Lexus SC300 - show turned sleeper

3 minute read

Selecting a Chassis

I started building this car before I had a driver’s license. At that time, I was not thinking about handling characteristics on the track. I was looking to build a powerful import street car. The Toyota Supra was high on my list, but a clean example was rather expensive. Fortunately, the Lexus sc300 shares most of its DNA with the Toyota Supra while being significantly less expensive. The stock 2JZ bottom end is bullet proof and there exists a strong aftermarket community and knowledge base for modifying this chassis. Seemed like a good place to start!

As I got older, I began to find more satisfaction in driving cars at their limit rather than raising the limits of an already capable car. But while I’ve since grown away from the high horse power street cars, I’m glad I built this car when I did. It taught me a lot, and I gained a serious appreciation for Toyota’s engineering department and the incredibly robust 2JZ engine.

Overdue Maintenance

waterpump
thermostat
timing belt tensioner
front main seal
front cam seals
intake gaskets
distributor O-ring/cap/rotor
plug wires
NGK iridium plugs (properly gapped)
EGR block-off plate
serpentine belt
hood and trunk struts
battery
New starter motor
New Upgraded Hi-amp alternator (180amp)
New supra front LCA’s
Power Steering pressure hose rebuild
New Steering rack

Engine

2jz-ge Engine
Stock compression
Aem EMS full standalone
Boost Logic Turbo Kit w/upgrades
Precision Dual Ball Bearing PT67 Turbo
Boost Logic 321 SS Tubular Manifold
Hks 40mm Wastegate
Precision 525 cc Fuel Injectors (Boostwerx)
Walbro 255 lph Fuel Pump
Gates Racing blue Timing Belt
Xs Engineering Skyline-GTR FMIC
Boost Logic 2.5-Inch Intercooler Piping
Boost Logic 3-Inch SS Downpipe/Midpipe
Blitz Blow-Off Valve
Boost Logic SS Turbo Oil Line Kit
Blitz Nr-Spec Exhaust (dual)
Blitz SUS Power Air Filter
K&N Breather
Koyo Racing aluminum radiator with modified mounts and fan shroud
DEI Titanium header wrap (downpipe and header)
Boost Logic turbo blanket

Turbo

Injectors

Precision 525 cc Fuel Injectors (Boostwerx)
Walbro 255 lph Fuel Pump

Heat Shielding

DEI Titanium header wrap (downpipe and header)
Boost Logic turbo blanket

Turbo Kit

Clutch and Transmission

Clutchmasters FX300 stage 3 clutch kit
New throw-out and pilot bearings
Fresh resurfaced flywheel
New Flywheel bolts
New shifter bushing
New flex hose to slave cylinder
New rear tranny mount
Redline MT-90 synthetic oil

Cooling (Intercooler and Radiator)

Koyo Racing aluminum radiator with modified mounts and fan shroud
Xs Engineering Skyline-GTR FMIC
Boost Logic 2.5-Inch Intercooler Piping

Interior

Bride ERGO II front Seats in gradation pattern
Bride ERGO II Rear Seats in gradation pattern (custom made)
Veilside Steering Wheel and Nardi Hub
Razo Carbon-Fiber Pedals
TRD shift knob
Momo E-Brake Lever
Custom Black Interior
Black Suede Headliner

Fixing and strengthening broken interior pieces with some spare aluminum.

Seats and Custom Scroth 4Pt. Harnesses

Audio

Eclipse AVN 6620 + IPC ipod adapter (on screen iPod control and ipod hookup routed into armrest compartment)
Eclipse XA4000 Amplifier
Eclipse XA2000 Amplifier
(2) Eclipse SW 6200 12” subs
Eclipse SC8254 Component speakers
Eclipse Point Source Speakers
(2) Lightning Audio 1.0 Farad Capacitors w/digital monitor
Fully Custom Trunk Enclosure w/ led lighting
Big 3 upgrade

Suspension Wheels & Brakes

Suspension

Tein HA Coilovers
New supra front Lower Control Arms

Brakes

Front: Endless 6 Piston Front Brake Kit, before swapping, for wheel fitment issues, to Supra TT Calipers, StopTech Powerslot slotted rotors, Hawk HPS pads, Goodridge SS Lines
Rear: TT calipers, rotor, pads, Goodridge SS Lines

Alignment

Volk GT-V’s

Sensors, Gauges & Engine Management

Aem EMS Professionally tuned by Justin Nenni
Aem UEGO
Aem IAT sensor
AEM AFR guage
AEM 3 bar MAP sensor
Blitz Sbc I-D III Boost Controller
Blitz Power Meter
Blitz Fatt Dc Iv Turbo Timer

Tune

Living with a Show Card

Long story short… it looks cool, but its not ideal.

Unfortunate Accident

An unfortunate accident mangled the frontend… but an excuse to get some more useable bumpers that don’t scrape on a tennis ball.

crash

Revised Body Work

‘06 Sc430 Pearl White Paint
‘97+Front Bumper
‘97+ Rear Bumper
‘97+ Side Skirts
Glass Highbeams
‘97+ headlights
‘97+ fogs
‘00 Front Bumper Grill
‘00 Rear Taillights
Oem Rear Deck Spoiler
Bomex Jdm Mirrors
McCulloch 5,000k HID conversion Kit with new bulbs

Some serious body work was needed to fit the bumpers. Additionally quality paint jobs are all in the preliminary sanding. After about 30 hours of sanding and massaging just a few bumpers and sideskirts, I see why people pay to have this done. Its not fun.