Short answer: replace your 2UR coils when you've confirmed one is bad, or before you add power if the originals are old. If one has already failed and you plan to keep the car, I'd do all eight. If you're selling soon or money is tight, replacing the bad one is fine. Just know the others are the same age.

That's the whole answer. The rest of this post is the details: how to tell it's actually a coil, the one-vs-eight tradeoff, Standard vs Premium, and why I always bring up coils before someone buys headers.

Some background on why I'm writing this. At Mod in Japan, we're the North American master distributor, and a lot of our customers drive IS F, RC F, GS F, IS 500 and LC 500 cars. 2UR coil questions come up more than you'd think. Sometimes it's a misfire code. Sometimes it's someone about to install headers who wants to make sure the engine is ready. The question is basically always the same. When should I replace them, and do I really need to do all eight?

What the coils actually do

The GR Corolla has been one of the more fun cars to watch the aftermarket catch up to. People who buy them tend to actually drive them, and a lot of the questions we get are about how to make the car look the part without making it worse to live with.

GROW Design is the brand we keep pointing people to for that. Let's walk through how we'd put a GR Corolla build together around GROW parts, what order makes sense, and some things to check before you order.

Who is GROW Design?

GROW Design is a Japanese aero brand focused on Toyota GR cars. They've also worked directly with GR, Toyota Gazoo Racing, on parts like a sport seat for the GR Corolla, and with FUJITSUBO on an exhaust. That tells you they're not just making body kits in a vacuum. They're working with people who know these cars.

The biggest takeaway: confirm your build date first

Before anything else. GROW makes versions for GR Corollas built from September 2024 onward that are listed separately from the earlier parts. My concern is

If you've been around the Lexus IS F, RC F, GS F, IS 500 or LC 500 for any amount of time, you've seen the NOVEL Racing Japan name. On forums, at meets, on time attack cars. And we get asked pretty often who they actually are and why we work with them so closely.

So let's talk about it. This is less of a product post and more of the background on one of the brands we've built a lot of Mod in Japan around.

What happened: how NOVEL and Mod in Japan connect

NOVEL Racing Japan is a Japanese tuning company focused on Lexus. That focus is the whole point. Most aftermarket brands try to cover dozens of platforms. NOVEL's catalog is built around the Lexus performance cars, which means a lot of their development time goes into a small number of cars.

Mod in Japan imports directly from NOVEL in Japan. We've supported them for years, including at the Nürburgring, and a lot of what we know about these cars came from working alongside them. That relationship is a big part of why we stock their parts

This one comes up a lot. Someone with an 86, a BRZ or a GR86 finds our HighSpark GR86 ignition coils, sees two listings, and asks which one is theirs. Fair question, because the two kits aren't interchangeable and the names don't make it obvious. But before fitment, let's talk about why the upgrade is worth it.

Quick note: HighSpark doesn't currently list a Premium kit for the GR86/BRZ, so the Standard Type A and Type C kits are the ones to look at.

So let's walk through how to figure it out, why we recommend replacing the whole set, and when coils are even worth looking at in the first place.

Why upgrade from stock coils?

If you're going to replace the coils on your 86, BRZ or GR86 anyway, this is a good spot to upgrade instead of just putting stock back in. HighSpark rates their spark output at 2 to 2.5 times more powerful than an OEM coil. That stronger spark is what sharpens throttle response, and HighSpark stabilizes the voltage coming out of the coil, so the engine runs smoother and

A lot of RC F owners call us with the same RC F build plan. They want headers, coilovers, carbon aero and a tune, and they want it all done this month. Totally understand. The RC F makes you want to do everything at once.

My concern with doing it all in one go is that you end up paying for some work twice. You set the ride height, then the aero goes on and you want it lower. Or the car gets louder and faster, and then a tired coil pack starts acting up and you're chasing a misfire on a car you just spent real money on.

So let's walk through how we'd sequence an RC F build if it were our car. This isn't the only way to do it. It's just the order that, from what we see with customers, causes the fewest headaches.

The biggest takeaway first: RC F build order

Do the reliability work before the power work, and do the suspension before the aero. If you remember nothing else from this post, remember that. The rest is details.

Step 1: Get the ignition healthy

The 2UR V8 is a great engine. It's

Lexus IS500 Exhaust Master Buyer’s Guide: Axleback, Midpipe, Catback, Headers, Sound Level, and Price Tier Comparison

The Lexus IS500 has a growing number of exhaust options available, ranging from simple axleback systems to midpipes, full catback exhausts, valved systems, titanium systems, stainless steel systems, and headers.

This guide was put together as an informational resource to help compare Lexus IS500 exhaust options by brand, exhaust type, sound level, price tier, material, and general use case.

Important Notes

Sound levels are general estimates. Final volume depends on the full combination of parts, including axlebacks, midpipes, headers, catalytic converters, and resonators.

Price tiers are simplified into Value, Mid Range, and High End. They are intended only as general comparison points, not exact pricing.

Some exhaust components, especially headers and catalytic converter-related parts, may affect emissions compliance depending on location. Always check local regulations

NOVEL Carbon Fiber Aerodynamics Kit Installation Guide for Lexus GS F

Official Instructions:

The NOVEL Carbon Fiber Aerodynamics Kit is one of the cleanest exterior upgrades available for the Lexus GS F. The kit adds a more aggressive and refined appearance while still following the factory body lines of the vehicle.

This installation overview covers the main NOVEL aero components for the Lexus GS F, including the front lip spoiler, side spoilers, rear under spoilers, and rear diffuser. The installation is straightforward for an experienced installer, but it does require careful test fitting, drilling, surface preparation, and hardware installation.

This is not simply a peel-and-stick installation. NOVEL’s instructions call for test fitting, marking hole locations, drilling, installing supplied hardware, applying double-sided tape, and securing the components with bolts, clips, nutters, nutter rings, or tapping screws depending on the part.

General Installation Notes

Before beginning

Every day at Mod in Japan, we receive countless inquiries about recommended brake pad replacements for Lexus models like the RC F, GS F, IS F, LC500, and many others. Over the past decade, we've advised Lexus owners on the ideal brake pads suited to their needs.

After extensive experience and customer feedback, we've identified three brake pads that we strongly recommend:

• Project Mu Type NS-C

• Project Mu Type PS

• TOMS Racing Performer 600C

In our latest YouTube video, we thoroughly review why these brake pads are exceptional choices for approximately 95% of the Lexus community—particularly those who use their vehicles as daily drivers with occasional spirited driving. If you frequently track your vehicle, these recommendations may not apply to your specific needs.

These brake pads effectively address common issues Lexus drivers face with OEM pads and rotors, notably excessive dust, noise, and inconsistent braking performance.

Recommended Products:

Lexus RC F / GS F:

• Project Mu Type NS-C

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2024
Contact: Robert Apodaca
Director of Client Services, Brandcreative LLC
Email: [email protected]

Mod in Japan’s #MIJTaco and Wheelers Motorsport Tacoma Make Their Mark at Formula Drift Irwindale Finals

Irwindale, California – October 19, 2024 – This past weekend, the Formula Drift Irwindale Finals drew over 22,000 motorsport fans to the iconic "House of Drift." Among the event's many attractions, Mod in Japan’s #MIJTaco and Wheelers Motorsport Tacoma caught the attention of those who appreciate thoughtful vehicle builds and practical upgrades.

The #MIJTaco has a history of appearances at prestigious automotive events, having been featured at the Rhino Rack booth at SEMA 2022 and the DTE Systems booth in 2023. The build reflects Mod in Japan's commitment to purposeful overlanding, with a carefully curated selection of performance modifications and accessories that emphasize reliability and real-world functionality. Nearby, Wheelers Motorsport