Lexus SC 400 Forum : “how many horsepowers does the 1992 lexus sc 400 have? ”
From 92-95, the SC400 was rated at 250 HP, 96-97 at 260 HP, and from 98-00 at 290 HP.
The thing you got to remember is that these were the days before SAE certified. As a result, Toyota did its testing without the full exhaust attached. One unfortunate fact about the early SC400s is that performed pretty poorly in dyno tests, yielding about 180 RWHP (28% loss). Even the most poorly designed automatic trannys don't lose more than 23%. Realistically the 92-95 SC400 made around 235 HP, not 250. Much of this excessive loss is due to the poor exhaust design of our SCs which is very restrictive from stock. I would suggest to anyone looking at an early SC to consider a complete exhaust system. Most SC400s with aftermarket exhaust systems return at least 10 more HP to the wheels. I know since installing a magnaflow 2.5" cat-back on my 97', the car feels much more lively (and sounds it too).