LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

Intake manifold swap?

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Old 04-15-13, 06:20 PM
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usoff89
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Default Intake manifold swap?

I did search, but didn't find much. Someone local has a lower and upper intake minifold for sale from a 98 SC4. I was just curious if that manifold would bolt to the heads on the non vvt-i motor (my 93 LS motor)? I'm sure it would take alot of modification to the harness for sensors and possibly the fuel rail setup. But would bolt down like normal? Or are they comeplety different because of the vvt-i?
Old 04-15-13, 07:03 PM
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'98+ xUZ manifolds will not bolt on to the earlier heads, not even close.

however vvt-i heads (and intake mani.) will bolt on to earlier blocks (though an oil passage in the block needs to be drilled out for the VVTi), though you would either need the complete '98+ harness and ECU or a standalone EMS to make it run.
Old 04-15-13, 07:12 PM
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usoff89
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Thanks PD! I was just reading that very same thing on another site. Someone mentioned something about needed custom pistons for the vvti swap? They also mentioned that you could possilby "lock up" the vvt-i portion of the heads somehow?

The whole reason I was looking into the intake from the later vvt-i motor, is because it looks better under the hood. When I find some free time, I want to start tearing the top of the motor apart and start cleaning everything up. Maybe tuck some things if I can, and do some powder coating. Sounds like the work would not worth it for the manifold.
Old 04-15-13, 07:26 PM
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aside from looks, the later heads and manifolds outflow the earlier ones by a HUGE margin.

I forget, but I believe you can use 2UZ pre-vvti cams and seals and pulleys to get around not having VVTi, but you'd still need a custom EMS since the later heads don't have provisions for the distributors.
Old 04-15-13, 07:40 PM
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Thanks, that clears that up a little more. My dad has a brand new tig welder that he wants to play with. Maybe one of these days, I'll swing by the salvage yard and pull an intake off of a 1uz. Then make some sort of alumiuim intake that will bolt down to the factory lower portion.
Old 04-15-13, 10:24 PM
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Originally Posted by usoff89
Thanks, that clears that up a little more. My dad has a brand new tig welder that he wants to play with. Maybe one of these days, I'll swing by the salvage yard and pull an intake off of a 1uz. Then make some sort of alumiuim intake that will bolt down to the factory lower portion.
don't forget that the '98-00 TBs are all dbw, not cable, so you may as well add an aftermarket or Q45 throttle (since they are cable).

The intake is a decent gain, but the heads/cams is where there are real gains to be found.
Old 04-16-13, 10:58 AM
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usoff89
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Yeah, I would be happy with any type of gain and to have it look way better. We'll see though. Thanks for the input
Old 04-16-13, 02:54 PM
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good info here! thanks for the new knowledge PD!
Old 04-16-13, 03:34 PM
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Originally Posted by timmy0tool
good info here! thanks for the new knowledge PD!

I had found a few things on the net, but no real good answers to my question. So, yes thanks PD! lol, always there to set us straight!
Old 04-16-13, 06:13 PM
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no problem guys, though this info is all on the web (mostly Lextreme forums)
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