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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Pardon me, gentlemen, but I'd like to inquire of your opinion about the Lexus SC400

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May 27, 2009 8:24 p.m. alex HalfDork

The recent Noob thread brought up the Lexus SC400. I was extremely impressed by one of these a couple winters ago.

On an unseasonably warm Christmas break I was riding what I thought was about to be my new Aprilia Falco (1000cc v-twin exotic Italian motorbike) on some fast sweeping back roads at a damn good clip (also known as an unsafe speed), when, much to my surprise, an SC400 caught up to me. I was shocked, to say the least. I wicked it up, and I'll be damned if that SC didn't stick pretty damned close.

So.

What are the possibilities of making one of these into a stripped track car/punishing street weapon? Obviously, a 5 speed swap would be a requirement.
May 27, 2009 8:37 p.m. Dr. Hess PowerDork

That motor rocks. I have a LS400. Same motor and trans. I think I can beat it in a 1/4 mile in the Esprit. It would get me until about 60, then the Esprit would walk. I need to try that some day.
May 27, 2009 8:42 p.m. RexSeven HalfDork

They are heavy, like 3500-3600lb heavy. The SC300 did come with a manual, but those are rare. The SC300 came with the 2JZ-GE, the N/A variant of the Mk. 4 Supra Turbo's 2JZ-GTE engine, so maybe there's a swap possibility? It's been done in the IS-series and it'd make a hell of a sleeper.

Aside from JDM drift cars, I've never seen a Lexus SC race car. Maybe there's suspension bits, but they are probably dorifto-oriented and hella expensive.
May 27, 2009 8:44 p.m. Stealthtercel New Reader

I don't think I've been leading a sheltered life, but I am not aware of 5-speeds going into LS/SC400s. If anyone out there knows about these or other upgrades (I think there's a place in Australia that does cams...?) let's hear about it.
May 27, 2009 8:54 p.m. Dr. Hess PowerDork

You can always get someone like Isky to do cams for you, and it isn't that much. I know of no bolt on trans for that motor besides the auto it comes with. You can get a W5x to adapt to it. Besides Kennedy, I think Phil Bradshaw makes an adapter plate.
May 27, 2009 8:56 p.m. PeterAK Dork

Only the 300 got the 5 speed option. Supra suspension bolts on and makes upgrades easy. I almost bought an SC400 when I bought my BMW, but I drove one and at 6'4" there wasn't as much headroom as I would have liked so I passed.
May 27, 2009 9:03 p.m. ReverendDexter HalfDork

2JZ-GTE swap would be the same for a SC300 as it would for an IS300, as they, as well as the non-turbo Mk IV Supra all run the exact same engine (as was basically said above).

5-speed for that car would be interesting, my understanding is that to do it you'll need to import at least a bellhousing from Australia as I don't believe that Toyota ever put a manual transmission behind any of their V8s, even in the pickups.

You might find more information on those cars if you research them as a "Toyota Soarer", as that's how they're known in the rest of the world.
May 28, 2009 8:27 a.m. MiatarPowar HalfDork

Dr. Hess wrote:

That motor rocks. I have a LS400. Same motor and trans.

Yes. Yes. Yes. The 1UZ is a flipping great engine. Aside from odd comforts that I don't normally have in a car (like working windows and a/c), the engine is my favorite part of my LS400.

A friend of mine is working on swapping a 1UZ and manual trans into a RWD Celica. He imported a bell housing adapter from Australia and spent a bunch of money on a clutch, but it's all supposed to bolt up and play together nicely.
May 28, 2009 8:37 a.m. 81gtv6 Reader

It is a Supra without the markup. A friend of mine is building a monster SC300, well he is in the "making a list and checking it twice" stage though he does have the car.

I will say that the 300 has more grunt than I thought it would in such a heavy car.
May 28, 2009 9:24 a.m. 93celicaGT2 Dork

81gtv6 wrote:

It is a Supra without the markup. A friend of mine is building a monster SC300, well he is in the "making a list and checking it twice" stage though he does have the car.

I will say that the 300 has more grunt than I thought it would in such a heavy car.

Agreed. I've seen stock SC300s dip into the 14s. The highway passing power is rather surprising, too. And they sound amazing if you delete the mufflers.

On an SC400 note, my roomate called me a month ago, asking "Are SC400s fast normally"

I had to answer him with, eh..... kinda, not really.

Apparently he was cruising on the highway at about 90. (dumb.) And an SC400 came up on him, and starting pacing, him. It was late, no other cars around (he's not THAT dumb, and we've all had the urge at some point), so he downshifted into 4th in his EP3 Si, and took off. He was promptly chagrined to see the SC400 not walk, but RUN away from him like he was standing still.

If i had the money, i would LOVE to make one of these into a track machine. You can find them for relative peanuts, they're gorgeous, they are not slow to begin with, the engine is amazing, suspension options abound, you can fit a lot of tire under one, and you can lose a LOT of weight gutting it. A LOT of weight.
May 28, 2009 9:36 a.m. John Brown MegaDork

I have much love for both SCs. I will definately not finish one someday.
May 28, 2009 12:26 p.m. thatsnowinnebago HalfDork

And now I'm off to craigslist to look for SC400s. Thanks GRM.
May 28, 2009 12:38 p.m. Dr. Hess PowerDork

That same motor will push a LS400 to the speed govenor, 144 or something. Look for a 99-up, as those have CoP and VVTi. At around 4000 RPM, the cams have kicked over and it's breathing well and sets you right back, like 2 20v's stuck together.

The only thing to ever go wrong on them is the starter. The starter itself is usually OK, but the contacts go bad. Of course, you have to pull the intake manifold off to get to it. It's a PITA job.
May 28, 2009 1:20 p.m. Chris_V SuperDork

lot's of manual trans options for teh SC400s (and LS400s). the engine is a pretty popular swap item, and you can get everything from mere adaptors to full bellhousings to put any number of Toyota manual trans boxes on, as well as T5 or T56s. I bought an adapter to put the Toyota W58 5 speed manual box onto the back of my LS400 1UZ V8.

Check out the forums at Lextreme.com for more info.
May 28, 2009 3:27 p.m. Dashpot New Reader

Dr. Hess wrote:

That same motor will push a LS400 to the speed govenor, 144 or something. Look for a 99-up, as those have CoP and VVTi. At around 4000 RPM, the cams have kicked over and it's breathing well and sets you right back, like 2 20v's stuck together.

The only thing to ever go wrong on them is the starter. The starter itself is usually OK, but the contacts go bad. Of course, you have to pull the intake manifold off to get to it. It's a PITA job.

That and the PS pump seal goes, dumping onto the alternator and taking it out too.

I've owned both an SC300 5 speed and an SC400. I preferred the V8 despite the auto tranny, but the 300 had a little less weight on the nose so it had better balance. The 300 was a little weak in the midrange, but came on pretty well over 3500 RPM. I wasn't aware of the interchangability with Supra parts at the time I owned them, left them both stock and they made for smooth comfy commuters.
May 28, 2009 4:28 p.m. ronbros New Reader

Hey guys; check out Boost Logic.com and some videos on you tube .

they hold the worlds record for a true street car, on the Texas Mile 246mph, also drag record ,7.91 at 190mph. same car. drives to and from the track,Austin to Seguin,tx. supercars aint got a chance!

at boost logic got a fleet of SC300 s and Supras, i believe that sc400 and sc300 ,and supras,are the same except for engine & trans. even platform is the basic same, just different sheet metal and interiors.

Toyota dont make no junk!!

what makes a TX. street car? A/C,, P/S,, stereo system, Electric windows, elec. seats,leather, smooth and quiet, and reasonable MPG and of course you drive it to and from the events.

just last week had a ride in one of there cars, just off the Dyno, ONLY made 706whp, quicky test run, on Hiway 620, ,, 140mph 1/4 mile,in traffic! SCARY, God,! young guys got balls.
May 28, 2009 4:43 p.m. ronbros New Reader

YES! Texas Mile is in Goliad, not far away.
May 28, 2009 5:06 p.m. billy3esq Dork

I've seen what I believe was a Boost Logic car at the track before. Holy E36 M3 was that thing fast!
May 28, 2009 5:40 p.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

Spinout007 on here currently has a pair of SC400's for sale for a song.
May 28, 2009 5:44 p.m. Strizzo Dork

That boostlogic record was also done on the Stock rear/suspension and 6sp iirc. If not they own the stock rearend/suspension 1/4 mile record too
May 28, 2009 6:02 p.m. Travis_K HalfDork

One sorta bad thing is around here they are a ghetto/drug dealer car, so anyone driving a nice one is probably going to attract alot of attention from the wrong type of people (either cops of people who want steal it),
May 28, 2009 6:49 p.m. fastbmw New Reader

We have a lot of JDM imported twin turbo SC cars up here in Vancouver.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/ctd/1193541224.html

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/cto/1173064648.html

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/cto/1169934422.html

Those deep dish wheels look awesome on them..
May 30, 2009 11:29 p.m. caffecapri New Reader

Watch this video to get you to like the SC even more:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Kmddi0-ZwU

Heavy car, but very sexy. Shares major parts with the MKIV Supra...swaps are more common, yet not cheap. But still cheaper than buying a TT Supra these days.
May 31, 2009 8:33 a.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

I'm always amazed how much better they look in person. They are incredibly good looking cars, and in that video they almost looked like a GTO.
May 31, 2009 11:12 a.m. PHeller HalfDork

Something about watching a bunch of the same cars just do some fancy lane changes doesn't thrill me...especially when its done to EPIC MUSIC

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