Un4Scene

iTrader: (1)

Howdy. My name is Laken. I'm a 34-year old dude, and I just bought a '93 SC400 for my 16th car. It has 207k miles on it, and seems to be in surprisingly decent condition for it's age. It does have some issues, but I expect I'll be able to sort through them all given some time. I've been working on cars for 18 years, and I did it professionaly for about 8 of those. This being a luxury car, it does have a few... oddities in the engineering, but I'm confident I'll be able to handle it. At least it's not German, right?

I bought the car on February 7, 2013 for $2,500 cash from a private party in rural Eastern Nebraska, with the following known problems:
- 4" x 2" rust spot on one quarter panel
- dent on one fender
- large scuff on front bumper
- the usual severely swampy and oxidized headlights
- poorly repaired front end - bumper cover and lights don't line up, lights out of adjustment, hood was very poorly painted (suspect bent bumper supports)
- third brake light not working
- guage lights not all working
- HVAC LCD is blacked out
- some HVAC button lights don't work
- numerous broken/cracked interior trim pieces
- driver's side power door lock doesn't work
- mild vibration above 65mph, gets worse with increased speed
- undiagnosed noise under lift-throtle above 30mph (suspect torque converter)
- hard starting when cold (suspect fuel delivery)
- burnt transmission fluid (not black yet, but dark and stanky enough that I'm concerned about flushing it)
- valves need adjusting
- occasional and intermittent rough idle (suspect IAC or MAF)
- weak hood and trunk struts
- needs alignment

On the positive side, the car also had:
- newer head unit (Pioner double-DIN, full touch-screen, CD/DVD/MP3/IPOD), and all speakers have been upgraded in factory locations
- new tires (although I discovered last night that they're about useless in light snow)
- fresh oil change
- lots of new rubber in the chassis/suspension/steering/etc...
- new struts
- new power steering pump

I bought this car to be my daily driver while I work on my projects (a '71 Datsun 510, and a '67 Bridgestone 175 Hurricane Scrambler <--- that's a rare Japanese motorcycle). Unfortunately, it's already become rather difficult to resist putting together a list of mods I'd like to do to the Lexus... It's such a solid platform with SO much untapped potential! It's just beging me to start dumping time and money in to it! I will do my best to exhibit self control, though, and for the time being I'll stick to fixing all the maintenance items, since I know absolutley nothing about the history of this car. For this year, I'll probably fix the headlights, fix the third brake light, repair/replace the ignition bits, adjust the valves, replace the timing belt and water pump, tint the windows and put snow tires on when they're necessary. Beyond that, we'll see... hopefully I'll have the body work done on the Datusn this year too, and it will be ready for a new motor and transmission by next year!

PICTURES!




Just in case anyone is curious, one of the Datsun and the bike, too:

JaySC400

Hello everyone, Jason from Western North Carolina, 1992 SC400, will post pics later after i stop being angry with the previous owner for doing stupid crap to the car causing me electrical nightmares. lol

Bawlzdeep

Just picked up my 95' SC400 earlier today. So far, I'm in love! I just moved out to Cali and needed a better daily driver than my 97' 4Runner on 35's. She's a beast but not for the winding hilly road I take to work every day. It's a blast in my 04 Forester XT but my wife uses it more than I do. It was time for a 3rd car. I've enjoyed my Toyota so much that I wanted to get another one. I wanted RWD, manual trans, power and decent MPGs. Looks like I found a winner even though its A/T. The car has some dings and a horrible set of wheels/tires but I love modifying my cars. So far I've plugged a rear tire, washed and waxed it, and I'm about to do the interior.

Things I want/need-

tail lights (psgr side is cracked)

new wheels and tires

intake/exhaust (Magnaflow, nothing too loud)

Not gonna get too carried away as my mod vehicle is my 4Runner.

Enough talk, I got a car to clean!

ojayba562

I just recently got y car repo due to a loan and other unseen events. Yeah I know it sucks. I no longer have a car. Instead of being upset I realize this horrible event has a bright side. Now I have a excuse to buy a SC 400. I have always wanted to buy this car but never had the money. With y new promotion I can buy this with no problem. I want to buy a black manual 400. I'm here to get ideas on what to do to fix it up and make it run and look amazing.

Jesse1984

Hey guys I'm new at this just wanted to introduce my self finally people I meet new people that have sc lol.how do I post pics

RogueSC3

How's it going, new SC guy out here in cali and I just picked up this little gem a couple of hours ago.



Future plans are BIG, not really Titan motorsports big, but defiantly NA-T and a 5 speed

peteelder

Hi . I to am new. I own a 96 sc400 with 78K on the clock .I am looking for a 97 to 2000 used body update package front sides rear as well as 97 to 2000 fog lights and a power mirror tilt and seat recall ecu . Have cash waiting .Let me know .Thanks all Pete

zeke424

I am Zeke a new member to the club. I have a gold 1996 sc300 and I love this car. I have had it for 2 years and still get excited every time I drive it.
Located in Atlanta Ga.

hmallett

Howdy again--from Nanaimo BC in Canada. My LS gastank hatch won't open remotely from the dash, and I suspect the solenoid is punched. Fuse is good, but no action on the gas door. Anyone have this problem?
Also wondered if anyone has used any mileage-improvement technology such as Water4Gas, ethanol, or whatever else to keep the V8 thirst down a bit? Thought I also could retard the timing a degree or two in order to facilitate the use of regular gasoline, but no threads to follow so far on this forum. Any ideas/experience would be appreciated. We LOVE the car ('95), but would like to see fuel costs go down!! Not to mention environmental concerns, of course. Thanks, Howard

irondog

just got my 93 300. been lurking for about 2 weeks. WOW lots of info. Pearl white, enzo 18s, grey leather. motor is bone stock! asside from defered maintenance the car is great. 175k. changed all the fluids/filters. doing the plugs/wires/cap/rotor when the parts get here, looks fun. So if i didnt want to go full swap or turbo, what mods are recomended? did the bfi intake mod, and next month im going 3" cat back through magnaflows, whats next? injectors? ecu? most of the mods ive seen involve turbo (too involved and expensive?) My ultimate goal would prob be sleeper with 350 rwhp. any thoughts would be appreciated.
pics wont upload right now try again soon

zeke424

Lets see pic

maimas

Whats up guys my name is Jonathan and new on here. Ive had a 92 sc300 for about two years now and finally getting around to building it. Thought i would join cl and get some tips and info. For right now my setup is and aristo 2j, 72mm turbo, 1000cc msd injectors, aem ems. Ive never been on any forums so im trying to figure out how everything works.

Tbwow16

Hey, names tyler i posted a while back about a sc 400 ,and since it was coming from family it took a little longer to get then expected .Now i have it and it needs some "TLC". Already at the shop and getting an estimate because i believe it needs a new timing belt, and front alignment. Will post a fallow up with pics just thought id introduce my self

SC THREE

Hey, I'm Aukai. I live in Hawaii and i just got my '95 SC300 yesterday! Black/Tan (ext/int) all stock and only 53k. Just like to say thanks in advance for all the help! haha

Jpandrade

Hey guys, my name is Jonathan. I'm new to the whole car modding deal but I've always liked the supra/skylines (yes I know 2 diff cars and companies that's just the two I've always wanted to have). I work at the Hyundai manufacturing plant In Montgomery Al and have been here for 9 years now and own a 2.0 turbo sonata. I'm new to the whole turbo scene because I've been lead to believe turbos don't last as long as non turbos, which I think is bc they are so dang fun. Anyway I recently found out the 2jz is in the sc300's and realized how cheap you can get one for even one that's already modded!! I don't have one yet but I should have the cash by the end of the year, so I figured I'd get on here and really see if it's worth spending the money to do.....I know on the sonata forums they say "have goals in mind" bc then other can help u better. Well I would like to get my sc (whenever that may be) to push around 6-650 hp, I'd like to start with the motor first then do cosmetics, any help on websites and insight on this is greatly appreciated and I look forward to conversing with everyone and learnig more about this car/engine thanks for your time!