5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Hello from New Camry 08 LE V6 Owner - with some questions
First of all, hi everybody. My name is Wilson, I'm a proud new owner of a Brand New Camry 08 LE V6, purchased it yesterday 12/31/07 from Longo Toyota. It's base V6 model, with only alarm package installed. Paid $21,778 (with $500 Camry and $400 Grad-rebate) out the door, don't know if it's a good price, but oh well ...
I used to own a Mitsubishi Eclipse 96, and it has been a disaster. Spent way too much fixing it. Decided that since I graduated, I need a new job, a new place to stay at, a new phone, and of course a new car. Need something reliable that could last me a while, that's why I went the Toyota Camry's way ...
Test drove all 3 different specs, 2.4L I4 Manual, 2.4L I4 Auto, 3.5L Auto. 2.4L Auto was boring, the 2.4L was overall a better choice for me, till I test drove the 3.5L, and it totally blew me off with the amount of accelleration from the HP, the only sad thing was that it didn't have a manual transmission with it. Anyway, I jumped on that deal already, so nothing to be sad about. I'm quite happy as this is my first new car I've purchased and owned, and hopefully it won't give me any problems like the Mitsubishi gave me, and I swore that I'd never touch a Mitsubishi ever again in my life.
The reason I purchased the LE trim V6 base without option is because I wanted the engine, and others I'll upgrade slowly as I earn and save up more money. I don't know how true it is, but one of the technician at Longo Toyota of El Monte, CA, the biggest Toyota dealership in the world, told me that the 3.5L V6 engine in the Camry's are the same as the ones in the Lexus IS350, which is one of the car I really spent a lot of time considering buying. In the end, I didn't purchase the IS350 because it costs 20k more, it's a smaller car, not as comfortable, and I thought $20k for a L over a Circle, and some really sweet interior design doesn't justify it's price, that's why I jumped on the Camry deal. So I was curious and asked why IS350 produced 300HP, and Camry only 268HP, he told me it's because Camry's are heavier, and the ECU limited the acceleration on Camry to make it more of a comfortable family sedan, instead of the IS350 sporty car, and that if they make a Toyota as good as Lexus and at half the price, noone would purchase a Lexus. He said I can replace the ECU and I could easily hit 300HP, or even higher with some help of drop-in air-filters and muffler/exhaust.
Now, my question is, how true is the technician?
Coming from an Eclipse, which was a fun car to drive, but a troublesome car to maintain, I'd love to have a really nice car that I could mod.
What's the best and easiest way to boost HP (as close to 300HP or above) without having me dig a hole in my pocket and spend a fortune? I was thinking of a K&N air-filter as my first mod, then maybe 19/20" wheels/rims for look, but I don't know which would fit better, and how would it affect my ride? Anyone know how much HP I'd gain from a drop-in air-filter change? How will it affect the overall performance, warranty, fuel consumption, etc. ? For looks, after the wheels/rims, I'm thinking of changing over to HID headlights, and body kits, etc. Any recommendations and how much they cost?
I hope I'll be accepted in this community as I'm a Toyota owner now, I'm very sure that I'll be around for a while. I'm gonna seek help for now, and once I gain my experience, I'll be here to contribute back to the community.
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Toyotas. Nope, they're not perfect machines, but far better than where you have come from, despite the occasional flaws.
To answer your engine question, your car has the 2GR-FE 3.5L V-6. This engine is a very close relative of the engine found in the Lexus IS-350 and GS-350 cars, that one being the 2GR-FSE. Though very similar members of the GR block family, they are calibrated differently for their different "missions" and of course, have physical differences reflecting the lateral front drive installation for the Camry and the "North-South" rear-drive install in the Lexus. We have one in my wife's 07 Avalon, and it is a very nice engine. Incidentally, the first in the series, the 1GR is the 4.0L V-6 found in the trucks (4Runner, Taco), whereas the later versions appear in other Lexi (the 2.5L V-6 and short-lived GS 3.0L are family members as well).
I'd recommend that you get to know the car before you worry about boosting hp. Keeping this in perspective, you're talking about a Camry that's beginning to approach 300hp, which just a few short years ago would have sounded utterly absurd. IMO, money spent in this area would be giving you back very little gain that you could actually use in the real world.
welcome... if you want 300HP, you have to ditch the 19/20" and get 17 or 18" lightweight rims... sri is a good start but u'll need more than that to get over the 300HP mark... pulleys, header, exhaust will help as well, but none out yet.. pulleys and header never probably will
First of all, hi everybody. My name is Wilson, I'm a proud new owner of a Brand New Camry 08 LE V6, purchased it yesterday 12/31/07 from Longo Toyota. It's base V6 model, with only alarm package installed. Paid $12,778 (with $500 Camry and $400 Grad-rebate) out the door, don't know if it's a good price, but oh well ...
You supposedly got a Camry for $13000 less its MSRP sticker price? Even with my buddy's TMS corporate hookup I didn't get such a great deal...typo or BS? I'm leaning toward BS.
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Toyota Camry SE 3.5L V6...sold!
maybe the OP also traded in his old car that he may have failed to mention.
like what others have said, stick with the basic mods first as there are no other alternatives to gain power yet. short ram intake, then go custom for headers and exhaust. getting close to the 300hp mark will be a lot easier if you help your car breathe and fart better
maybe the OP also traded in his old car that he may have failed to mention.
like what others have said, stick with the basic mods first as there are no other alternatives to gain power yet. short ram intake, then go custom for headers and exhaust. getting close to the 300hp mark will be a lot easier if you help your car breathe and fart better
Even with an old Eclipse to trade in $13000 out the door is a great deal.
In any case just because Toyota states 268HP for the V6, it doesn't get close to that at the wheels. So is getting to the 300 mark some psychological ego boost, or does the original poster actually want 300HP?
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Toyota Camry SE 3.5L V6...sold!
Even with an old Eclipse to trade in $13000 out the door is a great deal.
In any case just because Toyota states 268HP for the V6, it doesn't get close to that at the wheels. So is getting to the 300 mark some psychological ego boost, or does the original poster actually want 300HP?
The real question is, why? What does it get you? Let's say you could guarantee 300WHP for $2k. What makes it worthwhile to do it?
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The real question is, why? What does it get you? Let's say you could guarantee 300WHP for $2k. What makes it worthwhile to do it?
It's their own car, why would you (or I) care? If Wilson wants to get to 300HP, I'd laugh at the thought, then say good luck to his futile attempt. As long as it's not my own car I can care less.
I think it's his need to drive something close to the IS350 he didn't (or couldn't) get. Much like how njerald badges his Camry a Lexus. He needs the ego boost .
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Toyota Camry SE 3.5L V6...sold!
The real question is, why? What does it get you? Let's say you could guarantee 300WHP for $2k. What makes it worthwhile to do it?
Why ditching a newcomer? Some like appearance which add no value in day to day driving (I am one of them as well) and some like to play around with HP (which is my choice for my next set of mod's). Who cares as long as he has some fun with it.
The price is probably simply a typo, might be 22k instead or something like it. And yes, I considered Lexus, MB, and others as well and came back to practicality and value and decided for a full equipped Toyota. So, don't dis him just because he was thinking of an IS350 (indeed too small in my mind)
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