Hey guys so summer is finally started and I took vacation for a month to start working on my project. My Dad had toyota camry v6 from 2000 with 250000 miles on it and I am trying to make it into my project car.
I am adding more power for track racing but not for drag racing.
I am gonna rebuild the engine
Add new sports struts
Got sports tires
Gonna change all rotors
Change the transmission fluid and coolant
I was gonna add supercharger
Brake pads
New spoiler
Gonna remove back seat
is there anything else I should buy or modify
My dad stopped using since it he got retired and got 4runner for vacation and causing with mom. So he let me borrow it. Since it is gonna be my first project if something goes bad I don't have to worry about it
As any tips or help is much appreciated
I also calculated my budget and it should be around $5000 to 6000 that is my estimate but tomorrow I am gonna go to him and talk to him see how much is the final budget. If is less then 7000 I will start working if not more yeah nope...
I suggest sitting down and working out a realistic budget. List all the parts, tools, and time you will need. Just an engine rebuild alone is a tremendous amount of work and money. You'll need a hoist, stand, lots of special tools, and you'll still need to outsource some of the work.
First focus on the things the car actually needs before mods (brakes, transmission fluid etc.), and start with the least expensive items and work up from there.
I would not supercharge an engine with 250k on it, or even race it. That sounds like a sure way to end your project quickly. Personally, I would baby the car and make it last. It can make a good backup commuter car. It is a Camry, after all.
I have a friend who is mechanic for last 10 years. He used to work with city garage and saved money to open up his own shop. He mod, tune and also perform other maintenance on car. He is gonna help me out with everything especially providing me with the tools. He said he is gonna check the car first and see what kind of shape it is in and what parts need to be fixed. He told me the same thing to start with small and then go to Bigger stuff. He said he might do engine swap if car is in good shape. Long story short he had a customer who had same cars as mine she got in accident and her back got damaged really bad. So the chassis is damaged but engine and transmission is in good shape. She is 70 year old lady and took care of that car until it served her. He bought it for $800. He said he can fix it but insurance got her a new car so she was cool with it. They were gonna dispose so he got it for me and if it not he is gonna use the parts for other stuff.
Forgot to mention car only has 80000miles she barely drove the car in last few decades
I still don’t know what are gonna get with modification out of a 21 years old Camry with over 250k miles. If you want to modify something, start with a car that has some room for that. Get yourself a manual civic. Camry is really not a good candidate to start with.
You mention that it is/was your Dad’s car. Does it have sentimental value? That would seem to have some bearing on how you approach this.
If you don’t have any particular attachment to it, then I agree with Yaser that it’s not a great platform for what you want. I’d clean it up, make it pretty and sell it now at the top of the market. Then you can take the cash to put towards a better track car (lots of options, get what turns you on).
On the other hand, if you have affection for this particular car because of the family connection, then I think MMJ’s advice is important. Supercharging an old Camry is going to be a real short trip unless you want to keep replacing /rebuilding the motor. (And considering your budget, you could run out of cash quick.)
I’d look at the car for what it is and plan your mods to be true to the character of the car. The new TRD Camry is something of a race car, but the 2000 was never that kind of thing. Maybe go for the BMW-3-series-sports-sedan vibe with upgraded wheels and tires and good quality suspension tuning but without the blower. A little paint correction, window tint, and reupholstering and you could have a nice ride.
Either way I think it’s great that you want to take an old car, especially a Camry, and make it your own. You just have to be thoughtful about what you have to work with.
Well that’s one way to KO your father’s Camry, which you’ve borrowed!!!
He’s gonna get a rude shock when he returns from his vacation..
It is too old and too worn out for a project car. Use it as a commuter car maybe. Those things are by no means made 'sporty' and were made for anything but the track. Get a different car that is less worn out and newer if you want a 'track' car.
