1997 LS400 donor. What to look for?

[Jesus-Ninja]

Reckon that I have found my donor. 117k miles, had an easy life, and the right price with enough tax and test for me to run it as a daily for a few months.

What are the implications of it being a '97? I believe that '98 on had VVT, and early engines were stronger. Would "early" include '97, or is this going to be something that is neither strong nor VVT?

Would shots of the engine bay help identify the specific engine?

 

[Bushwhacker]

A '97 is a non VVTi engine but it will have an immobilised ECU. Make sure you keep the ignition key and the coil that the key goes through when inserted into the ignition plus the little amplifier box thats attached to the steering column near the key coil.
The stronger rods were in the very early engines, up to early '94.

 

[Jesus-Ninja]

Hmmm, OK, thanks. Wondering if I should keep looking? How tunable are the non VVT later engines? How less strong than the early engines are they?

 

[Jesus-Ninja]

Are Soarers going to be subject to the same principle? Pre 93 stronger internals, post 98 VVTi?