pre-98' SC400 vs. '98+ SC400
12-05-06, 03:18 AM
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pre-98' SC400 vs. '98+ SC400
Ok I know in '98 the SC400s came with the newer motor with VVT-i. Has anyone here have some seat time between both motors........in the SC series? Is the VVT-i a huge improvement in the V-8? As far as my experience goes, my motor is a VVT-i variant of the 2JZ, and damn the throttle is very sensitive. The car has ALOT of pickup and almost feels like a V-8 off the line, up until you give it a little more gas; lol! I love the newer, '97+ SC's with the body upgrades and am considering stepping up to the V-8, but the '97 I'm looking at has the non-VVT-i motor. Let me here your personal reviews and experiences!
12-05-06, 06:23 AM
#2
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From 1992-1995, the power was rated as 250 horsepower @ 5600 rpm and 260 ft/lb torque @ 4400 rpm. From 1996-1997, the power was rated as 260 horsepower @ 5600 rpm and 270 ft/lb torque @ 4400 rpm. From 1998-2000, the power was rated as 290 horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 300 ft/lb torque @ 4000 rpm.
12-05-06, 06:42 AM
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he pretty much explained everything about the motors .the steering wheel changed in 99 i think thats when the also did the gated shifter ,daylight running lights and some other minor stuff .
12-05-06, 07:37 AM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
From 1992-1995, the power was rated as 250 horsepower @ 5600 rpm and 260 ft/lb torque @ 4400 rpm. From 1996-1997, the power was rated as 260 horsepower @ 5600 rpm and 270 ft/lb torque @ 4400 rpm. From 1998-2000, the power was rated as 290 horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 300 ft/lb torque @ 4000 rpm.
12-05-06, 09:14 AM
#6
Lexus Test Driver
if you got the cash, go for the 98+ because on the sc400's there's not much to upgrade engine performance wise unless you plan on going crazy and turboing/supercharging. the 98+ just have more of a lexus feeling, rather than a toyota feeling in the 96 and before. and the 5spd auto saves you a bunch of gas. when im crusing like 70 i get like 25-27 mpg. It's awesome. if you can get the 2000/1999 sc400's, they have a few more gadgets that the 98 doesnt.
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12-05-06, 07:29 PM
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Interesting, thats what I thought. I know for a fact my VVT-i SC300, although with the same hp, blows the non VVT-i as far as responsiveness goes. I just can't imagine the difference with the larger motor. Thakns for the response. Now I just have to find one for sale in Chicago to check it out!
12-05-06, 07:36 PM
#12
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If you don't plan on modding it alot, IE turbo or supercharger your best off VVT-i. I have 97 and its still pig. Although I've seen the same 25-27 mpg numbers, its still slow.
Problem is nobody makes cams, ect for the VVT-i motors. I see you have a 99 sc3, and if you want more power I would honestly just turbo the 2JZ. Probably cheaper than selling your car and buying a sc4, and better off anyway.
Problem is nobody makes cams, ect for the VVT-i motors. I see you have a 99 sc3, and if you want more power I would honestly just turbo the 2JZ. Probably cheaper than selling your car and buying a sc4, and better off anyway.
12-06-06, 12:32 AM
#13
Lexus Test Driver
If you don't plan on modding it alot, IE turbo or supercharger your best off VVT-i. I have 97 and its still pig. Although I've seen the same 25-27 mpg numbers, its still slow.
Problem is nobody makes cams, ect for the VVT-i motors. I see you have a 99 sc3, and if you want more power I would honestly just turbo the 2JZ. Probably cheaper than selling your car and buying a sc4, and better off anyway.
Problem is nobody makes cams, ect for the VVT-i motors. I see you have a 99 sc3, and if you want more power I would honestly just turbo the 2JZ. Probably cheaper than selling your car and buying a sc4, and better off anyway.
12-09-06, 04:28 PM
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I have a 98 vvti sc3. I yanked it out already and put a 1j. Yeah It had torque right off the line. But that is about it. Personally I was not impressed at all and wouldn't even consider turbo'ing just becuase the hassle to tune because of the vvti. No support. Other than that I have all the cosmetic upgrades that pre 97 don't have.
12-10-06, 12:15 PM
#15
Lots of misimformation here, let me clear some up.
I had a 97 SC4 for 6 years. See below mods on 97 SC4 that I recently sold. The idea besides, Zex kit was to improve air flow and improve HP and power at all rpm's. My 97 SC400 dyno'd out at 246 RHP w/o Zex with all those mods on a Non Dyno Jet Dyno that reads lower. Never could get a good Nitrous dyno because I bumped and tuned to 125 shot. Wheels spun and smoked when we ran 125 shot dyno run. We gussed about 350- 360 rwhp on Nitrious.
When I got my 98 I still had my 97 so me and a buddy took them both lined up and raced from a dead start. (No Nitrious !) The 97 left the 98 from the start and pulled almost 3 cars ahead up to 75 mph. I was driving the 98 and kinda thought that was strang so we ran again. This time I jumped a little early and same thing happened. 97, 3 cars ahead of 98 VVTI. Got to thinging about it later and see why now. The 97 mods Worked Good !
Heres an example of proof, where I ran a new Maxima with Intake and full exhaust with the 97.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hlight=jgscott
I am mapping out the new 98 VVTI SC400 mods which will include a different header, most tricks that the 97 had, plus mild ported heads and a 150 wet kit shot. ) I want it to be a quite car with just a slight hint of preformance noise. Remember an Engine is just a Air Pump. Stay tunned !
