A few questions for the experts

[rojo412]

Basically, I have a love of the gen 2 Camry. It's such a great car, people sell them cheap, they run forever, easy to fix, etc. Basically, figured out how to make mine work (had 2 so far) and I dream of having a fleet some day.

But to my real point of this thread... I would like to build a custom Gen 2 some day, with all sorts of power and handling mods. The problem is, I don't know what parts jive with that car. I hear of Celica parts being compatible, for upgraded handling purposes. Aftermarket mods and such.

What should I be looking for in that? What companies make parts that I'd look for and what Celicas would be the compatible years?

Also, if I were looking to build up a motor for high power, same sort of questions... who makes good stuff to look for?

[HomeGrown]

Welcome to the sickness, you're in good hands. We understand.
Some of us are pretty biased with regards to our Gen2's. I believe the Gen2 represents Toyota's high-water mark for superiority, quality, reliability, and value. Certainly Toyota still builds quality products, but the era of their late 80's to early 90's cars and trucks were among the very best in class at that time. The quality canyon that used to exist between Toyota and other manufacturers has shrunk to a fine line.
Anyway, to answer your question about engines, the best transplant would be a 3S-GTE. Charlie (a.k.a. white90dx) has a great thread regarding this swap. It's usually found within the first few pages of this forum. Do some searching, and you will likely find answers to most of your questions.

[rojo412]

Good lookin out, I'll check it.

I certainly stand behind the quality of my 91. It looks like hell and I got it dirt cheap with the expectation of the motor going fast. Loud knocking, leaking fluids... any day it would go, right? Well, a year later, 15,000 miles... still runs better than most other cars I see on the road. So it's natural for me to want to make something that is as reliable, but also powerful. If they didn't rust out up her in salty Cleveland winters, they would be the best cars ever made!

With that though, does anyone have any long-term feedback on what a built motor or modified engine does? Do they hold up equally well? Better? Die instantly? (yeah, right)

[white90dx]

Yeah... there is enough stuff to do to your car to keep you occupied for many years...

Just make sure you really want to head down the path before you start. You can spend a lot of money before you know it.

Spend some time searching and reading and come back with more specific questions so we can help you better.

-Charlie