New to the car scene, could use some advice, help.
Hi all, first post here so please don't flame or hate.
Anyways, I've been looking around this forum and other corolla forums for small things I can do for my car, 01 corolla auto, stock. I'm not really into increasing horsepower, since I can tell from opinion over several boards that that isn't going to happen unless I drop the cash for a turbo, supercharger, or engine swap.
That said, I figure if anything I want to find a way to increase the efficiency (if that's possible, I know some would say otherwise) and gas mileage of my car. Now, I've read people suggesting CAIs, SRIs, exhausts, etc. etc. help achieve those goals. However, I've also read some people say not to even bother. My questions with regard to this are do those accessories really do the things some people say they do? Or more to the point, are the gains (if any) justify putting the money in for those things?
If not, then I guess I might do what some people suggested; namely improve the suspension and such. Yet, I've even seen the opinion of some on the corolla boards that almost hint that even THAT isn't worth my time and money.
So what it comes down to is me being really confused as to what is worth it or not worth it. I mean, ideally, I want all those things; better mileage, improved handling, and "extra" efficiency. But if the costs outweigh the benefits then I guess I won't touch anything on my car at all, except maybe using a different air filter.
Anyways, thanks for any help and time you guys offer.
Hi ScottSummers,
On something as late as an '01, I'm going to hazard the guess that all the work has been done by the manufacturer to get it efficient.
Probably the only cost effective thing to do is change you driving habits.
__________________ Corolla, don't leave home without it.
So what it comes down to is me being really confused as to what is worth it or not worth it. I mean, ideally, I want all those things; better mileage, improved handling, and "extra" efficiency.
Buy a bicycle, theres not much you can do anymore to increase efficiency and mileage, except not drive it.
lol yeah.. if anything, modding the car will DECREASE efficiency and fuel economy, not increase it. Think about it:
You lower the car and upgrade the struts to some nice sporty ones, and now the car looks cool and all and it handles like a train on rails, but everytime you go over a speedbump you bottom out and your ride quality is now non-existant.
You put a muffler on the car and sure you gained 2hp but now your neighbour hates you because your car is loud and the cops keep pulling you over to give you noise warnings/tickets.
Add a CAI or an SRI to the mix and now your HP increased another 2hp BUT your mileage has decreased noticeably.
Add a supercharger or turbo and now you got yourself a nice fast car after the 50-100hp increase, BUT now you cannot seem to put the word "economy" after the word "fuel" and you keep getting pulled over for racing or speeding.
No matter what you do, you always win or lose in more than 1 way.. depends which way you see it.
hell, keep changing the oil and filter with something good and keep a decent air filter in there, use at least the grade of gas it calls for. Like the other guy said, with something that new its probably as efficient as it can be.
Mine is a 97 DX and I'm getting 32 mpg (75% highway) I'm betting you get that or better already. The only thing I've seen get better gas mileage is my wife's diesel Jetta.
I dought there is much ways to improve gas milage unless you swap in a geo metro 3 cyl which wouldn't even be worth it, the best way to KEEP all that you want is to leave it stock and maintain it, but their are things to do if you want to mod it like audio related stuff and what not and some nice rims if you want you could lower it a bit without botteming out on speed bumps probably not sure how low your car is though.
Add a supercharger or turbo and now you got yourself a nice fast car after the 50-100hp increase, BUT now you cannot seem to put the word "economy" after the word "fuel" and you keep getting pulled over for racing or speeding.
Well... theoretically it does increase the efficiency of the engine, however with added air you need added fuel so yeah economy flies out the window.
Hey, thanks for the welcome everyone. Also thank you for your opinions.
I knew that doing those types of modifications or if you want to pull it back further, any modifications, are a matter of preference. But from what I gather of the opinions it seems like those light engine modifications are truly a matter of preference. What I mean by that is that, the majority of you are saying not to do it; yet there are people that are still doing it.
I guess that begs the question from me that if those modifications don't do much compared to turboing, supercharging, or engine swapping, then why do some people do them at all?
Also, I take it from Evil Corolla S that modifying the suspension and such would be a good thing or rather something that would be worth doing if I were to do anything at all? And if all else a good air filter?
Again, thanks for your help everyone.
Last edited by ScottSummers; 02-14-2006 at 02:21 PM.
Hey, thanks for the welcome everyone. Also thank you for your opinions.
I knew that doing those types of modifications or if you want to pull it back further, any modifications, are a matter of preference. But from what I gather of the opinions it seems like those light engine modifications are truly a matter of preference. What I mean by that is that, the majority of you are saying not to do it; yet there are people that are still doing it.
I guess that begs the question from me that if those modifications don't do much compared to turboing, supercharging, or engine swapping, then why do some people do them at all?
Also, I take it from Evil Corolla S that modifying the suspension and such would be a good thing or rather something that would be worth doing if I were to do anything at all? And if all else a good air filter?
Again, thanks for your help everyone.
Nobody said don't do it.. we're just saying don't complain about the disadvantages.
I'd say go with suspension and an SRI, maybe exhaust. It'll be worth it in the long run.
I guess that begs the question from me that if those modifications don't do much compared to turboing, supercharging, or engine swapping, then why do some people do them at all?
Because people are stupid? Seriously, its because magazines market them and kids think its an EASY and CHEAP way to get power... oh well... its their loss.
Nobody said don't do it.. we're just saying don't complain about the disadvantages.
I'd say go with suspension and an SRI, maybe exhaust. It'll be worth it in the long run.
Nah, I wouldn't complain. I mean I understand there are things that have to be lost in order to get gains elsewhere. I guess in some ways I just want to have that peace of mind if I do any kind of mods that, I did something that would indeed benefit my car in the long run.
Again, thanks for your help everyone. I guess now I just want to know that aside from the suggestions already listed, do any other modifications come to mind that would be good for my car in the long run? Like, do I need to worry or consider junk like a lighter pulley, new disc rotors, or like a rear disc brake conversion?
Thanks again all. I'm gonna check out what options i have on the things Ren and Evil Corolla have suggested.
You seem to have a strange approch to modding your car.
The way I look at it is, "what don't i like about my car?" and go from there.
This will be different for everone, but if you figure out what you want to change and why.
You will get the best value form money.
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