which brand of headers do you run?

Exhaust upgrades, by themselves, yield little HP gains from everything I've read here and on c-tech. Start by making sure all sensors work correctly, injectors are clean and tuned, fuel filter is reasonably new, etc, etc. Once you get the car back to that 135 HP point, sure, CAI and new exhaust will give some improvements.

There are several good threads here and on c-tech that give advice on upgrades and expected power increases. Bottom line, it's not much w/o major engine work and/or replacing our gen1 3SGE w/ something later, or a turbo. Gen2 3SGE exhaust manifold does flow better, but whether or not you'd actually feel any difference from that alone or that and a cat-back is pretty iffy.

Because we can't do a lot of the stuff that Wickyman mentioned and other stuff like bypassing the EGR, PVC, and other emission control systems, there just isn't a whole lot of power to be gained over what we already have.

Toysport in So-Cal would love to sell me a Gen2 3SGE bottom w/ a Gen1 3SGE top (since the g2 head doesn't have EGR ability) and claims that will give me 10-15 hp. But that's a $2,000 used engine the way they price it out.

Living in CA, I think the only real possibility for big HP gains on a street legal car is to drop a turbo into our cars. That's a big job to change over all the wiring, exhaust, electronics, (etc). I've opted to spend money on suspension upgrades so I can drive what I have harder, and get the engine as near new as possible. IMO, that's about all we can really do around here unless you have some really big bucks to sink into things.

IF you do have money to burn, check out Top End Performance in North Hollywood. They'll do a complete rebuild w/ high-end everything for about $3K, but I don't know what kinda HP gains they promise.

 

We seem really low priority, with the next generation of celica, the 5th gen, which seemed to have gained some mild performance upgrades. Then again, how many people were really into tuning a 4th generation celica, when they first hit the market? Not too many... Now that there is some kind of market, within our boundaries, we just don't get that choice... Aftermarket wise, I was told, that adding a turbo, to an NA system, wasn't such a hot idea, as you could blow your engine pretty easy...

Then again, a lot of people add them to a low compression engine, and push another 100k out of their cars... If it was a smaller turbo, from some other car, that didn't push extreme numbers, would it be possible to make that work? I actually have a turbo from a 524TD BMW, that isn't huge, but would get another 20-30hp... Would that be a viable option, as far as upgrading goes? I have the lowly 3S-FE engine in my car, and doing a swap is generally out of the question... What do you think?

 

I have no personal experience w/ adding a turbo to any of our NA engines, but have heard nothing good about those that do try. Apparently, by the time you change out the other parts that cannot take the turbo pressure (pistons, rings, etc) you're into it for more $$ than doing the 3SGTE swap w/o any of the 3SGTE reliability. Hell, even Top Performance, who lists a turbo for a 5SFE makes the disclaimer (paraphrased, not a direct quote) that "we'll do it, but you have to realize you've dramatically shortened the life of your engine."

Yeah, it sucks there isn't much after market exhaust stuff for us. Given that demand drives development.... well, obviously the demand wasn't there in the U.S. I've been running into the same issue trying to ge my leather seats recovered. No one makes replacement covers for the GTS and Alltrac. I finally found one company that said they have the GTS pattern, but when I sent pictures of my seats, they said the seats looked nothing like the pattern they have for an 88GTS.

The 3SFE was used in many Toyotas, most notably the Camry. Not that the Camry is much of a tuner car (at least not back then) but there was a market for after-market mods. With our 3SGELC engines only being around for four years and the GTS not being a high selling car (I'm guessing that many who wanted more than the 3SFE probably skipped right tot he Alltrac, at least in the U.S.) we get boned. Since the 3SGE was used throughout the 90s in the rest of the world, that's why guys outside the U.S. have so many more choices. Sucks that there's a 200 HP 3SGE out there and we can't use it!!

I may call Top End Performance and ask exactly what I'll get for $3K. Who knows, maybe they've got a way to give us another 50 HP w/o screwing up our SMOG testing.....

 

Talked to the president of Top End Performance. His first suggestion was to drop a 3SGTE that could then be built up to 450+ HP. After that, we talked 3SGE. For $3,900 he said he can give me a minimum gain of 25 HP, perhaps 35 HP and a 15% increase in torque. For an extra $200, they'll build a 2.2 stroker 3SGE. Not much more HP, but a lot more torque according to him (Steve is the president of TEP).

He also recommended the Genie header as essentially the only prefab out there, but warned that he's heard a lot of stories about paying but never receiving. The 2nd gen 3SGE manifold is better than ours, but still not a true header. Probably best to work through a 4G member in Aussieland (sorry, but my sis and bro-in-law just moved back here from Melbourne, or I'd use them in a heartbeat).

Anyway, too rich for my 'fun car' bank account, but an interesting conversation all the same.

 

F'ing computer - froze up on me. Long story short, I've since learned from many guys on C-tech and the web that Top End Performance isn't to be trusted. Apparently the list of guys they've screwed over w/ false promises and undelivered parts is rather extensive.

I didn't do too much to my suspension, just GR2 struts (which I may upgrade again before long), Eibach prokit springs and good all-season high performance tires from Tire Rack. I live up in Sheridan (north of Lincoln off Hwy 65). I love driving the country roads and my commute via the rice paddy roads over to Hwy 99 and I-5. I do as much driving as possible above 4,000 PRM when the TVIS kicks in and it's a blast.

I haven't given up on the 1/2 trac idea - perhaps next summer. Right now, I've got to get my 3SGE rebuilt and back on the road.

 

I'm in a red coupe w/ no markings. I considered whiteline swaybars (did it to my Camry) but I can't find anyone who thinks the GTS sway bars need to be upgraded. If you come up Hwy65, take 195 out of Lincoln towards Auburn. You'll find out in a hurry if your suspension is done or still needs upgrades If it handles hwy 195, then head up I-80 and take 49 across to Grass Valley or go up even further and come down hwy 20 from I-80 to Nevada City. Not only a beautiful drive, but one that will definitely test your driving and the car's abilities. Best to have someone w/ you to add to the 'holy shit' factor.

Actually, hwy 20 off I-80 is probably snowed in right now. It's an awesome spring/summer trip.