romeo291 vip-inspired SC300 build thread
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 8
From: North Carolina
romeo291 vip-inspired SC300 build thread
Like a few other SC owners on this forum, I also built my SC using the vip styling queues for inspiration. This thread will be a collective of all the mods I've done to the car thus far:
*This is the car bone stock the day after I got it. It's a 1992 SC300 automatic, black with tan interior. It had 150K miles on it, and it definitely needed some work:
*This is the car bone stock the day after I got it. It's a 1992 SC300 automatic, black with tan interior. It had 150K miles on it, and it definitely needed some work:
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 8
From: North Carolina
When I got the car, the interior was pretty bad. The needles didn't work, carpet was real dirty, seats were torn up, all the dash stuff was dirty and stained, it badly needed a makeover:
To fix the horrible interior, I started dying all the tan/brown parts to black.
To fix the horrible interior, I started dying all the tan/brown parts to black.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 8
From: North Carolina
Converting a car from tan to black is a very long and time consuming process, I would not recommend this to anybody unless they're stuck with a tan interior and wanted something different. You have to spend time removing the part, cleaning the part, prepping it, painting it, put clear on it, and then re-install it back. The results are totally worth it though, if your interior was as bad as mine's. Anyways, here are some pictures of the re-assembly process:
Finished the door panels, here they are installed:
Finished the door panels, here they are installed:
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 8
From: North Carolina
Here's a random artsy picture of my car on the night of a Lunar Eclipse:
My first choice of wheels and suspension were Tein Comfort Sports and Work Euroline DH. The Work wheels were bought used and they were powdercoated black. I had to re-powdercoat it to silver and re-polish the lip. The Tein suspension felt great though:
Got these JP neckpads from Luxury Bippu Style, I use them a lot:
Another interior shot, I installed the Pioneer AVIC-Z2 head unit:
Here's a small Lexus shoot with some of my friends:
My first choice of wheels and suspension were Tein Comfort Sports and Work Euroline DH. The Work wheels were bought used and they were powdercoated black. I had to re-powdercoat it to silver and re-polish the lip. The Tein suspension felt great though:
Got these JP neckpads from Luxury Bippu Style, I use them a lot:
Another interior shot, I installed the Pioneer AVIC-Z2 head unit:
Here's a small Lexus shoot with some of my friends:
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 8
From: North Carolina
I don't think the previous owner took good care of the car, so the stock motor started giving me problems. My gas pedal kept getting stuck, I was leaking oil due to a bad rear main seal, and a few other minor issues. To fix the issues, I ordered a 1JZ-GTE from JHOT Imports with only 40K miles on it (here are some pictures sent from JHot):
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 8
From: North Carolina
While waiting for the motor to come in, something else came in from Carson Lexus. My Auto Couture kit finally came in after a few months, and I ordered the stock 97+ grill, fog lights, and body moldings as well. Here are some pictures of it installed:
I also got my JDM Toyota window visor installed, they look great and works great:
I also got my JDM Toyota window visor installed, they look great and works great:
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 8
From: North Carolina
My tan carpet was really really bad, so I ordered some new black carpet and black floor mats. The new carpet made the interior looks so much better. I also got rid of the dildomatic and converted it to a gated shifter. It gave the car a nice updated look:
Steering wheel remote control for my Pioneer AVIC-Z2:
TRD Horn badge for my IS300 Steering wheel w/ the Celica airbag:
Steering wheel remote control for my Pioneer AVIC-Z2:
TRD Horn badge for my IS300 Steering wheel w/ the Celica airbag:
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 8
From: North Carolina
Once I got my motor in from JHot, it literally came with everything I could possibly need for the swap. I am really impressed with JHot and their services. It took me 6 hours to extend the wiring harness, doing them one by one, soldering every wire, and heat shrinking them. Then it took about 8 hours to drop the motor in and get her running with new fluids and everything. Here are some pictures of the 1JZ-GTE installed in my car. The motor runs like a dream, the whole swap ended up costing me around $2400 for everything.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 8
From: North Carolina
To add a nice extra touch to the interior, I installed some chrome door sills that I got from this Australian guy:
This past weekend, I got in some black leather seats to replace the torn up tan ones. They were a nice addition to the interior, making me about 85% done w/ the interior conversion. I still need black seat belts, A-pillar, headliner, rear-view mirror, visors, all the little stuff above:
I had to add this, I love the way it looks. My kurotsuna:
Kurotsuna from the outside:
I need a FUSA too, but I can't decide which color I want to get.
This past weekend, I got in some black leather seats to replace the torn up tan ones. They were a nice addition to the interior, making me about 85% done w/ the interior conversion. I still need black seat belts, A-pillar, headliner, rear-view mirror, visors, all the little stuff above:
I had to add this, I love the way it looks. My kurotsuna:
Kurotsuna from the outside:
I need a FUSA too, but I can't decide which color I want to get.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 8
From: North Carolina
Most of the items were dyed with Folia-tec paint. It's this German vinyl paint, works like magic. I can't seem to find them anymore because the shop I bought them at sold out. I started using SEM, but it wasn't half as good as Folia-tec. I painted the rear side panels with SEM vinyl paint, and the quality just doesn't compare. The SEM stuff did not bond with the vinyl as well as the Folia-Tec stuff does.
Very nice job man! I LOVE all the changes...well, except the rims...but that's why its your car...Everything else is ON POINT IMO...and all DIY, which just makes it that much more enjoyable to read and look at. Good Job, man.
