SC400 Makeover!
 

Well first off I've been a member for a bit but never really posted. Bought a bone stock '96 SC400 a couple years ago for pretty cheap. I felt it was a good deal and I absolutely loved that very very few are seen in my area. I'd say there's about 3, 2 of which have been cobbled with ghastly body kits and primer. Anywho mine had about 184K when I bought it. Came from the Honda world and wanted to try something different. She's in fairly good condition, a couple flaws on the body and some rips in the leather. But the reason I'm "rebuilding" is the engine stated overheating for a couple weeks on and off. Checked everything coolant related then one day I started it up and heard metal hit metal. Not good. So I let her sit for a couple months deciding what I wanted to do and decided on a slightly upgraded stock rebuild. But before I bore you heres some pics.

Found an engine with 27K on it. Very dusty, needs a good cleaning. Rotates freely and came with a full harness

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...520_174336.jpg

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...520_174314.jpg

Not used to taking the harness out with the engine lol

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...74144-Copy.jpg

Old one out for good

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...608_183039.jpg

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...608_182824.jpg

As she sits

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...608_193139.jpg

Also got new wheels/tires and some coilovers. Hate if you want I can't afford Work/Volk or the like so I'll settle with what I can

XXR 527 18x8.75 +38 front and 18x9.75 +20 rear. Wrapped in 225/40 and 245/40 RE-11

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...524_180145.jpg

Test fit, needs low!!!

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...e/DSCN0184.jpg

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...524_183100.jpg

Starting taking the old 1UZ apart but didnt find much carnage. At this point there was 220K on the car

Right bank looks very good
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...610_203416.jpg

Left bank not so much, smelled pretty bad too

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...610_203425.jpg

Nothing broken though

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...610_210026.jpg

Picked up the rebuilt trans.

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...622_172118.jpg

And some cleaned aluminum parts

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...622_172344.jpg

Then attacked the bay with some WD-40

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...623_151927.jpg

Thats where I'm at as of today. Waiting for gaskets and such to come in so i can start cleaning the engine. Bay still needs some more work. And yes I am going to replace T-Belt and water pump right away and many other wear items.

Nice start. You must be one of the few that got a bad 1UZFE. Those are so bulletproof for the most part. Great start BTW. Get the motor in and drop that thing now.

I agree I don't think I've ever seen a lunched 1U , there indestructible for the most part . Our cars do not look pretty up high. Low is the number one mod after wheels you must do ,even if just on springs n struts . My car doesn't have coil overs but still dropped with Tannabe n springs good luck with your build

looking good! you can tell theres a lot of work being put into the car!

Thanks everyone! Yes as soon as the new engine and trans are in and everything ready to go I am dropping it right away! It's in serious 4x4 status right now. I have a set of KSport Kpro just sitting in the box waiting. Haven't really seen too many people on here running them so I guess we'll see if they were a good choice. Anybody have any insight on those? Other plans as of now will be fix two small rust spots (they're pretty solid still so hopefully a simple repair) and straighten out all the dings/scratches before a new coat of paint. Probably this fall or winter for that. Also I think it needs a throaty exhaust :D

Got some new parts in. Aisin timing kit.

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...628_170845.jpg

Been a long time since I've had a chance to work on the SC. Finally ready to drop it back in next weekend.

Finally went ahead and got a Dragon TC
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...47bb306d3f.jpg

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...72e53dc360.jpg


All cleaned up
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...1a5dd0411f.jpg

Progress is coming along very nice.

Got some work done this weekend

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...cb9c3725bc.jpg

Back in
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...803_144722.jpg

Front coilovers on and everything underneath reattached
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...804_153419.jpg

Got some work done this weekend. Head lamps and tail lamps cleaned up

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...816_210912.jpg

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...817_204032.jpg

Rear coilovers and wheels on. All brakes cleaned from sitting and all fenders rolled with a slight pull in the rear. Also a much needed bath

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...ichtoneHDR.jpg

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...ichtoneHDR.jpg

keep up the good work

Coming along nicely! Let me know how you like that dragon tc I've been thinking about one for a couple years now lol. If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for it?

I'm super excited to experience the dragon, should make a good difference from what I've read. I actually came upon this car a couple years ago sitting at a dealership. They were going out of business so they let me have it for what they gave for trade-in which was 3500. I thought it was a pretty good deal. Also have a few updates...

Removed all badges except for the two "L"s and painted those black

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...ichtoneHDR.jpg

Also painted the ghastly chrome strip on the side window molding

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...211137_LLS.jpg

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...211642_LLS.jpg

And finally decided on an exhaust setup, haven't seen this on an SC yet so I'm going to try it. Picked up a Magnaflow true x pipe and two SLP loudmouth resonators

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...ichtoneHDR.jpg