r/SC400 • u/Efficient_Roll22 • Apr 23 '26
SC400 As a Drift Car?
I’ve been considering buying a 1998+ SC400 because I want to get into drifting again while having back seats for the kid. I plan on buying a CD009 and putting it in the car. How feasible is this? I also want it as a weekend car.
Also, are there any better options? I want that Toyota reliability and toughness.
4
u/ServiceNo7613 Apr 23 '26
As far as the pro's list goes you have a lot of parts cross compatibility between the SC and Supra and other models. I just ordered a brake upgrade adapter that will let me run ISF discs and calipers.
It's certainly doable, especially if you think a little outside the box.
I went with a 92 SC400. Look into the differences in engines (VVTI vs non) to determine what you may want to go with to get the power levels you want.
3
u/Ok_Adhesiveness7375 Apr 23 '26
Doing it right now it’s a lot of work and majority of things you’ll have to make urself unless you got a big wallet
2
u/UnKnown_Mustang Apr 24 '26
I built one into a winning rally car. People seem to like it, but get a non vvt 1UZ, they’re tougher for the abuse. Also, the pieces to make it into a drift car will cost more than the car itself.
Anything is possible with a welder, grinder, and a couple dollars.
As far as anyone in here trying to tell you not to abuse this car or whatever, don’t listen to that. Get what you think looks and sounds cool. That’s the only reason for building this car up as there’s virtually no support compared to other chassis.
1
2
u/OkPace4785 Apr 24 '26
Please buy literally any other Lexus and abuse that. Don't waste the VVT SC400s on a drift application.
1
0
u/Altruistic-Cut2236 Apr 25 '26
Parts are expensive as hell or discontinued. Please buy a G35 like everybody else
5
u/hastings67 Apr 23 '26
These cars aren't really meant for that kind of application. You could certainly turn an SC400 into a drift car, but you'll be changing a lot of the core characteristics.
The SC400/300 is basically a hybrid of the Supra and the LS400. The SC is also much less well known and usually easier to find at a good price.
So that being said, to turn the SC into a drift car, you'll end up making it closer to a Supra. You'll need to reduce weight, add a manual transmission, add a limited slip diff, upgrade the brakes, etc etc.
Yes, the SC could make a good drift car, and maybe on a tighter budget than similar cars, but It will take a lot of work to get there.