ALexusF

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Also installed the new LCA bushing/bracket from Figs Engineering. Definitely makes a huge difference in steering response and hard braking. Got the car aligned yesterday so the F is squared away!

Install was pretty straight forward. Used another F'er's youtube DIY video to follow along (link below)



One of the best upgrades that all F owners should look into!

ALexusF

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So got my new tranny mount installed. Was really easy. Going RWD fro FWD makes certain items easy to change lol.
So my factory transmount wasnt that bad. Its still intact but you can see it was starting to tear (right around the inside between the "legs").
Impressions after driving: Normal mode, not much different. Biggest difference was ease of putting into gear. There were sometimes i felt like i had to push the brake pedal down harder to get it go into reverse (not sure if the mount affects this).
Sport Mode: lol. I definitely feel connected when pushing the gas pedal down. It almost got away from me for a second as I wasnt expecting it to slam me in my seat punching it in 2nd gear. Downshifts aren't as violent (but you still feel the engine/transmission torque when downshifting at high rpms, which i love). Also upshifts at low rpm dont feel as jerky.
Overall well worth the change out. Went OEM again as I want to see some more longevity tests on the Kein mount. No i dont foresee going with the solid transmission mount as I still want the car to retain some normalcy (says the guy with carbon fiber every panel on his car lol)

ALexusF

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Went through and also changed my front sway bar endlinks (got new nuts in case the original ones were seized). Overall transformed the handling on the car. It really makes the Figs LCA bushing shine even brighter. The turning is really tight (almost scary). Gonna pick up new rear endlinks and Rear F sport sway bar to tighten up the handling a little more and should be good until i go coilovers next year.

ALexusF

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Just got my new wheels put on.

Wheels: Enkei RS05RR

Specs are: 18x9.5 +35 (wheel need a slight roll in the rear, fronts are solid at stock height)

To say it transforms the F is an understatement lol.

Jwconeil

Decide against the novel hood? I really want it, but 2500 for a hood is ridiculous. I bought carbon hoods for Civics for 500 bucks in my day. I do think that any car that sees regular track time needs some vents in it.

ALexusF

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I still do. Just wanting to get EL headers and coilovers before doing the hood. I like Novel's because it seems very functional for dissipating heat (not saying seibons isnt. But alot of F's run that one which isnt a bad thing, just wanting to be different). Yeah their prices call for a premium, but seems like very good quality (judging by the rear diffuser).

Jwconeil

Their hood may also play a role in aero, since it is designed in a way to accept air from the grill and push it up and out. I’m no aero pro, but I see lots of similar hoods in time attack cars.

I do want one. Any flaws at all in the novel diffuser? Is it thick and solid? For 2500, it should be nothing short of awe-inspiring.

ALexusF

iTrader: (2)

I was talking to one of the guys from Chronos Racing (they work closely with Novel) and he had mentioned that the novel hood with the vortex generator showed 5-10 degree drop in engine bay temps. So it definitely helps!

I honestly dont see a huge difference with the diffuser (it does feel more stable at 80+ mphs, but the F is pretty solid stock so could be placebo). It is very good quality, solid with good heft but not heavy (i have the full carbon fiber one instead of the slightly cheaper FRP).

Aesthetically its either you hate it or love it (at least from what ive noticed from other ISF owners). I love how it looks and with the thicker tires it definitely looks much more proper.

rem0rse

What tyres/size are you running with that setup?

ALexusF

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Michelin PS4S 275/35/18

ALexusF

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So alot of stuff going on with the F:

Just pulled the trigger on PPE Equal Length Headers (so STOKED!) gathering all the parts for the install:

Figs motor mounts (included in the header package from Figs)
New Denso O2 sensors (got one from another ISF owner that didnt need it, gonna buy the other from Rockauto over the next 6 weeks while i wait lol)
New OEM starter
New miscellaneous parts for the starter install (new plug and starter cable plastic tie down that crumbles upon removing from starter)
New OEM manifold gaskets (i know the ones on the car are reusable but why not for $60 bucks)
Going to buy a pre-bent dipstick (getting from Figs)

- Installed LED fogs from 2020 Tundra (same as MY14 ISF). Definitely makes a difference and just looks nicer. Unsure of how much brighter they are until i go for a drive at night.
- (Not really a mod) but got my new Valentine 1 Gen 2 Radar Detector today


Cannot wait to get the headers installed.....really excited to see what the car sounds like with Borla/Bazooka Muffler deletes

ALexusF

iTrader: (2)

Got alot going with the F this month

HKS coilovers currently enroute from Japan
PPE EL headers should be shipped anyday now
Just got the grille surround wrapped in matte black to match the corner lip pieces

Just did the 2012 Headlight swap and restored the headlights via wet sand (400-1000 grit, spraymax 2k clear, 2000 wetsand [Orange peel], m105-205 compound polish)

Also just switched over to Pennzoil Ultra Platinum from Mobil 1 (just did to actually DO the oil change lol)

ALexusF

iTrader: (2)

Was lucky enough to score the greddy Ti exhaust from a fellow ISF owner. Also installed coilovers. Car is coming together nicely.

PPE EL headers hopefully installed in the next month.

Ill upload photos of the exhaust systems (Borla/RR bazookas and greddy ti) side by side and some undercarriage photos of the greddy installed.

ALexusF

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Hoping to get an appt set for mid October on the header install. Hoping I can get by without a CEL

ALexusF

iTrader: (2)