some 1zz-fe performance

[BigNazty114]

One of my friends has a 2004 Celica GT that he wants to fix up a bit before he heads out to college. Since he doesn't know too much about cars, he turned to me. I'm a Corolla guy, so I figured I'd turn to help on the Celica forum.
He's driving a 2004 Celica GT, automatic, and has about 80,000. He hasn't done too well in keeping up with tune-up, oil change, etc. (I've chastised him a few times already for this). It is stock, except for some aftermarket wheels, like 17" i believe, I'd have to ask again. He wants to tune his car up and get some more performance from the 1ZZ-FE.

I suggested:
K&N air filter kit (for example, their Typhoon Air filter kit)
Performance Header/Muffler (are DC Sports Headers good?)
Eibach Pro-Kit springs, mild drop of about 1.1" (would his aftermarket wheels affect anything?)

What else can I suggest to him for just a little performance boost, nothing major.

[dakmor]

Weight reduction. You should know that.

Back seat(?), stereo equipment, wheels, airbags(j/k), even engine components like valve head, valve cover, and internals. But that might get pretty pricy unless you get a lighter part that also adds HP and torque along with it being lighter than stock.


He should also upgrade his spark plugs and his wires. That'll help the rest of the mods.

[w203]

Since the car doesn't sound to be properly maintained I would start with that. You can have all the performance parts in the world at your disposal but without a good running motor it will run like crap. Most people start off with the basic bolt ons ie I/H/E (tune it for better results in power and fuel efficiency). Be more specific on what he wants performancewise? DD, autocross, track, etc etc. There are tons more like going NA (pistons, rods, etc) or FI (nitrous, s/c, turbo).

[BigNazty114]

honestly, he just wants a little more power in the engine for picking up speed on the highway, and just well, just a little more pep in the car. First thing he's getting done is a full tune-up (spark plugs, wires, oil change, new belts probably, etc.) I think for now he'll be okay with basic bolt-ons, but maybe in the future just have a little work done on the head and/or valvetrain.

[2way]

Its an auto GT... its supposed to be slow... lol
Intake/Header/Exhaust Go CAI... never mind the drop in
turbo or NOS

[SkillzDoTcoM]

You arent really going to get much performance from a GT engine. but a good place is the exhaust, if you looking for the best exhaust for a celica, try getting the TRD exhaust. Heard the trd exhaust gets the most out of celica.
Then go for the CAI, but it can cause your engine to hydrolock usually happens in places with lots of rain or floods