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Restoring my old car's performance?

I'm looking to get some pointers on where to start on restoring my 13-year old car's performance.

Here's the deal. I have a 13-year old Toyota Corolla XE with a 1.3 liter 2E gasoline carburetor engine. It was my mom's car before and now she's passed it on to me and it's been with me for a year or so and I'm looking to get it's peak performance back.

A summary of my car includes that minimal or absent maintenance has been done from it's previous owner asides from the usual routine oil changes. So far the new things the engine's already got replaced are the timing belt, the battery, and the brake pads.

During my care I've replaced the Fuel and Air Filters, replaced the spark plugs, replaced the tie-rod ends(alarmingly wobbly front wheels), replaced the entire clutch assembly, and replaced a failed starter system, recently replaced alternator bearings, and replaced the engline's top cover rubber seal, oil was leaking a lot, and took apart the radiator and cleaned all the crap out of it... and all the above old replaced parts were Toyota originals...

Yeah it's really that old and uncared for... *sob*

But I plan to bring it back to it's glory days and I seek advise from experienced people to give me some pointers to guide me... I've done quite a lot(i think) and I feel that it's not enough yet...

Being that this car has served my family for more than a decade, I see that it deserves this "performance restoration" I have in mind... Problem is, where do I begin??

Thanks a lot for the read and I apologize for it's length..

3 Answers

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  • 9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Well if you want to bring the performance back to the car you can start by replacing the headers which will give you better horse power and the adding an intake which also will give you more hp

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    this question has countless solutions that one and all come all the way down to how a lot you're searching to spend. the less costly events are: new spark plugs and wires (extremely those for top milage vehicles or extreme performance vehicles) finished engine flush and extreme performance Oil and clear out (synthetic Oil for top milage vehicles) replace hoses, belts and filters. extreme amperage battery (gel cellular e.g. Optima Yellow suitable) Definately have the gas injection equipment wiped clean (some oil change places can try this otherwise an area mechanic) Now for further money.. properly for starters you would possibly want to replace the engine gaskets (gaskets themselves are not particulaly extreme priced so if you may do it your self it really is an outstanding thanks to strengthen performance)it really is very frustrating artwork wide so expenses slightly. you would possibly want to replace the intake, headers and exhaust with larger appearing aftermarket products, this can strengthen airflow to and from the engine allowing it to run extra effectively. you may also verify into replacing your gas pump as 15 years is about at the same time as they start up breaking down. ultimately no count number what you do for your engine or performance bear in mind in elementary words one area of your vehicle touches the line so make effective your tires are all matched are the brilliant tread for your driveing situations and are crammed to the optimal P.S.I. wish that helps.

  • 9 years ago

    You could always have the engine and carburetor rebuilt...

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