Page 1 - Overview

Page 2 - Audio System

  Current Modifications

- 1x US Audio MP3/WMA/CD/DVD/USB/SD/AM/FM Multimedia Player

- 3x 800W Peak 400W RMS SW1251 Clarion 12” Subwoofers

- 2x 350W Peak 70W RMS Four-Way Clarion 6x9” Rear Speakers

- 2x 280W Peak 60W RMS Three-Way Clarion 6.5” Front Speakers

- 1x Power Acoustik PS1-2000D Mono Amplifier

- 1x Power Acoustik PS4-840 Four-Channel Amplifier

- 1x Absolute 0-Gauge Amplifier Wiring Kit

- 1x Unbranded High Capacity Alternator

  Future Modifications

- 3.5 Farad Amplifier Capacitor

- High Performance/Capacity Alternator

- High Performance/Capacity Battery

- Cold Air Intake System

- Custom Turbocharging Kit

- Custom Bodykit and Hood

- Custom Paintjob

 Overview

This is my Toyota Camry, a 1994 CSi sedan running the 2.2l 5SFE four-cylinder engine also found in the Celica and MR2. It puts out 135 horsepower and 196Nm of torque, which isn't too bad for a front-wheel drive. Good maintanence and some minor modifications mean these power levels have been nicely maintained over the years, but my most recent addition, a 3600W audio setup, also means the car now weighs a bit more.

My aim for this car is to change it from a somewhat underrated grocery-getter into a high-performance sleeper and hugely powerful entertainment platform. The second half of this project is already well underway, with the fairly recent addition of three twelve-inch subwoofers in the boot, backed up by two high-power amplifiers, some high-end front and rear speakers and a decent quality head unit. As time progresses and I get my hands on more money, I plan to upgrade all of these components to the best on the market, as well as installing a video system.

As for the high-performance sleeper side of things, I plan to start by installing a cold air intake system to give me a bit of extra horsepower and compensate for the power and acceleration loss caused by the audio system. From there, I'm going for a custom turbo kit based as closely as possible on the Burien 5SFE turbo kit, but a little more powerful. Add forged pistons, a performance intercooler, a few other goodies and a couple of handfuls of cash, and I should be able to reach my target of about 250 horsepower at the wheels easily. Any more is not necessary for this vehicle, as a front wheel drive too much power will just be a waste of money.

Outside the engine bay, I plan to upgrade the suspension, tires and brakes, though they're not as important. At the moment, my handling is good enough, it can already drift on wet tarmac without the handbrake, as long as you know what you're doing. The main priority, though, is going fast in a straight line - fast quarter mile times are what I really want.

At the moment, this thing can already outrun a lot of so-called 'performance' cars. It's already beaten a Mazda 6, a Volkswagen Golf, quite a few V6 Commodores, a load of weak little Japanese ricers and it's even kept up with a V8 Commodore. Considering it's only front wheel drive, it has quite a bit of performance. The 0-100km/h time is around 9.5 seconds, give or take half a second, and it should be capable of at least 200km/h, though that's not so easy to test.

For all those who think I'm wasting my time and Camrys are just underpowered pension-mobiles, you could not be more wrong. In recent years the Camry has lost it's performance, being much heavier and underpowered, but the older, smaller models are more than capable of performing. In reality, this vehicle is not that much different to the Celica - most components are exactly the same, they have the same engine and power outputs, and the Camry is, in fact, a derivative of the Celica line.

I should probably clarify that I do not do any form of illegal street racing - everything I do is legal and controlled. When I go fast, I will always make sure that there's no chance of someone else getting hurt, or, for that matter, caught. Empty, closed roads and private property are the only places I'll do something that might get me in trouble elsewhere.

The pictures at the top of the page were taken at the Stowport-Natone Fire Station (which I volunteer at) and Natone Football Club.

Page 1 - Overview

Page 2 - Audio System