Resurrecting a 2012 Lexus ISF from the dead
#91
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I used silicone grease on the transfer tube o-rings and it made getting the plate in place pretty easy. Without it, I am certain it would have been a big struggle. For me the key was being able to rotate the transfer tube after installation with my fingers. That let me know for sure the o-rings were happy and not rolled out of place. You're not the first person here to have struggled with this and couple of guy mentioned having to do the job twice because the o-rings were problematic.
I definitely wanted to knock this out before taking it to VIR in March. Judging by how bad it was leaking I am glad I did. There were definitely wet spots within all the crusty sections. It was due!
#92
Nice work. I used permatex the right stuff black on my ISF as well. I also used it on a handful of 3UR Tundras I've done the same repair on when I was tech and some of those went over 300k after the repair without leaking again.
I run a garden hose down into the valley to wash away all the dried up coolant and dirt around the manifold ports then take it for a quick drive to dry it up then start the job and tape up the ports once the manifold is off.
You literally have to memorize the motion you used to remove the plate and do that exact motion in reverse to put it in without messing up your sealant haha. Or lube up your orings and do few practice runs with no sealant haha
I run a garden hose down into the valley to wash away all the dried up coolant and dirt around the manifold ports then take it for a quick drive to dry it up then start the job and tape up the ports once the manifold is off.
You literally have to memorize the motion you used to remove the plate and do that exact motion in reverse to put it in without messing up your sealant haha. Or lube up your orings and do few practice runs with no sealant haha
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lobuxracer (02-14-22),
onepointon (02-13-22)
#93
Moderator
#95
Tech Info Resource
iTrader: (2)
This is exactly what I did. Since the "magic" snot from Toyota is so short on time to install, I did a few dry runs with the o-rings lubed up to be sure I wouldn't be struggling with positioning once the moose mucous was in place.
#96
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I took Friday off and it has been an eventful two days! The car came with Godspeed coil overs and I wanted to switch to something that was a bit nicer in my opinion. I had Fortune 500's on my LS swapped IS300 and liked them a lot. I live in Richmond, VA and Fortune is located about 15 miles from my house so it also feels good to support a local company. Fortune did a Black Friday sale a while back and I was able to score some at a decent discount in 16k F / 12k R. I had also purchased some Fig's adjustable front upper control arms that I needed to install as well. Getting the coil overs and arms on was a pretty easy job, but getting them adjusted to the right height on my garage floor was a total PITA so I took it up to work so I could use a lift and get it aligned.
Lastly, I test fitted the 18x9.5 +38 RPF1's and they fit nicely so I went ahead and mounted up the tires on them. I haven't had a chance to test fit them on the car but hopefully I can get that done today.
I also finally got to installing the "F" badges on the fenders and the rear emblem. I don't know why, but I felt like that should be the last thing I did to the car, kinda of like the icing on the cake. The car looks so much better with them on!
Lastly, I test fitted the 18x9.5 +38 RPF1's and they fit nicely so I went ahead and mounted up the tires on them. I haven't had a chance to test fit them on the car but hopefully I can get that done today.
I also finally got to installing the "F" badges on the fenders and the rear emblem. I don't know why, but I felt like that should be the last thing I did to the car, kinda of like the icing on the cake. The car looks so much better with them on!
Last edited by onepointon; 02-20-22 at 06:13 AM.
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onepointon (02-23-22)
#98
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Doing some track prep this weekend as I’ll be at VIR next weekend. I mounted the tires a few weeks ago but just now had time to test them on the car. These are just for track use only, I’ll be running the OE BBS wheels on the street as I think they look a million times better.
It’s wet outside at the moment but it looks like they are going to be fine up front, maybe a bit close in the rear with the fender lip. I am going to spend some more time in the garage this afternoon installed new OE brembo rotors, carbotech pads, and new brake fluid. Also going to knock out a new drive belt and spark plugs if I have time.
It’s wet outside at the moment but it looks like they are going to be fine up front, maybe a bit close in the rear with the fender lip. I am going to spend some more time in the garage this afternoon installed new OE brembo rotors, carbotech pads, and new brake fluid. Also going to knock out a new drive belt and spark plugs if I have time.
#99
Moderator
Seems like fortune auto is taking over social media. I’m seeing a lot of people using them. Why did you choose them?
#100
Intermediate
Thread Starter
They are local to me (literally 10 miles from my house) and I've known a few people to work there. I also had them on my LS2 swapped IS300 and liked them a lot. It was a mix of liking them on my old car and wanting to support a local company.
The previous owner had installed Godspeed coil overs and they rode like ****. I wanted something that wasn't obnoxiously expensive as well..
#101
Moderator
Just saw some footage of you at VIR… you were pulling that RCF pretty hard, and your car looked pretty flat in corners. Good footage indeed.
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onepointon (03-26-22)
#103
Intermediate
Thread Starter
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BS ISF (03-29-22)
#104
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Just to recap - VIR was an awesome experience in this car. I had originally built my LS swapped IS300 with the hope it would be a good weekend / HPDE car. When I got that car on track it was clear to me there were a lot of things I would want to change on it and I decided to go a different route. I thought an ISF was out of reach until I found this wrecked car. It was a big deal for me to buy this car but I am 100% glad I did and getting it on track after this whole rebuild was totally rewarding.
I ended up going down to the track by myself, however my wife brought our two kids down for a little bit that Saturday. It was a 2.5 hour trip but I was really happy to have them there at the track to check things out. The car didn't give me a bit of trouble. Plenty of power, amazing brakes, excellent handling.. it was awesome. I am sure someone else could find things to critique if they were to get in the car, but for what I need I am more than happy. I also got my bump into HPDE 2 this weekend. I signed up for another event at VIR in August and I am on a wait list for an event in May. I will try to get to one or two more events this year if I can.
I didn't take nearly enough pictures and videos this weekend, but here are a few.
I ended up going down to the track by myself, however my wife brought our two kids down for a little bit that Saturday. It was a 2.5 hour trip but I was really happy to have them there at the track to check things out. The car didn't give me a bit of trouble. Plenty of power, amazing brakes, excellent handling.. it was awesome. I am sure someone else could find things to critique if they were to get in the car, but for what I need I am more than happy. I also got my bump into HPDE 2 this weekend. I signed up for another event at VIR in August and I am on a wait list for an event in May. I will try to get to one or two more events this year if I can.
I didn't take nearly enough pictures and videos this weekend, but here are a few.
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#105
Moderator
I intend to track mine, but have been busy with a house move remodel. I’m also a bit nervous someone will smack into me and ruin my car.