Ragga

Here is the answers to your questions. Let's see if my 114K mileage stock 92SC400 qualifies.


*Can you get into your car and drive across the nation, state, region without fear of it not making it? YES NO PROBLEM.
Just got it but Live in GA and drove it to NC I was a bit worried but I had the car checked over by TOYO TECHs before I took my boy on the road and every thing was fine.
This car is like riding a private jet. real smooth ride with AC on full blast.

*got those struts changed!?
My struts are fine but next year changing the whole struts, coils, rotors for 19"'s Black with chrome

*Stop your SC from missing or loping!?
Even Though I had this car overhauled and check I still want to do another tune for my personal records but really researching for the proper parts such as ignition wires, distributor caps,pulleys etc.

*Is your car smoking or knocking?
NO SMOKING OR KNOCKING

*Got those worn out ugly seats fixed!?
Who ever had this ride before me kept the interior in superb condition Lexus
owners would be proud

*Got that busted speaker changed!?
I actually am going to change my entire system but until all engine and
major issues are fixed if any I am using my Monster IPOD adapter conected to
my cigarette liter plays smooth for now

*got some new tires yet?..
GOT Michelin's SPORT TIRES All around on stock rims sweet.

*get your tranny and diff. serviced lately?
TOYO Said my fluild are a little dirty but will schedule for next month

*Is your power steering pump still leaking?
Just had that power steering fluid replace and no leakage

*When was the last time you changed your plugs, wires, caps, or even your OIL?
I took my lexus to TOYO TECHS and had a overhaul they said everythings fine
had a oil change and filter replace

*Are you mats torn, worn and need of replacement?
NOPE In good condition

*does your dashlights work?
Does work how ever doing a Cluster repair after Brakes

*Does you interior look as good as new again? need a shampooing?
The interior is impressive for this 92 and its baige at that really clean

*Is your wind shield cracked?
Windshield has a small chip from a rock in it but will change next summer when
I do a new paint job

*Is your steering wheel a mess?
LEATHER WRAP AROUND IT

*When was the last time you changed your brakes?
Actually I am getting this done this week.

*New pads huh... what about the brake fluid flushed?
I assumed this is done in the changing of the brakes
will make sure to ask

*Radiator services, thermostat changed?
Will also ask while changing my brakes. But from the last check up this month
No mentioned of theses issues.

*Did you get the AC fixed from last summer? It will be hot again in a few months!
Wife complains it's too cold.

*Does your heat work? It better it's cold outside!
THE HEAT WORKS GREAT

*Are the rotors warped or need of turning/shaving?
Need new rotors and looking into Brembo and whole suspension

*Is your paint CRAPPY? Need a buffing?
For a 92SC400 I just bought this car this summer and the car paint is still in
good condition. How ever the edges around the windows sunroof need to be painted.

SO IN RESPONSE... I DO NOT MEET THE QUALIFICATION TO TALK ABOUT MODS?

I Love my SC and even though TOYO TECH said my RAGGASC is fine
I still want to do a major tune up for my records.

As far as MODS here the Plan for 08
*New Paint Job
*INjen intake
*Exhaust ( researching)
*19" s with Full suspension make over ( its all about the ride and feel)

**If my bonus kicks in SUPERCHARGER!!!!

KC95SC400

iTrader: (3)

Great thread. I have owned the car since 5/07. 131k

Have done:

timing belt (pump and seals wern't leaking)
drive belt
drive belt idler pulley
new tires
alignment
fixed the antenna
polk speakers
10 in trunk
kenwood head unit
top engine clean
fuel injector service
pulgs
wires
caps
rotors
coils
transmission flush
ps flush
ac filter (was missing)
evac / charged the ac (compressor is a little noisy, will replace if it dies)
pcv valve
replaced front O2 sensors (fixed lean code)
cleaned the headlights
replaced burnt fog light bulbs
got and programmed remote key (didn't come with one)
replaced fuel filter
replaced battery
put in 03 es300 washer nozzles
BFI with new K&N
had the front seats re-dyed and had the passenger upper door trim fixed(don't look brand new but much better)
20% tint
front cats back exhaust

Coming soon:

EKT headers (all new gaskets)
Dragon TQ (rear main seal and trans front pump seal while the trans is out)
EGR pipe
motor mounts
trans mount
stuts / springs (not sure what yet)
TRD Supra sways
LSD (stock gears)
replace the horrid (IMO) gold emblems and exhaust tips

When money allows:

supercharger
piggyback / dyno tune
fix some paint issues
brake upgrade
wheels

I'm sure I'm missing a few things, but notice all the maint done first.

I am VERY VERY VERY glad I am a Toyo tech. I don't even want to know the amount of $$$ I've saved myself.

KC

_adiO

Good thread.

I have had my Renassaince Red 97' SC400 for only about a month and Thank god it is in MINT condition still. Drives like a dream, minor interior cracking and everything works.
I still have a 1995 Honda Civic with a Si motor swap in it. That is my "toy" if you will. Although I plan on modifying the SC as well, I maintain it more for a "comfortable" drive for whenever I please, and I let my civic be the one who gets all the goodies and get's all the action on the road.

But let's not forget, the SC will have mods soon

19'' ADR sterlings already bought
and I will lower with most likely Ksport coils.

ewingli

i already spent around 2gs+ worth of maintenance & repairs, its the labor thats costing me.

P/S pump + hose 1g
Tune up + all filters + fluid 864$
Differential axle leak/ seal replacement ,40$ for the seal 185$ for the labor
alternator + labor = 300$
----
everytime I fix or replace something, something else needs attention too =(

but i love this car, and i want it to run like the day it came out of the factory.

------
After everything is fixed
-----
Hid's head light + all led bulbs
Window tint
Tiens basic coils
D3 Pioneer dvd + navi
Vertex kit
customs emblems

SCwidaGTE

who cares? let people spend their money the way they want to. i didn't give a hoot if my car had new floor mats that i would step all over.

and i replaced everything you did also, only with a 1jz. prolly spent less than you too, lol.

BLK13X

Update:

Well it's been just over two years since I purchased my current Soarer ('97 1JZ VVTi single turbo). Admittedly I should've waited on some mods instead of jumping on them but sometimes you really just can't help yourself. I'm planning on doing the whole restoration thing as well.

The Usuals
* Scheduled tune ups, fluid and filter changes where necessary
* Ridiculous amounts of car washes, polishes and waxing

Replacement Parts: Because they needed to be done.
* NGK platinum spark plugs ($100~ for 6)
* VSV assembly due to cracked housing ($40, secondhand)
* Headlight globes due to originals burning out ($60, G4 halogens)
* New genuine radiator top tank ($??, replaced at 100K service)
* New genuine front engine bearings ($??, replaced at 100K service)
* New genuine water pump ($??, replaced at 100K service)
* New genuine power steering pump ($??, replaced at 100K service)

Needing Attention: Nothing urgent, but it would be nice.
* New headlights and foglights (may do a D2S retrofit on original lights)
* Replacement bushes (haven't decided to go with genuine, Daizens, VFT or go nuts and empty my wallet on some Ikeya Formula control arms)
* Brakepads (thinking to get LS400 4-pots)
* Handbrake boot torn and wearing shifter
* Broken rear seatbelt buckle surround
* Centre console lights are out (probably to be replaced by LEDs)
* Cracked air vents

Stuff Done
* Trafficstar RTS wheels
* Lowering springs (F:2.00", R:1.50")
* Alpine MP3 deck

Because I Want Them: No explanation needed.
* Bodykit (AC or Big Win, haven't decided)
* Suspension rework (Cusco Zero-2, HKS Hipermax III or Tein CS coilovers and maybe swaybars)
* Interior trim (leather seats, redone wood trims... possibly gated shifter and 3-spoke steering wheel)
* New ICE set-up

All in all there hasn't been too many dramas (mechanically) with my car. Goes to show if you keep up with regular maintenance these are one hell of a reliable car.

SCVIP300

iTrader: (6)

interesting thread =)

2700$oarer

hmmmmmm im pretty sure my car would make it across the u.s. easy. my car runs perfect, but i did have a problem with running an open intake airfilter. it kinda stuttered for some reason so i went back to an airbox runs fine. 93 sc400 120k miles now.

Rex Ruthor

Good subject. IMHO, mods should be limited to those that enhance the monumental amount of engineering put in by the manufacturer. My mods are Seafoam, an EBay strut bar, and K&N filter. The Seafoam cleaned out the carbon. The EBay strut bar was a carry over from my LS4 and may or may not reduce camber secondary to upper chassis flex in high corner stress. The reported higher CFM flowing K&N may or may not increase throttle response over the clogged up filter that came with the car, but I won't have to buy a air filter for the life of the car. Took off my rear mufflers for a week to try it out. The drone at 2900 rpm was irritating enough to put them back on. Seat of the pants felt like it lost some low end torque as well. Personally, it is hard to tweek more out of a car that came out of the factory so well planned, IMHO. I have nothing against modding, but I truly appreciate the base platform as it was intended.

markesc

iTrader: (2)

I'm in that boat.... I have about 109k miles on my '95. It the rear main seal leaks oil, and I have this ULTRA ANNOYING pulley/heat sheild vibration sound.... I'm sure the alternator/waterpump/seals all need to be done.... So why not just swap in a 1jz rather than putting $2k into the stock motor? That's my current thought process...

Blkexcoupe

iTrader: (8)

I'm confident my car could easily make it across the nation. I've had the car for a year and a half, but most of the service was done within the first month of owning the car.

-Timing belt was replaced
-Transmission flushed with Toyota Type T4 ATF
-Cooling system was flushed with Toyota Red coolant
-Amsoil oil with Toyota Oil Filter
-Amsoil differential fluid
-New OEM front and rear brakes
-Rear main seal was replaced
-Power steering fluid drained and refilled
-NGK iridium spark plugs
-OEM air filter
-OEM transmission mount
-Bushings were replaced
-Tokico blue struts
-New Yokohama S. Drive tires all around

All the work done to the car definitely wasn't cheap, but I could never just look the other way. The car was in good condition already, but not knowing if the services were done yet bothered me too much to ignore it.

You'll need the same maintenance items on the 1jz and stock 2jz-ge, so it'll be cost of the 1jz + parts.

Enigma8246

Definitely agree. i can't sleep at night if my stuff isn't running right or properly maintained.

Love the title of this thread

kanukem

iTrader: (6)

maybe i'm crazy or new to the idea but what exactly is "missing or loping"? maybe this question will help some people in my position. i'm all for maintenance too. getting started on my t-belt, waterpump, serpentine belt, t-stat, rear main seal, all the basics of a major tune up. am i missing anything else?

Enigma8246

Any time i buy a used car, i inspect (and if needed replace) everything you said plus the fuel filter, plugs, wires, and distributer cap and rotor. inspect your suspension and brake pads also.

Loping or missing is the engine shaking when the car is in gear. If you have this problem, check your plugs first as it may just be a bad plug. If the plugs are good, check your motor mounts. if those are good, you may have a bad cylinder and need to do a compression test.

azstinger1

Ok so I am getting my Dad's used SC300 at the start of Oct. Since he is driving it out here it will have about 200k miles on it. We bought the car and have maintained its service record since about 175k. So what is probably going to be do maintenance wise, or while not necessarily due should be looked at for that kind of mileage?

The leather on the front seats is gone, as in they need replacing badly. Does anyone know of any good places to have the seats redone in San Antonio or nearby (Austin, Corpus, heck even Dallas)?

Any ideas on how much it would be to get the shift synchro (its a 5 speed manual) worked on? Shifting down into first is damn near impossible unless the car is under about 15mph.

Little strapped for cash right now so can't dump tons of money into the car right now sadly, but planned upgrades/maintenance include, approximately in order (feel free to provide input),

New Tires
Leather being restored
Stereo System Upgrade
TT brake upgrade
New Mats (any recommendations?)
IS350 Wheels
New Steering wheel (thinking RX or old IS)

Sorry for the long post and being a newb