I'd start with making sure the base is good. Go through the engine, tune up (maybe performance items) fluids and such. Make sure you have a solid base to build on.

Welcome !


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The fact that you have a manual is a big plus to start with and puts you ahead of the rest of us with auto trans. So you don't have unrealistic expectations these engines are not tire burning powerhouses. They were designed for longevity and economy. About once a week a new member joins (welcome by the way) looking for mods for the 4cyls.
Do a good complete tune up as recommended by 95cam and be sure to change the TB if it is due. A worn stretched belt will negatively effect your performance.
W95c

 

I'll tell you like the same thing I've read all over this forum our 5s isn't a good platform for power blah blah blah. So I recommend doing suspension and Stuff and brake upgrades. I'll tell you that suspension mods will really change the way it rides and is really worth it. But if you really want to do power stuff You can do an intake and header. you can buy the Obx exhaust system right off eBay

 

Trade your Camry for a V6 (1MFE). Better start platform.

 

If I could I would have bought a new Camry with a 2gr , those cars are crazy fun
But sadly there is no M/T option :frown: that's a deal breaker for me

 

Well I'd like to have gotten something newer but whatever my first yota and what companies sell the header and intake and what suspension upgrades would you recommend and what company is don't want a fire breathing monster but I don't want a grandpa mobile either thanks

 

Well depending on how old you suspension components are you could replace worn bushings and stuff like struts . But a company named whiteline still makes swaybars for your gen4 or if your really obsessed with the TRD name like me you can try to find the TRD sway bar. I'm not sure about struts for your gen. I own a gen3 but most of our components swap over so you can look at kyb for struts/ shock inserts. And as far as brakes you can look up big brake for gen3/4. All of this info is around here somewhere. But like I said OBX exhaust on eBay. But as fas as real power I heard you can get higher lift camshaft but I've been looking into that and I think the (webcams inc) cams are way to high like $900, to be worth it . But really enjoy/ love you Camry it's a reliable car and don't let people dissing it bother you. good luck and welcome the the Camry family:thumbsup:

 

And the belt was replaced about 20k ago

 

The best thing you can do to the 2.2L is make sure it doesn't leak oil (oil pump housing and the seal can fail causing a very bad oil leak!) and all maintenance is done. Sounds like you got that taken care of. Check all the motor mounts for excessive wear, transmission fluid (and diff!), brake fluid drain/refill/bleed and drain/refill power steering (dextron) as well. These 2.2L are very reliable and quite easy to work on. Power wise they are ok when compared to modern cars, but the 4speed automatic makes it sluggish from a stop. The only way to make these 2.2L shine a bit is by swapping out the automatic with an manual. You can Turbo, but as what other have said: you can pick 2 of the 3....cheap, fast, reliable.

I'll +1 on the suspension. Having a 'sporty' suspension setup on my '98 V6 makes the car feel very agile and a whole new beast. As far as I know, they don't make Tokicos (I can't find them), so I stuck with KYB and Eibach Springs. I have a TRD RSB and some aftermarket strut brace in front. If your still on original suspension and at higher mileage, get that done first! No sense in doing engine mods if your car is clunking around like a boat with the alignment out of wack.

 

There's a reason 'king' put an exclamation point after DIFF. unfortunately, this is one part that either some people don't know about or don't care about but rest assured they will fail if you run them without changing the fluid in them when you do the trans pan drop and filter changes. the diff needs to be drained (and i think refilled) separately on your car afaik.
regardless, make sure that's on your to-do list for sure as transmissions ain't cheap
tony

 

Yep, It's only for the 5SFE 2.2L transmission. The 1MZFE Transmission, the diff and transmission fluid is the same IIRC.

 

btw, i use redline trans fluid in my 5 speed trans. shifts great.

 

randybill, "auto cars diff and trans fluid is separate" is news to me. i've had 3 v6 auto's and 1 i4 auto and although the diff drains separately, they ALL filled via the trans fill tube. maybe i'm misunderstanding what you're saying?

that's why i always recommend getting a haynes and owners manual (and familiarizing yourself with them) first off when doing DIY, so you know this stuff about your individual car and don't do something like drain a diff and assume it will be filled by the transmission and burn it out or drain the diff and then realize the diff fill plug won't come out.

tony

 

my auto trans had a drain and a fill for the diff. completely separate from the transmission fluid.

 

OK so scrap the idea of motor work I think instead I'll go with what you guys have suggested change the suspension maybe lower it an inch or a bit more and change the rims cause she does have high miles 255k on it but the timing belt was done 20k ago according to the previous owner but thanks guys you folks are so much more helpful than the other forums I have been apart of

 

Very mature decision on your part. If you start dogging an engine with 225K you quite possible could end up with metal shaving in your oil and low oil pressure. :crying: Most after market bolt ons just don't deliver on power or performance. As I realistically stated earlier, a small percentage of 130hp is a very small gain and not worth the investment. And do not remove the catalytic converter since it is a Federal crime. Depending on the state you live in, you could fail inspection if it is required for your plates.
I still don't think that you realize how lucky you are to have the manual trans. Changing the auto for a manual used to the the first thing members did to actually gain better performance. They are getting more rare to find.
W95c

 

I'm sure you got this car on a budget instead of intentions of rebuilding this to a brand new show floor car.


Cheap mods to unlock a little power:

• 5SFE OBX headers for gen4
• Clean Throttle Body
• eBay free flow muffler + 2.5 pipe. (You can remove the cat or resonator but it will sound ricey, it has a nice tone with both in place)
• Weapon-R Dragon Cold Air Intake / may lose torque but can hold longer rpm in shifts
• Strip Weight


But as the retirement community has mentioned get it into shape first then launch it, otherwise your in a swap wait like me.


Also regardless what everyone says here the exhaust note on a 5SFE is amazing, naturally aspirated of course.

 

"auto trans had a drain and a fill for the diff. completely separate from the transmission fluid"
yes, we all have diff drains and many of us have diff fill plugs too, but just because there are 2 plugs, don't assume that filling via the trans tube WON'T drain over into the diff also.

like i've said many times, get a haynes or fsm or other reputable service manual for your car and read it and it will tell you how to properly drain and fill the trans and diff.

and if you're still curious if one is connected to the other, put her on ramps, drain the diff and trans, then plug the trans but not the diff drain plug and begin filling through the trans tube. if it drains out the diff drain, then you know they are connected.

i wish they were totally separate on mine and i'd use 90w gear oil and make my diff last longer but alas, i can't!
tony

 

Ooops, didn't see he had the 5spd. It's quite uncommon, so we all assume automatics lol.

You got a kind of rare Camry. the 5spd was not a common option. They were usually always found on the 'CE' trim. If you got an LE 5spd, then it was probably special ordered from the kentucky plant.

 

It's a ce and I'm in Canada so they don't do emissions testing up here but some stuff came up the car may not be on the road for a while fuckin government

 

I'm also Canadian and managed to find a 5-speed 5S CE. Everything works great except the engine does use some oil. Mine has 417,000 kms. I did recently get dinged at safety inspection because of my manual steering setup and gas tank (leaks if I fill it above 3/4, never bothered me though). I'm thinking at some point of putting on a Thrush Welded muffler, I had one on my 4-cylinder 4Runner and it sounded nice but not too loud. More into making it a reliable longterm commuter than a powerhouse, I bought the 4-cyl for a reason. And it's pretty quick with the 5-speed IMO

 

Lol nice rally lights. It better be quick, my 5-speed car has 67 horsepower and a very tall first gear (to 32 MPH), 130 HP on yours is no joke

 

Yeah it's faster than my 2.7L 4Runner was anyway. Now I just gotta figure out what to do with my leaky gas tank