JJG2005

Help me decide what to do!

I can get a 5-speed 94 Lex SC300 with 200,000 miles for $4500, or I can get a 92 Lexus SC300 with 240,000 for $2500. The only difference is the $2500 SC300 is automatic. I'm doing a 1JZ swap either way, in fact that is the entire purpose of me buying the car! I'm having my mechanic friends do the swap, and they have done over 20 automatic to manual conversions on various cars, so their knowledge of swapping isn't an issue... but the cost of doing the swap is.

If you were in my position, what would you do? I'm wondering if I should just go all out and do a 6 speed 2JZ swap, but I just turned 18 and don't really have the money for that before college next year.

got_trd

If you dont really have money, i'd advise you to stay away from the 2jz-gte and the 6 speed. From what you posted, i'd go with the auto SC for $2500 and convert it to 5 speed, but good luck finding a 1jz 5 speed.

So, just get the auto and swap in the 1jz Auto. Save up some money and do the manual swap later on when you have some money to blow. Theres nothing wrong with running an automatic

Aristo300

Automatics are the ****!

silversprucesc3

Autos RULE.....lol

JJG2005

Lol yep, I debated about buying an automatic for a while... but just think manual suits my needs more for a car. Definatley respect the automatic Supras, though!!

Got_TRD - Just curious what you meant by the fact that I should go automatic and swap the tranny when I save up enough money? Is that just because I won't be able to find manual tranny swap parts very easily, or because it is expensive? Because I have the money... and if it ends up costing over $2k for the swap I should just go with the other SC that is already manual.

The only reason I was thinking of getting the auto was because I would want my mechanics to do the engine and manual swap at the same time... i doubt they would charge me anything additional for labor.

DETUNED

I converted my auto to 6 speed and it was very straight forward and cheap.

got_trd

It depends on your budget. If you can afford that 5-speed SC and the 1JZ and still have a few hundred dollars left over for misc. things to get the car running than do it. But the automatic SC you listed is 2k cheaper than the 5 speed.

JJG2005

Yep, I can afford the 5speed.... and it is in my favorite color. From my other post, it seemed that I could get the entire front clip with almost everything I need for $3000, so I would actually end up saving about $500 by doing the auto to manual swap. ($6000 after parts for the manual with the 200k mile tranny, or $5500 including the automatic Lex with full manual front clip)

However, the $500 would probably be spent on buying misc. parts for the swap. I think I'm going to check out the automatic and possibly pick that up if it's in REALLY nice condition... try to get it for $2200 or something. If not I'll pick up the 5-speed this weekend, since it's a far drive.

Are my ideas wrong as far as the front clip goes? Maybe it's not the best idea to put in a 1JZ tranny because of clutch issues, etc?

DETUNED

when I first got my 5 speed soarer 1j front clip, the pedal WERE NOT THE SAME as a LHD car. It's a waste getting a 5 speed clip if you plan on using the 5 speed parts. everything is backwards and wont fit. I just bought a brand new brake pedal (since i didn't like the feel of the cut auto pedal) and it was $32! damn cheap. Just get new parts from the dealer.

howiedoit

iTrader: (9)

what's the ballpark price to convert an auto to 6sp?

DETUNED

i got my 6 speed at a steal so prices may vary. I have less than 2000 in the whole conversion and that's with the getrag. Remember, you might want to invest in a 6 speed rear end as well since the gearing will be off on an auto rear end. I could have converted my car with the normal w58 5 speed for around 800.

JJG2005

Hmm I would think it would only be the pedals that were backwards, since the shifter and all is the same.

I think I'm going to pass on the auto for 2500, unless I find out my 5spd I put a deposit on ends up being junk. Even if I did save $500, I think the condition of the other car is at least $500 better from what I see in the pictures.

DETUNED

ofcourse the shifter is the same, the pedals are diff and the clutch master is diff, as well as the hard line.

VJ RC51

those cars are expensive!!!!!11

I just bought a 1992 pearl red sc3 with 130k miles in very very good condition in and out (no dents, rust, only 1 small rip in the drivers leather) gray leather interior, cd player and all for $4200. Beautiful car i'm going to hate to swap it for a 1jz auto in a week...













no i dont

JJG2005

You got a good deal, but was it auto or manual?

edit: nm, saw it was auto. 4500 (after tax / title) seems decent for a manual SC that seems to be in perfect condition. The manuals have such a high markup A similar SC on eBay with 160k miles (big difference, but still) went for 6100.