Originally Posted by Evil Teo

how about we do this a 2013+ and 2011-2012 owner meet up and switch cars, doesn't have to be a whole day but a few minutes and send us feedback. simple enough so lets make this happen. who wants to volunteer?

Originally Posted by redspencer

I made an interesting discovery regarding the IS-F Steering ECU that was not previously posted before and it has to do with the VDIM calibration. As a refresher, below is a quick breakdown of the sub-systems that make up VDIM:



On the ISx50s, when VSC is enabled, there is only one VDIM setting available (Normal) and though it helps keep the car stable for the most part, under aggressive cornering, the Normal VDIM setting tends to hold back the capabilities of the IS more often than not (with significant amounts of braking and engine fuel cut-off).

With the IS-F, Lexus addressed the restrictive VDIM issues that people complained about by providing drivers with two VDIM settings (Normal and Sport). When the IS-F is set to Sport Mode, the throttle sensitivity is increased, the transmission behaves more aggressive, steering feel and firmness is greatly increased, and the VDIM cornering traction threshold is increased to the near limits of the vehicle before the nannies kick in. A quote from Lexus: “In Sport mode, VDIM increases steering feel and allows higher dynamic thresholds before intervening with confidence”.

For the ISx50s on PWR mode, we only get the throttle sensitivity and aggressive shifting benefits. When you swap out the ISx50 Steering ECU with the IS-F version, not only do you gain the extra firm steering when you set the car to PWR mode, the VDIM Sport setting from the IS-F is also available! On specific corners that used to cut power for me with the ISx50 Steering ECU, I can now tackle those same corners with little to no nannies kicking in thanks to the updated IS-F Steering ECU.

I can also confirm all the other benefits mentioned by the others in regards to significantly improved steering feel, less steering assist, more confidence on what the tires are actually doing while you’re in a corner, and that PWR mode firms up the steering wheel even more. As mentioned in my earlier post, I installed a brand-new uncalibrated '12 IS-F Steering ECU and drove the IS safely around the neighborhood as well as the dealership to get it calibrated and I had no issues whatsoever. I still wouldn’t recommend doing spirited driving with an uncalibrated steering ECU in case Murphy’s Law rears its ugly head but normal driving is perfectly okay. Hope this provides more feedback to the 2IS owners that are contemplating this mod. If you have a sports-tuned suspension, I highly recommend the price of admission for this upgrade.

Originally Posted by Compthis

I just bought (30 min ago) the "42" 2013-2014 ECU from Lexus dealer in Mississauga Ontario. I payed $495 taxes in. Shipping will be 3 weeks from japan. I will let you know how it goes when installed. I'll be coming to see you Rick when I'm ready. My stock 08 ECU will be for sale once the new one is in.

Originally Posted by Rossi

That's an awesome deal. Is $495 Us$ or CAN$?

Originally Posted by Compthis

$495 CAD. I would have paid a lot more with shipping and duties from Sewels. Just Sewels price alone cost more which I don't understand how it's possible. All parts I've bought in the past sewels Lexus kills the local dealer price in Canada. I also got a 10% discount on the original price. No hook up, I just asked for it.