I just recently came across a 1992 Lexus SC 300. I got a really good deal on it. I found out why though. I knew it wasn't operational, but I didn't know why. The owner only explained that his daughter drove it with out replenishing the water in the coolant system, so it overheated and blew the head gasket, I am hoping this is the case any way.

So I started working on it, and I was trying to remove the head bolts, and I discover why it was "frustrating" him. I think he was using a 3/8's hex bolt instead of the proper special tool to remove the head bolts, and he rounded out the interior of the bolts. Not really a big deal for me I have the equipment to remove the bolts, and the engine if necessary. It's just a pain in the *** to say the least.

The cars I own are as follows.

1989 Honda CRX:

Ugly, stripped interior, and in dire need of a LOT of maintenance. I beat this thing like a red headed step child. I love it because it gets me almost 40 miles to the gallon. So i'm not complaining.

1988 Toyota Corolla:
Beat to hell and ugly as sin, doesn't run because I gave my buddy the engine to help get his MR2 back on it's feet.

I own two 1990 Toyota Supras:
One is naturally aspirated and the other is turbo. I'm actually looking to get rid of these since I got the Lexus. I'm quite a fan of these supra's, however, I am not a fan of the issues that come along with the 7m-gte engine. It took a while, and I decided I'd rather not invest my money in a motor that is as prone to rod knock and BHG's as the 7m-gte engine is.

It is my own personal opinion from what I've read that the 2jz series engine is far superior to that of the 7m series especially when it comes to reliability.

I had thought about swapping the 2jz motor into my supra's, but I decided that I would like best to just sell my supra's and concentrate on my Lexus.

The 1990 turbo supra has title issues, and the 1990 n/a supra has engine and transmission issure. As in it has neither. I was going to take everything out of the 1990 turbo supra, and put it into the n/a one and just make it a complete conversion to a turbo supra. how ever my plans changed once I got this Lexus.

1992 SC 300 160k miles and bad engine:
It needs some, but I got an insane deal on it. I'm not afraid of doing what I need to do to get it to run so, I expect by December i'll have it fully functional.

Oh yah, I forgot to mention, I have an r-154 that I am going to put in it to make it 5-speed.

Here are some pictures of my Lexus. I'll be getting more as time allows.











That's about it for now. I am glad to have found this site, and I look forward to meeting some of you in real life.

Thanks,

suprfly

 

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to CL. That looked exactly like my car when I first got it. With some money and time, you will make it look so much better.

On to your questions: If the motor is blown, I would try looking into a 1JZ-GTE swap. This is the motor the SC came with out of the states. From what I hear, it is a very easy drop, and little fabrication is needed.

That is exactly what I would do, since I am actually wanting to take my good 2JZ-GE motor out and swap it with a turbo. You got lucky by receiving an already burnt motor for a good price!

Some REALLY good mods that I would first start with (you can search if you need some more info) :

-LS400 4-piston brakes (can get them from user Aliga)
-Wheels to clear the brakes
-97+ Front bumper
-97+ Tail lights
-Re-Tint the windows
-Meguires Scratch-X on the headlights
-Coilovers


Check out mine after a couple of changes not really clean (remember it looked almost exactly like yours):

 

do you have any pics of the front bumper?

 

fireblaze... how r the brakes?... how much?...

 

yep 1jz and paint job= sex

 

The LS400 brake upgrade is amazing. You will not clear stock wheels or aftermarket wheels without big brake fitment unless you run spacers: the calipers are physically massive. But, the braking power is awesome. In comparison to stock, it is night and day. The car is much more fun to drive.

Aliga can get you the calipers and the caliper hardware for ~$250. They bolt on 100%. The rotors and pads should run ~$150-200 depending on the qaulity of the rotor or pad.

When it comes to retinting (if that is on your list), I recommend Snaptint.com. I did mine using their kit. It costs $54.95 and comes laser cut to the car's exact window sizes. My experience was 100% satisfying. The tint is from Solargard's premium line, so will both perform and last. If you have any semblance of dexterity, patience, and focus, the application is not hard. The tint cuts were a perfect match for every window.

 

I only have this really bad one, because I didn't have it installed in those pictures that I posted earlier. I thought it was most money efficient to just paint and install the front bumper. The sides and rear did not make that dramatic of a change compared to the front. Might get the sides and rear in the future, but there are better things I can spend the money on now. Blizzy had the same thoughts, and pretty much sealed the deal for me on the decision.

Old:

New:

I work for Lexus, so I got a discount on some brand new front supra calipers.
I'm using OEM blank rotors combined with Hawk HPS pads. I am also using Goodridge SS brakelines. The braking is so much more improved. I think it was the best mod for the money that you can get, especially since brakes are so important.

Pic of the brakes (side-markers smoked):


However, I highly suggest that if you get some front 4 piston calipers, whether it be the Supra or LS, make sure to upgrade your rears. That is one thing that is bothering me, is the braking bias. Unfortunately the SC's were equipped with weak 1 piston rear calipers. Putting the monsterous 4 pistons in the front and keeping the rear stock will mess with the braking bias.

That is just me being picky though.


As for the pricing on the LS brakes, ask Aliga. I believe he sold used calipers with used pads for 220 at one time. Ask him for updated pricing.

 

I agree completely.

If you are able to get the Supra rear brakes, get them. They bring the bias back, making all stops (from mild to wild) more smooth in delivery.

With the 4pots only, the car has a tendancy to get a little squirrely in the rear because the stock 1pots can't keep up with the fronts.

Nevertheless, the 4pot fronts only (for ~$400 out the door) present much better braking than stock.

 

Welcome to Club Lexus and best of luck to you on your SC