So I love my 03' GS430 more than anything, however after seeing the recently pimped SC430s on the boards I think I want to get one of those too. However my cash flow will not allow for me to own both. What I am thinking about doing is trading the GS for an SC430, and getting a 00 GS 300/400 as the daily driver.
Since the warranty would be up on the older GS I would buy, I would love to supercharge or turbo it. What are the cost differences between possibly swapping the GS300 engine for the JDM engine and supercharging a 400? I know I would save more buying a GS300, but would it cost more for a swap? Also what would be the performace tradeoffs, what kind of numbers could I put down.

 

If you want more power than the standard GS300's block ( 220 HP ), you may not have to go to a GS400 or 430. Toyota built the twin-turbo Supra from the early-to-mid 90's with the same 3.0 in-line 6 block rated at 320 HP. Contact TRD and see if that engine is still available...you might still be able to order a new or remanufactured one and have it installed in your GS. Most of the parts and motor mounts should be interchangeable....but I don't know that for a fact.
Flipside909 from our forums here is quite knowledgeable on TRD parts...you might also try PM' ing him. He might know.

 

ANytime u think of swapping engines or going F/I, think at least 10-15k dollars spent, no joke, not to mention months without the car.
As for numbers, it seems S?C GS 400s hit about 400to the wheels tops. IF u do a swap like Bluelex, with BPU upgrades a Supra engine can do about the same but be more reliable.

 

I am very confused. You don't have enough cash to own a GS and an SC. But you have enough to get an SC and an older GS that you want to go FI. Not only FI but a setup stable enough to be used as a daily driver. Plan on spending 10-15k above the cost of the GS. Are you planning other mods (suspension, aero, ...) for both cars? That is additional expenses too.

How much can you get for an 03 GS430 nowadays. I am assuming you would want a substantial savings to go the SC430/older GS route otherwise you'd do what you want and get the SC430 and keep the GS430. I don't think the savings is there.

 

Thanks for the replies. So based on what you are saying... Buying a older GS and adding F/I or Swap brings the about what I could get for a trade-in on my GS430. So really the only option is getting a GS400 and doing some small performance mods and not going F/I (at least not yet), and an SC430. Or maybe with tax and stuff (nav,leather upgrades,other repairs), it might not even make sense to trade the GS430? What do you think? Trade-in is 30K (ouch).

 

Without knowing all the exact plans,numbers, and expectations, it is hard to say. If we just work with the one number given of 30k, you'd have to be able to spend less to make this whole thing doable.

Let's say 20k. For a GS + FI + other mods, it will be pretty tough.