pnewman30

Here's the skinny...my wife was driving our SC300 and the head gasket blew (yippee) so now I don't know what to do given how much I want/need to spend to get it running again. Here is a picture of it from last weekend.

So I can do one of three things and need to know which one makes the most sense given my budget. I don't really want to spend anymore than $3,500 on this, BUT I can if I need/want to

1) Replace stock 2jzge and go na/t (can this be done for $3,500ish?)
2) Swap a 1jzgte, ecu and harness from ebay (can this be done for $3,500ish?)
3) Replace the stock engine and call it a day (Quoted at $1,700)

Things to consider:
1) My wife drives this car too so keeping the automatic trans is required (I know that the auto trans will limit my output to 350-385hp and that's FINE with me
2) It will continue to be a daily driver
3) I want to be able to come out even when I finally sell it in the next few years (I've got about $4k in it now)

Excited to hear my fellow CL member's thoughts.

Justin2JZ

Yeah you should do a 1JZGTE swap with the A340.

DuWerke

iTrader: (3)

Personally with those goals in mind...just get another 2JZGE and just keep it stock...if you feel the need go faster then just turbo it then.

ScBouncE

hmmm. 1700 seems a bit steep to replace a stock motor unless ir has some really low mileage. I would personally do a 1JZ swap and keep it as factory as u can for the time being after that.

alfa spade

get you a used 2jzgte. and keep that stock and boom the horsepower with reliability.

shboni

iTrader: (2)

Weeeell since its a DD....see at this point I would recommend the 1jzgte but since ur wife is driving it and ur going to be selling it just keep it stock 2jzge...you will get more for a clean stock SC then a Modd-ed one....and the 1jz will just influence you to spend more to go faster....IMO

lilSCsteve

iTrader: (71)

Interesting, if it was me I would go with the 2jzgte swap. Keep it stock, and just maintain it. You should be good to go at that point, daily driver that you and wife can drive and enjoy. Nothing over the top, just simple! Then later on, get her her own SC, so you can play with yours...if you choose to? Your SC is really clean by way, good luck...

97-SC300

iTrader: (17)

Yeah.... good advice....

pnewman30

$1,700 is for the complete stock swap, new water pump, seals, gaskets, ps pump, plugs, wires, etc. It also comes with a 1 yr warranty. The price includes labor...

Tabaka

iTrader: (8)

not sure man, tough decision. A few months ago I was debating whether to do my 90k service or get a new engine. My budget was $3,000 and everyone told me that it wasn't enough to get a 1JZ swap. I looked around and of course, the engines are $1000-1500, but you're going to need to replace all of the maintenance stuff, get someone to do the wiring harness, ecu, etc and then the price for install. $3,000 wasn't realistic so I just went ahead and got the 90k service done.

1JZPWRD

iTrader: (59)

I have an almost complete 2JZGE motor for sale, if you are interested. Check the calssifieds.. PM me..Good luck on your choice

Gate

Save the fancy stuff for a car you don't have to share!

chingpo05

iTrader: (2)

gte hg and arp head studs for na-t. yes you can do all of that for under 3500 if you peice together parts and do your own labor.

1996sc300

Keep it stock.

1) wife is driving it
2) you plan to sell it

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

tough call man, the 2jzge is the smartest cheapest way to go but if i was in your position and had a few bucks to spend id be tempted to go with the 1jzgte.

They can make some pretty impressive power right off the bat.

Let us know which way u decide to go.