A couple of issues.

Dude we dont hate anyone man, so just chill, slow down, and take your time man. Show some love and be show`n love back.
now the way you described your noise, it could be lots of things, but if you say its a very specific noise during that rpm range, then yes probably something is loose. jack the car up or put it on a lift and check all exhaust mounting brackets. if that turns out tight, pop the hood and somebody rev and someone listen.
or since you have a iphone, post a video, or sound clip.
Steering should be tight, I would replace all your steering related bushings, its more then due from age. tie rod ends, maybe tie rods if theres play in them and rack and pinion bushings, there more in likely swollen from oil and such.
or if you could make a friend who owns a auto shop, maybe they could inspect it for free.

 

- if it's rev-related vibrations, chances are that it's just something loose that gets shaken at a certain rpm
- i would definitely check your swaybar bushings, those rubber bits are almost always toast. that and your tie rod ends as mentioned above

- we don't hate you

 

what did you replace the sway bar bushing with? just grab a look at all the bits and pieces and make sure they're on tight.

so is it your steering wheel feeling like it's got too much play? or steering feels weird as in the body roll?

 

The rack on these cars has a tension nut at the bottom which adds spring tension when adjusted. Your rack could just need to have this tensioner adjusted, it's right up against the firewall when
looking at the rack from underneath the car.



In this picture the nut is basicly resting on the black part of the jack stand, I'll try to get you a better picture tomorrow!!

 

learned somethin new

 

a better pic would be appreciated, i didn't know that either.

 

+1 for more info on the tensioner nut, my steering rack is crazy loose.

 

After a little more research, I have actually found the these racks do not have the pre-tension adjuster, which is pretty standard on late model Toyotas. I appoligize for getting everyones hopes up, the nut on the bottom of the rack turned out to be for removing the pinion screw and not an adjuster.

invinciblejets, I do however have a spare rack and pinion unit just sitting on the shelf if you would like to swap your out, I'll make you a really good deal on it! If you still need a new rack, Rock Auto has them fairly cheap...http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

racerb ops

 

I could probebly let it go for around $25, might even meet you half way on delivery. Sounds like your fast idle sensor is gone, check with www.rockauto.com , should be fairly reasonable.

 

Like Mafix said engine is probebly close to worn out, the Cape Fear Pick-And-Pull here in Wilmington has several 3SFE cars in stock, most have been wrecked so engines good. They sell entire engines for around $150, you just gotta pull it, but they do provide the hoist.

http://www.capefearpicknpull.com/price.asp

 

I would definitely keep it simple and keep learning. Stick in a 3sge and be happy.

 

3sge, just make sure you get the ECU/wiring for it too.