wire

Hi everyone. Here introduce myself. I'm Will from California, and I'm in the market for an SC.

More specifically I'm looking for an SC300 5-speed. They pop up on craig's list pretty regularly here, 2 or 3 online at a time, but they all have pretty high mileage, and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to look for in SCs. I decided it would be smart to ask the experts:

What is desireable in an SC? What's a red flag?

Any recalls? Typical weaknesses?

How long does an SC drivetrain typically last? I've always heard Toyotas are pretty hearty cars, are SCs reliable?

Lastly, total noob question: How easy/difficult/not worth it would it be to swap an SC300 5 speed into an SC400? It's not so much that I want a s00per fasT V8 y0 as the fact that good 400s with relatively low mileage are about the same price as a fair 300 5 speed with a poopton of miles.

Do the 300/400 share the same auto trans? has a swap ever been attempted? Can the 5 speed handle the power increase when mated to the V8?

A trans swap would only be something I would consider doing if the response was everyone saying "oh yeah it's easy" but I'm guessing that's not the case.

jadu

iTrader: (42)

If you're a 2JZ, check for leaks, that was a major problem when I got mines:

power steering hose leak
valve cover leaks
distributor O ring leaks
water pump/coolant leak
oil pan leak

mine is a 92 and i know there's some more

attzor

iTrader: (1)

What is desireable in an SC? What's a red flag?
5spd is typically the most desireable type of sc, secondly is 97+ body style followed by low mileage. I can only thing of the red flags that all cars have, no specific SC issues.
Any recalls? Typical weaknesses?
There isn't alot of common issues to my knowledge, I know that the needles on the dash are known to burn out, the climate control dims or bleeds and same with the raido.
How long does an SC drivetrain typically last? I've always heard Toyotas are pretty hearty cars, are SCs reliable?
they are very reliable, you can typically tell how reliable a car is by the common mileage of the cars forsale, which is mostly 200+k on the orginal engine and trans.

for the last question: I would say its not worth it, its not hard, and the swap has been done several times, the W58 5spd trans isn't really strong, 350whp is pushing it, but its not like a glass trans, theres stronger 5spds that would work, like the R154. Highest WHP on a w58 I can think of was acctually my car, which made 466whp, I'm sure people have passed 500whp.

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

If you want a V8 with a 5spd, buy an SC400 and swap in the w58 (5spd) transmission. I don't believe it's too difficult. Talk to RedPhoenix about it.

Welcome!

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

Welcome to CL..

HeisLegend

WECLOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMME.


I mispelled it like that on purpose. (;

jadu

iTrader: (42)

and welcome to CL

wire

thanks everyone. gonna revive this thread for myself. I may have found a viable car. Red/tan 93 SC300 5 speed. Good condition, <$4K. I won't post a link cuz if it is a good catch I don't want anyone swiping it ha :P

Only catch is that it has 210,000 on the clock. Is that too much? It's at a dealer, I'm gonna find out as much as I can about history and stuff, but it looks straight, and the ad doesn't mention any problems.

I know I said low miles would be nice, but gosh darn it that price is so nice. Sketch.

I've also been looking at prices on 1JZs and 2JZs, thinking that maybe I'd get the car, drive it stock till it dies then swap for a new powertrain. As awesome as it would be, I think a 2JZ/6 spd is out of my price range, but it looks like the going rate for a 1JZ package is ~$2k? How much do swaps normally cost to perform?

Pros/cons of 1JZ/2JZ swaps anyone?

jadu

iTrader: (42)

SC300 5 speed is a very good platform to begin with. If it's that good of a deal that you dont wanna post a link, pull the trigger and get it hahaha, and post pics of the car when you do get it

RED95sc

iTrader: (1)

welcome to the club