Chairmnofthbord

hey all i have a LS400, but im gonna get me a SC400.

what are the differences between the earlier to later models?

engine? 92-94 250hp? 95-97 260hp 98+290hp?

body? noticed the lights are different and bumpers, but is the body the same? and cant the tail lights be swaped out easy?

also, does any SC400 come 5 spd? (i heard a it does, just confirming)

suspension? does the suspension change? does the SC come with air suspension?

and what does the SC weigh?

thanx
Xavier

Lex Luthor

Sup X. We go through this about once a week, do a search, you'll find what you need as far as the differences between years, but to answer your questions quick, the engines are 92-95 96-97 98-2K. Body changes came in '95 and '97. The basic body is the same, everything can be updated with ease. There is no SC400 stick, except for a test mule. The TEMS air suspension was not available in this country.

Chairmnofthbord

i didnt even see the search button, thanx

Ryan

From www.lexusclub.co.uk.

1992 Model
Introduction of Lexus SC400

SC400 4.0-liter (242 cubic inches.), four-cam, 32-valve 90° V8
Horsepower at rpm, 250 hp @ 5,600 rpm.
Torque at rpm 260 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm.
0-60 mph acceleration 6.9 seconds.
1/4-mile acceleration 15.3 seconds.
Top track speed 150 mph.
Fuel consumption 18/22 mpg City/Highway.
Aerodynamic drag coefficient 0.32 ,0.31 with opt. rear spoiler
4-Speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (4ECT-i), with power/normal shift modes. Rear-wheel drive (optional Traction Control System).
4-wheel independent, double-wishbone suspension.
Vehicle speed-sensing, progressive power rack-and-pinion.
4-wheel ventilated, power-assisted anti-lock discs (ABS).

1993 Model

Passenger airbag SRS added.
New Lexus Portable Plus Cellular Phone option.
Automatic headlamps added.
All outboard passenger seatbelts now include "ALR" function that allows easier use of a child seat (without a locking clip).
New exterior colour: Graphite Metallic.

1994 Model

Instrument panel illumination changed from white to amber.
Climate control system revised for CFC-free refrigerant.
New emissions controls and on-board diagnostics.
Revised stitching on leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Thicker steering wheel rim.

1995 Model

Revised front air dam; extension deleted.
Revised tail lamps.
New wheel design.
Cornering lamps replaced with foglamps.
Audible remote entry.
Revised power passenger seat.
Parking brake handle moved 0.4-inch farther away from driver's seat.
Climate control and audio system displays changed from green to amber.
Outside temperature gauge added.
Second cupholder added.
Revised audio system.
Meets 1997 side impact standards.
Slight suspension and steering retuning.
New noise-control measures added.
Ivory instrument panel changes hue.
New interior-trim colours: Black Leather replaces Gray Leather
New exterior colours: Renaissance Red, Platinum Silver Metallic and Teal Mist Metallic.

1996 Model

Engine still is a 32-Valve V8, but power uprated to 260 hp.
Horsepower at rpm, 260 hp @ 5,300.
Torque at rpm, 270 lb-ft @ 4,500.
0 - 60 mph acceleration 6.8 seconds.
1/4-mile acceleration 15.3 seconds.
Top track speed 149 mph.
Meets 1997 federal side-impact standards.
Multifunction remote entry system with audible signal, car finder, trunk release and "panic mode".
Rear-window glass-imprinted antenna.
Pre-tensioners added to front seatbelts
Adoption of electrochromic mirrors
Moonroof adoption of one-touch open slide function.
Lexus chrome-plated wheels.
Exterior colour discontinued: Teal Mist Metallic.
Exterior colour addition: Bordeaux Pearl.

1997 Model

Flush foglamps.
New upper/lower grille.
Color-keyed side skirts.
Redesigned rear spoiler, bumper and taillamps.
New alloy wheel design.
Exterior colour discontinued: Sandstone Beige Metallic, Royal Jade Pearl and Midnight Indigo Pearl
New exterior colours: Shadow Rose Quartz, Classic Green Pearl and Royal Sapphire.

1998 Model

New engine with continuously Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i).
Horsepower at rpm, 290 hp @ 6,000.
Torque at rpm, 300 lb-ft @ 4,000.
0 - 60 mph acceleration 6.3 seconds.
1/4-mile acceleration 14.7 seconds.
Top track speed 149 mph.
Fuel consumption 19/25 mpg city/highway.
Aerodynamic drag coefficient 0.32 (0.31 with optional rear spoiler).
New five-speed Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i).
Five-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i). Overdrive fifth gear, auto-select shift program, engine/transmission networking, flex-lockup torque converter
Improved tires.
Genuine wood trim on the center console.
Electronic programmable garage-door opener.
Gated shifter and wood- and leather-trimmed shift ****.
Adoption of in-key multifunction remote.
Vehicle theft-deterrent and immobilizer system, with in-key transponder.
New exterior colors: Imperial Jade Mica and Baroque Red Metallic

1999 Model

Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL).
Adoption of Digital Sound Processor.
Six-disc CD auto-changer standardized.
Floor mats standardized.
Three-spoke steering-wheel design.
Daytime running lights.
Larger brake size.
SC 400 V8 engine meets Transitional Low-Emission Vehicle (T-LEV) certification for 50 states.
New exterior colors: Golden Pearl, Millennium Silver Metallic and Angora Beige Metallic.

2000 Model

On-board Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR) system.
Exterior colour discontinued: Baroque Red Metallic.
Exterior colour addition: Cinnabar Pearl.

New Model introduced for 2001
SC430

lex400sc

I NEED THIS!!! AHHH!!

The tail lights are interchangeable from 92-96, but the 97-00 models require the 97-00 bumper as well, and visa versa.

Great post Ryan, this data should be stickied in it's own thread for everyone to peruse.

Chairmnofthbord

thanx, thats what i needed to know, one question does the 92-93 come with sunroof?

but hey thanx for all the info.

Xavier

SupraCoup3

yes 92/93 did come with a moon roof. The only change I belive was pass. airbag.

(RedSc posted this a while ago)
1993 SC400 Specs

Engine: Four Cam 32 Valve V8 1UZ-FE 4.0 Litre (same as in LS400) however tuned to a more resonant sound, with 250 HP at 5600 RPM & 260 Ft. Lbs of Torque at 4400 RPM.
0-60 in 6.9 seconds
1/4 mile 15.3 Seconds
Top Track Speed 150 MPH
.31 Coefficient of Drag with optional front spoiler,
.32 without.

3.55 x 3.25 Bore and stroke.
10:1 Compression ratio
Oil Capacity 4.76 Quarts
Cooling Capacity 12 Quarts

4 speed ECT-i automaic with overdrive
Gear Ratios:

1st 2.804
2nd 1.531
3rd 1.000
4th .705
Reverse 2.393
Final Drive 3.916

Brakes: 11.6" Front and 12" rear ventilated power assisted Disks with ABS, 4 sensor anti-lock, 3 channel, 4 channel with TRAC

Fuel: 93 Octane unleaded
Tank Capacity: 20.6 gallons
EPA City: 18 MPG, Highway: 23 MPG
Curb Weight: 3,575 to 3,585
Weight Distribution 54.5 front , 45.5 rear
Wheelbase 105.9 inches
OA Length 191.1
OA Width 70.5
Tire Size 225/55 R16 V rated
Factory Tires: Unidirectional Goodyear Eagle GS-D or Bridgestone Potenza RE93

MGa

iTrader: (1)

Kinda bringing this old thread back to life since I found several threads and none gave me the answer I needed.
I think these lists are lacking information.

I live in Finland and the Toyota dealer does not have the SC400 parts pictures and ******* doesn't have them anymore too so I need reliable info on what parts should I get for timing and serpent belt change.
Oh yeah and I have the 1997 model without the VVTi.

So are all the engine parts the same as the later models or should I go with the never 98+ somewhere ?

And the lacking info what I was talking about the listing says for a 1997 model:

Flush foglamps.
New upper/lower grille.
Color-keyed side skirts.
Redesigned rear spoiler, bumper and taillamps.
New alloy wheel design.
Exterior colour discontinued: Sandstone Beige Metallic, Royal Jade Pearl and Midnight Indigo Pearl
New exterior colours: Shadow Rose Quartz, Classic Green Pearl and Royal Sapphire.

But where is the new lightning in the cluster the cold catchode lamp, I believe it was introduced in -97 or do the older models have it already ?
Also another big change is the OBD2 right ?!

And the a little bit of topic does anyone know did the Canadien model have this upgraded cluster also in -97 ?
I'm asking this since the never models are 5speed and the older cluster with the led lights is well... ...ugly.
And I would like to get my hands on a Canadian model cluster since I live in Europe and we use Celsius instead of Fahrenheit, liter/100kilometer instead of MPG and km/h etc.
So anyone know about the Canadian cluster or is anyone willing to change for an American model if they have one ?
Also is the AC control panel interchangeable so I could get the Celsius there also instead of Fahreheit ?

Thanks all, and btw great forum this is lots of good info.

TOOKIE211

aye does anybody know if the transmission from a 98 sc400 will fit in a 92 sc400?

scENFORCER

^ MAYBE with some sort of adaptor plate, because the 92' is a 4 speed, and the '98+ are 5 speed. Seems like youd have to do a lot of modifying IF it can even be done.
So I'm gonna say no, and suggest you put in a 5spd W58 manual transmission in instead

cino21

it's funny how the first couple of responses to every "question" thread is "search blah blah blah, i dont have time to answer your question but i have time to be a search **** blah blah".. and then someone answers the question... lol

sorry for the bored humor.. buttttt.. i'm bored at work

tacomonkey

iTrader: (5)

my color was only around for one year
i didn't like it at first but its grown on me. i wonder why they decided to get rid of it.

tiguy99

Bumping this thread for those like me who may want to know the differences

DoomSlayer

MY1992 sc400 has the cell phone still installed

pishta

Mine did too! I found the handset in the trunk behind the liner when they fixed my bumper....you got the 3 telephone buttons on the left side of the steering wheel?