Sc300 Build For $20k Max Sound Reasonable?

[Pete Zaria]

Intro:

I love my ES300, don't get me wrong ... but I keep catching myself dreaming for something manual-transmission and rear-wheel-drive. My first thought is: SC300.

Kelly Blue Book lists the value of my ES300 at $11k, let's be reasonable and say I get $10k for it.

Thanks to a recent promotion, I could stand to throw in some cash for a project car - $5k wouldn't hurt too bad, and $10k would be the max I could foresee dumping into the project in the near future, giving me a hopeful budget of $15k and a max budget of $20k.

My question is this: Do you think I could reasonably find a 97+ SC300 frame/body/shell/interior, with enough left over to overhaul and build a 2JZ-GTE, within this budget?

My objectives are:

1) Obviously, manual transmission, RWD, and 2JZ-GTE block.

I'm not looking to build a 1,000-HP beast here, but putting 400 down to the back wheels sounds delightful.

More would be nice if it's within budget. However, I want to run on premium pump gas.

2)

Daily-driver reliability.

I don't want to push the hardware harder than it's "comfortable" with. If I do this build, I'll be intending to keep it for a long time, so I want it to last. This may mean having to "over-build" some aspects of the drivetrain...?

3) Super "clean" look (almost "sleeper" clean) - this means I either need to find an SC300 in good aesthetic shape, or budget in some money for body work and paint. I'd much prefer black. I already have rims & rubber, which will save a few bucks.

4) A nice, but not competition-level sound system. I'm a bit of a music snob, not looking to set of car alarms - I figure $1500 for a stereo system would probably fill the need.

Am I being too optimistic to think a car like this is within a $20k max budget, or do you think it can be done? Thanks for any opinions. It will be a few months before I could start this project, I'm just doing the preliminary research. Thanks again.

Peace,

Pete Zaria.

[Pete Zaria]

OK, since I didn't get any replies I went and did some research... Here's my "quick and dirty" SC300 2JZ-GTE shopping list.

Base Car:

Mid-to-late 1990s Lexus SC300. With approx. 120k miles, these seem to go for around $5,000 on eBay in decent shape.

Engine:

2JZ-GTE, less than 40k miles, rebuilt - $2,245 - SupraStore.com

Turbo kit: - $1,700, SupraStore.com

Greddy T61 single-turbo setup w/ manifold and headers

12"x24"x3" aluminum intercooler

64mm Ti-Al wastegate

Stainless steel downpipe & dump tube

Ti-Al 50mm blow-off valve

4" stainless intake

Turbo oil return system

Boost controller

Underdrive pulleys: $370

This kit is rated for 460 rear wheel horsepower on premium pump gas at 17 psi of boost.

Performance ECU & wiring harness: HKS Performance, $1,039

Transmission:

6-speed '98 Supra tranny, rebuilt - $1500 - Everdrive

Performance clutch, flywheel, throw out bearings, pressure plates, slave cylinder & shifter: $2200 from Exedy Racing

Limited Slip Diff: $919, SupraStore.com

Rear Axle, CV joints: $190

Suspension:

HKS HiperMax Coilover kit - $1,997

Brakes:

Brembo Gran Turismo 4-piston, cross-drilled Big Brake kit: $2,781

Seats & Harnesses:

Sparco adjustable buckets & harnesses - $1,200

QTP 3" Electric Exhaust Cutout Kit: $314

O2 sensor simulators: $80

Total: $19,835

I'm sure something will go wrong at some point and I'll end up going over budget... but I think it's possible. I hope to start on this project early next year, or sooner if budget allows.

Any input, anyone?

Peace,

Pete Zaria.

[dick0149]

OK, since I didn't get any replies I went and did some research... Here's my "quick and dirty" SC300 2JZ-GTE shopping list.

Base Car:

Mid-to-late 1990s Lexus SC300. With approx. 120k miles, these seem to go for around $5,000 on eBay in decent shape.

Engine:

2JZ-GTE, less than 40k miles, rebuilt - $2,245 - SupraStore.com

Turbo kit: - $1,700, SupraStore.com

Greddy T61 single-turbo setup w/ manifold and headers

12"x24"x3" aluminum intercooler

64mm Ti-Al wastegate

Stainless steel downpipe & dump tube

Ti-Al 50mm blow-off valve

4" stainless intake

Turbo oil return system

Boost controller

Underdrive pulleys: $370

This kit is rated for 460 rear wheel horsepower on premium pump gas at 17 psi of boost.

Performance ECU & wiring harness: HKS Performance, $1,039

Transmission:

6-speed '98 Supra tranny, rebuilt - $1500 - Everdrive

Performance clutch, flywheel, throw out bearings, pressure plates, slave cylinder & shifter: $2200 from Exedy Racing

Limited Slip Diff: $919, SupraStore.com

Rear Axle, CV joints: $190

Suspension:

HKS HiperMax Coilover kit - $1,997

Brakes:

Brembo Gran Turismo 4-piston, cross-drilled Big Brake kit: $2,781

Seats & Harnesses:

Sparco adjustable buckets & harnesses - $1,200

QTP 3" Electric Exhaust Cutout Kit: $314

O2 sensor simulators: $80

Total: $19,835

I'm sure something will go wrong at some point and I'll end up going over budget... but I think it's possible. I hope to start on this project early next year, or sooner if budget allows.

Any input, anyone?

Peace,

Pete Zaria.

or what you could do is go for an sc400 an supercharge for probably 6 of 7k w/ installation check this link

http://www.bulletcars.com/superchargers/to...ger-system.html

[Pete Zaria]

or what you could do is go for an sc400 an supercharge for probably 6 of 7k w/ installation check this link

http://www.bulletcars.com/superchargers/to...ger-system.html

I'm opposed to a V8 for gas mileage reasons. At low boost, a 2JZ-GTE should still manage 20+ mpg on the highway. I can handle that. Thanks for the suggestion though.

By the way, I realized that the Turbo Package I mentioned from Supra Store is a turbo UPGRADE package for an engine already with turbos, and the 2JZ-GTE I listed is the engine only, no turbos included. So I'd need to fork over some more cash on that. I still think it's doable within a roughly 20k budget, and I hope to start on this project as soon as funding allows.

Any other input, anyone?

Peace,

Pete Zaria.