The new Lexus RC-F is a stunning sports coupe by the luxury Toyota brand. What Lexus has done with its more sporty vehicles since the IS300 has not always been in line with other manufactures. Continuing to produce normally aspirated vehicles, its not easy to crank out extra horsepower. Even the V8 IS-F monster was limited on bolt-ons and few aftermarket companies wanted to try to do forced induction. So with the latest Lexus RC-F that features a massive 5.0L V8 engine making 306 horsepower mated to a 8 speed automatic transmission, what can be done?
The first thing every car enthusiast wants is more sound. Sure the V8 engine will have some growl, but opening up the catback to an aftermarket exhaust that is well balanced will bring music from the quad step style exhaust tips. Both MagnaFlow and Tanabe offer axle back replacements. The axle back is usually just the replacement of the muffler system and not from the catback like the Apexi N-Spec Exhaust. Doing a catback will yield more mid to top end gains. The axle back will give you some more sound and slight performance. Another great horsepower adder is an intake kit. Through some research, it appears that the Lexus IS-F air intakes fit the same on the RC-F because they share the same engine platform. If that is 100% true, there still may be a bracket or bolt that could very. Sticking with the trusted intake brands, aFe, K&N, and Takeda make a cold air intake kit. Other performance parts such as bigger throttle bodies, superchargers, turbo kits, and bolt-on adders are in development via different companies.
With some simple power adders, the 2 next big things would be the RC-F stance and wheels. Stance is how the car sits and looks lowered compared to the stock suspension. RS-R of Japan makes both lowering springs and coilovers for the Lexus coupe. Coilovers are always a preferred method because you can set your ride height and adjust the dampening to give you the optimal ride for street or track. If the car is equipped with sport suspension, you could lose this feature. Lowering springs are cheaper and still offer that lowered look but utilize the stock shocks. Most cars looking better with a 1-2 inch drop. Lowering the car gets rid of the wheel gap most have come to hate from the factory. Once the car is lowered, its time to dress up those wheels. There are a million combinations of wheels that can be done. 1pc forged, 3pc forged, 1pc cast, flow forged, are all wheel options. Popular companies such as Volk Racing 1pc Forged Wheels from Japan are synomomous with cars like the RC-F. Other wheels can be made to order like a 3pc set of Avant Garde (AG Wheels), or even a set of ADV1 Wheels. With a car that does 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, its best to stay with a lightweight forged wheel to keep the rotational weight as low as possible.
Since the car comes with Brembo OEM designed calipers, its already stops really well. The Brembo four-wheel, power-assisted brakes feature slotted and ventilated rotors. Braking can always be upgraded and the checkered flag might depend on who is fastest in and fast out of the corner. Aftermarket brake pads can definitely improve stopping power. These along with some good DOT4 synthetic brake fluid like Motul or Endless is the way to go. For those that really want to step up your game, you can get a Brembo GT big brake kit to take the front from a 4 piston to a 6 piston monoblock caliper with 2 piece 405mm rotors.
As the Lexus RC-F continues to evolve, the aftermarket will be on top of it with body kits, flares, sway bars, engine parts, roll bars, and much more. If you don’t see it on our site, ask us, cause we can get it!
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