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LS430 Diff?

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Old Jul 28, 2014 | 03:29 AM
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Default LS430 Diff?

Saw a guy selling his car on ebay stating he has a LS430 3.26 LSD in his auto SC400 and that he's getting higher MPG.

I believe our SC400's are geared around 3.9, so I can see the 3.2 being a MPG benefit, but can't find any info about it. Has anyone used an LS430 diff in our cars?
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Old Jul 30, 2014 | 06:51 PM
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I have an SC430 diff in mine (3.26). No idea if it's the same as the LS.
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Old Aug 1, 2014 | 02:16 AM
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Biddles, you can't use an LS430 diff. You can use a diff from an SC300/400, SC430, GS300/400 and Supra MKIV.

(2021 Edit: At the time of this post I did not know better. You can use an LS430 3.266:1 diff in an SC300/400 as 99SC42 states below. MKIV Supra owners have also demonstrated this. Interestingly it may also be possible to use an LS460's 2.937:1 rear diff as well... or at the very least its internal ring and pinion but I have yet to see it demonstrated on an SC other than that it may also be compatible. That is, assuming someone had a reason to use such a tall gear below 3.xx.)

The 3.26 diff was available in the 1998-00 SC400 and 1998+ GS400. It's useful if you have a V160 6-speed transmission (because it's numerically similar to the MKIV Supra TT 6-speed's 220mm 3.133:1 ratio diff) or the 290HP 1UZ-FE V8 and 5-speed automatic that came in those two cars. You CAN use it but you're going to have very sluggish acceleration in every gear if you use it in a 1992-97 SC400. I think some folks have used it in their R154 JZ turbo SC's but it's not the best matched gear for anything other than the above two setups (6-speed manual and 5-speed auto V8).

A Supra TT Automatic (LSD or open) 3.769 is your next step down from the 3.92 SC400 gearing but it's an expensive switch.

Last edited by KahnBB6; Jul 4, 2021 at 05:19 AM. Reason: Corrected prior inaccurate information.
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Old Aug 1, 2014 | 05:08 AM
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I was under an is350 yesterday, diff looked almost the same
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Old Aug 1, 2014 | 05:18 AM
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I Have an LS430 diff in my SC it works fine on the SC.
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Old Aug 1, 2014 | 02:25 PM
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99SC42 -- if you found that an LS430 diff bolted right in that's a new one on me and I don't think it's common knowledge for SC, GS and Supra MKIV owners. Owners should be made more aware if it's the same diff pumpkin down to the mounting points.

Vrank -- This is true. The IS350 and IS-F rear diffs look VERY similar to the SC/GS/MKIV 200mm rear differentials. There was an IS-F diff thread elsewhere on CL where this was discussed but it did look as if only the ears were cast in the same location. I can't remember specifically but there were slightly different mounting points on the IS350/IS-F castings even though they are probably internally the same 200mm design. Unless there are differences in pinion diameter and/or length it's very possible that the internals are swappable to a traditionally SC-compatible pumpkin. Don't hold me to that last speculation because I haven't confirmed or tried it but it would make sense Toyota would re-use most of their diff designs for certain applications. They did it using the MKIII/Cressida/IS300/IS250 diffs in the FR-S after all.

Last edited by KahnBB6; Aug 1, 2014 at 02:28 PM.
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Old Aug 1, 2014 | 06:24 PM
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3.26 diff is better for highway mileage. It's barely ok on my 2.5L 1JZ. Would be even better with a bit more torque to help it pull at 1500rpm at 70mph in top gear on the auto.
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