LS1 vs SC400
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Driver School Candidate
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From: Indiana
LS1 vs SC400
I am deciding on buying a car for around 10,000. I am interested in Camaro right now because of its power and it fits my price range. The SC400 has a 260 hp V8 and also has RWD. The question is, which car would be better for street racing once I put some mods in to it and which car would end up costing me less in the long run? (I plan on owning for the next 6 or so years through college.)
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Driver School Candidate
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From: Indiana
Yeah I shouldn't have asked about maintenance and reliability because Toyota is the god of engineering. But what about performance? It has the 2JZ-GTE right? Or am I thinking of some other Lexus?
Lexus Test Driver
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From: Maryland
LS1 > * for racing. It's infinitely more moddable than the SC400.
SC400 > LS1 for long-term ownership costs. Expect lots of little repairs here and there on the Camaro.
The SC400 has the UZ-series V8. The SC300 had the inline-6, but only the 2JZ-GE naturally aspirated version. You could find an SC300 and turbo it and have a nice balance of power and reliability.
SC400 > LS1 for long-term ownership costs. Expect lots of little repairs here and there on the Camaro.
The SC400 has the UZ-series V8. The SC300 had the inline-6, but only the 2JZ-GE naturally aspirated version. You could find an SC300 and turbo it and have a nice balance of power and reliability.
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Driver School Candidate
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From: Indiana
Yes, thanks for that info. I just read on intellexual about it. The SC300 is more desirable since it has the 5speed option and it is the one to have a 2JZ-GE. These cars have been known to hit the high 9's in the 1/4 mile. So yes, I might consider one. Could you tell me a rough estimate on how much it would cost to make a solid 2JZ-GE turboed car out of a SC300 5 speed? I hear that turboing a car can cost 6-10k after all of the upgrades you need to go through to support the new power of the car. Of course you wouldn't have to reinforce the engine any since it is a bulletproof 2JZ-GE. What about the transmission?
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From: NE
Hello Righteous,
Unfortunately I have little to no experience with modifying cars and actual racing, but from what I have heard, the newer Camaros were actually quite durable, if highly unrefined, and from a performance for the dollar ratio, the F-Bodies are quite hard to beat. They are capable handlers as well. The aftermarket is huge and parts are quite cheap. I would imagine that at 10 grand, the Camaro would be newer and have fewer miles than the SC400 so if I was deciding between the two purely for performance and racing, I would go with the Chevy. Now if you want a stylish daily driver with the option of spirited driving every so often, I think the Lexus would be a much better long term choice. It spanks the Camaro in ride quality and every day driving.
Unfortunately I have little to no experience with modifying cars and actual racing, but from what I have heard, the newer Camaros were actually quite durable, if highly unrefined, and from a performance for the dollar ratio, the F-Bodies are quite hard to beat. They are capable handlers as well. The aftermarket is huge and parts are quite cheap. I would imagine that at 10 grand, the Camaro would be newer and have fewer miles than the SC400 so if I was deciding between the two purely for performance and racing, I would go with the Chevy. Now if you want a stylish daily driver with the option of spirited driving every so often, I think the Lexus would be a much better long term choice. It spanks the Camaro in ride quality and every day driving.
The Camaro is much more modable and has much more potential HP wise. Reliability will not be as good as the SC though. Which SC year are you talking about? I'm gussing 95-97 since you mentioned 260 HP. Anyway, depending on the miles on the SC, it can start to cost a lot to keep the maintenence up. You have to watch for the power steering leak, alternator, all the suspension and steering rack bushings, engine and trans mounts. I just got rid of my 1993 SC400 with 140K miles because it was nickle and diming me to death with common part going out. Read the SC forums to get a better idea of all the common stuff that will need replacing on the SC. Good luck either way.
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You're looking for street racing material? Hands down the Camaro. If you rip it enough, you'll have problems with both cars, but the price for the Camaro will be much cheaper. Once things start breaking in the SC, expect to dole out $$$$. Even getting an SC into a form where street racing won't be a humiliating experience, will cost $$$$. With a camaro, exhaust, headers, intake, strictly bolt on, and you're already looking at substantial hp gains. All for way under $1k.
Get the Camaro. Fun college car...
Get the Camaro. Fun college car...
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The other day a black camaro z28 was next to me at a light. When it hit green the guy took off like a bat outta hell. I think he thought I wanted to race. Why would I do that? I could tell the thing was modded. It flew. I had 2 camaro's but the z28 is a beast. When I caught up all I could see were the uneven body panels and gaps. The cheap plastic half the car is made of. The shoddy interior. Much as I love that brute power, I couldn't go back to a car like that that.
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