Options/Opinions
11-07-13, 07:48 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Options/Opinions
Looking for some guidance from the OG's in the forum. After doing some research, The SC3 and SC4 gas mileage is negligable. So I guess the options opened up. I am not nor wont take my future SC turbo, and just keep it NA. But if I find a good Auto, I can get it swapped to a 5 speed. So opinions I am looking for is what is the more sensible route, the SC4 or SC3. Is the auto to manual swap on the SC4 a painful process? are there alot of problems associated with the swap or should I just stick with the SC3 and find a 5 speed? I saw some options on both platforms and just needed some opinions from the people that have already went through this thought process. Thoughts?? Thanks in advance.
P.S. Is there just as much aftermarket support for the SC4 as the SC3?
P.S. Is there just as much aftermarket support for the SC4 as the SC3?
11-07-13, 08:25 AM
#2
Driver
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ca
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Having owned a gs400, gs300 and sc3na-t. The Mpg difference is small but I would choose the vvti v8 over the vvti v6 if I were not to turbo. My choice would be sc3 turbo> sc400> sc300. If your getting pre 98 I would just stick with a sc300.
11-07-13, 08:51 AM
#3
there's some aftermarket for the sc400 but not nearly as much the sc300 in na, na-t, na-tt, gte forms. performance will be what you make it. you have to be willing to sacrifice some gas mileage but the trade off for performance is worth it. sc400 pre 97 are relatively cheap. finding a good sc3 5speed has its challenges and now that some people actually read and research the rarity of them; the price kinda inflates with that. either car would be enjoyable
11-07-13, 09:52 AM
#5
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
there's some aftermarket for the sc400 but not nearly as much the sc300 in na, na-t, na-tt, gte forms. performance will be what you make it. you have to be willing to sacrifice some gas mileage but the trade off for performance is worth it. sc400 pre 97 are relatively cheap. finding a good sc3 5speed has its challenges and now that some people actually read and research the rarity of them; the price kinda inflates with that. either car would be enjoyable
Im going to have to take a look at the 2000 SC4
11-07-13, 11:27 AM
#6
panda's are few and far between. ive seen 2 for sale here in dallas since 2003. rare combo.3 spoke units came around in 98 i believe. there are many different wheels you can fit in there. i would say just decide if you like pre or post 97. you will find many nice built on both sides of the spectrum
11-07-13, 11:35 AM
#7
97 the 3 spoke steering started, but i say go 96, its the best of the pre 97 era. or go with 2000 cuz its the best of the post 97 era. one thing you should know is always check the carfax and run the vin on lexus, itll tell you its service history and what option packages it has which is helpful.
Trending Topics
11-07-13, 11:39 AM
#8
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
panda's are few and far between. ive seen 2 for sale here in dallas since 2003. rare combo.3 spoke units came around in 98 i believe. there are many different wheels you can fit in there. i would say just decide if you like pre or post 97. you will find many nice built on both sides of the spectrum
97 the 3 spoke steering started, but i say go 96, its the best of the pre 97 era. or go with 2000 cuz its the best of the post 97 era. one thing you should know is always check the carfax and run the vin on lexus, itll tell you its service history and what option packages it has which is helpful.
11-07-13, 06:14 PM
#9
V6 you say? Wow.
97 doesn't have the 3 spoke wheel.
Finding a nice factory 5 speed is gonna be tough for a bargain. People tend to beat on the standards because everyone and their mom wants to be a cool drifter when they have a 5spd 2jz yo! Finding a clean auto car is much easier, and often times can be had pretty cheap.
That being said, look around some. These days it'd probably be comparable to 5spd swap a 400 and 300. The 400 will be much more fun than the 300 in both auto and manual.
One thing you need to think about when doing a 5spd swap in an sc400 is that if its an obd2 car that you will have check engine lights out the *** if you don't jump through some hoops, so this will prevent you from getting an inspection if you just toss it in and go. A 300 you can get a 96-97 ecu for factory 5spd, but those cost an arm and or leg.
I've always wanted a 5spd 400. My first sc was a 400 and I knew it would really uncork the car. Good luck wih whatever you decide. I suggest driving both a 300 and 400 before you pull the trigger.
11-07-13, 06:23 PM
#10
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
V6 you say? Wow.
97 doesn't have the 3 spoke wheel.
Finding a nice factory 5 speed is gonna be tough for a bargain. People tend to beat on the standards because everyone and their mom wants to be a cool drifter when they have a 5spd 2jz yo! Finding a clean auto car is much easier, and often times can be had pretty cheap.
That being said, look around some. These days it'd probably be comparable to 5spd swap a 400 and 300. The 400 will be much more fun than the 300 in both auto and manual.
One thing you need to think about when doing a 5spd swap in an sc400 is that if its an obd2 car that you will have check engine lights out the *** if you don't jump through some hoops, so this will prevent you from getting an inspection if you just toss it in and go. A 300 you can get a 96-97 ecu for factory 5spd, but those cost an arm and or leg.
I've always wanted a 5spd 400. My first sc was a 400 and I knew it would really uncork the car. Good luck wih whatever you decide. I suggest driving both a 300 and 400 before you pull the trigger.
97 doesn't have the 3 spoke wheel.
Finding a nice factory 5 speed is gonna be tough for a bargain. People tend to beat on the standards because everyone and their mom wants to be a cool drifter when they have a 5spd 2jz yo! Finding a clean auto car is much easier, and often times can be had pretty cheap.
That being said, look around some. These days it'd probably be comparable to 5spd swap a 400 and 300. The 400 will be much more fun than the 300 in both auto and manual.
One thing you need to think about when doing a 5spd swap in an sc400 is that if its an obd2 car that you will have check engine lights out the *** if you don't jump through some hoops, so this will prevent you from getting an inspection if you just toss it in and go. A 300 you can get a 96-97 ecu for factory 5spd, but those cost an arm and or leg.
I've always wanted a 5spd 400. My first sc was a 400 and I knew it would really uncork the car. Good luck wih whatever you decide. I suggest driving both a 300 and 400 before you pull the trigger.
11-08-13, 05:00 AM
#11
11-08-13, 05:16 AM
#12
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
yeah my state doesnt have emissions inspections either. Yeah, if I get the 400, I dont know how feasible it will be to do the auto to manual swap. sounds like there might be alot of problems associated with doing the swap on the SC4. But I do see alot of nice SC4's though.
11-08-13, 05:40 AM
#14
that could be a gs300 steering wheel without the shifter options on it. the Quantum kit for the sc400 is your best choice if going with a 5 speed swap. W58's are kinda cheap in price and could offer you 300-400 hp sustainably holding it.
you might like this:
you might like this:
11-08-13, 07:24 AM
#15
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
that could be a gs300 steering wheel without the shifter options on it. the Quantum kit for the sc400 is your best choice if going with a 5 speed swap. W58's are kinda cheap in price and could offer you 300-400 hp sustainably holding it.
you might like this: Lexus SC400 V8 Turbo 5Spd - YouTube
you might like this: Lexus SC400 V8 Turbo 5Spd - YouTube