3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
I own a 93 V-6 Camry (3vz-fe) with an automatic transmission. When running WOT my transmission shifts gears right at 5900 rpm according to the tach. I notice that the redline for the manual equipt cars is much higher at close to 6800 rpm where as the automatics redline is around 6200 as I recall. I'm wanting to increase both the redline and the stock shift points to wind the engine out a bit more but don't know where to begin. I've searched but not having much luck.
Anybody know of a "How to" or know of another member that has written up a thread on this and had success? The engine definitely offers more power in the higher rpm range of course and I'd like to take advantage of the fact. It goes without saying that Toyota left plenty on the table when considering these automatic transmissions.
For the gen 3 regardless of transmission
Early redline 6500 3vz
Late redline 6200 1mz
Rev limiters are different story and both are right about 7k. And for the transmission all you can really do is tighten up the kickdown cable for a "firmer" shift. Trust me toyota left nothing on the table. These autos suck balls which is my I'm happy my ES300 doesn't have one.
Yeah toyota said "We hope you like second gear, stupid" with the a540. every time i mash the gas it seems like 2nd is way too tall.
anyways, im pretty sure someone here wired the shifter directly to the shift solenoids for "manual" control. since it is a "dumb" electronic shifted, it will shift to whatever gear whenever its told. of course normally the ecu prevents you from dropping it into 1st at 100mph, but with some creative wiring....
Doesn't the 3vz power start to drop off around 6000 RPM? Toyota might wanted it to shift early for peak performance (or mpg) or to protect the transmission. I know some Toyota's have an ETC button that delays the shift points (mostly on trucks/SUVs) but that's all computer controlled.
Doesn't the 3vz power start to drop off around 6000 RPM? Toyota might wanted it to shift early for peak performance (or mpg) or to protect the transmission. I know some Toyota's have an ETC button that delays the shift points (mostly on trucks/SUVs) but that's all computer controlled.
Yeah, the 3VZ Camry's have the ECT "power" button. But it doesn't change the shift RPM at all under WFO throttle. Just has an effect at moderate throttle positions; shifts later, downshifts quicker. Which I like. Mine has spent its whole life in "power" mode.
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1992 Camry LE, V6 (3VZ-FE), ABS brakes, 330k miles, dark emerald pearl, owned since new.
1996 Avalon XLS, ABS brakes, moonroof, white, acquired w/ 139k miles, now at 261k.
2001 Yamaha FZ1, Ivan's jet kit, resprung all around, Ohlins in the rear, Race Tech cartridge emulators in the forks, 45k miles.
Well this sux then. After it's warmed up my car will consistantly shift into the next gear right at 5900 rpm yet the tach guage in the cluster clearly indicates it's redline to be closer to the 7k range. Is the guage marked incorrectly? It would be nice to be able to take advantage of those upper RPM's if it were somehow possible.
Doesn't the 3vz power start to drop off around 6000 RPM? Toyota might wanted it to shift early for peak performance (or mpg) or to protect the transmission. I know some Toyota's have an ETC button that delays the shift points (mostly on trucks/SUVs) but that's all computer controlled.
Generally speaking from a performance view on things it's better to keep the upper RPM's than it is to drop to shift to the next gear. More torque, quicker accelaration, and better engine braking. And it's like I said in my previous post above...my car is shifting into the next gear @ 5900 rpm yet the tach indicates the listed redline to be 7000 rpm.... I have read else where since that the automatics have a lower redline and fuel shut offs so maybe the guage cluster is more specifically designed for a manual and not really intended for the automatics.
It's just that the car is just getting to the point to where it is beginning to pick up speed nicely when it shifts. Seems that adding even an additional 500 rpm to the shift points would really help things out. It's a noticable drop in in the rate of accelaration when it shifts into the next gear. That may have something to do with the ACIS (???) of the intake as well since that is governed by the rpm of the motor as well.
I luv the ECT Power Button on my 3VZFE V6! I have smoked my buddies 2010 Ford Focus many a time from a red light! Imagine getting whooped by a 18 year old family car! (LOL)
I think the ECT button is annoying, if I want to shift at a higher rpm I will press the pedal more.
NOT! My Camry has a whole new personality when I engage the ECT button! It downshifts much easier & crisper, & holds the shift points longer! Its a sleeper Camry with the ECT button on! I also use it in conjuction with my snow tires on all fours when travelling in Blizzards like I did several times this past winter! It was unstoppable with the snow tires & the ECT button on! These cars rock!
NOT! My Camry has a whole new personality when I engage the ECT button! It downshifts much easier & crisper, & holds the shift points longer! Its a sleeper Camry with the ECT button on! I also use it in conjuction with my snow tires on all fours when travelling in Blizzards like I did several times this past winter! It was unstoppable with the snow tires & the ECT button on! These cars rock!
just my opinion and experience...I haven't used it since the transmission has clean and red fluid in it. I will see what it feels like on my way to the gym.
Seems like the ETC is helpful for others. When I get the load and speed just right, my little automatic coppled to a 4-cylinder gear hunts many times. (Yes, ATF is new and fresh) No ETC but disabling the O/D helps.
Interesting.. my Camry with 3vz, auto, actually shifts itself around 5500rpm, wot in first, 6200rpm in second. Have you considered that Toyota tachometers may not necessarily be all that accurate through fast engine acceleration gears? I've heard/read, that they are actually a bit slow to reflect real engine rpm in lower gears. Given how often you actually want to do this, is it really all that hard to manually hold lower gears for longer. If I hang on to 1st, just a bit longer than the car would do itself, I get a good firm shift into second at about 6500rpm indicated, and the car is in a good hp/torque, rpm range in second, to have its best giddy up and go from there. But really, I have to have a seriously good reason (rare), to do it. Most of the time the 3vz's nice torque lets you haul around pretty good on the autos own shift points, power button engaged or not. If you really want to be able to push it out to the max. rpm in some rare situations, you should just learn to read the cars power curve, and participate in it yourself.
If you really hate the shift points the car uses itself (with input from your right foot), tighten the transmission shift cable up a bit and play with the ECT power button. This will change it's tendancy to hold gears, and kick down on throttle, but it won't change the rpm of the shift points. If you want to bump them up, you will have to hold them manually. If you don't know what I mean by this, it means: de-activate your "OD", then simply place your gear selector in 1st gear, then when your desired rpm hits, or it approaching, push it forward into 2nd gear, then as the same thing starts to happen in third gear, push your gear selector into "D" (not legal any where in North America), then if you want too, or reach such a speed/rpm, activate the "OD" button. Your now doing about a 120mph, or 200kph, as fast as you could get there.
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Domesticon Prime
93' LE V-6, 303K Km., fully optioned including Leather Interior. ES300 rear discs, twin piston front calipers, Depo Chromes with HID projectors, 17" OZ' summer's, 96 corner lights, MAF, timing, exhaust and intake mods, 2001 Toyota/JBL sound, + more and always more coming.
Last edited by Silent Runner; 05-13-2011 at 08:01 PM.
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But really, I have to have a seriously good reason (rare), to do it. Most of the time the 3vz's nice torque lets you haul around pretty good on the autos own shift points, power button engaged or not.
If you really want to be able to push it out to the max. rpm in some rare situations, you should just learn to read the cars power curve, and participate in it yourself.
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