DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Welcome to ClubLexus!

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This post is a series of merged threads created over several years describing and discussing the differences between the SC300 & SC400

The SC300 comes with a 3.0-liter 182 ci cast iron inline-6 motor with aluminum heads (engine designation: 2JZ-GE) and a choice between a Toyota A343E 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive or a Toyota W58 5-speed manual transmission (available from 1992-1997).

From 1992-1997, the power was rated as 225 horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 210 ft/lb torque @ 4800 rpm. From 1998-2000, the power was rated as 225 horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 220 ft/lb torque @ 4000 rpm. Curb weight ranges from 3494 lbs. in 1992 to 3560 lbs. in 2000.

The SC400 comes with a 4.0-liter 242 ci cast aluminum V-8 motor with aluminum heads (engine designation: 1UZ-FE) and a standard equipped Toyota A343E 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive (from 1992-1997). No manual transmission was ever offered for the SC400.

From 1992-1995, the power was rated as 250 horsepower @ 5600 rpm and 260 ft/lb torque @ 4400 rpm. From 1996-1997, the power was rated as 260 horsepower @ 5600 rpm and 270 ft/lb torque @ 4400 rpm. From 1998-2000, the power was rated as 290 horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 300 ft/lb torque @ 4000 rpm. Curb weight ranges from 3575 lbs. in 1992 to 3655 lbs. in 2000.

Manual transmissions were never offered for the SC400 and were discontinued after 1997 on the SC300. The SC300s that came with optional Toyota W58 5-speed manual transmissions do not come equipped with traction control.

In 1998 the SC400 received a Toyota A650E 5-speed automatic transmission with advanced ECT-i and a burl-wood gated shifter (from 1998-2000), while the 1998 SC300 received a Toyota A343E 4-speed automatic transmission with burl-wood gated shifter (from 1998-2000).

In 1998, both the SC300 and SC400 received VVT-i (intelligent variable valve timing) engine technology. These motors have completely redesigned heads, which boast variable valve timing on their intake camshafts via an oil-driven helical gear-drive. 1998 and newer Lexus models with 4.0L V-8s are capable of low to high 14-second quarter miles. - (info provided by gs400998)

The SC400 came stock with 16x7.5-inch alloy wheels and the SC300 came stock with 15x6.5-inch turbine-cut alloy wheels.

The SC400 came with power automated telescoping/tilting steering wheel, and the third brake light was mounted inside the spoiler as opposed to on the rear dash behind the windshield in the SC300. The SC400 has larger disc brakes (11.7-inch front & 12.1-inch rear) compared to the SC300 (10.8-inch front & 11.4-inch rear). The SC300 had an optional but very rare velour (gray or tan) interior and optional but very rare hard top (no moonroof).

There are no substantial body differences between the SC300 and SC400. Models that did not include a spoiler with LED-third brake light, standard on the SC400 and optional on the SC300, were fitted with a third brake light on the rear deck behind the rear windshield.

ACCELERATION
Year, Model, & Drivetrain 0 - 60 mph Quarter mile
1992 SC300 4-speed auto 7.2 sec 15.8 sec at 89 mph
1992 SC300 5-speed manual 6.8 sec 15.4 sec at 90 mph
1993 SC400 4-speed auto 6.9 sec 15.3 sec
1995 SC400 4-speed auto 6.7 sec 15.2 sec at 93 mph
1998 SC400 5-speed auto 6.3 sec 14.7 sec at 97 mph[/QUOTE]
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If you need more information beyond this FAQ post I suggest searching this forum using advanced search for "which buy sc300 or sc400" and found these threads among many others. You can also 'just search titles' for "sc300 sc400' which narrowed down the number of posts to sift throuh

3rdelement

iTrader: (1)

just curious as to why i would buy an sc300 over an sc400? It looks like price is the only benefit. Am i wrong?

lex400sc

insurance, turbo, manual transmission?

3rdelement

iTrader: (1)

honestly as much as the performance freaks might want to kill me, im not really looking for manual tranny. i live in the hilly state of colorado with wayyyy to much traffic.

SUPRMSC

iTrader: (7)

gas milage is about the same. But I got the SC300 instead because of performance - same engine as the naturally aspirated supra.

BLK13X

If you're looking to keep it stock, I'd get an SC400 because it's got more power out of the box. If you wanna mod up the SC300 is a better base for tuning... NA-T, 1J and 2J engine conversions are common.

3rdelement

iTrader: (1)

same body? and same interior?

sc300 = v6?
sc400= v8?

DETUNED

inline 6 vs the v8

Everything is pretty much the same. The 400 has slightly larger brakes and a front lip on the 92-96 models. I'd get a 400 if you dont plan on modding it much. The 300 is just ***** slow with an auto.

And around here, the 400s seem cheaper then 300s

3rdelement

iTrader: (1)

im not really looking for major swaps or mods. But i want a car that doesnt feel like its going to fall apart when the v8 is pushed a bit. Lately ive been in too many v8's that feel like they are going to rattle appart. i assume that is not the case with the stock sc400.

DETUNED

come on! it's a toyota V8, it will last forever...

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

brotha the 400 is a 300,000+ mile monster. Great torque, very solid. I liked it so much I bought 2

3rdelement

iTrader: (1)

you should sell me one. lol!


but ide have to send you half the parts back after i bought it just to get all retrofited with led's



sounds like you like yours though.
`R

advan7

No doubt! 232k here! And I love my 400, BUT I also want a 300 manual so I can do the swap and whole 9.

wSC300

Not only do i agree with you, (I drive a 93 with a automatic) I found a website that agrees with you. I would say main difference is gas mileage (but i can only speculate) and a large part of mileage is determined by how you drive, I only got 290 miles out of my last 17 gallons. ( I was forced to idle for 30 minutes trying to get out of the school parking lot)

http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosins...a01-271661.htm
almost forgot to post link to the website that agrees with you.

alex1206

hi
okay so i have about 10k to work with i guess.
i would love to get a cheaper early 90s sc400, do the manual swap. i just have a couple questions

From my understanding, i need the rear end from a third gen supra. this bolts right in? do i need the driveshaft as well?
I also need that special bell housing right? i heard there is a guy in australia selling the ones that can fit into US cars, can someone provide other options and or his contact info? is he still making these?

these things get about 215 rwhp stock correct?

i will also need a stand alone computer, but i can dyno tune the car once i get this right? haltech seems to be good, how easy is it to tune this ecu. people commonly get these dyno tuned?

and of course i need the clutch assembly and shifter boot and trim from a sc300?

what else am i missing? im just trying to see the big picture before i decide..

now since i have 10k, i can also afford a sc300 5 speed. how many of the sc300s came with a rear diff. what aftermarket rear diff options are available? i would not mind a clutch type by kaaz. are they available? next, how strong are the rear ends and gears? i dont plan to race this car aggressively, but i would love to be able to clutch kick around turns without worrying about breaking something. are there common problems with the drivetrain/tranny?

my next question is about power. what are the common power mods normally associated with gs300. keep in mind i have a max of 10k i want to spend on the car. i do not want to turbo either as i need to be able to pass emissions and car inspection. do people go about porting the heads, are there headers available? if i can get 200 hp to the ground i would be happy..

with the gs400, i would probably get a nice full exhaust system including headers and tune the car as best as i could with the haltech. i would want roughly 240hp to the wheels, these things get around 215rwhp stock?

one more, are there piggy backs for the gs300 that can be easily tunned for higher HP? if not, how much can i expect from a stand alone, and are there stand alones for the sc300 that i can get tunned easily??

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in addition i plan to get full suspensoin, new rotors, SS lines, race fuel, nice rims and tires.

this is my first post, i just wanted to also introduce myself. im originally from san francisco california. used to drive wrx, and also on the 2nd corolla gts. attended track days here and there and love to drive in the twisties. now going to school and find myself needing a 4 seater car that wont be arm or leg to insure. corolla will stay in california unitl i return, it would not be practical to drive the car in the poor weather conditions and poor roads that boston have to offer. i have a dui so insurance on the wrx is no longer possible. i would like to spend no more than 6-8k on the car, and save up for mods.

i am also considering an older 6 series, clean e30, 525i, or a very cheap e36. i dont konw how much the insurance will be so i need several options. sc300 and sc400 dont sound too bad. german cars are usually more. land rover and range rover are within my price range, but i dont know how bad the insurance will be. nissan pathfinder is also a possibility.

okay i think i wrote too much. take ur time answering my questoins
thanks in advance
-alex