[xnickkkkx]

Hey guys,

I'm new here. I've been building Hondas for the past two years, and now I'm moving on until I can get a good paying job. I have an '88 Honda Civic that I got in horrible shape, and I built it up and fixed the major problems on my own- with help from my dad. I did a transmission swap, rebuilt and swapped an engine, did some body work, and lots of routine maintenance.

The car was taking up too much time and money, breaking my bank and my parent's. So, after a lot of thought and heartache, I decided to move on and get something newer.

And that's how I ended up with my '99 Camry. I have no idea how to do ANYTHING to a Camry, no idea what are good parts, the basics. I mean, I know how to do the main things, you know, but I have absolutely no idea about the engine, transmission, suspension, etc.

But, I'm rambling about that. Basically, it's a '99 Camry LE, V6, five speed. It's a pretty nice car, I like it. I have noticed a huge power increase over my Civic, but I'm mainly looking for a reliable car.

Last week, I wrecked it though. A guy pulled out in front of meet, stopped, and I would have killed him if I hit him. So, I opted to ram the median, spun out, and hit another curb. Destroyed my whole front and rear suspension, but I just managed to get all the parts to fix it!

Here are some pictures, and after the pictures I'll give you guys my list of plans.

AND a picture of the damage from my wreck:

Bent subframe, destroyed my sway bars, and the strut. The front end is all back together though, which is a huge weight off my shoulders.

Now for my plans for you guys.

-White paint
-Volk TE37 (18 or 19 in.)
-Kumho tires
-Leather interior
-Eibach drop springs
-0.6" camber kit
-Injen short ram
-Injen muffler
-20% tint
-Roof rack
-Wind deflectors
-JDM tow hook
-Front lip
-OEM Headlights with projector lights- black
-Fog lights
-Side markers
-Wink mirror
-Kicker L7 12" sub
-Stage 2 clutch
-Emblem delete
-Short throw shifter
-Painted valve covers
-OBX headers
-Wire tuck

And I have a whole lot of other pictures of the car, but I didn't know if you guys were picture whores like I am and the guys from d-series (the honda site) are. These pictures are all after the wreck, and the car is still 100% stock.

I'll be asking you guys for help later on, when I start looking for doing any kind of swap, exterior parts, or any good brand parts.

So thanks for checking my car out, and subscribe so you can stay updated!

 

[2wickedtoyz]

Nice find v6 5speeds aren't a normal thing. there are some things that can be done.

Suspension:
Tokico blues
H&R sprinngs
Whiteline sway bars
UR brace
Strut tower bar

Engine:
OBX headers
TRD supercharger or GLP supercharger
tourque rod from ASG14
poly eurathane motor mounts

Brakes:
Contact ASG14

 

[xnickkkkx]

Nice find v6 5speeds aren't a normal thing. there are some things that can be done.

Suspension:
Tokico blues
H&R sprinngs
Whiteline sway bars
UR brace
Strut tower bar

Engine:
OBX headers
TRD supercharger or GLP supercharger
tourque rod from ASG14
poly eurathane motor mounts

Brakes:
Contact ASG14

Thanks man! I figured it was pretty rare, because it was the first time I've ever seen one.

The H&R springs give roughly how much of a drop? I'm looking for a 2.5" or 3" drop. Buuuut, if I run the 19x8.5" Volks, do you think I would have rubbing issues? I def want a set of big rims so I can tuck tire. I'm also looking for some really stiff springs. I'm not sure of the spring ratio on the Camry, but I know for my Civic I was looking at some 775lb/front and 685lb/rear.

I'm glad to know TRD makes stuff for the Camry. I've been trying to navigate their site, but I'm not sure how to... If I go down to the Toyota dealership, can I order TRD parts? Or do I need to go by the site?

Do you know of any good sites that is like a compilation of parts? Because I've been looking on carid, andy's auto parts, weksos, basically all the places that have a lot for the Civic. I'm somewhat discouraged when I can't find a site and just spend around $800 and get more than one part so I can bundle the shipping.

 

[Rapeacivic]

Thanks man! I figured it was pretty rare, because it was the first time I've ever seen one.

The H&R springs give roughly how much of a drop? I'm looking for a 2.5" or 3" drop. Buuuut, if I run the 19x8.5" Volks, do you think I would have rubbing issues? I def want a set of big rims so I can tuck tire. I'm also looking for some really stiff springs. I'm not sure of the spring ratio on the Camry, but I know for my Civic I was looking at some 775lb/front and 685lb/rear.

I'm glad to know TRD makes stuff for the Camry. I've been trying to navigate their site, but I'm not sure how to... If I go down to the Toyota dealership, can I order TRD parts? Or do I need to go by the site?

Do you know of any good sites that is like a compilation of parts? Because I've been looking on carid, andy's auto parts, weksos, basically all the places that have a lot for the Civic. I'm somewhat discouraged when I can't find a site and just spend around $800 and get more than one part so I can bundle the shipping.

If you are looking for that much of a drop go with coilovers. K Sport, D2, and Tein make coilovers for your car. Trd parts you are probably going to have to buy used, contact ASG14 as he can probably help locate the things you are looking for.

 

[xnickkkkx]

I was really looking into the Tein or Eibach, but I wasn't completely sure which ones would provide a nice, stiff ride. I'm looking for a little stiffer than stock, by like 40%, and super stiff in turns so I get no roll. Alright man, once I get some money saved up for the car, I'll get ahold of him. Thanks man.

 

[BLUEMEANIE]

H&R springs, Tokico struts and the front and rear Whitelins sway bars will make your car handle like its on rails.

...tho if you want "Hellaflush" you gotta go w coilovers to get the drop right.

 

[xnickkkkx]

Just a quick update:

I got the car back on the road. I had to put in a new driver side axle, strut, control arm, spindle- basically the entire suspension. The back end required an entire swap, so my dad and I converted the drum brake I got over to disc, and I've having issues with the vacuum plate rubbing on the rotor (I think) and so I'm getting a little noise. My sway bar is still snapped, so I just kind of hung it back up with some metal, which is giving some more noise.

On the bright side, I've got Tokico Blue struts in the mail, a new rear sway bar, and on Friday I'll be doing the Home Depot lip. Next up is either an Injen muffler or the Skunk2 MegaPower that I'll modify to fit. When I get the money, I'll have some nice Eibach drop springs in the mail and a camber kit with the check after that.

And then I'll have some TSW Interlagos (19x8) getting shipped and prepped for a bronze powder coat. I'm extremely excited to finally get this car in the shape I've been wanting since the day I drove it off the lot!

And tomorrow I'll have some new pictures up of the car from my shoot over the weekend!

 

[bigbird]

Nice plans, and good choice in ride. Not gonna get much of a hellaflush look with eibach springs though. they don't drop much at all, you'll need coil overs.

Mods should move this to gen3&4 where the other "stance" guys hang out and could contribute.

 

['_']

Definitely need coilovers. I've had Eibachs before and they barely lowered the car. You should also stick with the TE37's like you originally planned haha.

 

[BLUEMEANIE]

19x8 and what offset? 8" is pretty narrow for the hellaflush look even with a crazy offset. IMO, I'd measure out the right offset, taking into account what you'll loose to camber and go with an 18x9" and a set of coilovers to dial in the height.

Also, rather than having broken bars banging around, you can just remove the swaybar and end links all together until you get the replacements. Just don't hit the corners too hot. Jeep guys pull em out all the time to get increased independent suspension travel.

 

[xnickkkkx]

Nice plans, and good choice in ride. Not gonna get much of a hellaflush look with eibach springs though. they don't drop much at all, you'll need coil overs.

Mods should move this to gen3&4 where the other "stance" guys hang out and could contribute.

Well, shit. I guess I'll just have to keep putting money back then. I don't wanna blow money on something that won't give the drop and look I want.

Definitely need coilovers. I've had Eibachs before and they barely lowered the car. You should also stick with the TE37's like you originally planned haha.

I'd def stick with the Volk rims, but if I curb it once, then I ruined a set of super expensive rims, and I'm on a high school kid budget. I haven't found too many other rims I want though. I've been thinking about some mesh Drags, but I dunno yet.

19x8 and what offset? 8" is pretty narrow for the hellaflush look even with a crazy offset. IMO, I'd measure out the right offset, taking into account what you'll loose to camber and go with an 18x9" and a set of coilovers to dial in the height.

Also, rather than having broken bars banging around, you can just remove the swaybar and end links all together until you get the replacements. Just don't hit the corners too hot. Jeep guys pull em out all the time to get increased independent suspension travel.

I haven't thought too much on the offset, I'm waiting on my dad to have a day off to get some help deciding what I need. I have a set of Konig rims in my garage that are 8", so I figured that would be wide enough. I thought about 9", but that's a lot more money.

Edit blah blah:

Here are the new pictures I took the other day. I got a few new goodies in the mail yesterday and today, so when they're ready I'll have pictures.

I didn't realize 14" steelies would cause that much of a ride drop..

I have a lot more that I'll link later on that will be in HD.

 

[Rdizzle]

looking nice, cant wait to see it with parts on it

 

[t3chnique]

any updates to this? im interested in how this turns out

 

[BLUEMEANIE]

If you can't afford Volks get a set of Rota TE37 knock-offs. Nothin wrong with fake wheels. Mine are "fake". They're Raderwerks but they're still a copy of a copy of a copy of a copy... point is, no one will call you out for having non-baller wheels if you got yer shit set up right.

 

[xnickkkkx]

any updates to this? im interested in how this turns out

Not too many really. I sold my new set of struts on craigslist a few days ago in favor of a bagged setup for a pretty good price. So, I'm just waiting to get an extra $1500 to be able to get it done. It'll give me the drop I'm looking for, and still be adjustable and functional. I have to sacrifice the want for a stiff ride, but hey, the pros outweigh the cons!

If you can't afford Volks get a set of Rota TE37 knock-offs. Nothin wrong with fake wheels. Mine are "fake". They're Raderwerks but they're still a copy of a copy of a copy of a copy... point is, no one will call you out for having non-baller wheels if you got yer shit set up right.

Actually, that's a great idea I hadn't thought of. I'll def. start looking into some. I found some 18x9.5 for around $1200 shipped. I'll have to see if I can find some 19x10's, but if not I'll be going smaller.

The only real update is that my bottom motor mount that has the axle running through it went out, so my car would pop out of first gear. I've got the mount out, a new one ready to go in, but I can't pop the axle out. I tried my friend's press, but it was too small. I'm going to use some welding gas (can't remember the name) and heat it up to expand the metal and soften it, and smash that bitch out. Hopefully it works so she gets back out on the road.

Oh yeah, and I got my Car and Driver "Save the Manuals" sticker in the mail today! :thumbsup:

 

[PhatRoyale]

Look at getting used wheels if you can't afford new ones. eBay and craigslist are good resources to check out.

The good thing is that the Camry's 5x114.3 bolt pattern is quite popular and used by a lot of cars out there so your options are abundant.

 

[xnickkkkx]

Look at getting used wheels if you can't afford new ones. eBay and craigslist are good resources to check out.

The good thing is that the Camry's 5x114.3 bolt pattern is quite popular and used by a lot of cars out there so your options are abundant.

I've noticed that! There have been quite a few sets of rims that I've seen here in town that I want. There's this Lexus ES500 running around town with a set of Work rims that are 19's, and I think the dude said the fronts are 9.5" and the rears are 10".

 

[xnickkkkx]

Small update:

I got my axles popped out of the mount. After work tomorrow I'll be installing my new (solid) mount, along with a new axle. Then an oil change, coolant change, transmission fluid change, and possibly sticker bombing my gauge bezel.

I'm slowly getting the money I need for the bagged suspension. I'm not too sure if I'm going to buy rims or the suspension first.. Decisions, decisions.

 

[IronNam]

any progress?

 

[xnickkkkx]

I got the new mount in, and it didn't fix the gear issue. I've replaced all mounts and still. I replaced the shifter and shift linkage, and it's still not going. I'm about to have to pull the transmission and rebuild it, I guess.

Other than that, there's not much progress.. My girlfriend moved in with me because her mom kicked her out, I'm having to start paying my tuition, my car payment, and noow the transmission.

I'm doing little things here and there. I painted the plastic spark plug/head cover. I polished the whole car down, and I'm doing minor body work. I have a trip coming up where I have to be the driver, so I have to change my oil, spark plugs, o2 sensor, and I'm thinking I may have a valve cover gasket going bad. I really don't want to have to keep doing small shit, but every small step is a step to where I want the car later on down the road.

Oh, and my 8000k HID kit is in the mail!