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:P Everyone, thanks for all your assistance. I purchased the black 96 SC 400 yesterday. Considering the overall mass and weight of that car, it is a fabulous sport's coupe. What a feeling. Now, almost all other cars on the road appear unrefined and ordinary. I didn't dream it would have that strong of a impression on me. "Simple mods" on a Soarer... From a pure engineering perspective, you sound like you can temper higher performance with matched reliablility. If I had the skills and experience, I'd do a major number on my 400. For now, I need to get a service manual CD off EBAY to become aquainted better with the car. Anyone know the stock wheel lug lbs torque pressure? ;)

Can you also help with a 96 SC400 key? Can you explain what the ROM is, if it's included, and how it's also installed for a Lexus? Thanks.

A good SC 400 ECU Upgrade? I haven't heard about that anywhere before, and thought I read everything. Can you add a couple more personal notes about it and/or where we might read more? Added with a TC, Intake and Exhaust, the ECU upgrade may be the ideal combination for my SC 400.

As much as I would enjoy planning out modifications and driving a SC 300 5-speed, I'm leaning towards the SC 400. The reasons are very few, and mostly economic: First, I'm building a home through this fall. Second, the SC 400 V8 should be reliable, roadworthy and luxurious enough to really enjoy owning it for a long time. Later, a torque converter, BAB and custom exhaust may move it close to 300 RWHP at a very impressive total price for such premium quality. In a 4-seater sport coupe, that's a very acceptable, high performance ride in my book. Plus, as all Lexus SC's are, it's a beautiful and inspiring car. I found a exceptionally clean 96 black on tan SC 400 w/80K equipped with stock chromes and a Nakamichi for 11K (lost his job and simply wants the loan payed off now). I looked everywhere and that appears to be a really good price for a stock 400, and resellable to a large market without a big loss. I heard the variable valve control on 97 and newer has to have regular oil changes to avoid oil deposit sludge build-up...with a 96, I can feel a little safer without paying the certified Lexus price at a dealer. And third, I may keep an eye out for a exceptional Supra TT 93-95 with a OBD Type I. They can be safely and easily modified to +/- 450HP for a few hundred. I missed the best deal I've seen in months from a domestic new car dealer asking only retail (about 14,500) for a 94 gray 6-speed TT trade-in (very rare deal, stating "we only ask bluebook for other manufactuer's trade-in's"). It was sold in 3-5 days. I test drove a new 95 Supra TT... rolling start from 20-100 mph + floored to redline shifts then flooring the ABS to feel it track perfectly straight and off immediately again to 100 shifting from 3rd into 4th...the salesman disappeared immediately somewhere when we arrived back at the showroom (maybe it was his time to get off? ). I've admired the TT tremendously ever since. Plus, I have a feeling Toyota may not be able to hold out much longer. To recapture the high performance market, they need a new sports car to run away from the Z, G35, BMW's M series, and compete with a mid-high end Porshe and Corvette in the 30's price range. Toyota/Lexus is capable of producing awesome machines. Some "gentleman's industry agreement" limited Japan's stock HP output at 300 or below for years. I heard they may break that agreement, and read about a 400hp gas/electric japanese hybrid with 40 mpg in Autoweek a couple months ago. It may have been supercharged..I'm dreaming of a rear-mid engine, 400 hp 4-wheel drive, aerodynamically correct lightweight hybrid lightly modified around 500 hp. For now, nothing that I know of comes close to the price of a Lexus SC 300/400 experience in appearance, quality and pure driving enjoyment. A good Supra TT is twice the price. I thoroughly enjoy reading the high quality posts here. Apologize for the long reply.

That answer helped very much. Now, I've complicated the picture myself with a exceptional MR2 Turbo from an original owner who's ordering a G-35. I thought I had this all worked out and a local, low milage 93 MR2 showed up. This is not helping to make my decision easy. Pure 2-seater sports car or larger luxury sports coupe? I can't garage 3 vehicles (small P/U, too). The crossroads heads off into 2 very fine directions. Any 93-95 MR2 Turbo thoughts? I know they're rare, and may not find a owner/prior owner on this Lexus SC board. Someone who's owned both could really be helpful about now.

I admire both the design and quality of 400 and 300 tremendously, and I feel each, including the 5-speed 300, are great cars. I know the performance numbers on all of them, thanks to this site and the links. Current owners: After having one of your own, which stock SC would you recommend? I wanted real recommendations from actual experience with the quality of hindsite. I am looking at all 3 models, and have located at least one fine example of each: exceptionally nice 96 and newer SC 400, 300 and the 300 5-speed. Thank you very much for your respected and candid viewpoints.

Are there any particularly exceptional tires for the standard 16" OEM wheels? I changed to Michelin XP H4 on a MR2 Turbo. The increased load handling rating made a major impact on the performance stability of the rear end around corners. Thanks a Million.

Thanks - IRT Torque Converter/Intake/Exhaust- I'll see who might be the best installation shop of the TC. The referenced unit is preset for 2400 rpm's and up, and can be reset once for free during the 24 month warranty. I don't understand how a TC it works (mechanical, weight transfer, doesn't look like it has any electrical functions). I emailed them to see if a TC should last indefinately with luck. The BFI looks like the best way to optimize filter surface area and use OEM drop-in's or flat rechargeable elements. I know one excellent custom exhaust shop nearby JAX FL who could make the entire unit for a good price. The best pipe diameter's, muffler, and CAT set-up/modification is still cooking in the oven for a future lunch.

New Member's Inquiry: Has anyone installed a TC to a stock SC400? The advertised gains +/- 40-50 RWHP. Great return if accurate. Was the torque increase spread out well across the rpm range for daily driving, and how was the installation? Saw a link that Spall (sp) has a set of twin electric fans to bipass the belt driven OEM. Reported +/- 20-30 RWHP from removing the fan drag across the rpm range. Can anyone comment on real world performance difference and installation experience? If those two upgrades hold holy water, 60-80 RWHP MAY be realized at a great price. Way too much of a increased performance estimate? Cone Air Filter (K & N Type) - Not sure about the total square inches of surface area when comparing the OEM to the K & N. Seems the one with the most surface area would breathe best. I have a concern that the K & N may not consistantly filter as well as the OEM (micron type particles), which could eventually make a mess of the intake system. Comments? CAT back exhaust - I read the 400 has a 2 1/4" diameter pipe off the CAT. Has the 2 1/2" (only size I read about from several links) made a significant performance difference for anyone? Maybe a larger diameter with "sleeper tips"? Any computer/02 sensor/back pressure problems? Recommendations on quality of after market OEM replacement filters (oil, air, fuel...others??) and the best oil for this engine (Mobile One?). I'm shooting to keep the Lexus OEM quality as a weekend type daily driver, and make the most out of my "new" 96 SC400 with 80K miles: Black, chrome wheels, Tan interior, Sunroof and Nackamichi. Finally, any recommendations for service beyond a Lexus Dealer in Jacksonville, FL? Thought I'd make a fireside conversation out of this. Thanks a Million