Camry restoration opinions...

[b2p1986]

Hey guys,

So I lurk around the forums every now and again and the spring is closing in on us in a month or so..just wanted some of your opinions on what I should be doing about my situation

Firstly, I have two camry's, but one moreso that I want to try and restore as best as possible. With that being said, I plan to have both cars repainted in the spring. I will be focusing more on my 95 (which is now my daily driver). It is a 95 5SFE 5 speed, 2 door coupe in red. I really love this car...drives amazing and still gets insanely good gas mileage. The car needs some TLC but nothing major...engine and tranny still running super strong! Anyways both are going to be repainted and fix the rust on the areas that need it.

1) I have a bit of a squeak coming from the front suspension. Seems to be the same on both my camry's..usually heard at low speeds coming off a driveway or just going over bumps. I would like to replace most of the suspension components..with that being said, on a car that old should I just be replacing the entire suspension assembly?
...I recently replaced the rear sway bar bushings which solved my "clunking" noise in the rear over bumps
2) I plan to have the rear brakes converted over to disc brakes. I will be going with an ES300 setup so that I get the larger rotors in the rear. I will also be replacing the fronts with LS400 calipers and EBC rotors/greenstuff pads all around. Also installing SS lines since brake lines are needed for the rears anyways. Also going to use Motul or Redline brake fluid (higher boiling point)...that should do the trick and solve my rear drums violent shake at highway speed!

Other than that I have some minor fix up work to be done too it. I need to fix my driver side window switch. Switch works perfectly, except the housing has broken off so switch just sits in the opening on the door panel. Either need to glue it or replace the faceplate with one that isn't broken. Also remember it's a coupe...my rear quarter panel window on the passenger side leaks like a mofo...water and lots of air at highway speeds! Anyone know a quick fix for this? Is there maybe a DIY with silicone to re-seal that window? I was thinking of bringing it to a body shop and letting them fix it.

Anything else you guys suggest I do? I do want to spend money on this car and am thinking of doing the timing belt/water pump and all the seals, tensioners, etc.. as well..what else am I missing?
I want to basically restore this car back to what it was as best I can...or just upgrade it which I plan too do!

I will be doing some engine mods as well this summer..stuff like header, intake, possibly an exhaust...but we will see

[Mister_Perkins]

If your Drivers side rear quarter is rusted, I have a replacement (weld-in) panel I could sell you for cheap. I was going to replace my 5-speed camry up, but bought an XLE so I don't need it.

Sounds like you got a good idea of what your going to do though!

As far as the suspension. I would work on one side at a time. (Front then back). If you have a feeling that the rear is doing badly, replace front and back at the same time.

As far as other mods to do.. not sure man. That's really up to personal opinion and your wallet size.

[bigbird]

Originally Posted by b2p1986

Hey guys,

So I lurk around the forums every now and again and the spring is closing in on us in a month or so..just wanted some of your opinions on what I should be doing about my situation

Firstly, I have two camry's, but one moreso that I want to try and restore as best as possible. With that being said, I plan to have both cars repainted in the spring. I will be focusing more on my 95 (which is now my daily driver). It is a 95 5SFE 5 speed, 2 door coupe in red. I really love this car...drives amazing and still gets insanely good gas mileage. The car needs some TLC but nothing major...engine and tranny still running super strong! Anyways both are going to be repainted and fix the rust on the areas that need it.

1) I have a bit of a squeak coming from the front suspension. Seems to be the same on both my camry's..usually heard at low speeds coming off a driveway or just going over bumps. I would like to replace most of the suspension components..with that being said, on a car that old should I just be replacing the entire suspension assembly?
...I recently replaced the rear sway bar bushings which solved my "clunking" noise in the rear over bumps

that squeek is most likely just bushings goin bad or spring isolators drying out and going bad. replacing the suspension components is usually best done at one time sicne it can be a PITA to repair them im chunks considering the lador needed just to get stuff off. you need to take a look at the suspension components and determine what needs replacing before ya do anything.

2) I plan to have the rear brakes converted over to disc brakes. I will be going with an ES300 setup so that I get the larger rotors in the rear. I will also be replacing the fronts with LS400 calipers and EBC rotors/greenstuff pads all around. Also installing SS lines since brake lines are needed for the rears anyways. Also going to use Motul or Redline brake fluid (higher boiling point)...that should do the trick and solve my rear drums violent shake at highway speed!

sounds liek a good plan there, but you can go for the V6 gen3 dual piston brakes up front and they are the same sizes as the ls400 ones (rotors were maby slightly bigger). the difference in calipers is negligable from what ive herd.

Other than that I have some minor fix up work to be done too it. I need to fix my driver side window switch. Switch works perfectly, except the housing has broken off so switch just sits in the opening on the door panel. Either need to glue it or replace the faceplate with one that isn't broken. Also remember it's a coupe...my rear quarter panel window on the passenger side leaks like a mofo...water and lots of air at highway speeds! Anyone know a quick fix for this? Is there maybe a DIY with silicone to re-seal that window? I was thinking of bringing it to a body shop and letting them fix it.

as for a perminent repair, i would absolutly have a shop fix it. considering how hard it is to find parts for coupes, i wouldnt want to cheap out or take a chance myself.

Anything else you guys suggest I do? I do want to spend money on this car and am thinking of doing the timing belt/water pump and all the seals, tensioners, etc.. as well..what else am I missing?
I want to basically restore this car back to what it was as best I can...or just upgrade it which I plan too do!

I will be doing some engine mods as well this summer..stuff like header, intake, possibly an exhaust...but we will see

[chronoti]

1. yes look at monroe quick strut
2. sounds good
i have goodrich lines on mine last forever
anything dot 5.1 would give a stupid high boiling point (i have dot 5 harder to swap to i say dot 4 or 5.1 because of direct swap with current fluid)
3. junk yard thread
4. more info why rust (go with mr.perkins) bad seal (silicone)
5.major seals if you have the time/skill go for valve stems
6. everything takes money

[N/A Camry Sleeper]

If you're really serious about upgrading to Dot 4 or 5 brake fluid run new brake lines...It is insanely difficult to TOTALLY remove all traces of a lower Dot fluid when going to a higher one. Consider replacing all hardware that the brake fluid comes in contact with - master cylinder, calipers, etc. ANY contaminating Dot 3 fluid when using Dot 4 or 5 fluid will be the same as running regular Dot 3 fluid - it will still boil when heated sufficiently and not be any better than the upgrade you are seeking...

Going from a higher boiling point fluid to a lower one - you could get away with a regular system flush...good luck!