jeremyp

Yeah, you are definitely on the right track. Tell us what happens when you swap the coils.

I think that's the Kaminari kit. I think it's pretty cool. I like simple and clean and that kit has simple and clean written all over it. It's a subtle way to spice up the ride without going overboard. I say go for it.

I second the LS400 upgrade. I've done it. You can get the parts MUCH cheaper than Supra or Brembo and the performance is awesome. I can get you a set of used LS400 calipers, fully loaded for less than $300. You can buy a brand new set of rotors for around $100 and you've got yourself a big brake upgrade for $400. You can't beat it.

Sorry dude. I got my service manual on ebay. $140 for V.1&2 shipped. They are on there all the time. I also have the CD version. got it on ebay as well. $25 shipped

go to www.lexus.com and register your car in the owner's section. You can then request an owner's manual. It's free.

The LS400(95-00) calipers are the same as the SC and use single piston designs so there is no use in "upgrading" to LS400 rears. Go with tt calipers in the rear. I tell you what though, once you do the front upgrade you won't even want to do the rears. It stops that good.

Your tranny mount could be bad. There is also a small bushing in the shifter assembly that could be missing as well. This was missing in my car when I got it so I replaced it. Bad LCA bushings or struts wouldn't cause the shifter to shake.

I've done the LS400 calipers up front and I MAY do the TT calipers in the rear at some point in the future. There is no need to change out the booster. It's fine. BTW, LS400 calipers make this car stop unbelievably well. I'm really happy with this upgrade. I'd suggest going with SS brake lines while you're at it. That'll help even more. I didn't do this and I now wish I did.

I think it depends on what has been done to the car. If it has been well maintained, the services have been done and everything is in good order then it's a fair deal. If it's going to need a lot of little things or major repairs then it could end up being a money pit and end up costing you more in the long run. If you like the car, then have it checked out and then take it from there. Post back to let us know how you make out.

Here's a TSB I got from Alldata that deals with weak AM reception and static. Performing these steps should cure the problem. Hope it helps you out. Jeremy Radio - Static Noise On Weak AM Stations ELECTRICAL EL95-006 NOVEMBER 30, 1995 SC 400/300 Title: '92-'94 SC 400/300 STATIC NOISE ON WEAK AM STATIONS Rheostat (dimmer switch) and other electrical noise may be heard when listening to weak AM stations on a '92-'94 SC 400/300 with either Nakamichi or Pioneer systems. This noise will change in intensity with different electrical loads (turn signal, headlights, rear defogger and A/C). Improper grounding of the antenna, antenna cable and/or radio chassis can cause this condition. Do not exchange the radio. Use the following repair procedure: REPAIR PROCEDURE: 1) Play the radio on a strong AM station and slowly move the tip of the antenna mast forward and back approximately 2 inches. If static noise is not heard, go to Step 2. If static noise is heard during antenna movement, replace the antenna mast and go to Step 3. NOTE :Do not touch the antenna mast with your bare hands. Use a glove or non-metallic object to move the antenna. (If you touch the antenna with your hands, you will change the antenna sensitivity). 2) Remove the antenna mast and inspect the base of the mast for corrosion and damage. Clean with 1500 grit sandpaper. 3) Remove the antenna assembly and inspect the inner fender around the antenna hole for corrosion. Clean with 1500 grit sandpaper. 4) Remove the antenna spacer grommet at the top of the antenna assembly and inspect for corrosion. Clean with 1500 grit sandpaper. 5) Reinstall the antenna assembly. Be sure to install the external antenna nut (escutcheon) first. Then install the nut which holds the assembly to the inner bracket. 6) Check to make sure that the teeth on the antenna spacer grommet make good contact with the inner fender well. 7) Inspect antenna cable connection and clean as necessary. Reconnect the antenna cable, the wire harness and the drain hose. 8) Disconnect the antenna cable from the radio, inspect the cable connection for corrosion and clean as necessary. Firmly reconnect the antenna cable. 9) Disconnect the short antenna cable No. 1 from the antenna cable No. 2, inspect the cable connection for corrosion and clean as necessary. Firmly reconnect the antenna cables. 10) The radio/air conditioner assembly is secured to the dash by (4) 8 mm and (2) 10 mm bolts. Remove the (2) 10 mm bolts and replace with the 10 mm bolt with plastic washer (P/N 90901-19036). 11) Make sure that only the plastic washer of the 10 mm bolt contacts the radio bracket. Insulating this ground point will help prevent the transfer of noise from the combination meter into the radio chassis. WARRANTY INFORMATION: Copyright © 2004 ALLDATA LLC

I've heard of people taking them off and not having any problems, but I wouldn't take it off. It was put there for a reason.

To get to the plugs (and wires for that matter) you need to remove the black plastic cover in front of the intake manifold, the black plastic cover over the distributor caps/valve covers, and the inlet tube to the throttle body. They are sunk in the middle of the valve covers. Hope this helps.

The alternator is directly below the PS pump so if it's leaking then it will leak PS fluid all over your alternator and kill it. So do as these guys say and get it fixed asap. Hopefully your alternator isn't toast too.

Have you ever replaced the transmission mount? If the tranny mount is trashed then it can cause vibration that sounds like noise coming from the shifter. Just replaced mine @ 160k

Go to Lextech.org. He can fix dead needles and also do awesome things with different color backgrounds too.

I don't know man. I can't believe you're not already at his door with a certified check in hand. Don't walk....RUN to the bank, get the funds and speed over to this guy ASAP before someone else does! Great car for $6500 dude. Nice find.

The ground wire is connected to the battery terminal and connects to the chassis right below/behind the battery and to the engine block. You could also install a grounding kit to help with that as well. It would help you out quite a bit. Also get yourself an Optima yellow top battery. Almost a must for powerful systems. I have a grounding kit that I put together of 8g monster cable ground wire and gold ring terminals I could sell you for cheap. I just made it. It is all set for an SC400. Let me know if your interested. email me at jeremyp111@hotmail.com Jeremy

You can change anything you want. There is no need to change the back bumper if you don't want to.

This is a common problem with the SC's. It is usually the battery terminals either loose or corroded, or sometimes it's the ground cable that's corroded. I just went through this myself and I replaced the battery terminals and cleaned the connections at the grounding point just below the battery. Let us know how you make out. Jeremy

I had this same problem with another car in the past. It is a bad EGR valve. I just left it unplugged and it ran great. I only left it this way because I was getting rid of the car soon anyways. You may want to get it fixed.

Just bought a 1992 SC400 w/ 159k for $5,000 through ebay. This will be my project/fun car while I drive my '00 RX300. Been pouring money into it ever since trying to get it to where I want it. Here's the list. Problems: Excessive road noise - replaced transmission mount and drive shaft bushings and some shifter parts Electrical problem - dim lights and radio would shut off when brakes applied (fairly common). Replaced negative battery cable, installed new battery and a grounding kit Gauge needles-will be sending to Lextech for new needles and backlight leather seats-replaced w/ seats from 97 SC400 (RIP) Oil leak - Crank seal went, had to replace timing belt (again) trunk support struts replaced yellowed headlights-cleaned and polished :D Maintenance: Oil change, transmission fluid change (Type T-IV of course), NGK Iridium plugs, wires, caps/rotors, fuel filter Mods/upgrades: 18" HPRacing HPR5's w/ 245/45/18 tires replaced K&N cone filter kit with BFI (definitely the way to go) Kenwood double din CD/Tape Headunit upgrade w/ 1/2 din storage tray for filler Brushed aluminum dash kit More to come......Does it ever stop?!!

By the way, here's the parts list and prices from the group buy (clublexus). Front: Front bumper cover-$239.00 Front grill insert-$75.00 Front absorber-$38.00 Front-left foglight -$102.00 Front-right foglight -$102.00 Sides: Left body rocker panel-$181.00 Right body rocker panel-$181.00 Rocker panel clips-$1.15 x 12 Rear-left quarter panel-$65.00 Rear-right quarter panel-$65.00 Rear: Rear bumper cover-$249.00 Rear-left retainer-$11.00 Rear-right retainer-$11.00 Left tail light-$152.00 Right tail light-$152.00

call Steve at carson toyota. www.carsontoyota.com. They will get you the best price on new parts. You missed out on a group buy for the conversion parts needed a little while ago. Maybe he'll get you a discount for the whole conversion anyway. good luck with your project. Do a nice write up of it for the rest of us to see. Jeremy

Not really. There really isn't any particular year that you'd want to avoid. The SC was pretty much outstanding since 1992. The body changed a bit through the years (92-94, 95-96 and 97 up). The 97 up body styles seem to be real popular. Here are a few things for you to look into when searching for the "right one". Lower control arm bushings tend to go bad around 100k leather on early SC's weren't as good as in later years Just look for one that has been taken care of and you should get many many more miles out of it. I recenlty got into the SC world when I picked up a 1992 SC400 on ebay for $5000 with 159k on it. It runs and drives like brand new after I gave it a tune up and replaced the tranny mount and driveshaft bushings. Good luck on your search. Jeremy

Are you talking about the big rubber bushing? I just ordered two of them from ebay for like $50 each. Here's a link to a current auction. Contact the seller and tell them you'd like two and make a deal. That's what I did. Excellent communications. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...item=2478975912 Just installed mine Monday. Hope this helps. Jeremy