I have just bought a 1992 sc300 and am going to have to basically build it from the ground up as it has no engine transmission etc. I am definitely going to need help on this journey. What should I get first? What all am I going to need engine bay wise? I am planning on putting a 2jzge back into it. I know this will be a large project but I’m ready to learn. Any help/advice is appreciated!

 

You need a donor car or easy access to a large help yourself salvage yard. Without that you'll spend a fortune and still never find everything you need.

 

Would a sc400 work as a donor for the most part even though it’s a different engine? I’ve noticed some decently cheap 400s around me

 

If you have an entire donor car then turn yours in an SC400. Be prepared to strip both cars down to the bare bones but it can be done.

 

I hope you didn't spend more than $100 on it. Otherwise, either kick it down the road as a parts car to someone else, or take the opportunity to go an entirely different direction like LS swap or electric conversion. Building it back up to what it once was sounds like a monstrous waste of time, as you could just buy a similarly stripped car that still has engine and transmission, and come out way ahead on time and money.

 

I spent $250. The main thought when I got it was I was wanting to really get to know the car and everything that went in it

 

That's not terrible, but I'd expect to get a driveline in unknown condition for that price, given everything else that's missing.

It's your time, so I guess it's not my position to talk you out of it if you want to do a deep learning dive... But, that sort of contradicts the introductory post of needing guidance. You've bitten off too much and want others to help you figure it out, to put it bluntly.

 

It’s more of a wanting to learn but not knowing where to get the knowledge from lol

 

Only one way to learn, do it. Massive project like this can easily take years.

 

I am not trying to rain on your parade but I bought one that I have had for five years and have put 45k miles on it. I paid $250. for it and before I could drive it, I had to tune and install new inside door handles. Of course I have put more into it since then like a new A/C compressor, condenser. alternator, tires after 17k on the original ones that came on the car. Maybe I was just lucky. I can understand your love for the cars, because I love mine and fully regret that I had not purchased one sooner. I still believe there are bargains out there to be found, I wish you all the the luck in the world in your future with your car, just bear in mind it will take a lot of pocket change to get it where you wand it. By the way I don't have a show car, it is a fifteen footer when she is cleaned up but she is mine.
Bill

 

Research, research, research. You'll need help along the way, but if you're unsure where to even look, you aren't ready to tackle this.

 

I'm going to be realistic with you as well. t2d2 is completely right .

You have 2 options the way i see things.

Option 1 : buy a crashed sc that still runs and swap everything over. you would want the same car you have for the easiest swap which i would recommend. for example if yours is a 92 i would stick to 1992-1995 sc300s pre vvti pre obd2 prefering 92-93 because they are exactly the same.

Option 2 : buy an LS swap for the car. you can easily find a donor truck suburban ,escalade, tahoe, silverado 2wd for 1500 crashed get the same thing going transfer engine transmission get a drive shaft made or adapated and run the LS engines computer as well to control the drive train. This would be much more involved but you'll end up with a much cooler car and maybe even ahead on the money if you can finish it. \
Or you can buy just a 5.3, 6.0 LS early 2000s drivetrain with computer and not deal with having a truck around but alot of the time if your patient you can part the truck out for a good portion of your money back for just interior stuff