2nd gen (1991) camry recommendations

[kgasso]

Hey folks,

Been lurking here for a while and wondering if anyone could recommend some specific parts I'm looking to modify my 91 camry LE (V6) with.

First and foremost, I'm fairly certain I'm going to get the erebuni kit. Looks good to me. :grin:

Second, I've always had a problem with the black trim on my car (running from the front under the headlights, down the side on the doors, to under the taillights on the trunk). It's ugly to me - anyone had experience with removing this? I'll likely hold off on doing such after a little minor body work and once the kit is on so I can repaint the whole car. If anyone knows any hidden problems with just removing it, I'd be interested in hearing :wink:

Also, since my power antenna has recently been acting *ahem* strangely, I'm considering pulling it. I'd rather replace it with a nice low-profile high-mount one (similar to on the IS300's) - anyone know who would make one? This also would be done before the repaint, of course..

I've thought about turning the corner markers into turn signals for a while and mounting foglights in the stock turn signal locations.. shouldn't be too difficult to make the mod to the wiring. Just wondering if this would this look idiotic. :smile:

Know of good coilovers for this year camry? I don't want my car bouncing all over the road, but a lower profile would make me quite happy.. oh, and if a camber kit would be required, I'd love to hear suggestions of where to get one.

To get a little perspective, here's a few shots of the car:


Last thing, I promise... an engine swap would be a possibility in the future for this car. I currently have a V6 (2VZ-FE) engine, and don't want to lose the torqueyness (is that even a word?!) of the V6, so a 4-cyl turbo'd engine wouldn't really appeal to me. Ideas?

Sorry for all the questions, just ones I haven't found answers for yet via a search on the forums. :smile:

I'm very open to suggestions, so feel free to contribute.

Thanks a ton,

Kam

_________________


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: kgasso on 2002-02-10 06:55 ]</font>

[speedemn]

This I can comment on. I'm surprised you missed all the talk about the 3S-GTE engine swap. It is a 2.0L 4cyl turbo, but will blow the doors of your &quot;torquey&quot; 2VZ-FE! :grin:

Hell, my 5S-FE has beaten gen 2 V6 Camrys! lol

If you are serious about an engine swap, consider the 3S-GTE. I'm not sure if it will plop right in for you like it will in the 5S-FE engine bay, but it is definetly a great engine and with your light car it would make it quite a beast!

On 2002-02-10 06:50, kgasso wrote:
Last thing, I promise... an engine swap would be a possibility in the future for this car. I currently have a V6 (2VZ-FE) engine, and don't want to lose the torqueyness (is that even a word?!) of the V6, so a 4-cyl turbo'd engine wouldn't really appeal to me. Ideas?

Sorry for all the questions, just ones I haven't found answers for yet via a search on the forums. :smile:

[kgasso]

On 2002-02-10 07:07, speedemn wrote:
This I can comment on. I'm surprised you missed all the talk about the 3S-GTE engine swap. It is a 2.0L 4cyl turbo, but will blow the doors of your &quot;torquey&quot; 2VZ-FE! :grin:

hmm.. looking at the archives, this almost looks tempting. *drool*

have any specs by chance? (torque, hp, what compression ratio you're running, etc.) :grin:

Hell, my 5S-FE has beaten gen 2 V6 Camrys! lol

If you are serious about an engine swap, consider the 3S-GTE. I'm not sure if it will plop right in for you like it will in the 5S-FE engine bay, but it is definetly a great engine and with your light car it would make it quite a beast!

well.. i don't know how &quot;light&quot; my car is since i compete in car stereo competitions.. and therefore have about 500lb of equipment in the back... but from the looks of it the turbo'd 4cyl would still be faster than the NA V6.

thanks for the reply! :smile:

[EKam]

Rice mod: Indiglo Guages for Gen2 is available since last month from procarparts.com. :smile:

[88 LE]

On 2002-02-10 06:50, kgasso wrote:
I've thought about turning the corner markers into turn signals for a while and mounting foglights in the stock turn signal locations.. shouldn't be too difficult to make the mod to the wiring.

I rewired the corner lights to act as blinkers, installed a set of sidemarkers, and a set of foglights underneath the bumper.

If you need info on rewiring your corner lights to act as blinkers let me know.

Know of good coilovers for this year camry? oh, and if a camber kit would be required, I'd love to hear suggestions of where to get one.

No one makes coilovers for the 2nd gen's (87 -91).

Your only choice is the Intrax springs. Their made for the 4cyl, but they'll work on a V6. The front just sits a little lower then a 4cyl with the same springs cos the engine (V6) is heavier.

You don't need camber kits, but Ingalls makes them if you want them.

http://www.ingallseng.com/cars/toyota.html

Last thing, I promise... an engine swap would be a possibility in the future for this car. I currently have a V6 (2VZ-FE) engine, and don't want to lose the torqueyness (is that even a word?!) of the V6, so a 4-cyl turbo'd engine wouldn't really appeal to me.

A turbocharged 4cyl will have torque. You'd be suprised. If you don't believe me I invite you to come up to Cali. and i'll give you a ride in my turbocharged 88 Camry once I get it done. :grin:

As far as the swap goes I would swap in 3S-GTE out of a MR2 Turbo or a Celica All-Trac Turbo. The engine drops in and bolts up no prob.

The 3S-GTE can be a beast if its built and tuned properly. 500hp is no prob out of that motor.

If thats not enough power, chop out the firewall and drop in a built 2JZ-GTE with a big ol turbo (a T72 will do). Chop your Camry in half and weld on the back half of a MKIV (93 - 98) Supra to it. You'll have a 800+ rwhp Camry/Supra hybrid.







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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 88 LE on 2002-02-10 08:41 ]</font>

[speedemn]

On 2002-02-10 07:32, kgasso wrote:
hmm.. looking at the archives, this almost looks tempting. *drool*

have any specs by chance? (torque, hp, what compression ratio you're running, etc.) :grin:

Yeah I have very detailed specs on the 3S-GTE engines of all generations on my site. Just click on the &quot;Engines&quot; link.

http://members.rogers.com/anish.ghosh URL is also in my signature.

well.. i don't know how &quot;light&quot; my car is since i compete in car stereo competitions.. and therefore have about 500lb of equipment in the back... but from the looks of it the turbo'd 4cyl would still be faster than the NA V6.

thanks for the reply! :smile:

No problem man. As far as stereo, I too have a heavy setup and it is only about 180 lbs or so! What the heck do you have in a car that small that's 500 lbs???

[kgasso]

elegantcam -&gt; Nice! I've been looking for guages like that for quite some time now (I like the reverse indiglo kind, like those are)... will have to order them tomorrow :grin:

88 LE -&gt; If you have the info on rewiring that, I'd greatly appreciate it. Glad someone else has had this idea already. Did you put your fogs where the turn signals were before or elsewhere? I figured as much regarding finding coilovers - springs it is then.

Now that's a scary thought having a car that looks like a camry mated with a Supra...

Now you have me wondering how much power my stock (AT) tranny would handle before I smoked it.. muhahaha.

speedemn -&gt; Sweet! Maybe I'll seriously have to reconsider putting the 3S-GTE in..

The stereo... well, there's a huge enclosure (~5 cu. ft.), two Kicker L7 15&quot; subs, two batteries, and 6 Kicker amps.. maybe I need some more junk to lift the front end of the car off of the ground

Thanks again to everyone for all of your help and info...

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: kgasso on 2002-02-10 16:43 ]</font>

[88 LE]

On 2002-02-10 16:41, kgasso wrote:
I've been looking for guages like that for quite some time now (I like the reverse indiglo kind, like those are)...

I like them to, but they don't make them for the 4cyl. I might get them just for the hell of it and live with my tach and speedo being off a bit.

88 LE -&gt; If you have the info on rewiring that, I'd greatly appreciate it.

You have to do some cutting and splicing, but here it goes.

1. Cut the ground wire going to the corner light.

2. Tape off the end that goes to the car cos you don't need it anymore.

3. Splice the ground wire from the corner light to the +12V of the blinker. You'll need some short pieces of wire and some crimp connectors.

Make sure that you verify the wires with a DMM before you cut and splice.

Parking lights off = corner lights and blinkers blink at the same time

Parking lights on = corner lights and blinkers alternate

Did you put your fogs where the turn signals were before or elsewhere?

I mounted them to the bottom of the bumper right beside the turn signals. See picture below.

I figured as much regarding finding coilovers - springs it is then.

Change out the struts to. The stock ones are not gonna do very good with lowering springs. You'll have a bouncy ride.

KYB, Tokico (cartridges for serviceable struts), and Koni (cartridges for serviceable struts) make struts for the 2nd gens.

I have the Tokico's on my car along with Intrax springs, but I chopped a coil off the back springs to even out the gap (2 finger all the way around).

Now that's a scary thought having a car that looks like a camry mated with a Supra...

Haha.. 2nd gen Camry front half and MKIV Supra Turbo back half.

Its just a crazy idea that I came up with. It would be cool if someone actually did it and got it to work.

Now you have me wondering how much power my stock (AT) tranny would handle before I smoked it.. muhahaha.

You wouldn't be using the stock tranny with my idea. You'd be using a 2JZ-GTE w/the 6 speed Getrag tranny out of a MKIV Supra Turbo. The engine would sit in the front and the tranny is connected to the rear half of the car (Supra) by a custom driveshaft.

The stereo... well, there's a huge enclosure (~5 cu. ft.), two Kicker L7 15&quot; subs, two batteries, and 6 Kicker amps..

Damn.

maybe I need some more junk to lift the front end of the car off of the ground

Hydraulics like them ghetto lowriders? :roll:





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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 88 LE on 2002-02-10 19:32 ]</font>

[kgasso]

Allright! Thanks for the info man, you rule. :grin:

Hydraulics like them ghetto lowriders? :roll:

Haha, nah.. just a few hundred more pounds of stereo stuff in the back :wink:

[speedemn]

On 2002-02-10 16:41, kgasso wrote:
Now you have me wondering how much power my stock (AT) tranny would handle before I smoked it.. muhahaha.

Stock 5S-FE tranny isn't that strong, but I'm sure it could take a couple of hundred HP for a little while. I'd recommend re-enforcing it with some level10 type upgrades. http://www.levelten.com

The stereo... well, there's a huge enclosure (~5 cu. ft.), two Kicker L7 15&quot; subs, two batteries, and 6 Kicker amps.. maybe I need some more junk to lift the front end of the car off of the ground

Sounds like an impressive system but still a far cry from 500 lbs. :smile: I have two 15&quot; subs in a thick sealed enclosure and that is about 130 lbs... then 2 amps on a board which I'd say is about 40 lbs max. You're getting an extra phantom 250 lbs over there! lol

[kgasso]

Stock 5S-FE tranny isn't that strong, but I'm sure it could take a couple of hundred HP for a little while. I'd recommend re-enforcing it with some level10 type upgrades. http://www.levelten.com

Ahh, nice. That would definitely be a good upgrade after swapping engines. Thanks. :smile:

Sounds like an impressive system but still a far cry from 500 lbs. :smile: I have two 15&quot; subs in a thick sealed enclosure and that is about 130 lbs... then 2 amps on a board which I'd say is about 40 lbs max. You're getting an extra phantom 250 lbs over there! lol

Hmm.. I was just estimating the first time, but I got out the pen and specs on everything to see what it added up to...

Subwoofers and custom-fitted enclosure, wiring - 1 @ 160 lb ea.
Amplifiers - 6 @ 20 lb ea.
Amp rack - 1 @ 13 lb ea.
Batteries - 2 @ 51 lb ea.

Total: 395 lb

So I overshot the estimate by a little over 100 pounds it seems :wink:

I could just pull out the spare and hope to God my cellphone will work when trying to call AAA towing :grin:

Thanks again,

-Kam

[kgasso]

Okay folks, last question.. or two.. of the day - I promise :grin:

Anybody know of a good high-output alternator for 2nd gens? I think I once heard that no aftermarket ones would fit, but I figured I'd check with the experts too :wink:

Looking for a nice glass-mount AM/FM antenna, preferably with a booster on the inside so I don't have to drill. Running the wire under the trim on the edge of the headliner is no problem for me... My stock power antenna is likely going to croak soon, so I'd like something a little more... sporty? ricey? unique? or whatever. I just think a fairly small one would look good. On the other hand, the roof mount ones wouldn't seem to look too great to me, that's why I insist on glass-mount... or...

I may consider an S2000 antenna if possible. Question for anyone that's modded it (saw the instructions) - does it flex like those cheap rubber ones that I always see on old cars, misshapen and pointed to the side?

&lt;edit&gt;
Note: I have searched the forums and Google, and seem to only be able to find glass-mount XM antennas. Sorry for being such a pest, but this forum is truly one of the few places owners of 2nd Gen Camrys can get aftermarket product info. I guess that's a compliment :wink:
&lt;/edit&gt;

Thanks in advance for all the help, everyone. :smile:

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: kgasso on 2002-02-11 02:43 ]</font>

[88 LE]

On 2002-02-11 02:09, kgasso wrote:
Anybody know of a good high-output alternator for 2nd gens? I think I once heard that no aftermarket ones would fit, but I figured I'd check with the experts too :wink:

Isacc bought one from Powermaster. Its expensive though. Something like $500 - $600.

Post a msg on the camryman.org forum if you need more info cos he doesn't post here.

My stock power antenna is likely going to croak soon, so I'd like something a little more... sporty? ricey? unique? or whatever.

S2000 antenna conversion. :grin:

My power antenna is dead. It doesn't go up or down, but i'm not worried about it. I'll fix it later on, but for now I gotta finish my secret project. :grin:

I may consider an S2000 antenna if possible. Question for anyone that's modded it (saw the instructions) - does it flex like those cheap rubber ones that I always see on old cars, misshapen and pointed to the side?

I've seen pictures of it and it doesn't look like it'll flex.

Sorry for being such a pest, but this forum is truly one of the few places owners of 2nd Gen Camrys can get aftermarket product info. I guess that's a compliment :wink:

Heh.. :smile:

[speedemn]

Dude, don't feel bad asking questions. That's what we are here for.

For alternators, I too am looking for a beefier alternator since my audio system killed my last battery. I was referred to http://www.ampmanaudio.com I'm sure there are other sites too. I was wondering if I can even hook up a Ford alternator in my car. The Mustang GT has a 130 amp alternator and I might be able to get one for cheap-free. :smile: I heard that as long as the alternator physically fits, all the wires are the same. But I am not totally sure.

For antenna, I think the S2000 antenna is pretty solid. A few of our members have done the conversion.

[Talisman]

Ahh, nice. That would definitely be a good upgrade after swapping engines. Thanks. :smile:

Just so that you are aware man, you would not be using your auto trans if you swapped engines, at least if you swapped engines for a 3sgte. The 3sgte was only avilable with a stick so you would have to change your car to a manual. Only relatively easy(bolt in) engine swap you could do and keep an auto would be to the 3sge engine. On another note though, I have always wanted to see someone fix up a 2vz-fe just to see what kind of power someone could get from it.