1st & 2nd Generation (1983–1986 & 1987-1991)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1983-1986 & 1987-1991.
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Hey guys, going back a reading my threads I noticed that it has been just over one year since I drove my Camry with the 3s-gte on the street for the first time... I figured it was time to make a little update thread.
The short story: Things are going great!
After the swap, when the motor had just an intake and exhaust on it, it put down 269 crank hp. (Pic below is from that dyno day)
After my first trip to the drag strip, I found out the input shaft seal on the transmission was leaking (and causing the clutch to slip) and had to fix that. I went back to the dragstrip and broke an axle where it goes into the hub:
So I fixed that one. Yay for $90 lifetime warranty axles!
After a few more trips to the drag strip, I have gotten better. Just last night I had my best 1/8th mile run so far:
According to my calculations, this would translate to almost exactly a 14.0 second quarter mile time. This is on street tires with just an intake, exhaust and boost controller. Too bad in one week, we will be down to only one public 1/4 mile track in all of Southern California.
I still have a plans left for the Camry:
- Water/Methanol injection should add a few HP and help the motor run safer at high boost
- 50-70 shot nitrous. This with drag radials should allow me to get low 13's in the 1/4
- paint / bodywork... right now, its UGLY and I want to fix it somewhat
I've also been toying with the idea of finding a decent condition All-trac Camry. They seem to be pretty cheap (sub $2k) and I'd be able to swap everything over easily. I'd then have a cleaner, nicer looking and faster (off the line) car that would REALLY blow people's minds...
What do you guys think?
-Charlie
__________________
2003 Impreza WRX Wagon 5spd - 2.2L stroker + other goodies
1989 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GTE 5spd - SV25/ST205 hybrid
1990 Camry 3S-GTE 5spd - parted out / junked
1990 Camry DX 3S-FE 5spd - The original white90dx; gone but not forgotten
An AWD Camry with that setup would be incredible. You would be distrubiting the torque better, so it wouldn't load the front axles as hard. Your car looks nice and solid, like it's definately worthy of some good bodywork.
How reliable has it been? Aside from your twisted axle, has it been problematic in other areas, or is it reliable enough to be a daily-driver?
How reliable has it been? Aside from your twisted axle, has it been problematic in other areas, or is it reliable enough to be a daily-driver?
The car is my daily driver, but I wouldn't have done this if I didn't have another car to drive if/when things happen to it.
It has started up immediately everytime I've turned the key so far over 5k-ish miles. There are always little issues here and there (still fighting an oil leak on the oil filter relocation kit, but it is like one drop each time I drive it), and it takes constant attention to make sure nothing goes wrong. The only things to have problems were due to stuff I did (well, the seal leak is due to rebuilding the tranny).
I actually drove it every day for 6 weeks or so while I my WRX was waiting on some parts just recently. I know many of my LA 'image concious' friends don't understand... but that is their problem, not mine.
It still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.
-Charlie
__________________
2003 Impreza WRX Wagon 5spd - 2.2L stroker + other goodies
1989 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GTE 5spd - SV25/ST205 hybrid
1990 Camry 3S-GTE 5spd - parted out / junked
1990 Camry DX 3S-FE 5spd - The original white90dx; gone but not forgotten
I think I've seen an all-trac camry with a 3sgte (maybe on this forum). But the guy put in the GT-4 drivetrain so it could take the beating. I think you should go for it . I always wanted to do something like that, but there is a lack of the all-tracs down here in the South . Your camry looks sweet (I bet it drives bad ass too) .
Other than a couple of Corolla wagon all-tracs, I don't think I've seen even one Camry all-trac in these parts. Most of the all-tracs probably went to the salt-belt areas and were destroyed years ago.
Other than a couple of Corolla wagon all-tracs, I don't think I've seen even one Camry all-trac in these parts. Most of the all-tracs probably went to the salt-belt areas and were destroyed years ago.
Yeah, they are ultra-rare around here too. I'd have to go to Oregon or Washington to pick one up, probably.
The guy selling that partially-built all-trac is asking too much, in my opinion. I'd rather start with a stock one... (and not deal with too much rust!) I have all the parts necessary already to do a full GT4 swap.
-Charlie
__________________
2003 Impreza WRX Wagon 5spd - 2.2L stroker + other goodies
1989 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GTE 5spd - SV25/ST205 hybrid
1990 Camry 3S-GTE 5spd - parted out / junked
1990 Camry DX 3S-FE 5spd - The original white90dx; gone but not forgotten
After a few more trips to the drag strip, I have gotten better. Just last night I had my best 1/8th mile run so far:
According to my calculations, this would translate to almost exactly a 14.0 second quarter mile time. This is on street tires with just an intake, exhaust and boost controller. Too bad in one week, we will be down to only one public 1/4 mile track in all of Southern California.
-Charlie
congrats charlie ... I told you launch the same way I was launch the wraith would help drop your times...
I say your car should be in the mid to low 13's with your setup
I think I've seen an all-trac camry with a 3sgte (maybe on this forum). But the guy put in the GT-4 drivetrain so it could take the beating. I think you should go for it . I always wanted to do something like that, but there is a lack of the all-tracs down here in the South . Your camry looks sweet (I bet it drives bad ass too) .
I found it!! ... I don't think this one was an all-trac though ... enjoy
Charlie is right about his asking price. I wouldn't pay that kind of money if it were 100% complete and driveable, let alone an incomplete project car. Anyone dropping 7k on a Gen 2 Camry would expect to DRIVE it away, not TOW it.
Do you get any torque steer driving around. How well does it go around corners
There is definitely some torque steer... I do have a Kaaz LSD, which helps a bunch (acts like a spool under hard accelleration). The action of the clutch-type LSD does make cornering interesting in situations like autocross, but it isn't a problem in daily driving situations for the most part. Oh, and you will have to deal with some 'grumbling' and other quirks of a clutch-type LSD if you go that route - helical and viscous LSDs are more street-friendly.
-Charlie
__________________
2003 Impreza WRX Wagon 5spd - 2.2L stroker + other goodies
1989 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GTE 5spd - SV25/ST205 hybrid
1990 Camry 3S-GTE 5spd - parted out / junked
1990 Camry DX 3S-FE 5spd - The original white90dx; gone but not forgotten
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very cool.. i didn't know you where building a drag car ... it was cool when u gave me that ride though weeeeeeeeeeeee
. Your camry looks sweet (I bet it drives bad ass too) 
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