I need some help.

My 1992 Sc300 with 135,000 miles started running rough. My local mechanic could not diagnose the problem so I took it to a Lexus dealer.

The service manager just informed me that cylinders 5 & 6 read 75 and 80 pounds on a compression test and should be in the 180 pound range.

He recommended a new engine at 1,100 with all other parts/seals, gaskets, etc to run 900 plus labor at around 3,500 for a total of 5,500.

My mechanical knowledge is limited and so I need to decide if this is a fair price and whether it is worth it to put that much into the car.

I really love the car but want to make an unemotional decision. I'm not sure what other information you would need to comment but any guidance you guys can offer will be much appreciated.

TJ

 

now that you have the problem diagnosed. Take it to your mechanic to see what his rate would be.

the biggest question...is your car worth dropping in ~5K to remain completely stock? If yes, then go for it. If no, then you have 2 choices: Cut your losses and ditch the car for something new, or look into doing a turbo swap (if you are willing to take on the project and do it properly)

 

Other than the engine, is the body, interior, and suspension in good form? If not, sell it and buy a newer one. Lets say you do have $5,500 to fix this vehicle, and you sell the car for....top of my head $2,500...that's $8,000 grand. You can buy a 1997+ in great condition for that kind of cash. Dude, since you don't have a lot of mechanical experience...ditch it and buy something with less headaches.

The older person inside of me wants to tell you to buy a cheap beater...save $10,000, buy a house, work hard, refinance it down the road and get a dream car later in life.

 

Thanks for that quick reply.

While I think my mechanic is capable of an engine swap, the bigger question is whether it makes sense to invest 5500 in the car.

I may be showing my ignorance but what is a turbo swap?

TJ

 

There are MANY credible shops in FL that can do a turbo motor swap.

You have a couple choices: 1JZ (this came in our cars in Japan, and is a very straight forward swap. It's a twin turbo motor with 2.5L displacement rather than 3L), 1JZ vvti (this replaced the standard 1JZ in 1996 in Japan, it has the variable timing and a single turbo. This is an updated version that can be swapped in as well), and 2JZ (this one comes in vvti & non-vvti version, both are twin turbo. This came in the Aristo (GS300 in Japan) and the Supra (US & Japan) and with wiring modification can be swapped into your car).

Do some looking around these forums and look for reputable shops (or look in the Florida subforum off the main page for shops as well). These swaps have been done for years now

 

Tabaka,

Thanks for the advice. If the engine had not crapped out on me, I was already ready to paint it to the tune of 3000. Now, the engine plus the paint job to get it back to good shape is 8500.

As much as I love the car, 8500 seems just too much.

BTW, I am already an old person! :-)

TJ

 

Why do you suggest an engine swap using a turbo rather than simply replacing it with the same engine that it had.

And, where do I find the Florida sub-forum you mention?

 

If you don't feel comfortable with the turbo swap, I would sell the car as mentioned by Tabaka and get a decent 97+ SC3 instead. I would do the same with mine, but I have too much into other aspects of it that I'd rather not do again.

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/flo...exus-club-177/

The reason many people do turbo swaps is because JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) motors tend to have ~35-50K miles on them because of the re-certification process in Japan which leaves a surplus of motors. Plus they are more fun

 

Only you can determine if it is worth the $5500 to fix. If you love the car enough to spend that kind of money, go for it.

I guess the bigger concern is, where are they sourcing a "new engine" for $2000?

Maybe they mean a new bottom end with your old head etc. I would be inclined to think that you lost the head gasket between cylinders 5 and 6, which would steer me towards a HG ("top end") job on your old block instead.

I would check out some other local shops and get some more opinions/quotes.

Your other option is to cut losses and sell the car as it is and buy another as mentioned above. The problem with that is you are still buying a 12 year old+ car and you may just trade your current issues for a sew set of issues.