Lexus ISF Header Install | Step By Step Guide for SIKKY Headers 

Yeah it’s not for the feint of heart! It’s doable but takes some time. The fact that these are massive 1 7/8” tubes makes for a tight fit and limited clearance. Glad you got it done!

+Mack Bolan its good you know when it's too much! Always cheaper to let a pro do it then to attempt and end up having to pay someone to fix it. No shame in that at all!

haha yeah, I've been wrenching on my own vehicles for 25 years. it's more of a time vs money thing. The xfer case came out perfect. I just don't want do something like it again! I'm headed over to Chilly Performance in Tampa to get a quote. If it comes out too high, I might be on my garage floor in 100 degree heat. We'll see. Also, I give you guys a lot of respect for having the skill to fabricate these headers. It's amazing actually that you can do it and make it all work perfectly from within such a confined space! Some people balk at the price, but come on, it's no easy trick designing these AND have them work, and that's really where all the value is. Thanks!

+Mack Bolan thanks! It's good to know some people realize the time and effort it takes to R&D a set of headers like this. Have your install guys watch this video. Will save them time and you money.

😬 good luck 💪🏻

@@SikkyTV I got it done! Bending the dipstick was the hardest part 🥴😂

Yeah, it takes some experience and skill to pull off quickly. Will do! thanks for checking out our video!

Thanks 👍

Thanks for the support!

Lam Le Hope they sponsor your F ! got my vote!

Thanks! Glad you like it. We sometimes work with people on this stuff so your best bet would be to send an email to sales@sikky.com and you can make your proposal.

Lam Le is worthy of sponsorship.

Thanks for watching and subscribing!

Rat Race Maverick it is definitely challenging and a shop that is not used to a tedious install like this could struggle. If you are having trouble finding a shop that has experience doing this install look for one that has done headers on Nissan 350z or 370z. These are not as difficult but have some similarities and if they are quick with that install they can get this one done for sure.

yeah it's definitely a process for sure. It takes veteran mechanics about 10 hours. We have done so many now we can do them fairly quick. Is that a Thundercats symbol on your name?

@@SikkyTV damn right🤙😎

rob 49erfan Hell Yeah!!!

thanks for watching, hands down the best upgrade available from a dollar spent to hp gained ratio!

Yeah it appears to be old. Assuming previous owner had some issues repaired and this is the residual

+phrozen06 ha ha, yeah not for a beginner for sure but hands down easiest of all the header options to install

+phrozen06 it's a big job no doubt

Yeah, way easier with a lift

jeff8827 no issues with that. Water can't really get into that area either. Between the splash guards under the engine and the location of the steering shaft knuckle it would be surprising if any water could ever get there. Also, the steering shaft isn't any closer than OEM headers.

Much appreciated! thanks for watching

Yeah, it's a bit time consuming lol

​@@SikkyTV wat is the micro proses ? You doing it must be done after instal these headers?

Yes, major difference. This is a V8 engine and your car has a V6. Not much similar at all.

Haha yup!

The ISF has 4 cats, this performance header removes the front header but you still have the secondary cats in place. Cats can also be added back in downstream of this collector to keep things emissions compliant.

thanks!

Thank you for this video btw, it was really fun watching it...

Yes. They will bolt up to factory exhaust or any exhaust designed to work with factory headers.

dmitry kapralov pretty common with the isf, maybe the water pump was leaking and replaced?

different wiring for rcf vs isf. Got to sikky.com and check out the rcf product listing. There is a RCF specific wiring diagram on that page

SIKKY perfect i already install a rr tuning and no engine lighs came on! Thanks sikky greay header!

under normal circumstances no issues without ceramic coating

They are in the way when doing the install. There is also this little nub that protrudes from the side of the mount base that does nothing and gets trimmed off. Very very minor modification that does not effect the motor mount in any way.

They get very close to the runners. To avoid melting. Did have a few customers report they left them in and didn't have issues so you could leave if you wanted. personal preference I guess

Yes

We have made them but not up for sale yet. Hopefully some time early this year

Ha ha, yeah they were super brittle. Can't be perfect all the time lol.

haha, great job man!

The primary cats that are located in the factory header are gone after this upgrade but the secondary cats in the exhaust are still there if not removed also. No issues passing emissions. Hundreds of customers running these for many years with no check engine lights or problems with emissions testing

@@SikkyTV what about California emission inspections? We all know CALI is bad when it comes to changing things like this. (Not that I'm against it) just sayin

No. Lhd only

tube clearance

@@SikkyTV but ur tube and the dipstick doesn’t work tho

@@SikkyTV that’s why I’m wondering can I put the factory tube and dipstick back in

So it doesn't melt from being so close to the headers.

That's what I suspected. Thanks! btw, my installer wants $2000 to install the headers on the RCF! They go by the service manuals when determining hours. They use Alldata to access the service manuals, and the service manual actually quotes 10 hours per side (exhaust manifold replacement). By watching your video, and that you estimate 7-8 hours for an experienced mechanic with a lift and the proper tools, 20 hours sounds really inflated to me. Of course, the service manual instructs you to drain the power steering fluid and disconnect almost everything from the engine due to having to drop the engine down, even if it's only a few inches.

Mack Bolan Not sure if you paid already but $800 should be the max for RCF/GSF header install.

Not currently in the plans

That rubber is just a cover and not related to the mount dampening. It's close to the header so it's more of a preventative thing so it won't potentially melt. They could be left on with likely no issues but better safe than sorry.

almost, Engine mounts and mounts brackets have to be removed to get PPE headers into the correct space. If I were you, I would just buy the SIKKY headers. Theyre engineered a lot better. I would also suggest the RR racing tune, its alot easier than ECU manipulation with SIkky.

Dyno proven time and time again Sikky headers make more power than PPE. Strength and quality are both good

no, the 6 cylinder engine is much easier.

SIKKY awesome, good to know! Great video btw

The header system comes with everything needed for install. If your talking about the intake then no that is sold separate.

How much for the intake kit n brand

Only on left hand drive cars

There was one.

Yes! See link www.sikky.com/product-category/exhaust-headers/lexus-headers/gsf-lexus-headers/

Not yet but we will when we launch our headers for this vehicle in a couple months so stay tuned!

@@SikkyTV Headers for the is250's? Or will these work on a 2006 is250?

It's basically the exact same install. Really nothing different so this ISF guide could be used for ISF, GSF, and RCF

SIKKY how much are the headers. ??

No longer for sale

Hey, so yes it's recommended that you use the proper tools and any skilled mechanic can do this installation no problem. You could ask the shop if they have installed headers on any v8's before or even a Nissan 350z. It's not much more difficult than any of these installs.

40+ HP to the wheels is the norm. We have seen more in some cases. Granted results will vary based on what dyno you have your testing done on but that's the same for any mod.

Wow what a gain I wanna purchase these for my IsF are u gonna do dyno videos soon ?

Yes, we will be covering that information in the next couple episodes of our project Lexus ISF build.

Yes, dyno videos are coming very soon. There are already several on this channel though so feel free to check them out.

Not currently but if the demand is there we would consider it. We would also need someone with one of these cars local to offer up their car for prototyping purposes.

I hope someone locally can see this message.

SIKKY There's a large following on Club Lexus .

Well ask around and let us know!

Carl Cameron Offer them your car for R&D. It'll be so worth it!!

no, is350 is a v6 this is a v8

Yes, pretty much exactly the same. A few small differences but the procedure is the same

rodk691 😂

Yes, you are correct it's not cheap. But if you look at it from a HP to dollar spent ratio there is no mod that can touch it short of NOS. So it really breaks down to what your goal is with your car. If you don't want more HP and Torque and the focus is more on appearance and handling then yeah it probably does not make sense. If you want to really wake up your ISF and make it feel like a new car with a very noticeable boost in power then it's totally worth it. Look at what people are selling superchargers for. For a fraction of the cost of a supercharger kit you can just about get the same amount of added power. To each his own though, that's the beauty of modifying your car, you can do what you want! Thanks for watching!

This is true! Thanks for the input and a great mod. What kind of hp gains are you expecting from your headers ?

How much do you charge for this install keeping it emissions legal?

Any time!

So good question. As far as we can tell this piece really seems to serve no purpose. It does not appear to add any vibration dampening since it's not part of the actual motor mount, just sits on top between the mount bracket and the mount bushing but does not isolate either. It's removed because it get's very close to the header runners. It's just something we've always removed. We have had a couple questions about that so we are planning to see if they can be left in on the next in house install we do. It's possible they don't need to be removed at all but either way it does not appear to have any adverse effects on anything. Yes, the headers could be coated or wrapped but it's not necessary if one doesn't choose to do that. Hope that answers your questions for now! Thanks for watching.

We've got it down to a science now having installed so many and can do them much faster than average but as a general rule of thumb the first time through, an experienced mechanic with the proper equipment should be able to do the job in 7-8 hours. The scale goes up from there with less experience and inadequate tools.

Yeah you can say that again!

yeah it really is hideous lol.