Upgrades - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

YounginDrivein · 09-12-2004, 10:45 AM

Okay, I have a 97' Camry LE and I need to do some type of upgrades, but I haven't the slightest idea of where to start. If you guys/gals have any ideas, please let me know!

Thanks!
Mace

YounginDrivein · 09-12-2004, 10:55 AM

Oh, forgot to mention- I was wondering what the best and safest way to go on getting a few more HP out of my I4 engine, if there is a way?

Thanks!
Mace

CamNub · 09-12-2004, 11:07 AM

Search!!
Best way would be turbo/ sc. But i assume you have no money so i guess a CAI (cold air intake) will have to do.

SmokingTires · 09-12-2004, 11:36 AM

^
CAI stands for "Cold Air Intake". Not "Car Air Intake"

And the quickest way is a Turbo. It's not the best or the safest way.

But like he said, please you the search button at the top of the screen. You should be able to find most anything you need.

***Ne0z31*** · 09-12-2004, 01:19 PM

mike, its cuz he's from minnesota... i think we can look past 'car air intake' just for that reason

Intake/Exhaust/Port&Polish job... do all of the N/A upgrades before you go turbo or SC... and of course, Springs/Struts/Swaybars/Strut Tower Braces/Rims&GOODTires... cant stress the good tires thing enough... lol

CamryPunk · 09-12-2004, 01:50 PM

How much you got to spend? There's money involved.

jwa276 · 09-12-2004, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UfoZ8myCow
And if you dont have the money to do something right, you are better off just leaving it stock than replacing it with a cheap, shitty piece. Good luck man.

very very good words of advice.. geez wonder where my car would be right now if i had followed that

probably running 13s (probably not lol)

jon

CamNub · 09-12-2004, 07:03 PM

Man...You guys suck. I knew what CAI was too. Dunno wtf i was thinkin, i was prolly dazed.

I'd disagree w/ you smokingtires. A supercharger would prolly be best for him. Good power and relitively easy to install. Afterall, its "bolt-on"

YounginDrivein · 09-12-2004, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UfoZ8myCow
1) What are you going for? Looks? Performance? Handling?
2) How much MONEY you got?[/B]

I agree with you totally, if your gonna do something, do it right, and thats what I do... Money is not a problem, money just means the amout of time I have to wait (save) before I can get what I need.. and Im mainly looking into peformance and looks...

Thanks for the replys!
Mace

CamryPunk · 09-13-2004, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jwa276
very very good words of advice.. geez wonder where my car would be right now if i had followed that probably running 13s (probably not lol)

jon

Remember who taught you to buy the good stuff, Jon.

SmokingTires · 09-13-2004, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CamNub
Man...You guys suck. I knew what CAI was too. Dunno wtf i was thinkin, i was prolly dazed.

I'd disagree w/ you smokingtires. A supercharger would prolly be best for him. Good power and relitively easy to install. Afterall, its "bolt-on"

If by easy you mean 6 hours by a professional, then yes, it's easy (Ask Phi if you don't believe me).

If anyone even considers themselve serious about making a good car, boost is the last step.

*And I never mentioned S/C. I talked about turbos

jwa276 · 09-13-2004, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CamryPunk
Remember who taught you to buy the good stuff, Jon.

haha, so true man- yukio, thank god you saved me from being a ricer

youngin--
i would suggest some nice bolt on's to get things started- and go from there... if you are young (which judging by your s/n you are) i dont really think forced induction should be brought into the picture until you have a few solid years of driving under your belt. just have fun man! thats what its all about

jon

MadDawg · 09-13-2004, 09:05 PM

the problem with bolting on a SC onto a stock engine, is that it puts alot of strain on the engine, which means it will, probably not even last half as long as it could without it, if i was in his situation, i would custom modify a cold air intake system, with a k&n air filter, buy some fiberglass exhaust wraps for the exhaust headers, better spark plugs/wires etc. then an exhuast system (not the cheap rice exhaust system we find on about every single honda civic now adays).

Luc · 09-13-2004, 09:41 PM

The excessive strain on the engine is caused by improper tuning and/or using stock internals. I added the TRD S/C to my Gen4 at 34k miles, now at over 55k miles, there are no inherent problems, since it's still under the stock conditions.

Quote:

Originally posted by CamNub
I'd disagree w/ you smokingtires. A supercharger would prolly be best for him. Good power and relitively easy to install. Afterall, its "bolt-on"

It took about 10 hours for my friend and I (mainly) to put it in. It's not "relatively easy" because it's a bolt-on. Is changing suspension "relatively easy" also, since it's only a swap? If you've actually spent the time working on the car, don't make assumptions about something you don't know.

amerikim · 09-13-2004, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by YounginDrivein
Oh, forgot to mention- I was wondering what the best and safest way to go on getting a few more HP out of my I4 engine, if there is a way?

Thanks!
Mace

Get a Full service to bring your car up to its full potential, including a tran flush. You need a good base before you start hacking away.

I am not a fan of CAIs (yet), so a good airfilter (K&Ns), plugs, your favorite injector cleaner (seafoam?) and you are a few hundred bucks poorer. A good, clean running engine is the place to start.

If you still want to talk mods after this...as you can see, we have many versions of techs here that will love to assist.

Also look into wheels/tires and suspension. You would be surprised at how much better you would like your car if it looked good and handled too.

But that is just my opinion.