Introducing myself and need advice on my 2001 Camry

[twinjetguy]

Hey Guys,

I am new to the forum and wanted to introduce myself. I have a 2001 Camry LE V6 Gallery Edition with 25,500 miles on it (yes, you read that right, I inherited it from my mom). Needless to say it's in awesome condition. It has almost every option on it except for leather. Here is a list of the mods that I have done to it so far

Cat Back Exhaust with Magnaflow muffler
Injen intake set up
JET Performance Module
Cross Drilled/Vented Rotors w/ceramic pads on all 4 wheels
18x7.5 inch wheels (get them installed on Friday)
Pirelli 225/40/18 Tires (not sure of the model)

I noticed another thread on here about suspension on a 1998 model. I too was thinking of going with the Tokico struts/Eibach spring set up but after reading that thread I am really considering going with the D2 Coil Over set up.

Can anyone throw out some opinions for me here? Anyone using the D2's or the Tokico/Eibach combination on a 2001? From what I understand, the D2 comes with a much better mount up front. I'm definetly looking for a sportier ride and better handling, but at the same time, I don't want it rattling the fillings out of my teeth.

Anyway, love the forum and really looking forward to talking with all of you more.

Ryan

[Zviator]

[twinjetguy]

Yeah, believe me, that thought crossed my mind. Wanted to hold off on the pics until the new wheels/tires are on. Probably have some up by this weekend. I do have a few other questions that I am hoping people can help me with.

1. Anyone in CA with the 3.0 V6 have luck with headers and getting the car smogged? Any advice out there?

2. What exactly is the Y pipe mod? Does the Y pipe work with the stock manifolds?

3. How much will D2 coil overs lower my car out of the box? Do they offer an adjustable ride height?

4. Lastly...Anyone with knowledge on how I would go about locating a supercharger? What other parts if any would I need? (ecu, cams, etc)

If you guys can't already tell, I'm a complete junky when it comes to mods. I have been into motorcycles for over 20 years, building them, working on them, riding/racing them. The Camry is not what I would call a "performance" car but I am trying to add some to it simply because I am hooked on it.

Thanks ahead of time for any help I can fiind on here.

[Zviator]

Originally Posted by twinjetguy

1. Anyone in CA with the 3.0 V6 have luck with headers and getting the car smogged? Any advice out there?

2. What exactly is the Y pipe mod? Does the Y pipe work with the stock manifolds?

3. How much will D2 coil overs lower my car out of the box? Do they offer an adjustable ride height?

4. Lastly...Anyone with knowledge on how I would go about locating a supercharger? What other parts if any would I need? (ecu, cams, etc)

1/ What kind of header ?

2/ Y pipe is literally a ... "Y shaped" pipe section that split the exhaust pipe into 2. Make your single exhaust become dual exhaust. It's usually placed after the Cat, has nothing to do with the manifold.

3/ Coil-over can slam the car to the ground, even to the lowest non-drivable stance. Coil-over is basically performance strut with spring in combo that allow adjustable height, which is also the main purpose of it. A set of coil-over can cost 3x as much as just performance struts and lowering springs combined, but is worthy IMO. You can do more research to see how it work.

4/ Your 3.0 engine code is 1MZFE, a common supercharger for this model is the TRD supercharger which is discontinued, you have to get it used. A member here is in the process of making a home made supercharger for the 1MZ, no update on that so far. A few other member went turbo, twin turbo on the same engine with great results (anywhere from 300HP to 600HP depend on the built). You can do more research on that here on TN search engine.

[twinjetguy]

Originally Posted by Camricer

1/ What kind of header ?

2/ Y pipe is literally a ... "Y shaped" pipe section that split the exhaust pipe into 2. Make your single exhaust become dual exhaust. It's usually placed after the Cat, has nothing to do with the manifold.

3/ Coil-over can slam the car to the ground, even to the lowest non-drivable stance. Coil-over is basically performance strut with spring in combo that allow adjustable height, which is also the main purpose of it. A set of coil-over can cost 3x as much as just performance struts and lowering springs combined, but is worthy IMO. You can do more research to see how it work.

4/ Your 3.0 engine code is 1MZFE, a common supercharger for this model is the TRD supercharger which is discontinued, you have to get it used. A member here is in the process of making a home made supercharger for the 1MZ, no update on that so far. A few other member went turbo, twin turbo on the same engine with great results (anywhere from 300HP to 600HP depend on the built). You can do more research on that here on TN search engine.

Hey Camricer,

Not sure if you're in CA or not, but in order to get headers on your car out here, they have to be CARB certified. I am pretty sure there are no companies that offer CARB certified headers for the 2001 Camry. That being said, I have headers on my truck that are not legal, but it passed smog no problem. I am wondering if anyone in CA has put headers on their Camry and got it to pass smog despite the fact that they aren't CARB approved.

Was looking at the ones on Ebay, the prices have dropped dramatically. Under $200 and that includes shipping. That is pretty appealing compared to the $1200 price tag from JP racing.

As for the Y pipe, I was under the impression that people were modifying the Y pipe that connects to the headers. If that was the case, I was wondering what kind of performance gains there were from this.

Very familiar with the coil over set up and how it works. I would like to know more about the drop from them. Since they are adjustable, does anyone know the range that it drop the car? Can I have it drop only 1 inch if I like or does it drop it more than that maxxed out?

I guess I am going to have to start looking for a used supercharger! Damn, just one more reason to spend money, lol. That is a pretty good reason though. If anyone on here has installed their own TRD supercharger to this motor, would love to find out the details on everything required.

Thanks for the help guys, looking forward to tricking out my Camry. I have already made a nickname for it. Since I am going very subtle with the outside mods and want to keep it "classy", I am calling it the G.S.S. (Gentlemans Sport Sedan).

[the94camryman]

To help with the coilover question, you get what you pay for. Ive heard about D2's having a clunking problem similar to K-sport coilovers. JP's do not have that problem, as far as I know, but they do cost a bit more.
However, if you are not tracking your car, but want a slightly stiffer ride and lowering it a bit, I would stick with springs. Tokico struts and H&R springs have been known to be a great combination. There was an entire thread posted for suspension. Search for it and it should answer all of your questions.
And if you want to turbo your car, i would PM Tony the Tiger. If he cant answer all of your questions and help you out, then you dont need to turbo/supercharge your car.

['_']

Like the94camryman said, you get what you pay for. And no one buys coilovers expecting a smooth/soft ride, even on the softer settings. That pretty much defeats the purpose of them. Try contacting D2 about the adjustable height range if you still want them. There are other setups out there like Tein SS and JIC. I haven't had any personal experience with the Tein SS, but my other Camry buddy has them and loves them. He had started out with TRD springs, then Ksport Coilovers, then the Tein SS. He also said that the Ksports were extremely stiff, even on the softest setting. I rode and driven in his car, and the Tein's aren't stiff at all with his settings. As far JIC goes, I heard about a lot of leaking/blowing issues and certain models are not rebuildable.

You said you wanted a tighter ride, so I would suggest upgrading the rear sway bar first. I see you ordered the front sway bar, but I'm pretty sure that would result in more understeer, which you have plenty already on the Camry. A spring, strut, and RSB setup will help tremendously while providing you with a pretty smooth ride for the most part. If you decide to go this route, I would probably recommend the Eibach pro-kit springs (1.2" dop), Tokico struts, and the TRD RSB which you can get new for $150 shipped.

[the94camryman]

By JP I meant JIC. I was looking at some JP lip kits for a friends car at the time so I got mixed up.

[bigbird]

COs are gonna be stiff. considering that, if i were gonna invest in some id either wait for good ones for a good deal or pass on the D2s or K-sports till i can affors the tein or JIC ones.

personally i think a set of tokicos and some tein springs(2 different models avalible), eibachs, H&Rs and a TRD or whiteline RSB would be a great upgrade and handle quite well.

BTW.

[twinjetguy]

Wow guys, can't thank you enough for all the info and help! This forum is great, tons of info, and cool people willing to share it. It's hard to find good forums. I've gotten pretty lucky with this one and thumpertalk for my DRZ Supermoto.

That all being said, I think I am going to stay away from the coil overs. The car afterall is being named the "G.S.S." (gentlemans sport sedan). I just ordered up the front and rear sway bars from whiteline, and my TRD front strut tie bar should be showing up any day now. Once I see the difference that all of this makes, then I will probably go with the Tokico/Eibach set up.

My wheels should be delivered tomorrow! Hopefully they will get here early enough to where I can get the tires mounted and installed on the car tomorrow. I will have pics of the car up soon.

Also wanted to add that I looked at the pics thread, and damn a lot of you have some awesome looking Camrys! Looking forward to getting mine on par with a lot of yours.

[twinjetguy]

Hey guys,

So I got my Kyowa Racing wheels in and got my Yokohamas mounted to them. They look GREAT on the car! Really happy with the choice I made. I also got my TRD strut tie bar today and already installed it. Next comes the front and rear sway bars, hopefully those will get delivered next week some time.

Going to take the car and get it washed. Taking pictures of it after that and hopefully will get a new thread with pics up today. Looking forward to seeing what you all think of my ride.

[fox_prime]

Here is my experience since I've done PLENTY of stuff on my '00:

-I have the Tokico/Eibach setup, which will run you a 3-finger gap in the front and about 2 in the rear. I suggest you get the coilovers to kill those gaps.
-Also got the TRD strut bar & sway bar, and Whiteline front-sway bar. Body-roll is still there, but not as bad as stock.

Hope this helps.

[twinjetguy]

Hey Fox,

Your 00 looks awesome!! Love the body kit you have on there, very nice touch. We almost have the exact same car. Mine has the same spoiler as yours does. Couldn't get any pics today, but sometime this weekend I will get to it.

How do you like the way your car rides with the Tokico/Eibach set up? What else have you done to yours? Interested in what you have done motor wise.

[fox_prime]

Thanks man, I get a lot of comments about that "lexus" of mine, lol.

For the Tokico/Eibach setup, it sure feels like a sporty ride. However, I feel that the "wavy bounce" is still somewhat present in the rear, so I do scrape a bit if people sit in the back. I regret not getting coilovers for a stiffer suspension.

Motor-wise (4cyl): injen sri, Big 3, Unorthdox pulley, optima battery, TRD exhaust, and I even used to have RippMods and OBX headers. Loved the power and sound, but could never pass smog with those...so I got rid of them -___-

[twinjetguy]

Hey Fox,

I have a couple questions about your body kit. Where did you get it? Did it come paint matched or did you have to have it painted? Finally, how do you like it? Does it sit down far enough to where you are scraping all the time?

That sucks about the OBX headers and them not being smog legal. CA really pisses me off with stuff like that. With headers on, the car actually runs better, burns cleaner but because the company who made them didn't pay the state of CA the money it takes to make them CARB legal, it won't pass. Luckily the headers I put on my truck that aren't "legal" were old, kinda rusty and partially hidden by my intake. There is a local guy close to me who passes stuff like that for the visual at no extra charge.

I would LOVE to get headers on my V6 Camry, but at the same time I don't want to be dealing with check engine lights. I do have a code scanner/eraser, but still don't want to have to deal with the hassle of it all.