LSSwapper

Alright guys,

Introduction - I am looking for a nice riding, good looking, lexus, to swap in my LS (chevrolet) motor. I am around $10k on the body.

What platform do you guys suggest?

Thanks

Aron9000

You can find a really nice and clean early 2000's(2000 to 2004 I think) IS300 for 10k. I've noticed that those cars hold their value, junky ones with 200k miles on them needing some body work are about 5k.

I'd also suggest a 1st gen SC400. The V8 models came with bigger front brakes, bigger tires/wheels, and IMO look a bit better because they have the optional side skirts, spoiler, and front lip standard(the cosmetic stuff was optional on the six cylinder SC300 depending on year). You can get a nice one for about 4 to 6k.

2nd Gen GS300 or GS400. 1998ish to 2004 I think are the years. A bit bigger/heavier than the IS300 sedan, but I like the look of these and they have the nicest interior IMO. I don't know as much about them as the SC, so read up on the differences between the six and V8 models, but they're the same 2JZ and 1UZ motors used in the SC. Nice ones can be had in that 4-7k range as well.

As for the big LS, I'd look at a 90's model to swap into. The early/mid 00's LS430 is a very complicated car electronically, plus its a good bit bigger and heavier than the original LS. Personally I wouldn't swap into this car, as the styling is a bit boring and they handle like a boat in stock form. Plus they're heavier than all the other cars I mentioned.

LSSwapper

Edited first post, I confused everyone in saying "I have a Lexus LS motor" when in theory, I have a chevrolet v8 LS motor.

Thanks for the posts so far.

SC400 was the route I am going for. I need to be able to hook up A/C and pull together the T56 LS Trans with the LS motor. Is there a write up available for this swap on the 300/400?

I want to rule out any possible IS model. I just do not like it. I am stuck on the SC or GS models. Ideally, I want to find something that I can separate all of the wiring from the motor bay to the cabin. Meaning - I want 2 totally separate harness's. I need to put in Power Steering/AC and whatever traction control or stability control the car has.

Can I go newer GS? What do you guys think? GS350?

Aron9000

The newer you go, the harder it is going to be. I'd avoid any car that has traction control, stability control, and drive by wire throttle, as that is usually intergrated with the ABS computer as well. Do some research, as I'm not exactly how Lexus traction control and stability control systems work, but most cars use the drive by wire throttle to limit power along with the abs computer to brake certain wheels to keep the car in line. Swapping out the motor, I doubt you'd even retain abs.

Plus with the 1st gen SC, 1st gen IS, and 2nd gen GS, people have done this swap before and there are write ups on how to do it and keep all those "Lexus features" working like automatic climate control, a/c, abs brakes, all the factory gauges, etc.

Stroock639

so you want to take out the very good 1UZ-FE and put in the not as good pushrod GM LS engine?

well i guess the chevy V8 is bigger so it'd still have more grunt

Aron9000

I assume he has some sort of crazy 600+hp build he's going to do with the LS motor. The 1UZ-FE is an awesome motor, but its one of those you just leave it stock because there isn't an aftermarket for it and nobody has really made any great power with it.

But I'm kind of like you, I hate to see somebody hack up a really nice car, which for a 10k budget is going to buy him some little old lady's 1994 SC400 or 1999 GS300 with 50k miles on it. If its got a blown motor or one foot already in the junkyard, then have at it and go wild with the crazy engine swap, but I hate to see a really clean, original car get hacked up.

litesoarer

1UZ are kinda spendy to mod. SBC ain't.

Stroock639

http://lextreme.com/

check out that site. but yea definitely more aftermarket support for the chevy, and as long as he finds an already ruined 1UZ i'd have no problem with it lol.