Car noob, looking for information on performance upgrades
 

I got my hands on a 1997 sc300, and I want to get around 400 - 500 hp out of it, but I'm a car newbie. I am willing to engine swap it and add a turbo. But what are the parts list and what not for making a performance upgraded sc 300? Also most kits are really stupid and unreliable, so if anyone has done a build before from stock to 400 - 500 hp build, can they let me know what they did and what they bought? Thanks in advance!

Start to familiarize yourself with the search function on this site and you’ll begin to learn more than you ever wanted to about these cars and what does/doesn’t make lower. Start searching NA-T and reading about turbocharging your car. You can make that power rather easily on your car you’ll come to learn.

^^ What Rudy said.

Bottom line: forget naturally aspirated power with your stock 2JZ-GE. In perhaps a handful of custom builds in the entire world with an open wallet of ludicrous cash dumped into custom work people have made a 2JZ make power without a turbo but they are the very extreme and rare exception to the rule.

You can use your existing engine if a compression test and full leakdown test yields good numbers across the board.

400-500hp?

--pull the engine
--remove oil pan and drill and tap for the oil drain return. Clean thoroughly.
--Give the engine a fresh OEM 1996+ 2JZ-GE oil pump, new front main seal
--Reinstall oil pan onto engine.
--remove cylinder head. Install OEM Toyota 2JZ-GTE head gasket (NOT an "OEM-equivalent fit" gasket" but a true factory Toyota 2JZ-GTE head gasket).
--Reinstall cylinder head. Install ARP head studs.
--Pick an exhaust manifold of your choice (there are SO many to choose from). The Treadstone IS300 manifold is a good one.
--Pick a turbo of your choice (same as above...).
--Get a JDM Toyota Aristo 2JZ-GTE ECU. Rewire engine harness to work with that ECU and the distributor delete DIY mod to use coil on plug ignition (DIYs for this are on this SC300/400 sub-forum).
--Install a fresh OEM timing belt, fresh OEM water pump.
--Reinstall engine.
--Find a 1992-1997 SC400 3.92:1 stock differential and swap that in. Use a Yellr Yellowbox V5 to correct any speedometer inaccuracy.
--Install a new rear main seal
--More than likely you'll need to get your A340E 4-speed automatic upgraded to handle the power. Or you can swap in a turbo-spec A340E from a Supra TT, Aristo TT or any of the JDM factory 1JZ-GTE cars. Or you can do a manual swap of your choice.
--Install front mount intercooler and piping of your choice

Additionally:

--It is very very highly recommended that you upgrade your brakes to 1995-2000 Lexus LS400 front calipers and rotors (common DIY upgrade written about extensively here). 17" rims in the correct offset are required. Even under stock power this is a very important upgrade both for safety and performance.

--Also for safety: upgrade your headlights to a Plug-and-Play HID 4200-4300K 9006 single-beam system that goes like stock into your factory headlight housings. XenonDepot's single-beam 9006 system using Phillips HID bulbs and ballasts is a good affordable way to do this very painlessly. Also use a 3M #39175 Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit (which comes with a wipe-on clear coat as a final stage) to de-yellow and restore clarity in your headlight and high beam lenses. If you have any seal leaks in your headlights or tail lights that allows moisture to regularly build up or worse, water to leak in... then Organized Garage Status can repair and re-seal those for you.

--Also consider a suspension upgrade to allow for better overall handling and control of the SC under power and through turns. Rear swaybar upgrades are also available.

--Get a set of Daizen polyurethane steering rack bushings for the 92-00 SC300/400 and have those installed. If they are out of stock at the time you try to order, go for a set of the same style polyurethane steering rack bushings from Figs Engineering.

--If you have any front end shimmy and play in the alignment after that, install a new set of 1993-1996 Toyota Supra OEM front lower control arms.

--Finally, get a good set of summer high performance tires that also have good reviews for rain traction as well as dry. Staggered rim/tire setups on SC's with plenty of horsepower are common.

...

There are many more details than that to follow up on but those should be plenty of points to further read up on as to your goals :thumbup:

Unfortunately your being in CA you're going to have some trouble with smog testing when doing anything less than a stock USDM 2JZ-GTE swap but that's another topic entirely. Having been in the same boat myself I sympathize with that issue.