Mind-Blowing 2JZ-GTE-Powered SC300 Rocks 630hp!
Well-maintained SC300 features turbocharged 2JZ-GTE packing 630 horses, all sent through a five-speed manual.
Once upon a time, Lexus needed a sports coupe to go with their pair of sedans. The SC filled this space well, putting competitors like the Acura CL, Lincoln Mark VIII, and BMW 8 Series to shame. The SC400 busted the door wide open with its big V8, while the SC300 and its 2JZ-GE swept up the rest.
Alas, no turbos were attached at the factory any time in the SC’s life. Thus, it was up to builders to fill in the gap. One such example wound up at the home of Daniel Schmov. YouTuber itsBlack recently checked out the monster build at Schmov’s home, then took it out to “Mexico” to let the Lexus fly.
“It’s a ’92 SC300 with a JDM 2JZ swap,” said Schmov. “It’s got Brian Krauer titanium springs and retainers, .272 cams, stock bottom end […] all on a very aggressive clutch […] 631 to the wheel, and 520 torque.”
Schmov adds the setup puts down all that power well, and outpaces the BMWs he’s owned before, including the one he traded to get the SC300. And with this 2JZ-GTE under the hood, it’s very hard to kill. Not to mention it can pop and spurt fire from both the back and below.
“Now, I will say this: this thing is actually really comfortable,” the YouTuber said. “I don’t know if he still has stock suspension; it is sitting kinda high. But it’s kind of floaty, like it does actually feel like a Lexus. It doesn’t feel like something that would have 600-something wheel horsepower.”
He also mentions that the SC300’s appearance remains more or less the same, giving sleeper vibes to the road. The intercooler alone is tucked behind the bumper, hiding the raw power within. Thus, when he lets the 2JZ-GTE fly, it shocks even the YouTuber with how wild it is. It also gets the thumbs-up from a 4Runner owner later on after a few highway pulls for how awesome it is.
“People call the Lexus SC300 the budget Supra, the poor man’s Supra,” he said. “They can get a shell like this, throw a 2J in it, and they feel like they’re driving a Supra. I’ve never driven a Mk IV Supra, but I’m sure it’s just like this […] This thing feels incredible. It feels insane.”
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