New Memeber Lots of Info

[ILoveMyBeater]

Im a new memeber to the boards. And I am so glad I found you guys!!

I have an 86 Sr5 5 speed standard 4WD ( pics coming soon) 126K and Like all of yours it Runs perfectly and I love it... Even with all the weird looks of other Drivers. ( I also have an Audi TT Roadster, makes up for the weird looks while in the Sr5)

I did replace the rear shocks to KYB's and put in a Sony stereo plus other basic maintinance repairs.

I got mine from a senior Citizen here on Long Island N.Y. for $600! He lost his license to a DWI ! Ha I stole that car.

This is what happens when you drink and drive!. Anyway I am in need of two very important things.

1) More Power please!! I would like to spend around $300.Last week I ran My dirt bike race gas 112 Octane to see if it would do anything.. Sad to say, No at $10.00 Per gallon.

2) A rear Bumper, I tow my Moto cross bike and the rust is so bad there's basically nothing to attach the Hitch to. ( It came off last week, thankfully the trailer was not attached)

Any info would be greatly appreciated for either issue.


Tid bits on my Tercel:

Planning on installing 215 X 50 X 14 wheels.. Do you think it would work?

Since this thing is a pig on power I shift between 4-5000 Rpm do you guys do the same?

Mine was pretty well maintained inside and out, but like most of you, its got bad rust.

Thanks,
DJ

[Petros]

Sounds like a deal.

AFAIK the only way to get a hitch on it is to have a custom made one that bolts to the frame, I doubt anyone makes a kit for this car, but if they have them for say a subaru it might be easy to adapt. I would not count on towing too much, the brakes can not really handle much (you might get the front disk and calipers from a '91-'94 Tercel, they should bolt in and they are vented, more heavy duty).

No easy way to get a lot more bolt-on power, I have been trying to do that for 5 years with several different rebuilds (I am now working on an engine swap to a 4age). Here are a few things that would work reasonably well: first make sure it is in good tune, no vac leaks, good compression, etc. Than advance your timing to 10-12 deg BTDC rather than the factory 5 deg. Exchange your cam shaft with a regrind from Delta Cams in Tacoma Wa, they want about $70 exchange (send yours as a core, or get one from a wrecking yard). Replace your exhaust system with 2" dia or larger all the way back, there is someone on E-bay motors that sells a 3ac/4ac header for about $160, that would not be a bad idea (not emissions legal) to do along with the exhaust system. Supposedly low viscosity synthetic oil will give you a few more HP, not sure it is worth the cost, and better airfilter too, but I am wary of such claims.

Some have replaced their carb with a weber kit, about $400, with good results, but that would not be emissions legal either, and a rather costly improvement. These carbs tend to require regular tuning and maintance too, as does the factory carb.

If you go for a total rebuild you can also over bore the pistons 1.00 mm (about 0.040" over), mill the head to raise the compression ratio, enlarge the ports along with a valve regrind, balance the moving parts, and remove about 4 lbs off the heavy flywheel. I would limit your CR to about 10 or 10.5:1, I have about 11.2:1 and it gives good power (with all the other mods above) but even with premium fuel I blow my head gasket about once a year or so. that is why I am going to a different and better engine.

Good luck with it.

[takza]

Planning on installing 215 X 50 X 14 wheels.. Do you think it would work?

Since this thing is a pig on power I shift between 4-5000 Rpm do you guys do the same?

Mine was pretty well maintained inside and out, but like most of you, its got bad rust.

Thanks,
DJ

* find some Escort GT wheels? Think they use 60 series on them.

* with a decent engine I'd say 3-4K on a regular basis...I get by shifting at 2.5K in most cases...5K if I want or need to. Advancing your ignit a few degrees can gain you 15% power...just don't get into serious pinging.

* rust will be your main issue over time...unless you stop it...check the repair section?

[ILoveMyBeater]

Thanks for the helpful advice.
Lets see how it all works out. I will let you know.