01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

MAN, that is clean... You always complement my car, but I think yours is super clean, i would've stopped with the exterior mods/suspension. But if you can give it more go - than thats bonus.

AlphaOnion

iTrader: (1)

Is that a black gas tank door I see?

EEngineer

yep...carbon fibre vinyl wrap.
the the actual gas tank door is black as well.
replaced the broken original unit. previous owner broke it and did a ****ty fix. door wouldn't open with the button, unless i pried it open

EEngineer

it's been way too long since i updated and upgraded.
after a long wait, my project for this year finally started.
here's a breakdown of the items i'm going to, or already upgraded:

- Equal Length headers built with modular V-band joints for future turbo setup.
- Engine harness, plumbing overhaul to relocate battery and coolant pipes to make room for the new setup.
- AEM Meth kit installation
- upgrade the TRD supercharger pulley to 8psi pulley - done
- change supercharger oil - done
- install Ralco short shifter for gen4 camry/gen1 solara - done
- install speedsource solid brass shifter cable bushings - done
- some rust proofing + underbody cleanup work.
- suspension tweak
- colder denso iridium plugs


some progress pics:

all taken apart

8psi vs 6psi

pulley installed and oil changed

new brass bushings for shifter cables

old bushings were ****ed!! no wonder the shifts were so wobbly!

Ralco short shifter for gen4 camry/solara

another view

installed. need to trim shifter boot now lol

Jeremy-KY

nice update!!

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Could you take a shot of your interior? I'm interested in seeing how it looks with black trim and beige seats.

EEngineer

^go to page one for interior pics
seats are brown

ericsvb

Wow I'm addicted to reading your post. You are qualified as a car expert and I'm amazed you can do all this. What is your day job? How did you get started doing all vehicle modifications?

EEngineer

haha thanks, i'm no expert. more or less an enthusiast.
I'm kind of fresh out of school working as en engineer at AMD/ATi making graphic cards for your PC

Bdub215

iTrader: (1)

Cody have you gotten new Shift cables yet? the cables take a beating that the bushings cant fix.

EEngineer

i haven't yet cuz i can't really justify the cost of new ones and the pita it is to put them in. the ones i have work ok. the slack is reduced significantly with the bushings and short shifter so i think i'll be ok for now.

in the meanwhile, i worked on my car all day today and while i was at it, i did a test fit for my new wheels.

the result surprisingly great. i can fit a nice 9.5" rim in the rear with a nice +15 offset mwuahaha

front though, i am staying conservatively at 8.5" +40 offset which gives me a good amount of clearance for wheel turning.

some pics from today.....the gas cap door is getting painted soon lol.



front

side


rear

seyelabrev

iTrader: (2)

Those RPF1's are tooooo nasty!

EEngineer

update time!!!!!

clean and subtle, can you spot the custom upgrades?


got hooked up with these goodies. i don't even know where i can get those....
and the plug from last summer looked great. no excessive carbon, no white patch, the tune was great and engine is in good condition apparently.


oh yea...we unbolted the battery tray bracket.....do not attempt this at home!

AlphaOnion

iTrader: (1)

This thread absolutely knocks me flat. Just when I think you're done with your car, I check back later and it's gotten way better. When is your ETA for the complete turbo setup? What kind of gains are you expecting?

EEngineer

haha, sometimes i question myself too whether i've gone too far. Sometimes when I encounter problems, I get really down about this whole thing cuz 99% of the people out there will think that i'm an idiot for putting so much money and effort into a 20 year old glorified toyota. However, the fun of the whole game is about this cycle where i run into a problem and i'm upset or unhappy about my car. After asking around and learn what i need to do to solve a problem and then actually solving the problems. At the end of the day when I realize I've figured out the problem and solved did it, it's a great satisfaction.

oh yea...the turbo project is probably going to happen within the next two years. turbo first with stock motor + trd supercharger. it'll make near 400whp with the stock motor for sure. afterwards, i'll build the motor with forged internals, ported cylinder head, regrind cams, oversized valves, and crank up the boost, it should make 500whp easy. that's the ultimate goal.....hopefully i get that done before i hit 30 hahaha