Went to an IS-350 forum

[Jacko3]

I took some time to browse through a Lexus IS-35 forum and I was somewhat disappointed at the minimum amount s of modifications that can be done with the IS-350. Perhaps, I may not have searched enough. Even the supercharged IS-350 does not put out nearly enough power as a G-35. In fact it would appear that those who want F1 in the IS-350, are better off buying the IS-F. Even then, the IS-F produces at the crank, the same or simialr amount of power at the crank as a Vortech supercharged rev up VQ engine. and the VQ even at this point, may not have been modified at all. Perhaps my information gathering is not complete. Any other perspective on this would be nice.

What I am saying here is that the VQ engine is a superb engine that appears to be one of a kind in terms of how much torture and manipulation it can really handle for a stock engine.

[soakgame]

what type of mods were you looking for? give it some time.. i'm pretty sure they'll start coming out with plenty mods for the IS..

i have a 2nd gen GS (98-05) and they have a bunch of stuff you can get for it.. only thing i was disappointed about was no manufacturer ever made a camber kit.. i used to spend money on tires like crazy when my car was dumped to the ground

[CYO44Baseball32]

b/c they all come in autotragic, thats what stopped me from even looking at it.

[Beancooker]

IS350, will never be what an IS300 has the potential to be.

AS far as I am concerned, it was a failure the instant that Toyota put that crappy V-6 in the 350, and removed the J2Z, doing away with the 300.

[Jacko3]

Beano:

I am coming to that realization about the IS-350. Why do you think Lexus will put out such a deficient engine? Where they trying to play catchup with infiniti G-35 series of cars? Obviously, Infiniti has stolen the market for sports sedan thrill and performance, while Lexus is still in their luxury mind-set.

I have a friend who is about to get married and his wife wants a Lexus. he has sworn never to leave Infiniti. We actually spent time talking about infiniti driving experience for hours. Infiniti has come a long way and they can't stop now.


Modified by Jacko3 at 10:23 AM 6/21/2008

[Beancooker]

Had Lexus just kept the J2Z in the IS300, there would be no need to play catch up. Change the body style a little, and throw some more goodies in that car. For being a Toyota product, it really was the best one available.

Hell, had they put a turbo on the J2Z, and sold it as an IS300T, it would have surpassed the performance of the G37. They also would have gained a huge market of people buying it just for tuning purposes. Because at that point, with a turbo attached, it would have been a J2Z-GTE, and had a lot better internals.

[soakgame]

I took some time to browse through a Lexus IS-35 forum and I was somewhat disappointed at the minimum amount s of modifications that can be done with the IS-350. Perhaps, I may not have searched enough. Even the supercharged IS-350 does not put out nearly enough power as a G-35. In fact it would appear that those who want F1 in the IS-350, are better off buying the IS-F. Even then, the IS-F produces at the crank, the same or simialr amount of power at the crank as a Vortech supercharged rev up VQ engine. and the VQ even at this point, may not have been modified at all. Perhaps my information gathering is not complete. Any other perspective on this would be nice.

What I am saying here is that the VQ engine is a superb engine that appears to be one of a kind in terms of how much torture and manipulation it can really handle for a stock engine.

isn't the is350 quicker than a G though??? i saw a 350 doing low 13's with just intake and exhaust on youtube

[Jacko3]

Beano:

Thanks for the info. Why auto manufacturers do these things, beats me!

[Beancooker]

He says 13.2, but shows no time slip, and no zoom on the clock. I could have lied, and said my G35 was running 13's too. But I just don't buy that the Lexus was pulling that low of numbers.

[Jacko3]

I test drove the IS-350 and it felt dead---no feeling of driving. Interior looked really nice, though, but it felt tight and compact inside the car. The seats were cormfy, but in the end, the driving experience really didn't grill my steak enough. So, i left disappointed. Oh, and the rear seat is a real joke in the IS-350.

[soakgame]

I test drove the IS-350 and it felt dead---no feeling of driving. Interior looked really nice, though, but it felt tight and compact inside the car. The seats were cormfy, but in the end, the driving experience really didn't grill my steak enough. So, i left disappointed. Oh, and the rear seat is a real joke in the IS-350.

i've never test driven one so i wouldn't know..

how about this one.. ran a 13.7 bone stock.. ain't bad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHG2o5gGgDs

[lucidd]

Fyi...When I bought my G35s sedan, I've done extensive research on the IS250 and the IS350.

I got the G for obvious reasons - manual 6, great sounding engine, price, newer etc.

I'm happy with my purchase... Very.BUT*make no mistake, the IS350's engine is superior to the G35s [2007/08].

Specs-wise - stock against stock, the IS has same power, but more torque*---about 3-5% more torque.... It is lighter, and has a faster 0-60 time.

Furthermore, as the IS350 has Direct fuel injection [the G has port FI]... it is the latest in performance / economy technology...... ___and uses less gas!!!!!!!

Just compare the specs... they all will show this.

Lps. We are talking about the engine here only... not the suspension comparison.. nor the ergonomics etc...

[soakgame]

Fyi...When I bought my G35s sedan, I've done extensive research on the IS250 and the IS350.

I got the G for obvious reasons - manual 6, great sounding engine, price, newer etc.

I'm happy with my purchase... Very.BUT*make no mistake, the IS350's engine is superior to the G35s [2007/08].

Specs-wise - stock against stock, the IS has same power, but more torque*---about 3-5% more torque.... It is lighter, and has a faster 0-60 time.

Furthermore, as the IS350 has Direct fuel injection [the G has port FI]... it is the latest in performance / economy technology...... ___and uses less gas!!!!!!!

Just compare the specs... they all will show this.

Lps. We are talking about the engine here only... not the suspension comparison.. nor the ergonomics etc...

this is one reason why i don't want to jump the gun on the G.. unless the g37 sedan that comes out next year gets better gas mileage w/ the 7 speed.. and can improve in 1/4 mile time..

[Beancooker]

DPI explains why it is faster than suspected. That is one (of many) things I didn't know about the IS350.

They still should have kept the IS300, slapped DPI and a turbo, a few body style changes, and called it a day.

[AFE712]

I had an IS300. Best manual transmission yet (MX-3 is better but I never tried myself). Torque was great but top end was lacking (only 215 hp). Fuel economy was OK in 2001-03 but too much gas for current competition.

Jacko, time to test drive an IS-F!!!

[Jacko3]

I am looking forward to test driving the IS-F and the Corvette Z06. I haven't had too much breathing space from work, lately. These test drives will be a weekend assignment.

[joe603]

The Supra NEEDS to come back...