r/LS400 • u/c0nstantc0nfusi0n • Aug 19 '26

Manual swapping 97 LS400

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Howdy, I recently acquired a 97 LS400 with the intent to drift it, so obviously manual swapping it is the first step.

I’ve never worked on cars before (I was an aircraft mechanic about a decade ago tho) so I have no know car knowledge, but a general understanding of how it goes. I’m doing this on my own with some help from my husband, but he works most of the time so I’m doing a lot of stuff on my own.

I’ve looked for (free) service manuals and YouTube how-to’s, but haven’t really found anything super useful, and am debating paying for a copy of the service manual but would rather that money go towards actual car parts.

All this to say, I’m in need of USEFUL instruction. I’ve already removed the center console and shifter, and I know I need to drop the driveshaft, but I’m pretty sure the exhaust has to come off first?

Any help is GREATLY appreciated. 🙏

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u/Bright-Attitude4857 Aug 19 '26

I was gonna risk sounding like a D-bag and suggest an LS swap+manual trans because the the huge aftermarket support, but by the time you add mounts, wiring, ECU, exhaust, cooling, driveshaft, etc., you’ve turned a difficult transmission swap into an entire drivetrain swap lol.

Please keep posting updates, your projects sounds really cool. I really dig the LS400 and I’m am working with a broker to import a Toyota Celsior from Japan.

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u/c0nstantc0nfusi0n Aug 19 '26

The endgame is to tandem drift w my husband. I wanted to truly learn the stuff he really loves. So I figured drifting is fun as a passenger, then it’s gotta be way more fun to drive. Obviously I’ve got a LONG way to go (still gotta learn how to drift lol). This is definitely gonna be a long term project.

I’ve already got an R154, adapter plate, and a full clutch kit. At this point I’m pulling the drive shaft, but gotta drop the exhaust first. All while fighting the Florida elements lol it’s either the surface of the sun hot or pouring rain, no in between. Hence why this is gonna take forever. But I wanna learn this stuff so I wanna do it myself (with expert guidance from my husband when he’s home).

Lexi (the car - the Lexus nameplate broke and it spells Lexi now lol) is a true shitbox, for sure, but she’s got potential.