A friend of mine has a 2002 toyota avalon but wants better performance. What lexus model might have handling performance parts, i.e. How a camry and es are the same. Thanks in advance

 

When you say performance are you talking about horsepower? handling? braking?

The Avalon is based off a stretched Camry platform so it's not directly related to anything else.

Even when it was new, I doubt any real performance upgrades were available - now even less.

I'd say your best bet is to thrown in a K&N air filter, put on a fresh set of plugs and wires and maybe even clean the throttle body and MAF sensor and call it a day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Avalon

 

An Avalon is generally not the car to buy if one wants sport-sedan performance.

I'll agree....with a couple of other suggestions as well. Clean out as much junk out of the trunk as possible...especially the heavier items and everything you don't need. Weight is the enemy of performance. For slightly better handling, you can try wider tires and a softer, more road-gripping tread-compound (if the beads will fit on the wheels), but make sure that the tire's outside rolling diameter is at or close to factory-stock.....otherwise the speedometer and odometer will be off. Check with a good tire shop to see if they carry any suitable high-performance tires that will fit the Avalon's stock wheels and maintain the proper tire-rotation diameter.

 

That Avalon carries a 1MZFE engine that's similar to the one found on the Solara, Sienna, Camry, Highlander, ES300 and that of the RX300 like I have. The Highlander and the RX300 have a slightly different throttle body and there are some differences with drain plug (coolant) locations for the AWD version. In addition, transmissions can differ based on the AWD/FWD and liters (in case it's not a 3.0 liter engine on the given model).

From my experience I find myself often looking the other way toward Toyota, particularly Solara owners who I think are among the most active in terms of modifications for these engines.

I've probably looked through every single 1MZFE modification I could find. I agree it's not an easy engine to modify and we don't enjoy the same wide range of available parts as other engine group but there are things out there.

 

what about strut tower braces?

 

I'm sure that would help stiffen up the front end...

if you can find one

if one was ever made for that car....

 

TRD I believe did make one as I see people over on Solaraguy talk about it and I think one other brand.