New Sc 300 owner needs advice
11-04-11, 10:08 PM
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New Sc 300 owner needs advice
Hello. I bought a 92 Lexus sc 300 5 speed. Was a steal for $1500 cash. Been following this forum for about a month with lots of searches done figuring out my future plans.
I am going to be purchasing parts next week for a general tune up on the 2jzge motor. Timing belt water pump, head gasket, plugs , distrib o ring( I feel like its the minor seeping of oil.) it seems to be only that side. Possibly camseal on front.
Now I would appreciate any advice as pertaining to the above or below questions.
First been reading about tt head gasket. Can I use that without a turbo? With no hassle or power loss? (planning turbo later)
Second water pump seams expensive would I be ok with an autozone water pump for 60?
Third what plugs are best. I keep reading Ngk cause rough idle?
Lastly for now
seen the engine overhaul kit on *******.com is this worth the money? Has anyone bought it?
I have a friend who's mechanic at local Toyota who will charge me decent to install it. As I am talking with him this week with same questions and just want any opinions from this place.
I am happy with my sc300 and I'll work on posting a pic soon. Black clean body 5 speed demon in future. Love browsing CL for research thanks everyone
I am going to be purchasing parts next week for a general tune up on the 2jzge motor. Timing belt water pump, head gasket, plugs , distrib o ring( I feel like its the minor seeping of oil.) it seems to be only that side. Possibly camseal on front.
Now I would appreciate any advice as pertaining to the above or below questions.
First been reading about tt head gasket. Can I use that without a turbo? With no hassle or power loss? (planning turbo later)
Second water pump seams expensive would I be ok with an autozone water pump for 60?
Third what plugs are best. I keep reading Ngk cause rough idle?
Lastly for now
seen the engine overhaul kit on *******.com is this worth the money? Has anyone bought it?I have a friend who's mechanic at local Toyota who will charge me decent to install it. As I am talking with him this week with same questions and just want any opinions from this place.
I am happy with my sc300 and I'll work on posting a pic soon. Black clean body 5 speed demon in future. Love browsing CL for research thanks everyone
11-05-11, 05:26 AM
#3
A clean black 5-speed for $1500? What a deal!
Do a complete re-seal. Gaskets, seals, timing belt, waterpump etc.
Your decision to install the TT headgasket to turbo the car later is a good one. You'll lose a bit of response, but it will make up when you can cram some boost in there!
A proactive start will be to freshen up the 2j, and install the TT headgasket.
I love NGK sparkplugs, and hate the iridium tips. You can break an iridium tip easy.
NGK's, one heat range colder, proper gap is all I've ever used in every turbo car I've had.
Do these things, and you will be well on your way to a fun, reliable daily driver!
Do a complete re-seal. Gaskets, seals, timing belt, waterpump etc.
Your decision to install the TT headgasket to turbo the car later is a good one. You'll lose a bit of response, but it will make up when you can cram some boost in there!
A proactive start will be to freshen up the 2j, and install the TT headgasket.
I love NGK sparkplugs, and hate the iridium tips. You can break an iridium tip easy.
NGK's, one heat range colder, proper gap is all I've ever used in every turbo car I've had.
Do these things, and you will be well on your way to a fun, reliable daily driver!
Last edited by spoolxexo; 11-06-11 at 05:00 AM.
spend that money on the trade'!!
11-05-11, 05:45 AM
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oh and for legitimate advice on maintenance suggestions: instead of fixing up those aspects, if its running fine, spend that money on just picking up another 2jz, theyre cheap enough. start replacing gaskets/seals/ maintenance while its on the sand and piecing together youre turbo kit so when it finally takes a dump on you can just drop it in. if it never takes a dump youll be able to sell your 2jz also and still drop it in.
11-05-11, 08:35 AM
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^^^ that sounds like a good idea to most but to me at least it affects the resale value of the car... id rather buy a na with its original motor in it then buying a na-t thats fully built that doesnt have matching vins... just saying it makes more since to built what u have. unless ur going gte and thats anither story.
edit: nice car Op very nice come up on price too. gl
edit: nice car Op very nice come up on price too. gl
Last edited by cmh; 11-05-11 at 08:39 AM.
11-05-11, 10:32 AM
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^^ good point cmh! I never considered that affecting the resale value since I'm used to swapping engines so often with 240s. but yea hes right! I guess either drop in new one build old one or.........well back to square one! take it step by step! btw what has made you want to do the maintenance? took a look at the timing belt and saw wear or does it have any specific issues?
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11-05-11, 01:15 PM
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Yeah I threw it up on a lift and checked it all out. You can tell it hasn't had any service recently.
when I checked the vin it showed that it had been sittin up somewhere apparently bc the odo is still functional.
I'll post a picture of the engine bay later when I'm off work. I'll even through in a interior shot.
I'll have some more questions then. Anything about the water pump question? I'm pricing stuff off Toyodiydotcom
when I checked the vin it showed that it had been sittin up somewhere apparently bc the odo is still functional.
I'll post a picture of the engine bay later when I'm off work. I'll even through in a interior shot.
I'll have some more questions then. Anything about the water pump question? I'm pricing stuff off Toyodiydotcom
11-05-11, 02:23 PM
#9
If you ask me, I will tell you get the cheapest parts.
Everything is made overseas these days, including "Factory" or "OEM" parts.
Because of this, you can get a good discount.
Some people will argue till they are blue in the face OEM, or go home.
Based on my experience anything that is not precision machined, like pistons, valves, bearings are fine to use aftermarket. Water pumps, oil pumps, gaskets, seals, etc
At this point in the car's life, the parts on that thing are gunna give up the ghost, replace them with whatever you can afford.
Then you can worry about making it fast!
Everything is made overseas these days, including "Factory" or "OEM" parts.
Because of this, you can get a good discount.
Some people will argue till they are blue in the face OEM, or go home.
Based on my experience anything that is not precision machined, like pistons, valves, bearings are fine to use aftermarket. Water pumps, oil pumps, gaskets, seals, etc
At this point in the car's life, the parts on that thing are gunna give up the ghost, replace them with whatever you can afford.
Then you can worry about making it fast!
11-05-11, 08:39 PM
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If you ask me, I will tell you get the cheapest parts.
Everything is made overseas these days, including "Factory" or "OEM" parts.
Because of this, you can get a good discount.
Some people will argue till they are blue in the face OEM, or go home.
Based on my experience anything that is not precision machined, like pistons, valves, bearings are fine to use aftermarket. Water pumps, oil pumps, gaskets, seals, etc
At this point in the car's life, the parts on that thing are gunna give up the ghost, replace them with whatever you can afford.
Then you can worry about making it fast!
Everything is made overseas these days, including "Factory" or "OEM" parts.
Because of this, you can get a good discount.
Some people will argue till they are blue in the face OEM, or go home.
Based on my experience anything that is not precision machined, like pistons, valves, bearings are fine to use aftermarket. Water pumps, oil pumps, gaskets, seals, etc
At this point in the car's life, the parts on that thing are gunna give up the ghost, replace them with whatever you can afford.
Then you can worry about making it fast!
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