Scion TC: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

Jan. 27, 2009 8:53 p.m. Rob_Mopar New Reader

One of my buddies at work has a '07 Scion TC, 2.4L 5-speed. He's been happy overall with the car but misses the turbo kick of his last two cars. He was asking me if there was anything he could do with it to wake it up.

He knows there are some aftermarket turbo setups for the car but he isn't looking to spend that kind of money on the car. Are there any good aftermarket tuners available for this car? He's not the fart canon and aluminum park bench on the trunk type. Just wants to give it a little more kick that you can feel in the seat of the pants.

I'm pretty sure he doesn't want a Miata but I'll mention it to him first as a prerequisite to any answers.

-Rob
Jan. 27, 2009 8:59 p.m. mw New Reader

flywheel?
Jan. 27, 2009 9:04 p.m. Volksroddin HalfDork

LSX, maybee header or intake?
Jan. 27, 2009 9:10 p.m. ArtOfRuin HalfDork

TRD has a factory supercharger available for the tC. IIRC, it's kind of pricey, but it's fully covered by warranty (if your pal still has it) and can be serviced at any Scion/Toyota stealership.
Jan. 28, 2009 5:38 a.m. Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director

short of forced induction, the Camry 2.4 is what it is. Torquey and smooth, but not a real barn burner. I'd investigate putting more of that torque to the ground. There are LSDs available and that would be a good time for a light flywheel while you're in there.

Those benefit from the toyota factory camber bolts, a rear bar and decent shocks, just like every other Celica/Camry out there.

Good solid cars. I wish they were available without that big glass roof.
Jan. 28, 2009 6:35 a.m. 4cylndrfury Reader

Timing advance, 10mm wires, irridium plugs, short shifter, cold air intake,High Flow cat, a higher quality muffler (doesnt have to be a rice cannon, theres good models to be had from flowmaster and such that arent too loud but uncork the system) and a no name ebay header. These did a lot to improve throttle response in my 1.8L toyota. Probably get a good bit of performance out of a lighter flywheel and lighter wheels too.
Jan. 28, 2009 7:04 a.m. 93celicaGT2 Reader

Junkyard turbo setup.... That motor is RIDICULOUS on boost.

Bolt ons... meh.

Standard intake, header, exhaust, and whatever tuning you can do. LSD, clutch and flywheel, and do whatever with the suspension. It'll be entertaining.... dip in the mid 14s if he's a great driver and if drag is his thing.

Personally, i'd sell it and buy a 2000-2005 Celica GTS 6-speed. Far superior car in almost every regard. Except for torque.
Jan. 28, 2009 7:45 p.m. Rob_Mopar New Reader

Thanks for the ideas. The junkyard turbo setup is probably out of the question. This is his only car and he lives in an apartment.

He still has some warranty left, but isn't concerned about that. The TRD supercharger kit is starting to look more tempting, but he was thinking more along the lines of retuning the factory controller to eek out a few ponies. He found the simple suspension upgrades interesting too.

-Rob
Jan. 29, 2009 11:00 a.m. 93celicaGT2 Reader

Rob_Mopar wrote:

Thanks for the ideas. The junkyard turbo setup is probably out of the question. This is his only car and he lives in an apartment.

He still has some warranty left, but isn't concerned about that. The TRD supercharger kit is starting to look more tempting, but he was thinking more along the lines of retuning the factory controller to eek out a few ponies. He found the simple suspension upgrades interesting too.

-Rob

The TRD Supercharger is a lot of scratch for not much gain to start with. It'll give him 40hp more.... for a HUGE investment.

Now... from there, as long as he's not concerned with the warranty, he can easily get smaller pully, better tuning, etc etc etc.....

But the Supercharger in warranteed form is SUCH a waste.
Jan. 29, 2009 12:01 p.m. Salanis SuperDork

How about the obvious with any car: lighter wheels and better tires.
Jan. 29, 2009 5:44 p.m. ae86andkp61 New Reader

Per Schroeder wrote: Good solid cars. I wish they were available without that big glass roof.

How about the '07-'07 Spec package with the fixed roof? Did any of them make a dent in autocross, or are the differences compared to a more standard tC too minimal to result in a competitive advantage?
Jan. 29, 2009 8:50 p.m. Rob_Mopar New Reader

Is there anything worthwhile available to reflash the OE computer? What tuning is available for these? I'm a little out of my element. If it was a domestic V8 with a carb, or a Chrysler 2.2 Turbo, no problem.

-Rob
Jan. 30, 2009 9:47 a.m. 93celicaGT2 Reader

^The dealer can reflash the computer for the supercharger somehow.... I don't know how that carries over to the consumer, though.

Beyond that.... i think you're just looking at your basic higher-level piggybacks. The 7th gen GT-S guys like the Power Commander.