Just got my new (to me), '94 SC300., auto. It has 125K mi., but was a one owner, and has been meticulously maintained. It runs and shifts very smooth,and doesnt smoke or anything. Now I know its not a race car, but I thought it should perform a little better than what it does. I dont have access to a dyno, to see if it is making the power that it should.
I read somewhere that it should run around a 15.6-15.8sec. in the 1/4 mi. So I went to the track tonight, and three times I ran a 16.7 consistantly. (AC turned off, 1/4 tank of 93 oct. fuel, no tire spin, <.4 r/t, and using a clean K&N filter.)
The car is completely stock, and doesnt have any extra weight, like subs in the trunk or anything. Now it seems, to me, like its not making the power it should. Im now planning on a new fuel filter, a tune up, and checking the timing.
Any other suggestions? Or does a 16.7 1/4 mi. sound right to anyone?

Thanks,
Jordan

 

did you brake torque the launch? What was your 60ft times?

 

delete this....

 

Yes, I did brake torque. My 60' was: 2.537 and 2.547. I cant find my other slip.
My runs went like this:

.........2nd ....... 3rd
R/T..... .193 ....... .124
60'...... 2.537 ...... 2.547
330.... 7.171 ...... 7.005
1/8...... 10.891 ...... 10.843
MPH.. 66.98 ....... 67.34
1000..
1/4..... 16.772 ..... 16.723
MPH.. 83.97 ....... 83.84

Jordan

 

Do the tuneup and then go to the track.

Chris

 

+1 thats what I said before my lovely little "delete this..." post.... but go for the tune up and it will run way better.

 

Ya get a tune up and try working on getting your 60ft times to under 2sec, that may get you under 16sec 1/4 mile times.

 

Thanks for the comments. Ill be doing a tune up within the next week. Ill post the results, if any. As for getting my 60' down to under 2 seconds, I dont know how Id do that. My car's an automatic, and like I said, Im definatly not having a traction problem.
My opinion, even running tip top, it wouldnt get close to a 2.0 60'.

Jordan

 

I've got a 93' SC300 maintained like you have described yours. I'm on a dirty Toyota air filter & worn cats...... I've also added the weight of LS400 brakes, SupraTT wheels, and 245/275 combo tires. Brake launching netted a 2.5 60ft, 17.0 ET, and 83mph trap. Yours seems to be running about what mine is........ the trap speeds are similiar.

 

try taking out your spare wheel that you have in the trunk. that sucker weighs a lot

 

I don't think that's going to do anything for the sluggish performance....... these cars simply don't get off the line - so they net high 60ft times and horrible ETs. My car trapped nicely..... if I had to guess a 93' SC300 back in 1993 trapped roughly 85-86mph. At over 11 years old..... with extra added weight - trapping 83mph is damn good IMO!

 

Damn, so I guess mine runs good. Thanks you guys.
Jordan

 

Thats totally impossible with a stock Automatic SC300. Keep in mind he is stock at launching at 2000 rpm max. Thast about as fast as I got 60 foot times as well. The problem with the car if you have even good all season tires or more you will bog out the launch no matter what you do.

You might wnat to try manually shifting the car, but this is a double edged technique, since you have to do it perfectly or itll slow you down. Shift from L to 2 in 5300-5400 rpm this will make it shift at 6200 rpm, switch to 2 to D with OD off at just under 6000 rpm this will make it shift right before redline. If you mess it up youll lose time just dont hit the rev limiter if you do time it wrong.

Do a tune up as well, rotor, dist cap, plug wires and spark plugs. I shaved half a second off with a full tune up. In back to back run period of 2 weeks. I ran virtually identical times at an attitude (3100 feet plus it was hot whatever attitude index that day was.) Keep in mind that is a big factor depending where you are located as well.

BTW I have never ever ever seen anyone else break into the 15s in a stock sc300... Ill give it a try in a stockish sc300 but Im expecting no better then a 16.4 at an attitude of roughly 1100 feet.