I have done a lot of searching, but there are sooo many different options in choosing good performance mods for an SC....hopefully some of you could give me some insight....
If I had 22k to spend on an SC plus performance mods, what would be the best path for me to go in both an auto and manual trans...plus how much HP would I be looking at? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

-Get a sc300
-Get a turbo
-Horsepower: skys the limit.

 

I would find a mid miliage 98+ SC400 and just drive it.

 

Off Ebay: 80000 miles:: 1994 SC400:: $9100.00---Total Spent- 9100
Headers:: $900---Total Spent 10000
Transmision Shift Kit- 400--- Total Spent 10400
PI Torque Converter- 900--- Total Spent 11300
BFI Intake (Cheap, you can practicaly do this for free, since price is so small, we will call it $000)
High Flow Cats and Bigger piping, plus X pipe- 900--- Total Spent 12200
JIC Cat Back Exhaust- 900 (Steve has a special CL price right now, ussually about 1100)-- Total Spent- 13100
JIC SF-1- Coil Overs- 1500--- Total Spent- 14600
Body Kit- BN Sports T-I (price according to web site-1,402.70 Im sure there are some fees... lets call it )-3000 --- Total Spent 17600
Volk III Wheels 18X8 in front 18X9.5 in the back... plus tires- 3000--- Total Spent- 20600
Kaaz LSD- 1,600.00--- Total Spent- 22000

Im sure i am forgetting some stuff- and my prices are probably a bit on the low side with no accounting of shipping- that would be one hell of a SC though!

 

I see no reason to get an SC400, he already has a GS430 which would spank any stock SC4. I agree with aliga, get a good condition SC300 and some forced induction...

Though 5sp SC300's are rare, they can be found. A search in the forums will result in several members who have gone the turbo route and seem to be putting out awesome hp figures.

Maybe add a SC3TT to your sn??

 

2jz-gte.

 

Correction:
$9100.00 (plus any extra cost of purchase)= $~12,000
Headers $900+$300+ to install
Trans Shift Kit: $400+$300 to install
PI Torque Converter: $900+400 to install
Hi-Flow Cats: $900+$300 to install
JIC Exhaust: $1,100+ $200 to install

plus things like: Timing belt, hoses, radiator going out, bad needles, and anything broken.
Get the point

 

1998 Lexus SC400
Price: $18995
Color: Black
Miles: 50555

Then spend $2,200.00 on some nice 18 or 19" rims and tires

And then spend $250 for Eibach Springs and the Labor to put them on $200.00

Now you have a clean looking SC with plenty of power and awesome style (Newer Body with VVTi), and better brakes, power, ECT-i, and several other advances.

You will spend $10,000+ just to get a older SC300 to look like a 97+ model and to get it to the same speed as a STOCK 98+ SC400.

you would also have a little warranty possibly, Gated Shifter, more woodgrain, newer less used seats, probably better paint, probably less stressed engine.. All of this stuff in an older model would cost even more money to bring to a newer models condition.

Then again, it all depends on what your trying to acomplish.

Oh yeah, don't forget the 95+ has the useless cupholder

 

I agree with SCLexus3.0 on a 98+ SC400, you are talking about 290hp, Unless you are looking to do racing but if you want your SC to drive regularly, I don't think you want to put together a turbo... I personally would love a turbo, but I really don't need it and for everyday use I would go with a 97+ SC400, I mean a few little mods here and there on your 97+ 400 can get you over 300hp... To me that is plenty for a everyday car... If I am going to drive a Lexus I am going to drive it, not just look at it and take it out a few hrs on the wk ends, I am going to drive it and let everyone see it

Just my 2 cents
Shawn

 

I drive my turbo Lexus everyday. It is just like any other car until I smack on it. If I did it all over again, I would spend the money in all the same places.

 

i see you already have a GS and RX...i would buy a toy..like my car...something to enjoy.......im selling my sc300 turbo 6speed right now.....im asking 30k if your interested let me know ...i can give you alot more details.....i have over 60k invested..
sc300turbo@aol.com

 

what is this shift kit that everyone is talking about

 

97+ had the new bodykit, 98+ added the VVTi

SC 300 with 2JZ

I love my GS 4 and it's faster than 9 outta 10 cars but the 2JE gets ya faster than 10 outta 10 cars.

 

Doh... that is right... 97 was new kits but 98+ was the VVTi, LOL sorry about that... I myself would go for a 98+ 400 with 290hp and again with a few mods push over 300 easily

Thanx for your correction
Shawn

 

Wow thanks everyone for the reply...I guess I should have explained the sig a bit more...the GS430 is my dads car, the RX300 is my mom's (soon to be RX330)....the car I am looking for will be my first car...after doing some more reading, it seems I would be well off getting an old Sc300 and just swapping the engine. With the price I listed, that is only more for like horsepower mods (no wheels, etc)...I would have an extra 6k or so to spend on visual enhancements. I just can't justify spending 30k on like a new accord coupe, when I can have a Lexus which will dust the coupe like crazy. I am looking for a very high HP car

BTW..
Angel, do you have any 1/4 mile times? I checked your site, but the timeslips part isn't showing.
SC300TURBO, What kind of HP is your SC putting out?
Thanks for all the help.