Faults:
The radiator had 3 huge holes in it at about 153,000 miles. I replaced it for $80 at a wholesale radiator shop. This was the ONLY nessesary repair that needed to be done to the car besides routine maintenance. All other repairs were to prevent problems or boost performance.
I replaced the timing chain just to be on the safe side.
Replaced the water pump.
I installed an Automecca Cool Air Intake System instead of the stock air filter assembly. This increased horsepower by a facor of 10 bhp.
I replaced the front and rear struts just to tighten up the suspension system because the car was bouncing like a basketball on bumps.
Replaced stock exhaust system with a Dynomax Performance Exhaust. This car is LOUD!
Custom designed and painted the interior myself to White/Red/Silver. Instead of the stock and boring Black/Grey.
Replaced stock steering wheel with an American Products Company all black/chrome sport wheel.
The list can go on... This is not your normal looking or normal power rated 1990 Toyota Camry!!
General Comments:
This car is the greatest. I can take long road trips and be comfortable and also beat most street racers on the urban side. The car is extremely reliable despite it's high mileage, however it is because I maintain it very well. These cars are known to be wolves in sheep's clothing. The horsepower is up to 215, up from the stock 170. It is an Automatic Trans. which can be boring however the Power/Normal feature on the Electronically Controlled Transmission is very fun to use. This little button on the center console instantly changes the gear ratios and valve timing to allow for maximum torque and rpm for take-off and acceleration on the road. The down side of course is that this wears down your transmission quicker due to all the stresses and also minimizes the fuel economy considerably
The car won't shift into 2 from 1 until 40mph with the Power button depressed and the pedal to the metal. These cars were built to last forever. If maintained properly you can take this car to the next incarnation!!!!
15th Apr 2003, 12:17
Help!! My 1990 Toyota Camry has had problems with hesitation upon acceleration for one year now (since April 2002). I have had the car into several repair shops and am told that they cannot diagnose the problem because the "check engine" light has never come on during hesitation, only when the engine has occasionally died upon hesitation. I don't know what to do with this problem. Please help!