SC400 Makeover!
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Well first off I've been a member for a bit but never really posted. Bought a bone stock '96 SC400 a couple years ago for pretty cheap. I felt it was a good deal and I absolutely loved that very very few are seen in my area. I'd say there's about 3, 2 of which have been cobbled with ghastly body kits and primer. Anywho mine had about 184K when I bought it. Came from the Honda world and wanted to try something different. She's in fairly good condition, a couple flaws on the body and some rips in the leather. But the reason I'm "rebuilding" is the engine stated overheating for a couple weeks on and off. Checked everything coolant related then one day I started it up and heard metal hit metal. Not good. So I let her sit for a couple months deciding what I wanted to do and decided on a slightly upgraded stock rebuild. But before I bore you heres some pics.
Found an engine with 27K on it. Very dusty, needs a good cleaning. Rotates freely and came with a full harness
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/IMG_20130520_174336.jpg)
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/IMG_20130520_174314.jpg)
Not used to taking the harness out with the engine lol
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/IMG_20130520_174144-Copy.jpg)
Old one out for good
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130608_183039.jpg)
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130608_182824.jpg)
As she sits
Found an engine with 27K on it. Very dusty, needs a good cleaning. Rotates freely and came with a full harness
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/IMG_20130520_174336.jpg)
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/IMG_20130520_174314.jpg)
Not used to taking the harness out with the engine lol
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/IMG_20130520_174144-Copy.jpg)
Old one out for good
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130608_183039.jpg)
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130608_182824.jpg)
As she sits
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130608_193139.jpg)
#2
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Also got new wheels/tires and some coilovers. Hate if you want I can't afford Work/Volk or the like so I'll settle with what I can
XXR 527 18x8.75 +38 front and 18x9.75 +20 rear. Wrapped in 225/40 and 245/40 RE-11
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/IMG_20130524_180145.jpg)
Test fit, needs low!!!
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/DSCN0184.jpg)
XXR 527 18x8.75 +38 front and 18x9.75 +20 rear. Wrapped in 225/40 and 245/40 RE-11
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/IMG_20130524_180145.jpg)
Test fit, needs low!!!
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/DSCN0184.jpg)
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/IMG_20130524_183100.jpg)
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Starting taking the old 1UZ apart but didnt find much carnage. At this point there was 220K on the car
Right bank looks very good
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130610_203416.jpg)
Left bank not so much, smelled pretty bad too
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130610_203425.jpg)
Nothing broken though
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130610_210026.jpg)
Picked up the rebuilt trans.
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130622_172118.jpg)
And some cleaned aluminum parts
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130622_172344.jpg)
Then attacked the bay with some WD-40
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130623_151927.jpg)
Thats where I'm at as of today. Waiting for gaskets and such to come in so i can start cleaning the engine. Bay still needs some more work. And yes I am going to replace T-Belt and water pump right away and many other wear items.
Right bank looks very good
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130610_203416.jpg)
Left bank not so much, smelled pretty bad too
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130610_203425.jpg)
Nothing broken though
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130610_210026.jpg)
Picked up the rebuilt trans.
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130622_172118.jpg)
And some cleaned aluminum parts
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130622_172344.jpg)
Then attacked the bay with some WD-40
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130623_151927.jpg)
Thats where I'm at as of today. Waiting for gaskets and such to come in so i can start cleaning the engine. Bay still needs some more work. And yes I am going to replace T-Belt and water pump right away and many other wear items.
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I agree I don't think I've ever seen a lunched 1U , there indestructible for the most part . Our cars do not look pretty up high. Low is the number one mod after wheels you must do ,even if just on springs n struts . My car doesn't have coil overs but still dropped with Tannabe n springs good luck with your build
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I agree I don't think I've ever seen a lunched 1U , there indestructible for the most part . Our cars do not look pretty up high. Low is the number one mod after wheels you must do ,even if just on springs n struts . My car doesn't have coil overs but still dropped with Tannabe n springs good luck with your build
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Got some work done this weekend. Head lamps and tail lamps cleaned up
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130816_210912.jpg)
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130817_204032.jpg)
Rear coilovers and wheels on. All brakes cleaned from sitting and all fenders rolled with a slight pull in the rear. Also a much needed bath
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130818_172056_RichtoneHDR.jpg)
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130816_210912.jpg)
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130817_204032.jpg)
Rear coilovers and wheels on. All brakes cleaned from sitting and all fenders rolled with a slight pull in the rear. Also a much needed bath
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130818_172056_RichtoneHDR.jpg)
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130818_162541_RichtoneHDR.jpg)
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Removed all badges except for the two "L"s and painted those black
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130902_175733_RichtoneHDR.jpg)
Also painted the ghastly chrome strip on the side window molding
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130905_211137_LLS.jpg)
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130905_211642_LLS.jpg)
And finally decided on an exhaust setup, haven't seen this on an SC yet so I'm going to try it. Picked up a Magnaflow true x pipe and two SLP loudmouth resonators
![](http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/ashes2wake/20130828_171336_RichtoneHDR.jpg)