2008 4cyl SE MT Performance????

[DanPorges]

Hi Everyone, new to the forum!!
I just traded my 2006 tC s/c for a 2008 Camry SE. I needed to move up to a 4 door for work, but wanted to stay with a manual transmission so the v6 was out of the question. I would like to get an idea of what performance upgrades are worthwhile?? I saw the K&N Typhoon is available and good for about 14hp, supposedly according the the K&N site. I have also seen some chatter about TRD, Tanabe and HKS exhausts....anything really worthwhile for this setup? Is the TRD clutch from the tC the same part that fits the camry as TRDSparks.com has the same part number listed for both??

[Yazovets]

The only way you're going to get a performance boost that you may feel is if you do ECU, exhaust and intake.

Separately, each of these items won't do anything that you will feel.

Loving manual trannies is a personal choice, but you will soon see that the I4 is simply underpowered for this size/weight of car.

[DanPorges]

Agreed this isnt going to be a drag car, but my tC was only 300lbs lighter with the exact same motor and when it was stock it was still decent. I dont mind the stock performance, just want to get the best I can with whats available...... With the tC, that was a supercharger and exhaust. What can I do to a camry? Does the same S/C fit??

[Netforcer]

you shoulda took out the supercharger and tried to fit it on the camry... would've been the first

nothing out right now except cai and TRD LSD

[jimmy-j]

Originally Posted by Yazovets

the I4 is simply underpowered for this size/weight of car.

that's all in personal opinion. i find that the i4 2az-fe gives a good amount of low end torque for city driving and a decent amount of power for passing on the highways. my only gripe is the long throws and notchy feeling of the shifter.

but let's face it. we're talking about a toyota camry. nothing even remotely close to a sports coupe or anything motorsport related.

back on topic -> if anything, an non-tuned intake will only do 2 of 3 things.

better fuel economy + noise
worse fuel economy + noise
noise

[DanPorges]

Originally Posted by jimmy-j

back on topic -> if anything, an non-tuned intake will only do 2 of 3 things.

better fuel economy + noise
worse fuel economy + noise
noise

Ok, so with that said, is the K&N Typhoon which is specific to this vehicle and powertrain going to be a Tuned intake?? Should it actually increase both power and MPG while adding a little noise??

[jimmy-j]

tuned meaning you'll have to flash your ECU and have it recognize the supposed larger amount of air coming into your intake manifold. what essentially should happen is that the intake should draw in more air and faster and therefore your ECU should spit more fuel to burn since the factory formula has changed and you could potentially be running lean and in turn risk detonation. (it's far fetched and not as extreme but it's along those lines)

after professional tuning of your ECU and timing, your car should - in theory - run more efficiently and yield a hp gain. but keep in mind more air in should also be more air/gas out right? so without upgrading your exhaust side (header, cat, piping and muffler) you'll see virtually no gain (as someone had stated earlier)