Modding starts now!

[S.Z.-Alpha]

After researching and asking around here at SG(thanks guys!) I finally know what I want to do with my Solara.

Dark bronze tinted @22% percent 10-27-2010
Recently my rear struts got busted and got replaced to Tokico struts. Fronts are next.
It's also due for an oil change which I'm gonna do myself.

Here's the list of parts(and stuff) i'm gonna get in the coiming months:

TRD Muffler
TRD Air Filter(although i'm still second choicing SRIs, namely the Injen)
TRD Rear Sway Bar
TRD Front Strut Bar

A set of Voxx MG-3 16 x 7 wheels
Black Spyder Altezza lights.
Front and rear set of Powerslot disc brakes
Hawk Performance HPS pads
Caliper paint kit.
New Spark plugs(any recommendations?)
Some black paint for plastic for the headlights and cornerlights
Yellow tint for the foglights
And lastly a pair of 500 watt JL subwoofers.


...and the accessories XD
TRD center wheel cap decals
TRD black and red badges for the sides
TRD Chrome badge for the rear
TRD white sticker for the rear window
A set of 4 TRD seatbelt pads

Before I can mod my Solara, I gotta get rid of some of her existing problems such as a slight knocking when idling and a rubbing feeling i got on the gas pedal. On the rubbing feeling, it started happening when i hit a bump while turning and one i overlooked a dip when i was crossing an intersection.

Here's the timeline how I'm gonna mod my Solara.
This November I'm upgrading the brakes, and painting them too.
December, i'm getting new wheels and also painting the outline of the headlights and the cornerlights black. Installing those Spyder taillights too.
January, I'm gonna buy and install the TRD parts and officially add the TRD accessories including badges on the wheels, side and the rear
And for my birthday in February I'm adding subwoofers.

Maybe in March I'll get rid of the dings that she has gotten over the years from constant highway use.

Currently I got the some stuff coming from the mail. They're the white TRD sticker from amazon and the Oxford burlwood i got from ebay.
I cant wait the brake upgrades I'm gonna do this month XD

Stuff I need for the DIY stuff that i yet to have are:
Two jack stands
HD Jack
Creeper
New Muffler clamps
(on going list...)

[mig0s]

Good to see you have made a plan, but...

-did I miss it or you didn't mention DROPPING the Solara?
-Too many TRD badges in my opinion. One is enough.
-16" wheels seems to me little small for the Solara.
-I'm not sure about painting the headlights... it will decrease your visibility and looks weird imo.

Anyways it's your car you do what you want with it, but I'm only giving suggestion to make it look better, in my opinion

Good luck!

[DSM_Lara]

He meant painting the chrome frame in the housing black. That's the next DIY I'm going to do. That's why I need another pair of oem headlights.

[S.Z.-Alpha]

Good to see you have made a plan, but...

-did I miss it or you didn't mention DROPPING the Solara?
-Too many TRD badges in my opinion. One is enough.
-16" wheels seems to me little small for the Solara.
-I'm not sure about painting the headlights... it will decrease your visibility and looks weird imo.

Anyways it's your car you do what you want with it, but I'm only giving suggestion to make it look better, in my opinion

Good luck!

Err I'm using the same stock tires on my solara.(205/60/16s).so yea O_o You think I'm getting thinner tires on 16s? that's crazy.
And I'm gonna pass on the lowering springs because it'd look too weird on the stock tires(I couldnt get new tires cuz I just got them about a couple of months ago). I just might later on when step up to 17 inch wheels when i need new tires.
On painting the headlights, I'm just gonna paint the outer rim of the headlights. I saw some ppl who did it on theirs and looked kick ass. And yea...I would need new assemblies of them...T_T gotta keep searching for a cheap ones...Curse you HID retrofits and your expensiveness!

And DSM Yea it'd look great on your dark colored Solara XD Do it!

[SleeperSolara]

Nice little list there man.
I personally wouldn't do the "Black Spyder Altezza lights" .
Also I would go wit 17" rims.
Save up and do the twin piston caliper upgrade.
Powder coatin' the calipers would be a better, last longer and pop out from behind the rims compared to caliper paitin'.

[SirThomas88]

One TRD emblem on the front, one TRD emblem on the back is plenty.

You shouldn't be second guessing getting an SRI. It should be on the top of your list! Personally I'd recommend the Injen over the OBX, Weapon-R, and other brands.

Get the SRI now, thank me later.

[S.Z.-Alpha]

One TRD emblem on the front, one TRD emblem on the back is plenty.

You shouldn't be second guessing getting an SRI. It should be on the top of your list! Personally I'd recommend the Injen over the OBX, Weapon-R, and other brands.

Get the SRI now, thank me later.

Gah...O_o TRD filter or SRIs....TRD filter or SRIs....TRD filter or SRIs! gah X_X

[S.Z.-Alpha]

I want my headlights and cornerlights like this. and possibly my grill too Doesnt it look epic? XD

[yaddadaimsayin]

LOWER IT!!

and who's solara is that? thats one hot car!

[DSM_Lara]

Idk but, mines look like that in a stealth mode way. Also, I think my corners are better.

[S.Z.-Alpha]

Hey guys. A new and annoying issue on my car came on up. It's been bothering me alot lately. There's a grinding/rubbing feeling I get on the gas pedal. I looked around google and SG of course, many say it's either CV joint wear, Ball bearings, brake rotors, tire balance, and suspension. I've been observing it for weeks now and I know that:

- Running with momentum about 20-60 mph going on Neutral, no revving = Still feel it...
- Revving while running with momentum about 20-60 mph on Neutral = Same as previous
- On Drive, just gliding about 20-60 mph = Same as neutral.
- Pressing the brake pedal(braking) while lightly pressing/feeling the gas pedal to a stop sign(stop distance about 10 Feet) = Grinding/rubbing intensifies slighty.
- Hard left/right turn and accelerating = slightly grinding/rubbing intensity
- Rubbing/grinding feeling is considered rhythmic.
- Gets stronger on rough(imagine sandpaper)like roads
- Vibration spreads thru driver-side floor at times, not violent though.
- Hard acceleration doesnt intensify the grinding/rubbing...

My guess?
Tire/wheels maybe?

Post for theories, solutions, and interjections are appreaciated as always
(T_T I'm crying on the inside though on this one...please help T_T)

[TheMack]

i have an OBX SRI right now and for the price ($30) im pleased with it, just my two cents

[SleeperSolara]

Check you CV axle boots and anythin' near that area the might be loose.

[S.Z.-Alpha]

Luckily my friend has a 2000 Camry V6 that he was also modded a while back. He too had a OBX SRI. It sounded like an angry cat O_o.

Oh no. Not the CV. I just found out the culprit. Tire Vibration. I switched out to my old cheapo Sams tires(glad i kept them.) from my sports tires . the vibration disappeared. So I'm gonna check to see if my balance and alignments are out at the local tire shops to support my theory 100%(but yea it IS tire vibration)

I changed my spark plugs this weekend. It was hell though but rough idling's gone. Now the only issue left aside from the tire problem is the timing belt. Toyota brought it up when i was getting my rear struts replaced. Being at 81000 something miles, it's getting up there on the wear on the damn thing. They wanted 750 to replace them including the waterpump. I wish i could do it myself. would it be difficult?

[SleeperSolara]

Luckily my friend has a 2000 Camry V6 that he was also modded a while back. He too had a OBX SRI. It sounded like an angry cat O_o.

Oh no. Not the CV. I just found out the culprit. Tire Vibration. I switched out to my old cheapo Sams tires(glad i kept them.) from my sports tires . the vibration disappeared. So I'm gonna check to see if my balance and alignments are out at the local tire shops to support my theory 100%(but yea it IS tire vibration)

I changed my spark plugs this weekend. It was hell though but rough idling's gone. Now the only issue left aside from the tire problem is the timing belt. Toyota brought it up when i was getting my rear struts replaced. Being at 81000 something miles, it's getting up there on the wear on the damn thing. They wanted 750 to replace them including the waterpump. I wish i could do it myself. would it be difficult?

That's very interestin' that the tire vibration would make that noise.
Neva had that issue.
Usually a bad balance would make the steerin' wheel shake around 60.