flossn

Just sold my stealth twin turbo and am looking for a new project car. I'm thinking a early model 5 speed sc300 would be my choice but with the limited production, I'm worried about getting things such as tranny parts when the time comes.

Reason being, i was drag racing my stealth and the tranny went out. They had a hard time finding parts to rebuild it (and it wasn't cheap). While the sc is easy to mod since it has a lot in common with the supra, they both are approaching the 10 year mark where manufacturers won't have to provide parts anymore, and where does that leave the SC??

I could go the safe route (mustang v8 conv) and not have to worry about it , but I've had one before and while you can make them fast for cheap, As a lexus owner I would love to build a lex up.


Tony

SupraCoup3

my brother just bought a 3S, so I'm looking into the same stuff you are.

As far as the future for parts on the SC, I wouldn't worry. Toyota isn't mitsubishi -- mitsu is in trouble, toyota can't be stopped

MKIV Supra guys are quite handy. If something can be done better, they make it... and we make out like bandits because of it.

Engines aren't scarce, trannies aren't either... parts just aren't that hard to get. you can always go to the dealership, and they'll most likely have the part next day (gotta love just in time inventory & lean manufacturing)

get the SC -- unlike the mustang or the 3S, you won't be replacing parts as often as you're used to.

From the 3Si forum: "3S -- turning your averege joe into mechanics for the past 10 years"

Look around at the reliability of toyota -- especially the lexus line (older cars are better according to the master tech @ the dealership I used to work at, and I agree.)


just .02


JT

jcm3

actually the sc parts are not too bad too find. The popularity of the supra made certain of that. Mustangs are great if your looking for staright line speed on a budget and they are hard to beat from that aspect. I love stangs especially the newer modulars and the cobra. Ive worked on a 2003 cobra (pulley, diablo tune, and exhaust & intake) and it pulleys great. Ive also finished a 2002 GT Vortech supercharged, alcohol injection and it runs great. But they are everywhere an Sc is much rarer and reliable.

VSsc400

iTrader: (1)

www.intellexual.net should provide you with a lot of good info.

RobSoVIP

parts are pretty easy to come by- as long as people are racing their MKIV supras, you will have parts!

flossn

Thanks guys,

Ended up buying a spectra blue GS400 for a daily driver, but it's nice to know parts will be around for the sc300. I'll still be keeping a eye out for a cheap 5spd that I can work on.

Tony

SupraCoup3

And by work on, you mean turbo


I love spectra blue by the way, good choice

flossn

Exactly!

Craig Jopl

Don't forget about donor parts. Since the Lexus is so reliable, there should be low milage donor cars at salvage yards. For example, my neighbor looked up the cost of a used LS 400 motor and it was only $800. Mustang 4.6 used goes for $2000.

Since the demand for the Lexus donor parts is so low the prices are as well.

I worked at STEEDA for 2 years and Modular guys were blowing the engines all the time.

joshthorsc

Go with the sc300 5spd. There are too many stangs out there. It's like seeing all these civics out there and it's really not a sleeper anymore. Too many people have engine swaps. You can turn your sc300 into a real sleeper and if you want show and go, there are some really nice looking kits out there that would definitely get you alot of attention just for the fact that you don't see a sc w/ a kit everyday like the teggy's and civics. SC300 all the way!!!