Just picked up a '02 Corolla commuter car

I don't notice any instability since I have an aftermarket suspension but before that, it was a bit soft. 80 is fine, but above that I personally wouldn't do. The variable valve timing doesn't really kick in. It's only in place for the emissions system. The only one that actually kicks in is vvt-li since it incorporates extra lift.

Nick, welcome
You're trying the same thing I tried with my Corolla. hehe

1. I experienced the same once on a tercel with the bogging but the clutch was worn out in an awkward way but that doesn't explain the chirping in 2nd so I'm not sure.

2. Most Intakes on ebay should be fine. You can even do a lot of DIY intakes from Home Depot which will work too. There are many people on this forum which have done so. As far as Exhaust, I didn't experiment with it because I hated to noise it made so I was researching sport cats which had better flow because a friend of mine with a yaris did the same plus added headers and a slightly larger downpipe with the stock muffler and although the sound changed, it wasn't as dramatic as changing the whole exhaust system.

3. If you are referring to instability compared to the camry and jetta, I think you are feeling that instability because the corolla is soooo much more lighter. Either that and or your struts/shocks may be going bad. The corolla is definitely a car which feels different but I too have never felt instability around 80mph.

4. Rollatuner answered this question.

Just picked up a '02 Corolla commuter car

INTRO: I'm kind of heading in a different direction after my camaro was totalled, I travel 30 miles to school and 40 miles to work one way so I decided on a 4cyl manual. I'm not too fond of the build quality of 4cyl American cars so I decided to go foreign. Having previously owned a '96 Jetta winter car I ruled that out and started looking at Jap cars. This pretty much left me with mazda/honda/toyota. I've never had much experience with mazda and honda engines can't move out of their own way so I decided toyota since my first car was a '91 Camry LE V6. (I always regretted getting rid of that car since it only had 60K miles on it and was super smooth and quiet all the way up to 120mph and would do 150mph like the speedo said lol). Found an '02 Corolla LE in standard with just under 80K at the right price with a good color.


QUESTIONS

1. This clutch is kinda wierd to me, I have to almost push it all the way in to disengage and when trying to get going in first it likes to bog alot. Is this normal or is there something wrong with it. The clutch seems strong and will chirp the tires in second.

2. Can someone point me towards some aftermarket vendors. I'm looking for some mods such as intake/exhaust/etc to increase efficiency

3. Does anyone else notice a little bit of instability over 80mph? I drive on interstates alot.

4. When does the variable valve timing kick in? I want to know so I can stay just under that rpm for max fuel economy.


SUMMARY: I don't really plan to do much to it as I need a reliable commuter car. I will most likely change out the suspension (I'm a fan of KYB GR2s) with new springs, at least do an intake, and maybe find some OEM toyota rims and stick some good tires on there. I'm not sure what to do yet for visuals, but something is definitely needed as everyone has these cars.


I guess that's it, thankx for having me

I have a manual tranny but its very nice and easy and the clutch starts to disengage about half way down. Its just wierd on first gear when you let go of the gas and then gass it again the car can jerk sometimes.

I never had a problem goin 80 and even over 90, ad check the alligment on your rolla, balance the wheels.

I'm not sure if its vvti but in my rolla the power really starts at 3000 rpm before that its little sluggish so maybe that's it.

I don't know if this info will help but also aftermarket clutches will have some effect on the way you drive. The Tercel I drove was really sensitive to how you step on the clutch and if you didn't disengage correctly, it had a tendency to jerk a lot. A lot more than other manuals i've driven.. but then again, i've only driven like 4-5 or so which were friends cars cuz they were too drunk to drive.

I figured out that the clutch issue was due to the stupid 1" thick rubber floor mats that were put in the car by the dealer and not anything to do with the clutch or car.

I'm not trying to turn it into a racecar but its hard to change my driving styles after having a camaro for 4 years. Anyone have any luck with the AEM intakes? I put one on my girlfriends '03 civic and it seemed to work real well aside from being a little noisy.

#2: you can get the intake from ebay, but please make sure it's for 00-02 corollla. If it says "for 98-02", just go away. Intake from 98-99 won't fit.

#3: Before I had my suspension upgraded (lowered 1.8"), my car was like "floating" on the air when I reached 80. 8thgen rolla is too light and too high. You really need to lower it.

#4: There is no kick in for VVTi. VVTi is always on, it automatically adjust the intake cam angle in all rpm.

Oh, and welcome to vvti.net