New Member, Gen 5 questions

[Bumbo]

Hello everyone,

As you can tell I'm new to the forum and I must say this is a great place.

First off, a little background info. I'm a proud owner of a 2002/03 2.4L Black Camry LE with a Manual. Its still under 60k miles but getting pretty close. It's mostly stock except for a K&N Air Filter, Alpine head unit, and (my favorite) a Passport 8500 radar detector. Over the past year I've been considering adding modifications to the car and I would love to have your input.

First I would like to get some Rota Slipstream 17 inch wheels in Flat Black. I would like to put 225 wide tires on the wheels (the rim would be 7.5 wide). What I'm confused about is the offset, I would like to have the wheels be "flush" with the body of the car and not sunk in like my stock steel wheels. I don't know the offset of the steel wheels but the smallest offset I can get on the Rota wheels is +45mm, I think with the width of the wheel it would look fine and I will not have any rubbing issues. Does anyone have experience with similar wheels?

Keeping the wheel/tire issue in mind I was also considering installing performance/lowering spring and perhaps struts as well, I would like to have a slight drop of the car, about 1 inch all around, I believe Tein H-Tech springs offer this kind of drop but I cannot figure out if they have a higher spring rate than stock springs? I would like to have a slightly stiffer spring because I feel the stock option that I have now is a bit on the soft side for my taste. I know that the issue of springs has been debated to death but I can't seem to find anything about comparison of spring rates of the stock springs compared to the Tein or other performance springs.

And finally my last issue. I seems that my lower back just doesn't like my seat so I was wondering if anyone has swapped seats complettly for a seat from a completly different car or a performance seat? If so, what seats and how much did it run you?

Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Bumbo

[importcars]

Originally Posted by Bumbo

Hello everyone,

As you can tell I'm new to the forum and I must say this is a great place.

First off, a little background info. I'm a proud owner of a 2002/03 2.4L Black Camry LE with a Manual. Its still under 60k miles but getting pretty close. It's mostly stock except for a K&N Air Filter, Alpine head unit, and (my favorite) a Passport 8500 radar detector. Over the past year I've been considering adding modifications to the car and I would love to have your input.

First I would like to get some Rota Slipstream 17 inch wheels in Flat Black. I would like to put 225 wide tires on the wheels (the rim would be 7.5 wide). What I'm confused about is the offset, I would like to have the wheels be "flush" with the body of the car and not sunk in like my stock steel wheels. I don't know the offset of the steel wheels but the smallest offset I can get on the Rota wheels is +45mm, I think with the width of the wheel it would look fine and I will not have any rubbing issues. Does anyone have experience with similar wheels?

Keeping the wheel/tire issue in mind I was also considering installing performance/lowering spring and perhaps struts as well, I would like to have a slight drop of the car, about 1 inch all around, I believe Tein H-Tech springs offer this kind of drop but I cannot figure out if they have a higher spring rate than stock springs? I would like to have a slightly stiffer spring because I feel the stock option that I have now is a bit on the soft side for my taste. I know that the issue of springs has been debated to death but I can't seem to find anything about comparison of spring rates of the stock springs compared to the Tein or other performance springs.

And finally my last issue. I seems that my lower back just doesn't like my seat so I was wondering if anyone has swapped seats complettly for a seat from a completly different car or a performance seat? If so, what seats and how much did it run you?

Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Bumbo

1. Welcome to TN

2. I am no expert on wheels(tires) and the sizing and all that, but we have many that no all about it. so im sure they will kick in..

3. I hear the TRD springs are good, as far as the lowering only 1 inch, not sure if they are adjustable. Again, i have yet to personally experience lowering springs, so im not that "in touch" with it. but its a big thing here. so im sure someone will kick in also..

4. Do you have heaters in your seats? i have read on the threads where heaters in the seats tend to make it uncomfortable and you can fill the heater wires.. although, i think this was about a gen 6, and not sure if it would apply for you. but i read on here everyday, and yet to see anyone put performance bucket seats into there gen 6.. nor 5, but i could be mistaken about 5.

[white3ch0c0late]

Originally Posted by Bumbo

Hello everyone,

As you can tell I'm new to the forum and I must say this is a great place.

First off, a little background info. I'm a proud owner of a 2002/03 2.4L Black Camry LE with a Manual. Its still under 60k miles but getting pretty close. It's mostly stock except for a K&N Air Filter, Alpine head unit, and (my favorite) a Passport 8500 radar detector. Over the past year I've been considering adding modifications to the car and I would love to have your input.

First I would like to get some Rota Slipstream 17 inch wheels in Flat Black. I would like to put 225 wide tires on the wheels (the rim would be 7.5 wide). What I'm confused about is the offset, I would like to have the wheels be "flush" with the body of the car and not sunk in like my stock steel wheels. I don't know the offset of the steel wheels but the smallest offset I can get on the Rota wheels is +45mm, I think with the width of the wheel it would look fine and I will not have any rubbing issues. Does anyone have experience with similar wheels?

Keeping the wheel/tire issue in mind I was also considering installing performance/lowering spring and perhaps struts as well, I would like to have a slight drop of the car, about 1 inch all around, I believe Tein H-Tech springs offer this kind of drop but I cannot figure out if they have a higher spring rate than stock springs? I would like to have a slightly stiffer spring because I feel the stock option that I have now is a bit on the soft side for my taste. I know that the issue of springs has been debated to death but I can't seem to find anything about comparison of spring rates of the stock springs compared to the Tein or other performance springs.

And finally my last issue. I seems that my lower back just doesn't like my seat so I was wondering if anyone has swapped seats complettly for a seat from a completly different car or a performance seat? If so, what seats and how much did it run you?

Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Bumbo

If you want the wheels to be flush with the body, you should go for +38 or +42 offsets. +45 might be slightly sunk into the fender.

[lammydi]

Originally Posted by white3ch0c0late

If you want the wheels to be flush with the body, you should go for +38 or +42 offsets. +45 might be slightly sunk into the fender.

He is getting 17x7.5 +45 offset. To be flush he will need the rims to be 8.5 then like you said a +38 offset would look flush.
My old 20" rims were 20x8.5 +38 offset, it was pretty flush but it kinda rubs after I lowered the car. (No rubbing at all before I lowered)
My current GS rims is 18x8 +45 offset. As you can see, they are not flush.

[w203]

the tein h-tech would be stiffer than the stock springs, their drop is more than 1 inch. trd as mentioned might be what you are looking for as in the drop and the stiffness of the spring for better feel and handling

aftermarket seats can be installed into your car. you have to look out for the brackets that fit the seat to the car's existing mounting points. i'm not sure if you can retrofit the gen6 camry seats into your gen5 or not but they have the lumbar support and a possible chance of keeping the electronic adjusters

[Aceventura9586]

Originally Posted by importcars

1. Welcome to TN

2. I am no expert on wheels(tires) and the sizing and all that, but we have many that no all about it. so im sure they will kick in..

3. I hear the TRD springs are good, as far as the lowering only 1 inch, not sure if they are adjustable. Again, i have yet to personally experience lowering springs, so im not that "in touch" with it. but its a big thing here. so im sure someone will kick in also..

4. Do you have heaters in your seats? i have read on the threads where heaters in the seats tend to make it uncomfortable and you can fill the heater wires.. although, i think this was about a gen 6, and not sure if it would apply for you. but i read on here everyday, and yet to see anyone put performance bucket seats into there gen 6.. nor 5, but i could be mistaken about 5.

Your font colors=instant headache

[Gellenole]

^^ CTRL+A FTW w/o headaches.

As far as the drop goes, I think tiens are going to be 1.5 - 1.8 drop (not 100% sure), eibach/trd springs on an I4 will drop 1.6 and on a V6 2.0 in the front.

The rears will be 1.4 on both springs I believe.

I'd drop the car and see how it looks before putting on wheels, since you want to pick a size that you don't rub on.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

Welcome to TN

you could take a look at H&R springs, they drop 1.4 all around...but i'd personally go TRD/Eibach..i was hesitant about droping 2 inches..but i did (Eibachs) and i love it!

I agree with the above poster...drop it first, then you can get a wheel and tire that will fit accordingly without rubbing.

[Bumbo]

Thanks to everyone who replied. Your input is much appreciated.

I have one question thought.

Originally Posted by lammydi

He is getting 17x7.5 +45 offset. To be flush he will need the rims to be 8.5 then like you said a +38 offset would look flush.
My old 20" rims were 20x8.5 +38 offset, it was pretty flush but it kinda rubs after I lowered the car. (No rubbing at all before I lowered)
My current GS rims is 18x8 +45 offset. As you can see, they are not flush.

With the look that I'm hoping to get with my wheel and tire pick I decided that a 17x7.5 and a 225/45/17 tire package would look right. If I use the 8.5 wide wheels I would need to move up to 235 tires and I would rather not so my question is, if I go with my original 17x7.5 and 225/45/17 wheel and tire combo what offset would I need in order for the wheels to look flush or close to flush?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Bumbo

P.S. Has anyone resorted to using wheel spacers to achieve the offset that they want? I've been considering that as an option as well.

[TRD VVTi]

I have 42mm offset with my 18" X 7.5" wheels and P235/45R18 tires. I think that they look perfect but you can decide for yourself by checking out the CarDomain link in my sig.

I don't know about the comparisons for spring rates but am completely happy with the ride of the TRD springs in my Camry.

I have a set Corbeau seats in my Pontiac Formula and love them. I actually have much less fatigue after driving 19-20 hours with those seats versus the factory seats (which were supportive). You can check those seats out on CarDomain also. Corbeau does make different seats that would probably suit you better than the ones that I have.

Welcome to TN.

[lammydi]

Originally Posted by Bumbo

Thanks to everyone who replied. Your input is much appreciated.

I have one question thought.


With the look that I'm hoping to get with my wheel and tire pick I decided that a 17x7.5 and a 225/45/17 tire package would look right. If I use the 8.5 wide wheels I would need to move up to 235 tires and I would rather not so my question is, if I go with my original 17x7.5 and 225/45/17 wheel and tire combo what offset would I need in order for the wheels to look flush or close to flush?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Bumbo

P.S. Has anyone resorted to using wheel spacers to achieve the offset that they want? I've been considering that as an option as well.

To get that flush look you have the following options that can be use as a combination to achived the flush.
1. Rim width
2. Offset
3. Wheel adapter (last resource, I don't recommend it)
If you are gonna stay with 17x7.5 get the offset as low as +35 so it will push your wheel outward closer to the wheel edge of the car. Since your wheel is only 7.5 wide now you have to use the wheel adapter. They come in different size. After you have your wheels installed then you can measure the gap for that perfect fitment. I'm guessing with your 17x7.5 +45 offset you will have to get that 20mm wheel adapter. Here is the link to it:
http://www.ichibausa.com/camry92.html

[KILRCAM]

Originally Posted by Aceventura9586

Your font colors=instant headache

I thought I was the only one!

[Bumbo]

Rather than starting a new Thread I'm just going to post this in this one so as not to clog up the forum.

I have a performance question. My 2.4L put out roughly 159-161hp (depending on the gasoline and the elevation), what I want to know is if anyone has done any performance modifications to their engines such as a piggy back electornics system, new pistons for higher compression ratios, performance camshafts, balanced crank, lighter flywheel, ported and polised the engine and the manifolds, lighter crank pulley installed, perhaps a scion tc bolt-on turbo (same engine block i believe)?

My perfect goal would be to have between 200 and 250 hp in my car. What would be the cheapest and easiest way to achieve that goal without doing heavy modifications to the engine and/or the body of the car? The reason I would like to do that is that it's already pretty zippy with the manual but there is still a power lag there in certain situations and besides nobody expects a camry to be quick so in a sence I would like to turn into a somewhat of a sleeper.

Regards,
Bumbo

[geoff5093]

Originally Posted by Bumbo

Rather than starting a new Thread I'm just going to post this in this one so as not to clog up the forum.

I have a performance question. My 2.4L put out roughly 159-161hp (depending on the gasoline and the elevation), what I want to know is if anyone has done any performance modifications to their engines such as a piggy back electornics system, new pistons for higher compression ratios, performance camshafts, balanced crank, lighter flywheel, ported and polised the engine and the manifolds, lighter crank pulley installed, perhaps a scion tc bolt-on turbo (same engine block i believe)?

My perfect goal would be to have between 200 and 250 hp in my car. What would be the cheapest and easiest way to achieve that goal without doing heavy modifications to the engine and/or the body of the car? The reason I would like to do that is that it's already pretty zippy with the manual but there is still a power lag there in certain situations and besides nobody expects a camry to be quick so in a sence I would like to turn into a somewhat of a sleeper.

Regards,
Bumbo

To be honest this probably isn't the forum where you're going to find people who have done that to their I4 2AZ engines, because the Scion tC has the same engine, you may want to check out some Scion forums to see if some people have done engine modifications such as you listed.

[Bumbo]

Has anyone seen a lightweight flywheel for the 4cyl 2003 camry? I've seen a couple on E-bay a few months back but I couldn't find any on the net on performance sites, since I have a manual I would love to have a lightweight flywheel it would definatly help with downshifting when braking. Does anyone have any experience in that area, I've searched the forum but I haven't been able to find anything pertaining to Camrys.

Regards,
Bumbo