What kind of upgrades should I get?

Patrick · 15 Dec 2010, 09:09 pm

I have a 2002 Toyota Corolla CE,

NOW BEFORE YOU SAY ANYTHING:

This car belonged to my grandpa, who I love very much, and who passed away last year.

His car was passed on to me, and I want to restore it instead of buying a different one.

Looking to bump up the horsepower a bit, get a new engine and a turbocharger if possible. I understand it will cost a lot, but its something I'm thinking about.

Will get a bodykit (surprisingly, there are some pretty nice ones for the corolla) and rims in the spring when the snow thaws.

Can you guys recommend some upgrades that won't hit the bank too hard? thanks

Cha · 15 Dec 2010, 09:25 pm

everything cost $1000 or less each except for the turbo. the turbo would be the one to hit your pocket the most. if you want to go turbo, DO NOT settle for ebay turbo kits.

wedge · 15 Dec 2010, 09:39 pm

As far as internals go, make sure you've got a goal in mind for the car before going anywhere with it. There's no point in having a monster engine if you can't put the power to use, or even to the ground. As for the body kit/rims, make sure you've got a final stance figured out for the car. Nothing will look uglier than a body kit that's put on with zip ties, with the car riding super high, and rims that are just OEM size replacements. +1 on not settling for eBay turbo kits, from personal experience I've had a piece of the crappy welding from a knockoff clone fly through the exhaust manifold and into the exhaust housing of the turbo.

I'd start by cleaning up and getting the car within specs as it came from the factory to make sure it's in perfect running condition. Nothing worse than having a motor that's running crappy, and you slap a $4000 turbo kit on it.

What kind of upgrades should I get?

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