Lex-Fiend

I've had several manual SC3's but they were pre 97 models. I'm looking at a '99 SC3 and wanted to convert to manual, but I searched and saw the check engine light issue's. Now i'm torn between a 300 or a 400, since I'd have to keep it auto to not worry about emissions. I'm looking at the 99 due to low mileage and obviously body style. But before I grab it, I need you guy's/gal's opinions on 3 or 4.

Thanks

Kalogerus

iTrader: (3)

V8 is always nice, especially when its 5-speed auto

alex425

iTrader: (1)

300! You can always na-t, swap it, or just keep it the way it is and rack up those miles. And it's better on gas obviously

Lex-Fiend

I wonder if I switched to computer to a 97 manual computer if that would fix the Check engine light issue??

xxtoobsxx

iTrader: (4)

400...yay. I have extra swap parts if ya need any too!

LunaVyohr

Wrong. The 300 and 400 get nearly identical gas mileage. In fact, the 98-2000 400s have the potential to get better gas mileage due to their 5 speed auto and 3.26 rear end.

OP, if you plan on keeping the car relatively stock, the 98-2000 SC400s are wonderful. They make much more power stock than previous year 400s (290 HP vs. 250/260 HP), and the 5 speed auto is a vast improvement over the 4 speed. They also had other little goodies not found in previous years, like perforated leather and a gated shifter.

Lex-Fiend

Since I'll be stuck with auto, I guess i'll be looking into getting my first 400. I hate emissions!!!! LOL!

Tabaka

iTrader: (8)

Buy older manual model, install newer model stuff for cheap. Problem solved.

Dougspeed

iTrader: (2)

The 300 is NOT better on gas. The I6 has to work harder to pull the same weight since the motor weighs about the same if not more than the V8.

SpecialK47

The later model 400s make about 10 more HP, 260 compared to 250, from what I've read.

I love my 400, its a 92, but its one hell of a car.

97-SC300

iTrader: (17)

so why do you want a later model SC? Just get a clean low mile pre-96 5spd. and do whatever the hell you want with it. You'll save money from the get-go and can use it to add a 97+ kit, turbo, wheels, brakes, and anything else.

scENFORCER

There's 2 people on the forum that have done a manual swap on 99 300's and 400's. The vvt-i 400 swap was just done by lev00221, but he hasnt put up a write up yet.
Here's his link; https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...-finished.html
..as soon as he posts a DIY or detailed write up on how it was done I'll be going that route on my 99 400.

If you search a bit more you can find a guy who did a really nice job putting a manual into his 99 300, sorry I cant remember his name though. I think he had it up for sale in the classifieds a little while ago as well. He managed to get rid of the CEL somehow.

Lex-Fiend

Outside of having the late model body style without having to find decent body panels to make and older SC look newer, along with all the parts swaping, painting etc.... a financial reason is because my current car is financed and if I trade it in, the dealer I went to offered me enough for it to pay it off an still have money toward the SC I was looking at. If I buy another ( would be my 3rd) pre-96 manual SC with the cash I have, I'd still have to do all of the above swaping and painting and I'd still have a car payment on my current car, and two insurance payments.

Thanks for the info, I haven't come across lev00221's thread yet, I'll search it. However I did come across TURBO819's in my original search and he had no luck with the CEL issue. I'll keep searching for now. I still haven't purchased yet, so I have time.

Thanks.

Hil

iTrader: (61)

I love my '99 400