2005 Corolla XRS -- UPGRADES?!?!

[Cman46290]

I am buying a 2005 Corolla XRS today and was just wondering from someone who knows a little more than i do about this vehicle.... what are some good performance upgrades that i can buy that arent too expensive but still worth buying?? Intakes/Exhaust/Header/Short shifters? etc....

Anyone have any good luck with anything in particular? Anything that i should avoid buying? Anything that i should be buying RIGHT AWAY??

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.... THANKS in advance!

[PhatRoyale]

You should definitely look at getting Hydra EMS or an APEXi Power FC unit for your XRS, it gives you the option of lowering the lift engagement point to around 5500-5800rpms, making it easier to land in lift after shifting.

It will compliment any of your mods nicely, but IMO, this is the most important one.

Congrats on deciding on a 9th gen XRS, it's a great car with plenty of aftermarket options available!

[silver04rollas]

Here are some options to make lots of power gains:

Start with basic one's first like cold air intake, exhaust and then race header etc..

Injen cold air intake
PPE race header
Exhaust systems (magnaflow, greddy etc.)
Racing lightweight flywheel/aftermarket clutch (Fidanza 7.5 lbs)

Upcoming: Boosted 2.0 intake manifold (surprisingly 23 wheel HP increase at dyno)

Like Phat mentioned, engine management system like Apexi PFC (you will need to purchase custom Corolla XRS harness from redliner9k) or hydra EMS to tune lift across the rev range.

All of these mods have dyno proven to make an additional 40 - 45 wheel HP (55 - 60 HP@crank). The upcoming intake manifold will make it possible for 2ZZ to put down 225 - 230 wheel HP (260 - 270 hp@crank) with just bolt ons and tune alone.

[Cman46290]

Awesome.... ill definitely look into getting some bolt ons soon after i get the car.... any of that stuff void the factory 6yr/60k warranty?

[defeatdefeat]

I don't mean to hi-jack this thread, but it seemed like the best place to ask this instead of starting a new thread...

I just got an 06 XRS (w/ only 17K miles!) 5 days ago and I absolutely love it! I need to replace the cd head unit, because I have the 6 cd changer right now but no mp3/ipod capabilities. I checked bestbuy.com and the website said that none of their decks fit the 06 corolla, so I was wondering if anyone could recommed a new cd head unit? Thanks!

[silver04rollas]

Originally Posted by defeatdefeat

I don't mean to hi-jack this thread, but it seemed like the best place to ask this instead of starting a new thread...

I just got an 06 XRS (w/ only 17K miles!) 5 days ago and I absolutely love it! I need to replace the cd head unit, because I have the 6 cd changer right now but no mp3/ipod capabilities. I checked bestbuy.com and the website said that none of their decks fit the 06 corolla, so I was wondering if anyone could recommed a new cd head unit? Thanks!

Cannot be of much help. Stock stereo system FTW!

[PhatRoyale]

check out crutchfield and goto "outfit my car" and you'll see your options.

The 9th gen Corolla uses a double-din setup.

[Cman46290]

Ok so if i wanted to go ahead and buy a Injen CAI for my 05 XRS.... where should i get it from? Anyone know a site or place with more low end prices?? Any help would be great... thanks....

[FAHQ]

A nice double din deck to replace the factory deck would be the following:
Kenwood DNX8120.

Note you will need to also find a double din deck adaptor plate for any aftermarket deck you install.
Which you can find cheap all over ebay.

regards.

[silver04rollas]

Originally Posted by Cman46290

Ok so if i wanted to go ahead and buy a Injen CAI for my 05 XRS.... where should i get it from? Anyone know a site or place with more low end prices?? Any help would be great... thanks....

Starting with Injen intake is a great idea.

Check out ptuning webpage. They always have great prices and deals on.

Remember, 2004 Matrix XRS Injen intake fits Corolla XRS as well (I have 04 Matrix XRS on mine).

[defeatdefeat]

Originally Posted by PhatRoyale

check out crutchfield and goto "outfit my car" and you'll see your options.

The 9th gen Corolla uses a double-din setup.

Perfect, thanks! I'm kinda leaning toward a single-din head unit right now because of money issues and just using a double-din adapter plate. Is there any reason I shouldn't do that?

I'd get that Kenwood DNX8120 in a heartbeat if it wasn't so expensive.

[r0lla5XRS]

Originally Posted by silver04rollas

Here are some options to make lots of power gains:

Start with basic one's first like cold air intake, exhaust and then race header etc..

Injen cold air intake
PPE race header
Exhaust systems (magnaflow, greddy etc.)
Racing lightweight flywheel/aftermarket clutch (Fidanza 7.5 lbs)

Upcoming: Boosted 2.0 intake manifold (surprisingly 23 wheel HP increase at dyno)

Like Phat mentioned, engine management system like Apexi PFC (you will need to purchase custom Corolla XRS harness from redliner9k) or hydra EMS to tune lift across the rev range.

All of these mods have dyno proven to make an additional 40 - 45 wheel HP (55 - 60 HP@crank). The upcoming intake manifold will make it possible for 2ZZ to put down 225 - 230 wheel HP (260 - 270 hp@crank) with just bolt ons and tune alone.

If you're going to get e-manage, you might as well get the PPE cold air intake and forget about the injen. and the boosted 2.0 intake manifold, you'll need to get a Q45 throttle body to get the most out of that intake, and then PPE headersas stated above, exhaust, you got yourself a beast of a car.

[defeatdefeat]

Originally Posted by r0lla5XRS

If you're going to get e-manage, you might as well get the PPE cold air intake and forget about the injen. and the boosted 2.0 intake manifold, you'll need to get a Q45 throttle body to get the most out of that intake, and then PPE headersas stated above, exhaust, you got yourself a beast of a car.

I'm a total n00b when it comes to cars. My car before my 06 SRX was a 02 Hyundai Accent. Now that I have a car worth working on, I want to perform at least minor upgrades/improvements... With that said I've got a couple questions...

How would adding all that HP effect gas mileage?
Where should I start? As in, which upgrade would you perform first, and second, where should I start just as far as educating myself about this kinda stuff?

I'm pretty much clueless. Thanks in advance!

[silver04rollas]

Originally Posted by defeatdefeat

How would adding all that HP effect gas mileage?
Where should I start? As in, which upgrade would you perform first, and second, where should I start just as far as educating myself about this kinda stuff?

I'm pretty much clueless. Thanks in advance!

Your gas mileage will not change much if you keep the revs below 5000 rpm. If you rev from 6000 - 8400 rpm frequently and get into lift, it will be guzzling gas mile a V8 with all those mods.

I already feel it if I hit lift very frequently where my gas mileage goes down the drain and I have basic bolt-ons like exhaust and intake, really wide and light wheels and lower profile tires.

If I drive very conservatively and never rev over 5000 rpm, I can squeeze out very good gas mileage to the tune of almost 600 KM per 50 liters (in a tank).

[Cman46290]

Ya i just drove my new XRS to Marshalltown Iowa over this weekend from St. Louis... and i have all stock.... no mods at all yet...(just bought my car a week ago) .... and i got 350miles outta my tank.... and still had 2 gallons remaining when i filled up. I wasnt driving all crazy though.... and staying away from lifting very much.... just cruise control and relaxing ... thing gets baller gas mileage.