Munch517

I just bought a 1994 5spd sc300 and I wasn't sure what to expect performance-wise, but it seems slower than expected. I also own a 2000 Celica GTS and it's considerably faster than the sc, is that right or is something up with my sc? I ask because at one point my Celica had a bad MAF sensor that caused severely diminished performance without really making the engine run 'bad'. Could that or something else be the problem or is this car just somewhat slow? I did have it inspected by a shop and they found nothing wrong besides a bad valve cover gasket, but they couldn't hook it up to most (any?) of their machines.

ISFFUN

iTrader: (4)

The car isn't fast stock. Your celica probably feels lighter and more nimble. It is strange how much faster the SC400 feels over the 300 stock, even though neither are particularly fast.

With any car as you start tacking on mileage, the engine will inevitably get less powerful as it loses compression from wear. Even if you rebuild the engine and did every maintenance point, they still aren't fast. It has just enough power to get up and go when you need it to, but it's not fast.

That's why the majority of people here end up with a turbo. You can do nitrous oxide, but you're looking at an expensive weekly bill. Going turbo (the correct way not sloppily) will get you so much power you'll never think of the car as slow again.

GISguy

Off the line is...slow. Up at highway speeds it's definitely got some oomph.

One thing that always bugged me was that the E36 M3 wasn't that much lighter and made about the same power and is way quicker off the line - I'm attributing this to gearing. 1st gear is way too small (?).

SC510

The SC is a tank. I think our cars weigh 3600-3800 lbs. I dont think the car makes enough power to justify the weight. So anything lighter wil feel faster

jimmymac30

iTrader: (8)

stock SC's are slow... almost embarrassing really. 225hp and 3485lbs. your celica (if memory serves me correctly) made 180hp and weighs 2650lbs. 15.48 lbs. to hp in the SC and 14.77 lbs to hp in the celica.

Munch517

Yeah, I really need to get to doing something with the engine. The more I look, the more I think I should just find a way to make a GTE swap happen.

KahnBB6

iTrader: (5)

I have to agree with all of the responses. I also get frustrated quite a bit by the annoying lack of power from a standstill. Completely stock, even a 5-speed will still feel and be slow until you hit 50-60mph. Modifying everything in the car but the engine will result in a far, far more responsive driving experience but ultimately you'll need to have a turbo xJZ powerplant in there to correct Lexus' shortsighted crippling of an otherwise great car.

Thankfully, you have many options available to achieve this!

Studiogeek

iTrader: (6)

Well, this is what you get from a 95' 5 speed with 68K in good condition. I will share the new figures in a week or two when the turbo build is finished.