SC300 Hopeful!
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Driver School Candidate
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From: CA
SC300 Hopeful!
As the title suggests I am hoping to get my hands on a SC300 :] Cant afford a Supra :[
As of now I am trying to sell my 2005 325i. I checked the price and it sits at around $15000. I also have extended warranty until March 2011 [costs over $3000] so I think I can maybe get $17000 for it. Someone offered me $21000 5000 miles ago but I turned him down :[
There are just a few new problems though. I prefer turbos over supers any day but I just heard recently theres a turbo kit out for e46 3 series that costs around $6900. Brings it up to about 313[?] hp.
I have been searching non stop for about a month now and cant seem to find a decent SC300. I still owe my dad money for the 325i so he still has somewhat of a say in what I decide to get. He definitely isnt going to let me get a car with well over 140000 miles on it especially since the 325i only has 53000.
I found a bone stock 1992 SC300 with 112000 miles for $5600 and a 1996 SC300 with 127000 miles and a 2jzgte for $4500. Do these prices sound about right? Assuming theres nothing wrong with the cars.
I searched the forum about swaps and found a thread but it was almost 4 years old. So sorry if these questions have been beaten to death but I just want updated responses.
What are the main differences between a SC300 w/ a 2jzgte and a Supra with the same motor? Pretty much just the internals and weight right? What would/should I change? Is the $10000 difference between a SC300 and a Supra n/a worth it? Seems like I am paying $10000 for a few internal parts + the looks.
Does a 2jzgte swap still cost a lot? If I do manage to sell the 325i for what I ask for and get one of the above mentioned SC300 I would have around $10000 to invest into this car. Is that enough or would a 1jz still be better? I am hoping to get something a little under 400 hp.
With all this in mind should I even venture over to SC300 or just keep the 325i and turbo it?
Last but not least... does anyone here go to Cal State Long Beach and drives a white SC300/400 with black/carbon fiber hood and trunk? I saw one drive by me in school and it was damn sexy. Or know who drives it?
Thx in advance! :]
As of now I am trying to sell my 2005 325i. I checked the price and it sits at around $15000. I also have extended warranty until March 2011 [costs over $3000] so I think I can maybe get $17000 for it. Someone offered me $21000 5000 miles ago but I turned him down :[
There are just a few new problems though. I prefer turbos over supers any day but I just heard recently theres a turbo kit out for e46 3 series that costs around $6900. Brings it up to about 313[?] hp.
I have been searching non stop for about a month now and cant seem to find a decent SC300. I still owe my dad money for the 325i so he still has somewhat of a say in what I decide to get. He definitely isnt going to let me get a car with well over 140000 miles on it especially since the 325i only has 53000.
I found a bone stock 1992 SC300 with 112000 miles for $5600 and a 1996 SC300 with 127000 miles and a 2jzgte for $4500. Do these prices sound about right? Assuming theres nothing wrong with the cars.
I searched the forum about swaps and found a thread but it was almost 4 years old. So sorry if these questions have been beaten to death but I just want updated responses.
What are the main differences between a SC300 w/ a 2jzgte and a Supra with the same motor? Pretty much just the internals and weight right? What would/should I change? Is the $10000 difference between a SC300 and a Supra n/a worth it? Seems like I am paying $10000 for a few internal parts + the looks.
Does a 2jzgte swap still cost a lot? If I do manage to sell the 325i for what I ask for and get one of the above mentioned SC300 I would have around $10000 to invest into this car. Is that enough or would a 1jz still be better? I am hoping to get something a little under 400 hp.
With all this in mind should I even venture over to SC300 or just keep the 325i and turbo it?
Last but not least... does anyone here go to Cal State Long Beach and drives a white SC300/400 with black/carbon fiber hood and trunk? I saw one drive by me in school and it was damn sexy. Or know who drives it?
Thx in advance! :]
Last edited by AmusEd.; Feb 17, 2009 at 10:40 PM.
There are lots of swap threads, you may have just missed them. For a 2JZ-GTE swap with an auto, you're probably looking at about 3-4 thousand bucks if you do the swap yourself. A 1JZ will cost a little less. If you want do do a manual transmission along with it, add another 2k for a 5 speed (tranny code is R154), or 5k for a 6 speed (code is v160). The W58 that comes in the factory 5-speed SC's can't handle over ~450hp. Just search around for a bit and you'll find some threads. In the performance section there is also an "unofficial" FAQ thread a couple pages in that'll be a big help. Good luck in your search and with your car situation! 
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Driver School Candidate
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Nice try :]
No its bone stock. Yes its a 96 SC300 with a 2jzgte for $4500. Your reactions make it seem to good to be true. Probably something wrong with it. Or that wire money transfer bull.
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Thread Starter
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Unresponsive. Probably a scam.
Just noticed you live in Cerritos lol. I do too haha. What high school did you graduate from? Or a full name would be cool.
Found another one. SUPER CLEAN interior black [!!] leather. 126000 miles for $8900. Definitely going to negotiate for $6000+.
If your going to buy an auto sc then try to get a 95+ one.
Essentially the difference between an sc and a supra are are interior,exterior,added weight, and the fact the sc has worse brake calipers (compared to the supra tt(supra na has sh|t calipers as well).
The reason i would get a 95+ is because they have a 2 bolt brake booster/master cylinder. What this means if you can easily swap ls400 or supra tt brakes AND a master cylinder over. Without that brake booster, upgraded brakes will give you a dead zone.
The stock sc300 5spd has a cheepo w58(model number) transmission and you'd be lucky to even hold power in the mid 300 hp range.
Me personally if i had that much money to work with, I would just find a clean looking sc300 OR 400 (400 is a just bit more to swap parts) Then i would put in a 2jz-gte and v160 6spd (or u can save like 3g and get a 5spd r154 transmission). Just find a car that has a clean interior and exterior. Since your gonna swap the engine/tranmssion, it really doesnt matter if the car works well. Actually you'll be better off finding a car with some engine/tranny issues, that way you can negotiate the price down.
Essentially the difference between an sc and a supra are are interior,exterior,added weight, and the fact the sc has worse brake calipers (compared to the supra tt(supra na has sh|t calipers as well).
The reason i would get a 95+ is because they have a 2 bolt brake booster/master cylinder. What this means if you can easily swap ls400 or supra tt brakes AND a master cylinder over. Without that brake booster, upgraded brakes will give you a dead zone.
The stock sc300 5spd has a cheepo w58(model number) transmission and you'd be lucky to even hold power in the mid 300 hp range.
Me personally if i had that much money to work with, I would just find a clean looking sc300 OR 400 (400 is a just bit more to swap parts) Then i would put in a 2jz-gte and v160 6spd (or u can save like 3g and get a 5spd r154 transmission). Just find a car that has a clean interior and exterior. Since your gonna swap the engine/tranmssion, it really doesnt matter if the car works well. Actually you'll be better off finding a car with some engine/tranny issues, that way you can negotiate the price down.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6
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From: CA
97
If your going to buy an auto sc then try to get a 95+ one.
Essentially the difference between an sc and a supra are are interior,exterior,added weight, and the fact the sc has worse brake calipers (compared to the supra tt(supra na has sh|t calipers as well).
The reason i would get a 95+ is because they have a 2 bolt brake booster/master cylinder. What this means if you can easily swap ls400 or supra tt brakes AND a master cylinder over. Without that brake booster, upgraded brakes will give you a dead zone.
The stock sc300 5spd has a cheepo w58(model number) transmission and you'd be lucky to even hold power in the mid 300 hp range.
Me personally if i had that much money to work with, I would just find a clean looking sc300 OR 400 (400 is a just bit more to swap parts) Then i would put in a 2jz-gte and v160 6spd (or u can save like 3g and get a 5spd r154 transmission). Just find a car that has a clean interior and exterior. Since your gonna swap the engine/tranmssion, it really doesnt matter if the car works well. Actually you'll be better off finding a car with some engine/tranny issues, that way you can negotiate the price down.
Essentially the difference between an sc and a supra are are interior,exterior,added weight, and the fact the sc has worse brake calipers (compared to the supra tt(supra na has sh|t calipers as well).
The reason i would get a 95+ is because they have a 2 bolt brake booster/master cylinder. What this means if you can easily swap ls400 or supra tt brakes AND a master cylinder over. Without that brake booster, upgraded brakes will give you a dead zone.
The stock sc300 5spd has a cheepo w58(model number) transmission and you'd be lucky to even hold power in the mid 300 hp range.
Me personally if i had that much money to work with, I would just find a clean looking sc300 OR 400 (400 is a just bit more to swap parts) Then i would put in a 2jz-gte and v160 6spd (or u can save like 3g and get a 5spd r154 transmission). Just find a car that has a clean interior and exterior. Since your gonna swap the engine/tranmssion, it really doesnt matter if the car works well. Actually you'll be better off finding a car with some engine/tranny issues, that way you can negotiate the price down.
Definitely aiming for a stick.
Weight + brakes just as I said. Thanks for confirming. Do people usually try to strip it down to make it lighter?
If your going to buy an auto sc then try to get a 95+ one.
Essentially the difference between an sc and a supra are are interior,exterior,added weight, and the fact the sc has worse brake calipers (compared to the supra tt(supra na has sh|t calipers as well).
The reason i would get a 95+ is because they have a 2 bolt brake booster/master cylinder. What this means if you can easily swap ls400 or supra tt brakes AND a master cylinder over. Without that brake booster, upgraded brakes will give you a dead zone.
The stock sc300 5spd has a cheepo w58(model number) transmission and you'd be lucky to even hold power in the mid 300 hp range.
Me personally if i had that much money to work with, I would just find a clean looking sc300 OR 400 (400 is a just bit more to swap parts) Then i would put in a 2jz-gte and v160 6spd (or u can save like 3g and get a 5spd r154 transmission). Just find a car that has a clean interior and exterior. Since your gonna swap the engine/tranmssion, it really doesnt matter if the car works well. Actually you'll be better off finding a car with some engine/tranny issues, that way you can negotiate the price down.
Essentially the difference between an sc and a supra are are interior,exterior,added weight, and the fact the sc has worse brake calipers (compared to the supra tt(supra na has sh|t calipers as well).
The reason i would get a 95+ is because they have a 2 bolt brake booster/master cylinder. What this means if you can easily swap ls400 or supra tt brakes AND a master cylinder over. Without that brake booster, upgraded brakes will give you a dead zone.
The stock sc300 5spd has a cheepo w58(model number) transmission and you'd be lucky to even hold power in the mid 300 hp range.
Me personally if i had that much money to work with, I would just find a clean looking sc300 OR 400 (400 is a just bit more to swap parts) Then i would put in a 2jz-gte and v160 6spd (or u can save like 3g and get a 5spd r154 transmission). Just find a car that has a clean interior and exterior. Since your gonna swap the engine/tranmssion, it really doesnt matter if the car works well. Actually you'll be better off finding a car with some engine/tranny issues, that way you can negotiate the price down.
What difference would swapping the brake booster add? should it come from the LS400 and/or the Supra??? Just curious as I've read a billion posts over my five years of owning the car....