How to increase engine horsepower '93 Camry

[wrfair]

Over the holidays I drove my wife's '95 Corolla to all our Christmas outings. Her '95 Corolla puts my '93 Camry to shame in terms of power especially during take-offs/acceleration and normal driving.

Her Corolla will pick up and go the more you give it gas. Almost like it's hungry to go.

My Camry, you have to keep giving it gas until it kicks down a gear to get a power boost. It's almost like it's sleepy and not wanting to go.

I did a quick good search and found some general specs:

• '95 Corolla (4cyl.) had a 1.8L/103-HP engine, 2524lbs., holds 13.2/g fuel
• '93 Camry (4cyl.) had a 2.2L/135-HP engine, 3053lbs., holds 18.5/g fuel

I realize my car weighs 500lbs more and holds 5 gal more of fuel, but I feel it should have some get-up-and-go. Where's my power? or does it not have any to begin with?

Any other '93 Camry/4cyl. owners (or similar years/specs) feel this way?

Any suggestions that may add power to my Camry?

I had some fuel problems that I finally got fixed so it got new Distr. Cap/Button, Fuel Filter, and Spark Plugs. Everything seems to be firing right, no misses or sputtering...Any additional checks/items to look into?

Thanks!

[wilsonman02]

Sometimes a general tune up can gain back a lot of power. Even a simple K&N air filter can add some power.

[Bdub215]

I've never really found the 5S-FE exactly peppy in any of the cars i've owned thats had it. just not what its built for. the A series motors in the older corollas are well known for being peppy, rev happy, and very durable.

[uuuuu]

Hit the ECT button near your shifter (PWR should illuminate on your dash). The engine will hold rpm's longer so you are in a higher power band. This probably won't solve your problem, but it might help some.

[zythr]

1,8 liter engine especially the later ons 95 on were tuned for torque, which allows them to work quite well with automatic tranny, compared to the 5SFE. Also, as you mentioned, the Camry 4 cyilinder is pulling more weight (135 is not much for over 3000 pd car). By the way, the 1.8 liter in your wife's Corolla gained 2 pd ft more torque to 117 starting in '95 to make up for the 10 HP lost due to new intake for reduced emissions. This later engine is probably a little faster than the 93-94 Corolla 1.8

[fenixus]

when was the last time you drained and refilled transmission and differential fluids?

have you ever replaced the strainer in transmission? it might be awfully dirty and slipping gears.

burned differential fluid with tons of dirty particles will also somewhat slow down your axles (waste of power on acceleration).

maybe go a step further and replace the spark plug wires to complete the minor tune up?

which spark plugs have you used, maybe Bosch? they tend to make the car truly sluggish hehe, NGK Laser Platinum (or at least Iridium-IX) or Denso Double Platinum are recommended.

other things that tend to go bad and should be replaced every 5 years would include PCV valve and grommet, Radiator Cap, Fuel Tank Cap, Timing belt (with idler and tensioner pulleys), clean the TB and IAC hole (least you can do to it).

flush ALL fluids.

maybe it needs also new oxygen sensors, how is your MPG?

maybe it's Time to Sea Foam the car?

on contrary my 5s-fe is VERY peppy even with added weight on it. it revs good, no delays, both engine and transmission (auto-tragic) work nicely together.

[JohnGD]

Yeah, I think a good tuneup, and especially the transmission maintenance if it's never been done may help. The 5SFE should be peppy, but I don't think the Camry is ever going to be as light as the Corolla. The Corolla also bounces around over bumps like a cheap econobox. The 08+ ones are supposedly not as reliable.

NGK Iridium-IX (BKR6EIX-11 from NGK's catalog) with NGK wires.

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/part_fi...uv/results.asp

[Chris Crash]

Tune up is my advice as well. My 97 5SFE is extremely peppy, granted...it's got a lot less miles than yours, and most people's on this board, but regardless. The engine started out pretty happy.

[wrfair]

I've been driving with the ECT button pressed and I think it helps some but still seems sluggish. I do have a set of spark plug wires that I was holding off on until I fixed my misfiring problem. I can throw those on now. I just replaced my spark plugs with NKG G-Power spark plugs (BKR6EGP) - which solved my misfiring/sputtering problem.

I had the transmission fluid drained/changed with an oil change about a year ago but nothing else.

Not sure I know what the TB is or the IAC hole. Any info to point me too on this?

I don't do a lot of interstate driving (not lately) and I won't know my MPG until I fill up which might be a few more days. I'll post it though.

I have heard of Sea Foam but I don't know what it is, or what it does, & is it something I can do?

I'll put the new wires on tomorrow and see if there's improvement. I understand it's a small engine on a heavy car but I feel like it just needs a little revitalization.

Thanks for the ideas so far

[JohnGD]

Sure, cleaning the IAC may help. I don't know how mechanically inclined you are, but definitely disassemble it and make sure the vane rotor can spin freely if you can.

DIY removal & cleaning of IAC

[JohnGD]

NGK's G-power is an economical alternative to NGK Iridium-IX because it's has the thin center platinum electrode.

I'd change the transmission strainer and wipe clean the pan. You can search for some DIYs here too.

Originally Posted by wrfair

I just replaced my spark plugs with NKG G-Power spark plugs (BKR6EGP) - which solved my misfiring/sputtering problem.

I had the transmission fluid drained/changed with an oil change about a year ago but nothing else.

[camry6]

Be sure to change out your fuel filter under the hood. You should also run a fuel pressure check afterwords to be sure your fuel pump is performing properly. Excellent fuel pumps available on eBay from TRE performance -$80~$90.

[jtex2717]

TB - Throttle Body

IAC - Idle Air Control Valve

Take off your intake hose from your TB and spray some Seafoam Deep Creep and clean the plate and all inside of the TB w/ a toothbrush.

Then w/ the car running remove a vacuum line of the top of the TB and allow it to suck in about 1/4 of a poland spring water bottle's worth of regular seafoam...you can ask for these at any local parts store....follow directions on the can....once youre done....u will b a bit happier w/ the cars performance....trust me,,,,its like day and night....

[ShawnD93Toy]

my opinion is if you want a faster car don't buy a car focused on getting you from point a to b with as little fuel as possible.

I wouldn't even want to drive a camry without a v6 in it

[camry6]

Originally Posted by ShawnD93Toy

my opinion is if you want a faster car don't buy a car focused on getting you from point a to b with as little fuel as possible.

I wouldn't even want to drive a camry without a v6 in it

Diddo! 4 cylinders were never enough for me!