldn't worry about it. When it's time for me to get a smog check, I'm going to take it to a shop and pay extra to pass me
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
It always amazes me how folks are willing to take 50 bucks to risk a $25,000 fine and losing their license to inspect cars.
Anyway, the megans will physically fit a 350, but as others have noted, I can't imagine one would be happy with the results.... and any headers will fail emissions in all 50 states as they remove the stock front cats. (not that all 50 states will actually look, but it's still illegal).
Legal mods (in CA) are limited to the F-sport intake and any of the axle-back exhausts... so roughly a 12 hp gain total.
Even if you don't care about legal though, this is the wrong car to try and mod for much power.
Anyway, the megans will physically fit a 350, but as others have noted, I can't imagine one would be happy with the results.... and any headers will fail emissions in all 50 states as they remove the stock front cats. (not that all 50 states will actually look, but it's still illegal).
Legal mods (in CA) are limited to the F-sport intake and any of the axle-back exhausts... so roughly a 12 hp gain total.
Even if you don't care about legal though, this is the wrong car to try and mod for much power.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: wa
Hey, I'm a noob on this site... so go easy on me! LOL : Just bought my first Lexus a week ago and I'm eager to get some mods done on it. Got a 2012 IS350 with the F-Sport package. Was thinking of starting with the motor, throwing some headers, intake and exhaust on it. Problem is all I can fond online is the PPE headers but I still need it to pass smog. Any other companies out there making headers for the IS? I hear Megan Racing makes some for the 250 that they say will fit the 350 as well but that seems strange to me since the motors are two different sizes. Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated!
and I'm eager to get some mods done on it. Got a 2012 IS350 with the F-Sport package. Was thinking of starting with the motor, throwing some headers, intake and exhaust on it. Problem is all I can fond online is the PPE headers but I still need it to pass smog. Any other companies out there making headers for the IS? I hear Megan Racing makes some for the 250 that they say will fit the 350 as well but that seems strange to me since the motors are two different sizes. Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
