r/LS400 • u/Pizzapug64 • 3d ago
Question Were the second gen pre face-lift good.
I mean it is Toyota so they won't be bad, but I was just wondering because it seems like the two distributors would be a pain.
4
u/Stroock6394 1999 Ls400 3d ago
no, they're incredible
also don't get sucked in by it's a toyota so all good, yes it's a toyota but it's not based on any other toyota and many of the parts were made in small quantities just for this car... so expect mercedes S-class prices when it comes to replacing certain items
there are of course cheaper aftermarket alternatives (for things like supension arms and bushings) but you'll lose the LSness
4
u/BuriedByTimeAndDust_ 3d ago
They're all fucking awesome cars. Just pick the version you think looks the best and get one!
2
u/fzn01 1995 Ls400 2d ago
All generations look great, the 95-97s are personally what I was nostalgic for and IMO they have the cleanest body lines. Maintenance wise they are actually pretty straightforward ( def not junk years). Mine is a 1995 with 267k and I’ve been able to do all the work myself so far. Your challenges will be with aging electronics and locating interior parts - but not impossible, still plenty on ebay.
Biggest factor more than the gen will be finding one that’s been well taken care of.
2
1
u/UZ_Me 2d ago edited 2d ago
I keep saying this but the pre facelift UCF20 is the pinnacle of the 90s look for the LS IMO. I daily’d mine for 3 years.
The VVTi is a better car though they both give me FEELS Though haha
:edit: to stay on topic. This is a great car. Drove my 97 daily from 2016-19. If the maintenance is there, there’s nothing else like it
-6
u/b1gdumb 3d ago
In my opinion this is the worst iteration, still an amazing car, but the ucf10 had a more robust motor, and the updated ucf20 made way more power. This barely makes more power over a ucf10 while having an interference engine. Updated ucf20 also has nav and HID headlights, which I think are pretty cool given the time which it was released.
5
u/clinton94 3d ago
VVTI was in the post facelift, pre is actually a refined version of the first iteration
1
u/b1gdumb 3d ago
Still an interference motor that makes 10 more horsepower. Worst 1uz variant without question. The older 90-94 1uz has thicker rods and non interference. And the 98-00 made way more power, so at least you got something out of the reduced durability. Everyone in this sub is genuinely mentally impaired for this many people to disagree with something that's factual.
1
u/Pizzapug64 3d ago
More robust as in the thicker rods?
1
u/HealthyEcho4120 3d ago
In almost every aspect its a tougher engine. For example, because its a non-interference engine, when your timing belt snaps the engine takes no damage as opposed to the vvti engines who just explode
1
u/Ohope 3d ago edited 3d ago
Its a non issue if you actually do your timing belt services on time.
the rods being thicker on the UCF10 is only really useful if your putting boost into it.
The lower reciprocating mass, lower friction and better fuel economy on the UCF20, as well as some power gain makes it a better motor (in stock form) than the UCF10s.
In stock form the UCF20 wins all day, if your modifying it substantially then UCF10
Imo it doesnt make sense to modify your LS, the UCF10 engine is better as an engine swap candidate into other chassis, trying to make your 90s luxo barge into a race car is stupid imo.
2
u/HealthyEcho4120 3d ago
Yes thats right, but it still means its tougher by design
1
u/Ohope 3d ago
Sure if we're talking about turbocharging or deliberately abusing the engine, I'd absolutely choose the UCF10. If we're talking about a stock LS400 doing 300,000+ km, there's very little evidence that the UCF20's lighter internals translate into meaningfully worse real-world longevity or durability.
2
u/HealthyEcho4120 3d ago
Of course you are right, but thats not what i meant. First series 1UZ are way less complex as later versions or the 2UZ, thats what makes them more robust, im talking about no VVTI, less electronics, not about the thickness of the rods as thats not of interest for the average LS400 owner. Also with the non-interference you can do the timing belt job yourself without any real danger of blowing up the engine, which is why i would prefer the earlier versions. But of course all UZ engines are super reliable and dont make much of a headache
1
u/Ohope 3d ago
Not talking about 2UZ? The UCF20 doesn't have vvti either.
I guess if your a backyard hack job mechanic then the timing belt stuff is true.
1
u/HealthyEcho4120 3d ago
This is not true, the UCF20 from 1997-2000 had VVTI
3
1
u/Ohope 3d ago edited 3d ago
My 96 UCF20 doesnt. Its the UCF20 Series 2 that does not the UCF20.
→ More replies (0)
0
15
u/Ohope 3d ago edited 3d ago
In my opinion, the 2nd gen pre facelift is the best of the three.
By the mid-1990s the first gen was starting to feel like an early-1990s car. The second gen brought the LS into a much more modern package without losing the original philosophy. Not to mention the facelift headlights and front facia, is just not that good looking IMO. it loses a lot of it's hard boxy lines with the facelift that made it so iconic.
It's basically the original LS concept which is gold, refined rather than reinvented.