Intellexual

Hey guys,

I just recently got an interest in getting a used 5-speed SC300.

I understand that 97 was the last year these were made.

I have some questions:

1) Exactly how rare are these cars, especially in the later years (95-97)?

2) Were there any engine changes in the SC300 at all from 92-97? I know there were a bunch of changes in the SC400 engine but not sure about the 300. It has 225 hp and how much torque? (please confirm this)

3) From 92-97, was the engine ALWAYS the 2JZ-GE aka the NA supra engine? Is it also identical to the current IS300 engine?

I ask these questions because I am specifically looking for the 5-speed in the SC300, so I don't have many choices which year I get. I'm currently looking at a nice 1994 one, the only thing that bugs me about it is those damn "turning lights" that are supposed to fog lights I can live with that though, just wanted to make sure no significant changes to the engine occurred before I purchased.

Thanks! and I look forward to owning one of these rare 5-speed beasts soon

SupraCoup3

1. I'm not quite sure how rare these puppies are, but in my state, (MA) the ratio of automatic sc300s 4 sale to 5speeds is about 8 to 1.

2. To my knowledge, there wasn't any powerplant modifications between 1992&1997

"3) From 92-97, was the engine ALWAYS the 2JZ-GE aka the NA supra engine? Is it also identical to the current IS300 engine? "

It isn't the same -- the IS300 2JZ-GE engine has VVT-i (Variable Valve timing w/ inteligence) -- the sc 300 engine didn't in it's 5sp production run years (92-97)


there are people on this forum who have converted the front end from the old style to the new -- Lex Luthor for example has the 2k front end on his 1995 SC400.

Go ahead get it, turbo it, enjoy it.

Toog4me

the only thing that bugs me about it is those damn "turning lights" that are supposed to fog lights I can live with that though, just wanted to make sure no significant changes to the engine occurred before I purchased.

there are tons of places where you can get the front facia for a 97+ model for your pre 97 model... you can also update those rear taillights and a whole lot of other stuff...

lex400sc

5-speeds are pretty rare here too. I came across one once with 90k on the dash for $10,000, but missed the opportunity (still kicking myself). And that's after combing through I dunno, maybe 20 SC300s at the auctions and in the classifieds. The cornering lights can be converted to foglights for about $15 worth of parts and 20 minutes worth of time. Updating the tail lamps to 97+, however, requires a new 97+ rear bumper as well. If you're gonna do that, wait until you buy a gfx kit for your SC. I believe all current aftermarket kits are now modelled after the 97+ SCs. But that's all down the road modifications, your first priority is to get a hold of that TURBO!

BTW, my website domain is the same as your name! I thought that was very weird considering we've never run into eachother before.