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.
Tom's Throttle Control Unit
1 - 20 of 42 Posts
Joined
·
9 Posts
I got the blitz control unit and yeah i agree with you it is a different car.I love it.
Joined
·
1,389 Posts
Thanks for letting us know what you think of the TOMs system bchoi. I am highly considering getting one. Thank you 
Joined
·
50 Posts
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.
Joined
·
79 Posts
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?
I was just wondering how I can contact Clark at VIP if I was to have a Joe Z exhaust shipped.
Thanks
Joined
·
710 Posts
Joined
·
1,389 Posts
I just purchased and installed the Blitz throttle controller on my F and holy shi* it turns the car into a completely different beast!
Joined
·
70 Posts
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.
Joined
·
294 Posts
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.
Joined
·
710 Posts
^^^^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
"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
1 - 20 of 42 Posts
Join the discussion
Join now to ask and comment!