jcat_350

Sup guys, not an SC owner nor do I think I'll be able to afford one any time soon, but I've been feigning for another Lexus project ever since I sold my GS before I got to NA-T it. I currently drive an ES350 and well...that just won't see much besides appearance upgrades. With the versatility of the SC platform, I'm interested to see the opinions of SC owners in terms of which way you'd go starting from scratch, particularly the guys that have built something already. Disclaimer: I'm only considering projects with man pedals This is something I'd love to be able to do in the near future, and would use this as sort of a guide as to where to go with it. Talking for the most part realistic budget, so no quad-turbo 4.7L V160 herrafrush builds please

Please in addition to voting post your experience with your project and approximate cost-to-date for further info.


1.) Buy SC400, swap to 5spd, leave V8 and go bolt-ons
2.) Buy SC400, swap 1JZ-GTE and 5spd (W58 or R154?)
3.) Buy SC300 auto, go NA-T and swap 5spd
4.) Buy SC300 auto, swap to 1JZ or 2JZ-GTE and 5spd
5.) Buy SC300 5spd, go NA-T
6.) Buy SC300 5spd, swap to 1JZ or 2JZ GTE

Obviously, 5spd SC300s are a rarity, particularly near me in New England. SC300's seem to get a bit more money than SC400's unless the 400 is late model and really good shape. Some can be had as low as 1500-2k, others run up to 8k it seems. So keep the price of the car in mind as well.

Kalogerus

iTrader: (3)

I know a guy selling his 5speed 300 for cheap ($2-2.4k last i heard) in baltimore. Perfect for a project car.

However, if you're going with a 400 you might as well keep the v8 and swap the transmission to 5 speed. Thats what I have planned for mine. If you're a boost nut go for the 1jz, 2jz and all that jazz.

jcat_350

there's one up here in MA for around 2900 I think with some mods already done to it, but i dunno if it's available. MD is a bit of a hike for me haha

Asha'man

iTrader: (1)

Five speed V8 is undeniably fun, and is my plan. It won't be a highway monster or dyno queen, but it will do extralegal speeds easily. More importantly, it'll have the low-end torque that makes slower speeds fun. My plan is a five speed swap and then eventually either a mild turbo or blower setup or a slightly bigger all-motor setup. Either way, it'll be plenty of fun and maybe less likely to lose you your license than a high horsepower turbo car with tons of top end.

jcat_350

that's sort of what I was leaning towards only because the 400's seem to be cheaper around here and it would be fun as hell to surprise some of the cars running around here in the summers.

Midengtoy

iTrader: (3)

I guess it depends if you get a 300 or 400 if 400 I say do a manual swap and if 300 I say na-t and manual. I voted for number 1 because I have a 400 and the next major mod would probably be a manual transmission. Either W58 of 350z if I had more cash.