First off i want to say hello to everyone and I would appreciate any help that can be given. I need advice on this '93 SC300 that I found for dirt cheap, ($650 + a 6pk of Coco-Cola). Now the exterior is fine minus a replaced fender, some dents and scratches but no rust with original paint. Windows and trim are in very good condition however the doors would open so the guy pryed one of them to get into it. Long story short he bought it from a lady friend friend who had no use for it anymore and it has been sitting for four years . The entire interior NEEDS to go there is mold in the carpet and the seats are destroyed. The dash, misc panels and center console are in sub-par condition but can be salvageable with a little TLC. Visually the car looks good and i don't mind the little damage, my main concern is if it will be worth it to put this thing back on the road.

If i was to buy it my plan would be new interior ($300 for new carpet and other stuff eBay, forums or junkyard), brakes, suspension, light assembly's, and 1J w/ 5sp manual conversion. Im not too sure that the engine would be of any use to me but can probably be rebuilt by someone with the time and money. I have done some research between here and Lexus Owners Club but i only seem to find the V8 manual swap which im guessing should be about the same if not easier. Also i see some issues like wheels rubbing the wiring harness and what not. I would like to check out a service manual for this car however i don't want to spend the money on it for a car that i'm not sure i will buy and i have read that they are expensive cars to repair. So here are my questions:

1. Is my engine choice a good one?
2. Would the electrical system still work after sitting so long?
3. What is a good way of getting interior parts for the SC?
4. Anymore issue that I should know about?
5. Is it really worth it?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated and I know this is an SC forum however i would like unbiased replies. I want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly about this car.

 

5. No, look for a better conditioned SC. After all is said and done, cheap SC will always cost more to bring back to decent shape than to buy one in comparable shape to begin with. Spend the extra thousands and you'll be happy that you haven't flushed them down the drain with cheap SC.

Btw, there maybe many members that'll chime in and claim they bought their SC's really cheap. Ask them if it was worth spending their time and money to bring their SC's back to descent condition. (Because most of them don't and spend their money on forced induction.) Ask them to show pictures of their engine bay, (they gladly will.) then, the interior. Are you catching my drift?

 

Make sense. So pretty much if i was to buy this car it would only be good for parts for another SC? Lets say i found another on in better shape and I wanted to do a manual swap with the W58 tranny, would it bolt up to the 2J w/o issues?

 

YEs it would it bolt up to the 2J w/o issues...I would find a better SC, and buy that car for parts....but you shouldnt really need too, unless its a 5-speed....

 

whats the mileages? my sc has 166k

 

1. 1jz w/ r154 is a very good choice for a manual swap.
2. Assuming it's not rusted.
3. Forums and Pick a Part.
4. Replace whatever is broken.
5. Is the chassis straight --> Yes --> Good buy for a project car.

 

They are exspensive car to fix up but there are people on here you can get the parts from. if you are going to do a swap. If you can afford it. Id go with the 2jzgte with the v160 or161 six speed allready turboed and strong tranny. But it will cost you. Harness has be altered lengthened. Thats 500 or more depending on condition of your harness. New leather covers for seats 600 . You will have over 5000 in just motor tranny and compuer. And thats if you do work yourself. If you have shop do it add 2500 to it. Least thats cheapest price for a shop to do it around here. Its all worth what you are willing to spend and how bad you want a sc 300 with a motor swap. I got over ten grand in just parts. And im just starting my swap
good luck.

 

Thanks for the input everyone, I think i'll pass on this one. It seem that it'll take too much money to get it up and running again. I will try to find one in better condition but if i had a track car budget that would definitely be my car of choice however i need a DD.