jroy3221

Just wanted to hear what the guys who done the 5sp swap on the vvti motors have to say? Problems they ran into, gains, losses? Best place to get everything? Total they spent on parts, better to get all new or can u get used parts... appreciate the help.. And ofcourse if anyone selling parts pm me...

Appreciate it

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

SC400 VVT-i's are somewhat rare even when compared to factory original SC300 5-speeds.

Search for threads written by Cartmill for information about swapping a 5-speed manual into a 98-00 SC300 (same should apply to a 98-00 SC400 VVT-i).

New or used depends on the condition of the parts. Things that can wear out might be better purchased new (clutch master cyl, etc.) Common W58 and R154 swap threads should cover those.

The thing about your 1998 SC400 VVT-i is that the 5-speed automatic transmission is far better than the 4-speed automatic it replaced from 92-97 models. Theoretically you'd only gain something from the swap (other than the great feel of a manual transmission which we all love) if you swapped your 3.26:1 open rear end for a Supra TT Auto 3.769:1 rear end (which may as well be one with a Torsen LSD) or a 92-97 3.916:1 SC400 rear end.

You'll probably lose a bit of highway fuel economy by doing that but the alternative is that you probably won't like the 5-speed with your stock 3.26:1 gearing.

People have done this swap and the bell housing adapter kits are fundamentally the same for all 1UZ blocks.

Also keep in mind that the solution to eliminate the CEL dash light after your 5-speed manual swap on all 98-00 SC300/400's is to physically remove the shift solenoids from your automatic transmission, bundle them up somehow under the car and plug them back in (refer to Cartmill's threads) which gives the VVT-i ECU the signals it wants even though those solenoids are basically acting on nothing at that point.

The rest is covered in many 5-speed swap threads. Good luck!

jroy3221

KahnBB6 thanks for your input, i appreciate it. I post pics once the project starts.

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

Cool!

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

jroy, you might also want to look into the R154 for this swap. Generally people do a W58 swap on SC400's but few have swapped a manual into the 290hp/300lb-ft VVT-i models. You may want to consider it for long term use since those power numbers are basically the same as most stock 1JZ-GTE engines (especially the 1JZ VVT-i) and Toyota only used R154 5-speeds and V160's at those power levels.

W58's are most often swapped into lower horsepower non-VVTi SC400's. Their longevity depends on how you drive them with elevated horsepower beyond their factory pairing (2JZ-GE) and there is not much horsepower difference between stock NA SC300's and 92-97 SC400's.

scENFORCER

The 5spd swap into a vvt-i sc400 is indeed very rare, I am only aware of 2 people on the forum that have done it. The guy whose currently selling his SC in the classifieds, and another member who had a shop do the swap for him in Texas.
Here's a link to his thread.. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...-finished.html

I've been itching to do this swap on my '99 for a few years now, and it may just be my next project. However as Kahn mentioned the R154 is a better way to go, and definitely the route I plan on taking. The only caveat with this is that I'm not aware of ANY R154 swapped 98+ sc400's. Theoretically the swap is relatively straight forward mechanically (there's kits you can buy, but it is cheaper to piece everything together). BUT the hard part with this swap (regardless whether its W58 or R154) is the electical component - namely getting rid of all the CEL's. Even once the swap is complete, and you manage to get rid of all the CEL's, things like your power memory seats wont function anymore.
Find yourself someone whose a magician with cars electical systems and the swap should be no problem though. AND be sure to post a step by step tuorial if you do go through with it!

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

^^ I was just about to point out that thread. Beat me to it

I wasn't aware that the swap is indeed that rare for VVT-i 400's. Only two is telling.

There was a thread posted recently showcasing an Eaton M112 supercharged non-VVT-i SC400 with an R154 swap.

As for the seat memory function, that's so strange that a transmission swap would affect it. There might be a connection to the Park function on the OEM automatic gear selector that allows the memory seat module to be the OK to change settings. That's all I can think of. My SC300 with memory doesn't allow setting or selecting column, mirror or seat memory unless my parking brake is up. Does it also affect your mirror and steering column memory function with this swap as well?

I lost that function when I went to Supra MKIV seats but every other memory setting still works, albeit only when the parking brake is up.

jroy3221

KahnBB6, I am still doing homework on what transmission to use, I will read up more on the r154. Thanks.

krash114

jroy not trying to thread jack u just have a question. im doing a 1uz and 5 speed swap into a S160 GS300, can i use the same layout as is used in the SC300/400? also this will be a straight drift car and at so point will be boosted, is it better to go with the R154 rather then the W58? or should i say go for it and find a TT supra tranny?

again not trying to thread jack but the responses i have read today are all over the bored.

t2d2

iTrader: (8)

This got me thinking... Is it possible to swap the VVTI auto tranny into the earlier models with minimal fuss? I tried searching for it and couldn't come up with a combination of words that yielded anything other than manual tranny swaps.

scENFORCER

Not sure about the layout, the GS forums will have far more information than we do here. But I say you'll need the R154 minimum if you're drifting. Stay away from the W58 if you're going to be using it aggressivley or using some power. V160 is the way to go if you got deep pockets. Its by far the strongest and plus its a 6spd while the other two are only 5spds.

scENFORCER

I think the reason you havent found anything is because if you're going to go through the trouble of doing a swap then 99.9% of people would go manual.

t2d2

iTrader: (8)

But if the A/T's are fairly compatible, it would be a whole lot easier and cheaper to do that swap, and it might come close to the same level of performance.

scENFORCER

I just mean no one wants an auto (ok ok, very few ppl want an auto).

t2d2

iTrader: (8)

Exactly why it would be a much more affordable option! Old A/T's are cheap. Manual swaps, not so much. If the different generations of auto trannys are compatible, it could be a great way to unleash some of the engine's performance potential without a manual swap that can easily double the cost of the car.