ESLex

Whatsup?

I have a 93' es with about 180k. I am seeing a lot used sc's on the market and think that now is a good time to upgrade. What I've read about the sc's is that the 300 is better with a manual, since the 400 only got an auto. Also, isn't the late model Supra engine the same? So wouldn't the turbos bolt up? Or does the engine vastly differ?
If I got the 400, I'd port/polish the heads and intake. But, I still aren't quite sure what you can squeeze outta this v8. I've never worked on one.
So, which do you think is better. 300 with manual, or 400 for the v8, and whatever else separates these cars. Thanx.
-mike

BLK13X

Mike,

If you wanna go down the performance route then I'd go with an SC300, as to me it has more scope for performance for a smaller monetary outlay, e.g. turbo, intake, FMIC and exhaust... oh yeah and boost, while with the V8 I'd have to go with something like headers/extractors, exhaust, intake, cams, port/polish... and you'd still have an SC300 with more power... unless you wanna turbo/supercharge the 1UZ

lex400sc

Both engines can handle extreme amounts of power very well, problem with the SC400 is availability. As of now there is no practical bolt-on for it that delivers killer power. The SC300 on the other hand can be strapped with a Toyomoto or Fmax turbo kit for between $5000-7000 parts, or be swapped with a 2JZ-GTE MKIV Supra turbo motor for less. If you want the SC400, you will enjoy that V8 kick and growl, but only for so long before you meet the upgrade bug. For the SC400, I'd port and polish, bore and stroke an extra liter, larger cams, performance torque convertor, shift kit (if available), big muscle-car exhaust, intake, and a dyno-tuned ECU of course. You'll have a damn fast naturally aspirated car right there.