New to Mods - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Sarstan237 · 01-31-2005, 02:22 AM

I have an '82 Toyota Celica GT in stock condition and I've found that trying to get to freeway speeds is utterly rediculous, not to mention I'm revving way too high I feel. Whatever the case, I'm new to the whole idea of getting parts for my car to make it more powerful, but I'll try my best to make a specific request here.

First, I want to know is it possible to go faster with less RPMs without messing with and/or replacing the engine block and the transmission? I don't exactly feel comfortable having 3kRPM for 70MPH as it is...
Second, are there cheap mods (say less than $100) that will give it a reasonable boost over stock?
Third, is there anything I should really look out for (besides common maintenance) that I should look out for before even thinking of working on the car?

Thanks for any help. And sorry if it sounds real nOObish. More or less though, I am new to this.

fredk · 01-31-2005, 11:01 AM

3k at 70 is about right, if you go lower, your highway acceleration will be zilch, your right at the beginning of the power band for the 22r. these motors have timing chain troubles, they will clatter around at start up and warm idle, if it gets worn, it will get lazy and wear a hole in the timing cover that fills the motor with coolant, is it auto or efi?

fredk · 01-31-2005, 11:03 AM

i am fredk1037 on aim

Sarstan237 · 02-01-2005, 11:48 PM

Alright, now I want to ask about more horsepower. I understand you can take out the weight spring in the distributor. Can someone explain that in detail and in a understandable way of what that effects? I also want to ask if there's anything I can buy that will be relatively cheap (less than $100) to switch out and/or add to my car to give it more HP. I'll again state that it's all stock currently.

EDIT: Another question. I notice that a lot of cars can rev into over 5k RPM and even higher without blowing. What do you change out and adjust to do that? Is it just the engine block itself?

Tommy · 02-02-2005, 11:22 AM

sounds like someone has been driving domestics for a while....Japanese 4cly engines are all about some high revs. 5k isnt much, and 3k at 70mph is right on que. These motors make their power in the high rpm levels.

Sarstan237 · 02-02-2005, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevethecleric

sounds like someone has been driving domestics for a while....Japanese 4cly engines are all about some high revs. 5k isnt much, and 3k at 70mph is right on que. These motors make their power in the high rpm levels.

I've only been driving my Toyota for the last year. My first car. Well, I've driven a '90 Buick Skylarke that has a nasty issue of dying at stops, but past that, it's my Toyota all the way.

So really that makes me have to ask some questions. Do you have any suggestions for more horsepower and also are you saying it'd be safe for me to rev my car up that high into the 5k range and up? I've only ever pushed it to about 4k since I don't want to risk blowing the thing. I'm not positive of it's redline, but the gauge shows redline around 8k. Then again, that's a reading I'm not going to trust too much.

trebor_9513 · 02-02-2005, 02:22 PM

An easy way to recover hp, change wires, plugs, distributor cap, fuel filter, oil, oil filter, air filter and flush out all fluids "correctly". These seem like regular maintanence, and they are, but if these haven't been changed frequently, they will hinder car performance dramatically. I say flush all the fluids, but that's up to you since you should know how clean and how old they are. If you don't changing all your fluids need to be a definite. Also switch to a reusable air filter, like a K&N filter, allows more air through the filter at a higher rate without sacrificing air cleanliness.

Sarstan237 · 02-02-2005, 05:09 PM

That was an idea, but I keep things maintained regularly now (something I didn't do a few months ago). Anyway, I'll try that K&N filter. I need to get a new radiator as the one I have is clogged (not enough to overheat, but it gets pretty hot), so before I go jumping into too much, if anything, I need to do that. I suppose i'm just getting ready as I'll have the radiator in less than two weeks and I want to plan out what i'm going to do to my car.

fredk · 02-02-2005, 05:21 PM

the weight springs control the timing advance as rpms climb, the trick is to get the advance to start as soon as possible without spark knock, this is an old school hot rod trick, nowadays the advance is computer controlled. We uset to put the distributors on a small machine that spins them with an rpm readout and there is a big degree scale and these lites would show up on the scale and you could see what the advance was doing

***MR2Jedi*** · 02-02-2005, 05:44 PM

horsepower is not cheap. if want to see any real gains your gonna have to fork out some cash. but you need to make sure that all systems are go before making any changes. ignition system, cooling, oil should all be in good shape. don't be afarid of the high RPM's. these engines are built to do that.3k to 3500 rpm is normal for 70mph.thats just they way it is.just don't go beyond redline. take trebor_9513 advice and go that route. thats about all you're gonna get for less that $100.00.. and then you're only talkin' about 2 or 3 HP. barely noticable if at all. if you want to see some gains from an intake you will need headers to go with that. then you might see about 10 to 15 HP..these mods can go on and on...that's just the way it is

surplusteve98 · 02-06-2005, 02:38 PM

Hi thought I might offer some advice. we have been racing 22r engines for a while so we know a little about what is available and posiable. the best advice I have herd yet is to make sure every thing is working propper. one thing not mentioned is proper valve adjustment is verry important in a tune up! then lets talk about freeing up the Hp. you have you can start with an underdrive pully kit. this slows down your pully driven components reducing the drag on the engine. an electric fan will get rid of even more drag. this can free up 5-7 hp, once you have done these things you have a good platform to move on from. A hiflo air filter and a free flowing exhaust will make a big improvment maybe another 4-6 hp. I know this dosn't sound like alot but this motor only makes around 100hp stock and if it is out of tune it can drop to 70-80 hp easy. each of these things can be done for under $100. good luck

Sarstan237 · 02-06-2005, 09:21 PM

Now that seems like some good advice to run on right there. I'll check that out. I also have seen home made air flow boxs (or whatever they're called). I remember reading a site designed for 82' Supras, which are almost Celicas and they had demonstrated their box which cooled it down about 20 degrees F. They also mentioned something about 3 degrees is one horsepower when you cool it down more. Is this a good idea and where exactly would I begin for that? Pictures and notes are greatly appreciated.

surplusteve98 · 02-07-2005, 08:01 AM

yes the cooler air is the more O2 it has weather 3degrees = 1hp I don't know, you might look into making a plastic spacer to insulate your carb from the intake manifold, or the plenum if its efi. this will lower the temp of the fuel and the air befor it enters the engine. wraping the exhaust with exhaust tape will also reduce the temp under the hood.
still you should start with a full fledge tune up so you not trying to hot rod a sick engine. all off the things we talked about are ways to free up the stock potential of your engine. I almost forgot if you car still has a cat converter make shure it flows well or replace it with a hi-flow unit that will cost you a little more than $100 but it is a must!!!!