1987 Toyota Camry -- Complete Resurrection

**Sidewalksalvage** · 10-22-2006, 02:57 PM

Well let me start off with a bit of background information about this amazing vehicle....

It has been in my family since its creation in 1987.
My parents bought it as a family car and it was imported from japan
At age 3, the car got into a bad car accident and the driver side corner was taken off
It was repaired and used as the family car until 1994
My parents got a van for the growing family in 1994 and the camry became my fathers commuter car
Then in 2004 at age 17 it became mine, my first car

I worked and began to learn all about car stereos computers video etc I installed a very terrible sound system (but i was very proud of it) and an unstable computer.

Now it sits in my friends garage and is waiting for me to return from college. It still runs and is in quite reliable shape but i want to give it a complete update and make-over. A resurrection if you will.

Powertrain Goals:
Swap the 2.0L 3S-FE Inline 4 engine with the 2.5L 2VZ-FE V6
Swap the Automatic Transmission with a Manual
Build a custom Ram Air intake (too much snow around here for cold air intake)
Build a custom stainless steel or titanium exaust system
Possibly at a Turbo and Intercooler

Suspension and Wheel Goals:
Install a variable height ride hydrolic suspension (or at least air bags)
Put it on 18" or 19" Rims (possibly 20" depending on tire side wall)
(although it does sit on 17" chrome Lexani's at the moment

)
4 wheel Disc brakes (convert rear from drum to disc)

Exterior Goals:
A fresh Metallic/Electric Blue Paint Job
Custom Fabricated Fiberglass Body Kit
Custom Carbon Fiber Hood
Custom Charging-Headlight System with Built in Parking Lights
Custom LED rear lights and brake light
Additional Turn Signals along side of car
Tinting
Install a sunroof
Underbody LED Lighting
Blue LED Nozzle Lights
New Sideview Mirrors
Convert Rear Doors to open Suicide

Interior Goals:
Re-fabrication of Dash - Two-tone coloring and fiberglassed accents
Change dash lighting to blue from green
Re locate Environmental Controls and center ducts
Install a 10.2" Widescreen in the dash
Install 2 7" LCDs behind the sunvisors
Install 2 7" LCDs behind the headrests
Install 2 7" LCDs above the rear seats (just for fun)
Custom Door Panels to hold Component Speakers (JL XR653-CS ?)
Custom Rear Deck for same purpose
black headliner and carpet installed
PS2 Under passanger seat
Custom plexiglas box to house Computer system within rear seat
Re-Upholster Seats with black or blue cloth
New short throw shifter
New Steering wheel
Foot well neon lighting
Custom Diamond Plate Foot "Mats" with EL Lighting around the edges
Additional A/V Input (for whatever may come along)
Additional Audio Input (for Ipod)
Replace automatic Seatbelts with 3-point secure seatbelts
Replace Petals
Slot DVD and switch panel on dash (possibly hacked head unit controls for easy interaction with computer)

Trunk Goals:
Sweet Custom Amp Rack
4 12" Subwoofers in custom encolosure
A 20"-30" LCD Screen on trunk lid (not sure what size until i take measurments)
4 Speakers around Screen.
Neon Lighting
Swap full size spare tire with doughnut and reloate below car (and remove the wheel well)

Well thats what i have at the moment....hopefully I will be able to save enough for this and have the time along the way to pull it off

Im just starting college now... I would LOVE to have it complete by the time i get out 4 years from now...

Well here goes nothing!

And to add one thing. I'm uploading the preliminary sound system plans.

**crazyhorse** · 10-22-2006, 07:23 PM

Nice.

My first car was a 1989 Camry with the 2.5L V6. That car rocked! at almost 300,000km I sold her because she was very thirsty.

**Sidewalksalvage** · 10-22-2006, 07:28 PM

the V6 used alot of gas huh...damn...
hopefully with a manual and a turbo it will use less fuel...

Whats great is my baby at almost 20 only has 115K on it and still gets 25 mpg! and thats with its share of problems! (and a muffler almost completely rusted through at one joint!)

**Sidewalksalvage** · 10-22-2006, 10:57 PM

Well tonight I completed a wiring diagram for the video.... yeah ive been working on this instead of my work........... but here it is for all you curious

**Dennis5587** · 10-22-2006, 11:07 PM

Did you win the lotto by any chance? Lot of money for a college kid, lol... good luck man, i'm still working on finnishing mine... (there never seems to be an end is there)

**Sidewalksalvage** · 10-22-2006, 11:10 PM

I WISH I WON THE LOTTERY!!!!!!

No i know money is going to be my biggest problem here.

After I draw up all my plans im going to work out a very specific budget and start saving from there

I did a guessemate a while back and its probably going to cost something like $16,000.... but now that im here at brown... i may be able to get the carbon fiber, fiberglass, resin etc for free from the engineering department if i can do that, it would save a **** load....

When I finalize a budget ill be sure to show it off to everyone.

**crazyhorse** · 10-23-2006, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Sidewalksalvage

the V6 used alot of gas huh...damn...
hopefully with a manual and a turbo it will use less fuel...

Whats great is my baby at almost 20 only has 115K on it and still gets 25 mpg! and thats with its share of problems! (and a muffler almost completely rusted through at one joint!)

www.fueleconomy.gov rates the my old 89' with the 2.5 at 19/24mpg city/hw.

That sounds about what I used to get. That's not bad for an old v6, but more than I wanted to pay.

It is an awesome engine though, with a manual and turbo it would be a blast to drive. Turbocharging the car won't give you better fuel economy though, you will be adding more air into the cylinder, more fuel will be added also so you have a correct mixture.

**Sidewalksalvage** · 10-23-2006, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by crazyhorse

www.fueleconomy.gov rates the my old 89' with the 2.5 at 19/24mpg city/hw.

That sounds about what I used to get. That's not bad for an old v6, but more than I wanted to pay.

It is an awesome engine though, with a manual and turbo it would be a blast to drive. Turbocharging the car won't give you better fuel economy though, you will be adding more air into the cylinder, more fuel will be added also so you have a correct mixture.

Interesting site.... and yeah that really isnt bad for an old V6....

Turbocharging can actually get you a slim increase in mpg depending on how you drive. If you treat it kindly (not street racing etc.) ... although it may mix more fuel per compression but the fuel to power ratio is usually better becasue of the richer mix....

at least thats what ive read about etc.... but either way a turbo is fun.

**PhilMayfield** · 10-27-2006, 05:57 PM

Very ambitious and I wish you luck!

One question: Why would you possibly need 5 3-way setups in a camry? Maybe if you had a party van or something :P

**Sidewalksalvage** · 10-27-2006, 06:47 PM

Im looking to put a 3-way system in the front doors, the back doors and the rear deck. The last two sets will go around the 21" display on the trunk lid.

You could ask why i need 5 sets of speakers.... or you could ask why i need 8 displays in total....well because i can! well... at least i plan to....