1995 SC400 vs. 1998 GS400
 

I have both cars above. I had the GS400 first about 5 years now. Car is fast, and it feels it. I just bought the 1995 SC400. I know it is rated about a second slower in the 1/4 mile and is 50 HP less, but this SC400 seems like a dog getting out of 1st gear. Once it hits 2nd, it feels much better. Off the line, it seems like it has Turbo lag...Before I go out and find another SC400 to test drive to see if its the same, is what I am feeling normal? GS400 is timed 0-60 in under 6 seconds, and the 1995 SC400 is timed just under 7 seconds. Feels like the SC400 has no torque, and does not want to move until after 1st gear. Any thoughts would be appreciated...I am searching used SC400s to go test drive this week...Both my cars are pretty much stock. And both cars are well maintained...No issues. I was pulling CEL 24 and 31 on the SC400 when I bought it, with intermittent CEL light, but since I pulled the EFI fuse and dusted off MAF, it has reset and never come back on. So whats the deal?

your main problem is your GS is a 98 so engine is newer design and much more realistic hp rating. if you had gotten a 98 SC your two cars would have been on same level.

I can somewhat agree with that, although I also noticed that the GS400s even after the newer motors beyond 1998 are still at least a half second faster....and carries 10HP more...Why not make the coupe faster than the sedan?

GS400 has a 5-sp trans and 50 HP yes, but also 50 lb-ft TQ @ lower RPM

Weight is about the same so I'd bet gearing makes the most difference. As to 98+SC vs. GS... I still think gearing & 10 HP/ lb-ft TQ

Yeah the SC400's are dogs off the line... I too have a '95 SC400 and it really picks up after 2nd gear. The '98+ LS400s walk all over the SC400s:sad:

i was gonna ask the same question..... i have a 96sc400 and was wondering the same what are some "cures to this disease????"

The cures are 1st make sure it's tuned up...at best you'll get 0-60 in 6.9 and 18 - 23 MPG (on a '96SC4). Then go for BFI, exhaust w/ x-pipe, Dragon TC. I think w/ those mods you'll be close to a stock GS4, off the line anyway... then give it the juice ;) :gotnx: j/k :thumbup:

SC400's are definitely dogs off the line. First gear has a ratio of 2.80. The transmission stall speed is also set alarmingly low. These facts in conjunction translate to horrible get-up and go.

The GS400 had a higher first gear ratio (~3.3 if I remember right) and VVT-i which gives you 80% of the car's torque at 2400rpms.

A stall converter swap would get the car into the power band much better off the line. Precision Industries makes one for $750, and there is also a guy on Lextreme.com who will rebuild your stock unit for ~$300. That is your only answer short of a transmission swap.

The car has torque: 260ft*lb. It just is not actualized off the line until you climb to ~3k rpms. A higher stall converter would get you closer to your GS interms of acceleration.

just curious are auto SC300s slow off the line the sc400?

try the lextreme torque converter and it really should bring it up to the level of the gs400 response and report back and let us know how they compare.

is it possible to do a vvti head conversion???but ive heard that non vvti motors are better for boost

Great Info guys! Thanks! now to search for cheap fixes on slow power steering leaks...ERRRR. LOL

the vvti makes a big difference with the newer gs400.

yeah, my dad drives the 00 gs4 and I drive the sc4, gs4 is definitely faster.