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Hey everyone, just wanted to introduce myself real quick. A couple weeks ago I picked up a very clean 1993 SC400 in Royal Jade Pearl. I wasn't even really looking for a car, but I stumbled on this one and it looked really nice in the pics. Once I saw it in person I was sold!
Since I have too many cars, I have been parking it by my buddys house. I guess its in good company.
Here we can see the fully stocked first aid kit, the factory Lexus front bra, OEM rear floor mats (fronts are in the car), and the Lexus cargo net. Just to the right of this pic is the stock 12 disc CD changer. It has the Nakamichi stereo which is actually pretty good for stock (and 23 years old).
Did I mention how clean this car is?
And a shot with my daily driver when I was swapping out cars.
I have some pretty big plans for this car, but for now I am just enjoying it. Of all of the cars I have owned, I have never had a Lexus (or a Toyota even), so I have plenty of learning to do. I wont get into all of my plans just yet since I am still trying to decide on some pretty major parts, but here is a shot of a car built which should give you some idea of the direction I am headed.
Well now its time to take out the SC and go have some BBQ! Happy 4th of July everyone!!
Thank you! It has 120,000 miles and climbing (I love driving this thing!)
Yeah its a stick on wood, along with the dash. Probably the worst hing on the car, followed closely by the old alarm with too many LED's. All of the fake wood is coming out one of these days. I am also going to have the 1997 vintage (I have the receipt) tint removed and redone as soon as I can get it in. Over winter I am going to do a stereo and remove the old *** alarm.
Very nice! Looks like a time capsule. My 93 looks like it went through a demolition derby.
Thanks! With 320k miles on it, I am not surprised yours is a little rough!
So, I have been going back and forth between keeping the 1UZ with probably a 350Z 6-speed, or an LS motor with a T-56. My general plan is to have a high HP street car, so I want everything to remain functional like AC, power steering, etc. I am assuming that will be more difficult with an LS swap, but making reliable HP is pretty easy with them. I have a 5.3 that is stock rods and pistons, but was freshly machined (honed, decked, polished crank), with new rings and bearings and also a custom ground cam. I also have a decent set of heads for it as well, so its almost complete.
From what I have seen so far, around 600HP (give or take) is pretty easy with a turbo on the 1UZ. I have seen plenty of people say they can do 1000HP on the stock bottom end, but I haven't seen anyone do it yet. I would go stand alone with either motor so that is not really a deciding factor. So I guess my hold up with doing an LS swap is the cost of making everything work like stock. I have only seen the mount kit from Sikky which is about 2k. I would probably have to get the GM performance CTS-V front accessory set up which is also around 2k if I remember right. Then a T-56 or a Magnum 56 is anywhere from 1-3k plus a clutch and possibly also a bellhousing.
Eventhough I have 90% of a LS motor ready to go, it still seems very expensive to swap vs working with the stock motor. Really rough math looks like around 4k or so cheaper to stay with the 1UZ, which could build a pretty stout bottom end.
That was pretty long, but Id like to hear what everyone thinks. I know people will ask for HP goals, so lets say 600ish give or take 100 to start. Ultimately closer to 1000 would be the long term goal. At 4 digit power I would build either motor, but the initial goal I would like to do on the stock bottom end. Lets hear what you guys think!
Thats a good price, but it wouldn't really save me all that much money. This Sikky kit for about 2K includes an aluminum driveshaft, and the oil pan/pickup.
I have another random question for you guys. What is different on the 95-up alternators? I am doing a small system over winter and wanted to put in a Mechman alternator, but they are listed as 95-00. Quick look at rockauto shows that there is a different part number too.
I do kind of feel bad for modding it, but then again its just a car. I am super happy to start with a clean chassis, which is why I jumped on this one when I found it. Because its SO CLEAN I almost think I should leave it alone. That feeling will fade once I start ripping it apart.
07-04-16, 11:39 AM
New guy with a 1993 SC400
