Just got my Tom's TCU installed yesterday over at VIP Auto Salon. Took Clark about 10 minutes to install (its a plug and drive system) and all I need to say is WOW... if you don't have this already, i would highly recommend it. It isn't going to give you any HP gains but, the change in the response of the car is crazy. Makes the F feel like a completely different car. Get's rid of the throttle response lag the Lexus cars are known to have. A stock F with this installed will definitely beat one without it installed off the line and the track (not due to power but just due to the increased response). Already have my Tom's air filter and am getting the JoeZ intake installed today (got both of those from Clark at VIP as well). The unit lets you choose between four settings and is such a simple install process... definitely worth the money in my opinion. Only thing left for me is an exhaust which I hope to get soon.

I got the blitz control unit and yeah i agree with you it is a different car.I love it.

Thanks for letting us know what you think of the TOMs system bchoi. I am highly considering getting one. Thank you :cool:

Hey Jakeosweing...where did you get the Blitz unit? Can you provide a link?

Thanks!

l-tunedparts.com has it. The Tom's and the Blitz have the same maker. See Plug and Play thread.

i was just wondering if one of those 4 settings on the LTC is like the stock mode exaclty...

in other words can u just turn it off and have ur car's response normal as it is stock?

in other words can u just turn it off and have ur car's response normal as it is stock?

Yes, from my reading, once you turn the car off, the throttle control turns off. The car reverts back to stock and will remain so until you turn the throttle control unit back on.

I think for the Blitz unit, you have to get the extra "reverse control harness".

Does anyone know what specifically is changed (it cannot be the shift time) by the throttle control? How is it different from the sport mode?

does adding the TOM or blitz void the warranty at all?

Just got my Tom's TCU installed yesterday over at VIP Auto Salon. Took Clark about 10 minutes to install (its a plug and drive system) and all I need to say is WOW... if you don't have this already, i would highly recommend it. It isn't going to give you any HP gains but, the change in the response of the car is crazy. Makes the F feel like a completely different car. Get's rid of the throttle response lag the Lexus cars are known to have. A stock F with this installed will definitely beat one without it installed off the line and the track (not due to power but just due to the increased response). Already have my Tom's air filter and am getting the JoeZ intake installed today (got both of those from Clark at VIP as well). The unit lets you choose between four settings and is such a simple install process... definitely worth the money in my opinion. Only thing left for me is an exhaust which I hope to get soon.

I was just wondering how I can contact Clark at VIP if I was to have a Joe Z exhaust shipped.

Thanks

I was just wondering how I can contact Clark at VIP if I was to have a Joe Z exhaust shipped.

Thanks

Clark's contact info:

email - clark@vipautosalon.com
Phone - (310) 618-8886

Lou

I just purchased and installed the Blitz throttle controller on my F and holy shi* it turns the car into a completely different beast! :cool:

Whoooweee! I can't wait to get mine!

How safe is it to play with electric stuff in the car? My other question is, Is it ok to drive the F all the time on Sport mode or does anyone think it's not too good an idea?

I meant electronic* :)

I'm going to be the skeptical person, I'm sure it gets rid of the lag in the normal driving map but once the car is locked in (Sport setting and Manual mode) it responds pretty damn quick. So lets see your 1/4 time to back it up the claim.

How safe is it to play with electric stuff in the car? My other question is, Is it ok to drive the F all the time on Sport mode or does anyone think it's not too good an idea?

I say its fine because it comes like that from the factory. Lexus isn't going to do anything that is going to hurt the car because that means we break it and they have to fix it under warranty. All the sport mode is really doing to pumping a little more fuel a little quicker into the car.

^^^^Actually Sport Mode does not pump in more fuel, it's all in the electronics. Read below:

"The IS-F actually has three modes. Normal features an especially cruel nanny. Lexus calls this Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), and it encompasses traction control, stability control, ABS, brake assist, electric brake force distribution, engine torque and the brake-based electronic limited-slip differential that can apply brake and throttle at the same time. In Normal mode, any aggressive movement is interpreted as naughty. As a result the orange idiot light flickers almost constantly. Worse, Normal mode retards the throttle response and overboosts the power steering. Lexus could have just called Normal chill-out mode. Or better yet, Lexus mode. In Sport mode, not only is the throttle response dialed way up and the dual-mode power steering turned down, but if the transmission is left in drive, revs are held right up to redline. Moreover, the VDIM is dialed back to allow for more fun, something engineers call a "higher dynamic threshold," yet enough computer processing takes place to save one's bacon if the IS-F is pushed too far. If you like, you can actually switch everything off leaving only the electronic limited-slip diff and ABS to keep you out of the weeds. But with so much grunt available at all times and a back that's happy to break loose."

Oh, Mine is in Sport Mode all the time, except in the rain.

Lou

I just purchased and installed the Blitz throttle controller on my F and holy shi* it turns the car into a completely different beast! :cool:

I HIGHLY Agree Mike!!!! :D


Joe Z

^I told Clark he needs to send out a whiplash warning and a set of diapers with every throttle controller purchase :cool:

Does anyone know how to install either the Blitz or the Tom's throttle unit? I'm serious about getting one but, I don't know if I can trust any shop to just put it in or is it that easy to do? Any response would be helpful. New to F website here.

Does anyone know how to install either the Blitz or the Tom's throttle unit? I'm serious about getting one but, I don't know if I can trust any shop to just put it in or is it that easy to do? Any response would be helpful. New to F website here.

Plug & Play.. The harness plugs into the OEM plug above the gas pedal...
3 minutes tops..

You will spend another 20 minutes finding a good place for the brain box mounting, wiring and display unit mounting.

Joe Z

Welcome ISF500. I was a little suspicious about how easy it would be to install but don't worry, it is incredibly simple. Like Joe Z said, it's a simple install and it takes longer figuring out where to put the dang box

Thanks guys!!! So glad there is a community out there for the F.

Just got my Tom's TCU installed yesterday over at VIP Auto Salon. Took Clark about 10 minutes to install (its a plug and drive system) and all I need to say is WOW... if you don't have this already, i would highly recommend it. It isn't going to give you any HP gains but, the change in the response of the car is crazy. Makes the F feel like a completely different car. Get's rid of the throttle response lag the Lexus cars are known to have. A stock F with this installed will definitely beat one without it installed off the line and the track (not due to power but just due to the increased response). Already have my Tom's air filter and am getting the JoeZ intake installed today (got both of those from Clark at VIP as well). The unit lets you choose between four settings and is such a simple install process... definitely worth the money in my opinion. Only thing left for me is an exhaust which I hope to get soon. I want one of these too, I hate the throttle in the F... You say that this is a plug and play unit? are there installation instructions included with the unit? I want to put one in but need to basically take it out if I need to take car back in for warranty. and dont want to spend 2 hours taking it in and out. but you said 10 mins? im very interested now.

I will have to do a full eval on both the Toms and Blitz controllers. They all look the same down to the readout and buttons, but their parameters are tuned a bit differently. The Blitz would be medium and Tom's would be considered aggressive.

I want one of these too, I hate the throttle in the F... You say that this is a plug and play unit? are there installation instructions included with the unit? I want to put one in but need to basically take it out if I need to take car back in for warranty. and dont want to spend 2 hours taking it in and out. but you said 10 mins? im very interested now.

Literally takes 10 minutes to install. Mine came with simple instructions that make it even easier to install. It would take even less time to uninstall because you don't have to find a place to hide the box.

I will have to do a full eval on both the Toms and Blitz controllers. They all look the same down to the readout and buttons, but their parameters are tuned a bit differently. The Blitz would be medium and Tom's would be considered aggressive.

I would like to hear your opinions on both Flipside. I personally went with the Blitz because it was less aggressive and I was worried about traction issues if I stopped on the peddle from a light (especially on these horrible Texas roads). With the Blitz on SP3 + Sport + Traction Off = burnouts at every light, I can't imagine what the Toms is like

^^ Hey Mike...

From my quick anaylsis of the two, they seem to be EXACTLY the same... ;)

I would like to hear your opinions on both Flipside. I personally went with the Blitz because it was less aggressive and I was worried about traction issues if I stopped on the peddle from a light (especially on these horrible Texas roads). With the Blitz on SP3 + Sport + Traction Off = burnouts at every light, I can't imagine what the Toms is like

According to my sources, the TOM's and Blitz controllers are programmed a bit differently in parameters. They may seem the same on paper, but the TOM's controller is supposed to be more aggressive than the Blitz. I will try to confirm it soon.

According to my sources, the TOM's and Blitz controllers are programmed a bit differently in parameters. They may seem the same on paper, but the TOM's controller is supposed to be more aggressive than the Blitz. I will try to confirm it soon.

So is the TOM's so much more aggressive that a TOM's SP2 = Blitz SP3?

So i read and heard how awesome both of these controllers are. What did you guys end up with: which is better or is it really the same??? I'm looking into getting one. Plz let me kno!:)

I have a Blitz in my car and out of the 3 stages, I use the stage 1 on a daily basis. I use stage 2 when i feel someone next to me wants some,,, lol. I used the stage 3 before just to test out its full potential. I tried it on the highway and on a hard mash with the stage 3 on, My F downshifted from 8th to 4th and holy shit did it move. lol. I've never tested the Tom's before but from my experience with the Blitz. I think the Blitz is more than enough cause even when I use stage 2 on the street, I think its a bit jumpy, meaning, you cannot get a smooth acceleration. I hope i didnt word this wrong, but with the stage 2 on, the car basically jumps and kinda presses your head onto the headrest. Im pretty sure some ppl will like this, I do too, but not on a daily basis. thats why I have it on stage 1. that being said, I really dont see you would really want a more aggressive Toms throttle controller. Unless you use your F on the track and want Wot and Instant, Instant response. I believe the Tom's unit is almost $200 more also.

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking about getting one as well. I know when I go into Sport mode the car gets difficult to move fluidly without jumping and I figured it would be even more difficult with the Blitz. Not that I don't get used to the response after driving it, i was just concerned it was worse than Sport.

So, a couple of you have mentioned hiding the box...where did you put it...any pics to give us a reference of how big this thing is and where you installed it? I might buy a Blitz as a Xmas gift to me, lol...

I just have my display unit right in front of the speedometer, the other piece is just hidden behind the dash. near the trunk and gas release.

Here is a link to the Blitz web site and installation manual. http://www.blitzperformancesales.com/products/throcon/throcon.html http://www.blitzperformancesales.com/techsupport/pdf/throttlecontroller.pdf
Angel

Got my Blitz from Clark at VIP Auto Salon. He installed it for me in 10 minutes.

any pictures to see how it looks like to have
an idea?
I m waiting for mine!...I ordered a Tom's from Clark VIP auto salon!:D

any pictures to see how it looks like to have
an idea?
I m waiting for mine!...I ordered a Tom's from Clark VIP auto salon!:D

Hope to hear your results on TOM's Sergio!!:) I'm still debatin and besides it's winter i can't do much with no garage so no rush.

any pictures to see how it looks like to have
an idea?
I m waiting for mine!...I ordered a Tom's from Clark VIP auto salon!:D

Click on the link on post #38. That's how it looks like.