Performance question for 99 I4 - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

njwrestler07 · 11-03-2010, 04:00 PM

I have a 99 I4 camry, 51,000 on it, i dont have the money to get a new car because of school loans im paying. I would like to make this car somewhat quicker because im use to something with alot more pickup, and ideas as to what i can do?

iovaykind · 11-03-2010, 04:19 PM

so.. how much money do you have? best thing you can do is search.. and give your car a tuneup to gain back lost HP. But first, use the search button, it's your best friend. And a caveat, HP does not come cheap..

njwrestler07 · 11-03-2010, 04:25 PM

its only got 51,000 on it, it runs very well but i just want some more pickup out of it

Chris Crash · 11-03-2010, 04:36 PM

You won't get much out of a 4 cylinder, assuming it's automatic?

mdatrdcam · 11-03-2010, 04:36 PM

Well there is always the standard intake and exhaust upgrade. That combo won't really give you much more HP, maybe like 10, but the intake/exhaust combo will definitely make you think the car is faster with it being louder and everything. Other than that there really isn't too much in the way of bolt-on's that will make the four cylinder engine much quicker, aside from nitrous but I doubt you really want to spray that through your engine. So I guess your best bet would be to trade up for a v6 Camry or start saving for a turbo kit. I think Gabe (username-TRD4LIFE) is selling one at the moment, but as iovaykind said, horsepower doesn't come cheap. Anyway, good luck with your project and keep us updated.

njwrestler07 · 11-03-2010, 04:41 PM

i guess im better off selling it.

Chris Crash · 11-03-2010, 04:42 PM

You're better off keeping it as a daily driver, and finding something else better and cheaper to mod.

njwrestler07 · 11-03-2010, 04:47 PM

you have a point, and car insurance is cheap enough so i may just do that, wish i could throw a v6 in it.

Chris Crash · 11-03-2010, 04:48 PM

You cannnn but then you'll start modding like crazy and spending too much money. I would invest in an AE86 or something and have fun with THAT.

njwrestler07 · 11-03-2010, 04:56 PM

ha, i would just keep it stock v6 with an intake and exhaust, im an american muscle kind of guy, i use to own an 04 cobra, but like i said, school loans are killing me right now, so i got this from a family member for the mean time

bigbird · 11-03-2010, 05:13 PM

you have the PERFECT beater. an old, paid for car with very low miles and years to live. forget about attempting to mod the camry and get a project car. civics, 240sx, mr2, celica, sc300, and a host of otehrs make great project cars with cheap and plentiful replacement parts, great aftermarket support and loads of information for any type of build you could want to do.

njwrestler07 · 11-03-2010, 05:17 PM

bigbird, you make perfect sense, i wish i could find an sc300 but they are hard to find in general, my neighbor has a 94 supra with a new motor swap and single gt35 turbo, its sex on wheels

SexieWASD · 11-03-2010, 05:57 PM

The thing about the 5s motors, yea they can throw out some power, but your only option really is a full build, either a 5sgte (5s block + 3sgte head) or 3sgte built, any other way and the power just isn't enough for the money. There really aren't any cheap power mods that are worth it. You could do a 5sfte (bolt a turbo on), but really swapping in the v6 would probably cost about the same, maybe a bit cheaper, but you would need to buy a v6 camry to do the swap, so why not just buy one in good condition.

***LynchburgCSI*** · 11-03-2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SexieWASD

The thing about the 5s motors, yea they can throw out some power, but your only option really is a full build, either a 5sgte (5s block + 3sgte head) or 3sgte built, any other way and the power just isn't enough for the money. There really aren't any cheap power mods that are worth it. You could do a 5sfte (bolt a turbo on), but really swapping in the v6 would probably cost about the same, maybe a bit cheaper, but you would need to buy a v6 camry to do the swap, so why not just buy one in good condition.

EXACTLY my thoughts. Go pick up another car to have fun with. MR2, 240sx, ae86, old RWD celica. Something older and cheap.

bigbird · 11-03-2010, 06:57 PM

well the 5s can be made into something good, just ask the MR2 guys or richierichjp. but in a camry i dont think it would be worth it.

OP, an sc300 should actually be pretty easy to find. ya may have to look further out but there are plenty at least in MD and what youd want is something with a blown motor or bad trans so its cheap and good for a build. dont be afraid to use a FWD car too. while they cant use high hp as well as r/awd they can still be fun.