My 97 sc300 build
#1
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I purchased a 97 sc300 with 190k miles a little over a year ago. Now with my wife pregnant I decided to do some mods before our newborn arrives.
First things first make her headlight clear again.
![](http://i49.tinypic.com/35idhz7.jpg)
Before
![](http://i47.tinypic.com/2af09it.jpg)
After
![](http://i45.tinypic.com/282p7au.jpg)
she does need to get her front and back bumper repainted and fix a little dent on the passenger quarter panel.
![](http://i46.tinypic.com/2gvuff4.jpg)
I sourced a 3 spoke steering wheel
![](http://i49.tinypic.com/8w9if6.jpg)
Then a gated shifter
![](http://i45.tinypic.com/1zdxmb8.jpg)
Then shorten the linkage by one inch. I decided to drill and tap the linkage and install a threaded rod 1/4-20 with two jam nuts. This way I could adjust it infinitely. i figure I would cut it about 2 inches and tap about a half inch on each side. Considering that the linkage is about .4 inches thick I could easily put the 1/4 threaded rod with enough meat on either side for it to be strong enough. I was thinking of welding the linkage but I didn't want the guy to weld it and the linakge wouldn't have the same bends as the original linkage.
![](http://i49.tinypic.com/2mzd2kw.jpg)
Threaded rod and jam nut from Lowe's $ 1.70.
![](http://i45.tinypic.com/2m63ma9.jpg)
![](http://i50.tinypic.com/biuut3.jpg)
Found a mkIII r154. Needs a fork, bellhousing and other stuff for the swap. Might use that as a spare considering to get all of that stuff cost almost as much as getting a 1jzgte r154 swap. But for 240 I couldn't pass it up. It came with the 7m bellhousing and clutch with pressure plate.
![](http://i49.tinypic.com/w9cj6e.jpg)
I am now in search of a 1jzgte r154 soarer swap, but the search is difficult. The only place i know where to look is ebay and they don't have any there that are reasonable priced. I'm looking to spend 2500 for the swap. I would have a spare 2jz block if anything should go wrong with the 1jz and also the 1jz is within my budget range for the swap. But until I find the swap I would be acquiring supporting parts for the car.
First things first make her headlight clear again.
![](http://i49.tinypic.com/35idhz7.jpg)
Before
![](http://i47.tinypic.com/2af09it.jpg)
After
![](http://i45.tinypic.com/282p7au.jpg)
she does need to get her front and back bumper repainted and fix a little dent on the passenger quarter panel.
![](http://i46.tinypic.com/2gvuff4.jpg)
I sourced a 3 spoke steering wheel
![](http://i49.tinypic.com/8w9if6.jpg)
Then a gated shifter
![](http://i45.tinypic.com/1zdxmb8.jpg)
Then shorten the linkage by one inch. I decided to drill and tap the linkage and install a threaded rod 1/4-20 with two jam nuts. This way I could adjust it infinitely. i figure I would cut it about 2 inches and tap about a half inch on each side. Considering that the linkage is about .4 inches thick I could easily put the 1/4 threaded rod with enough meat on either side for it to be strong enough. I was thinking of welding the linkage but I didn't want the guy to weld it and the linakge wouldn't have the same bends as the original linkage.
![](http://i49.tinypic.com/2mzd2kw.jpg)
Threaded rod and jam nut from Lowe's $ 1.70.
![](http://i45.tinypic.com/2m63ma9.jpg)
![](http://i50.tinypic.com/biuut3.jpg)
Found a mkIII r154. Needs a fork, bellhousing and other stuff for the swap. Might use that as a spare considering to get all of that stuff cost almost as much as getting a 1jzgte r154 swap. But for 240 I couldn't pass it up. It came with the 7m bellhousing and clutch with pressure plate.
![](http://i49.tinypic.com/w9cj6e.jpg)
I am now in search of a 1jzgte r154 soarer swap, but the search is difficult. The only place i know where to look is ebay and they don't have any there that are reasonable priced. I'm looking to spend 2500 for the swap. I would have a spare 2jz block if anything should go wrong with the 1jz and also the 1jz is within my budget range for the swap. But until I find the swap I would be acquiring supporting parts for the car.
Last edited by jwin; 10-09-12 at 07:53 PM.
#2
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My goal is to make her faster than my 2006 gs430 and some other american v8 like mustangs and the slower corvettes. I know its not that hard to make it faster than a 300 hp v8 but I love the mid range power for the v8. Ultimate goal is to be faster than a c6 z06 corvettes as some of the guys I work with look at my car with laughter.
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#8
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![](http://i46.tinypic.com/210dmqe.jpg)
shifter is done everything works beside the ECT. I still need to figure the wiring out on the ect but beside that its all smooth and works great. Still waiting on parts to come in for my r154 swap. hopefully I will get the driveshaft soon from a member here.
#9
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almost done gathering all of the parts for the r154 swap. sadly I will be selling my 2006 gs430 and I will make this sc into my daily. With that being said I highly doubt the 1jz swap will come anytime soon. More concern with putting the r154 in my car. Just missing the flywheel. The a/c line in the front was rubbing on the frame. Just ordered that and she will be great at 215k miles to be my daily driver.
#11
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The build has been on hold for a while now but it's slowly back on track. My wife gave birth to our first daughter everything has just been put on the back burner. I managed to get some time in between her naps to install the tranny and remove the back housing to gain access to the shifter linkage. Now I have to find someone to weld up the linkage.
#14
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Sent the shifter housing to get welded again on a jig. I recommend anyone that does the r154 swap to just cut your shifter and weld it back 4 inches. It's way easier and you don't risk messing up the shifter housing and lever. Those parts are discontinued from Toyota. If you weld it straight back with it being 90 degree at each end I don't think the throw distance will change. 97-sc300 did it on his sc and it seemed to work fine for him. Since I already cut mine up I will be going that route. Been kicking myself in the butt for cutting up the shifter housing. I could have save 225 and the car would have been done this weekend.
Last edited by jwin; 10-09-12 at 07:59 PM.
#15
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iTrader: (7)
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Jimmy,
Congrats on the new addition to the family. I got your text and forgot all about it brother, my bad. If you still need the welding done let me know. The gated shifter has found it's new home and works perfectly. Got some new parts for it and found matching shift ****. I'll post pics soon. Anxious to see your car on the road.
Shane
Congrats on the new addition to the family. I got your text and forgot all about it brother, my bad. If you still need the welding done let me know. The gated shifter has found it's new home and works perfectly. Got some new parts for it and found matching shift ****. I'll post pics soon. Anxious to see your car on the road.
Shane