joegolf

I have been on this Forum for six months or so. I don't understand RWHP or whatever. I won a 96 SC400 with 25K miles. I want more power. I am now bidding on a 99 SC 400 and a 2000 SC300. if I buy the SC300 stock, what does it take to make this a turbo supercar..... cost and what will I have 0 to 60? I will have to pay a mechanic to do ALL of the work as I am not able or willing to do anything? Seems if I can get the SC300 and beef it up, it might be better than my SC400 in speed. Please advise! Thanks in advance... and feel free to make replies as if I am a ten year old (with lots of cash).... lol
Joe

abutler696

Get a 2000 sc300, buy a torque converter ($800) and a toyomoto stage 1.5 turbo kit ($5500) and some new performance tires of course and you should be doing 0-60 in less than 5 seconds...the more you add the closer you can get to doing it in under 4. I could be wrong, but that's my guesstimate.

Camshaft

Biggest advantages of the SC3 is the 5-speed, tunability, aftermarket, economy when it comes to parts (Supra avaliability), and power potential. The SC4 has that smooth V8 power, that wonderful growl, and overall grunt. I say hunt down a 5-speed, call Toyomoto, throw in a NOS kit, put in a TRD limited slip, a good suspension setup, beefier sway bars, wheels and some BFGs, and you can go Corvette hunting. That way, you can win all your cash back in one night (Corvette owners have inflated egos) and have your super car. There is no such thing as an automatic "super" car. Maybe a F1 style, but not a Lexus auto.

RWHP stands for Rear Wheel Horse Power. Factory rating on an SC3 is 225 HP. Well, that is not what the car puts to the ground. That is measured at the flywheel, before the transmission is bolted to the block. So, you take into account the friction and other things in the transmission, rear end, and power to the tires, you lose 15%. Its a way for manufacturers to have high HP numbers and not be lying.

The Ikon

You'll lose about 20 - 25% with the automatic....

machinegt

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...nsmission+loss

here's an informative read on auto and manual transmission loss

DIrEctQL

It sounds simple, but it never is. But hey, he's right about Corvette owners. I did notice that at illegals. Also, the vette groupies who don't have a vette also have too much confidence.

JohnnySC

what is the torque converter upgrade??

DIrEctQL

Wait wait, you're kidding, right? Okay, that's it, you're not allowed to have a girlfriend. Hand her over!!!

JohnnySC

haha, you can have her, she is driving me nuts!!!! I just have never seen anything about this upgrade before!

DIrEctQL

Torque convertor is only for automatic transmitions. It doesn't add any more power. All it does is simply gives more control off the line as if you had a manual transmition. Just hit the gas and the car starts moving fast or spinning out. For some cars a torque convertor upgrade might give 1 sec off the 1/4 time.

joegolf

As the post said, I'm a dummy.

The car is an automatic transmission SC300. If I buy and take to a shop... how much will they charge me for the torque converter and a toyomoto stage 1.5 turbo kit including complete installation. What 0-60 time and HP could I expect on this automatic transmission car as compared to my current 1996 stock SC 400. Thanks!

DIrEctQL

Torque convertors usually run $700 and up. Installation should be simmilar to installation of a new cluth. I belive this is the most popular torque convertor:

http://www.swiftracing.com/engine/torque.htm

Toyomoto turbo kit runs $5500 and they claim it should give you 350 hp, but according to the guys who bought it they dyno much higher.

I heard someone claim they run 0 - 60 in 5.5 sec with the turbo kit on an automatic tranny. I would assume this should improve once you get the torque convertor as the torque convertor gives most poeple who can drive a big improvement off the line. How does it compare to SC400? It's kinda like you would race a Toyota Supra TT with your SC400.

DIrEctQL

Now don't hold me on my words since I haven't done any of these things yet but I am still collecting information before I do it this spring. I think one of the guys who did it will know better.