VITZ RS NCP13 - advice

[TOYO-GT-T]

Hi all,

Its been sometime since I posted on here, and the Caldina GT-T is long gone along with the MR2!

I now have a Vitz RS and are looking to do some basic upgrades, these cars are by no means fast, but they certainly handle themselves when it comes to handling.

My dilemma is availability of parts and information - any advice would be great.

1) Two minds here - go for Koni yellows or go for TRD springs, strut brace and sway bars. Not sure which way would be cheaper.....Any ideas? - Budget is around $1k on handling setup.

Current suspension is only 45k old, so is reasonably ok


2) Exhaust - what setup do you recommended. I am going custom to saving money, i.e mandrel bent or crush bent . Engine 1500cc VVTI

Would 2.25 be ok - cat back?

Would extractors be worth my while?

3)

Drop in TRD panel filter - I have tried researching C.A.I's and so on. But, there is just too much debate and not a lot of proof of performance gains given the price out lay - Was going to go with CAI down in front bumper, but don't want the water spray or the inability to access filter with ease.

4)

Crank Pulley - worth while upgrade? I don't even know where I would source one from in NZ!!!!

5)

Upgraded brake pads - any recommendations?

Lots of questions, but are struggling to find information on what is best.

Will get under the car in the weekend, as there is some kind of exhaust on it at present (no idea how I can tell what size and how far it extends. Any tell tale signs to look for?

[Dell'Orto]

1K would struggle to get you a set of Koni yellows, if they even make them for it. TRD springs would definitely be the best bang for buck.
There are several crowds that do supercharger kits for the 2NZ though

[TOYO-GT-T]

1K would struggle to get you a set of Koni yellows, if they even make them for it. TRD springs would definitely be the best bang for buck.
There are several crowds that do supercharger kits for the 2NZ though

Thats good news - springs will save me money - going to only have limited track use.

Will keep away from the super charger, would like to stay NA (but, understand where you're coming from once the $$$ spend starts to accumulate over time).

[sergei]

for stock 1NZFE the 2.25" is too large. 2" will be fine.

[TOYO-GT-T]

for stock 1NZFE the 2.25" is too large. 2" will be fine.

Thanks for that, the engine is not going to be highly worked.

Re the springs,Mark from Toyota Manawatu kindly assisted me today, however he was unable to assist with springs as TRD are no longer producing them - fair enough, car is c.10 years old.

Can anyone recommend a decent "available" set of springs at a good price?

I am after a set which will improve cornering, not after looks ( i.e biggest drop).

In the past I have used Tein springs in the Caldina - from what I understand there are different Tein springs to choose from....

Following on from this I was going to source a front and rear strut brace, would it be worth while getting a sway bar on the rear as well?

[TOYO-GT-T]

I checked the exhaust today and there appears to be a TRD exhaust system on the car!

What is the best way to check if its a full system or a muffler - are there any sure signs to look for?

Also, I got under the car, and I was trying to work out if it has TRD springs, anything I can look for here to indicate they are?

The springs are black, but I would not say the car sits low, but certainly is not high at the same time, and I am sure all factory springs are black.

[Kiwi-Corolla]

I don't think TRD brought out a full exhaust system for the Vitz so it must be the muffler only. Feel free to take a photo of it and I'll compare it to my Dad's 1.5 Vitz RS which still has the standard exhaust fitted.

The TRD Vitz springs are black so it would be pretty hard to tell, however if they're TRD ones they should be a gloss black as opposed to a flat black like the factory springs and they should have part numbers stamped on them in white if you give them a bit of a clean. The RS models sit lower than all of the other Echos and Vitz's and also have a throatier exhaust note.

[TOYO-GT-T]

I don't think TRD brought out a full exhaust system for the Vitz so it must be the muffler only. Feel free to take a photo of it and I'll compare it to my Dad's 1.5 Vitz RS which still has the standard exhaust fitted.

The TRD Vitz springs are black so it would be pretty hard to tell, however if they're TRD ones they should be a gloss black as opposed to a flat black like the factory springs and they should have part numbers stamped on them in white if you give them a bit of a clean. The RS models sit lower than all of the other Echos and Vitz's and also have a throatier exhaust note.

I will post some pics up to day of the exhaust.

The intake business, is draining on the mind, as there is so much conflicting information.

I am trying to decided if I should go for a drop in panel or something like this on the RS.

http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=69-8756TP


I have genuine concerns over the Ram filter as they will just be sucking hot air.

I was thinking, maybe the best option is a panel filter and some ducting piping running from down in the front bumper up into the factory airbox through a modified hole.

[Kiwi-Corolla]

There are a number of CAI options for the later model Vitz (same 1NZ-FE engine) but unfortunately the pipe goes directly across where your battery is because on the later models the battery is mounted closer to the firewall.

There is however a Fujita cold air intake designed for the later models which may work on yours as it goes under the battery tray as opposed to directly over the top of it.

Here's a link:

http://www.trustysport.com/catalog/prod ... 315-1nzfe/

[sergei]

If modifying intake be very careful with MAF, as it has to be in specific pipe diameter as well as in the right place.
What I am doing right now is removing factory snorkel on the airbox on my wife's IST and replacing it with 2.5" ducting from the under the head light.

The factory snorkel is very restictive (it goes down from 2.5 to under 2in).

[Kiwi-Corolla]

Following on from this I was going to source a front and rear strut brace, would it be worth while getting a sway bar on the rear as well?

If you go for a front strut brace Cusco make a good one, which looks the part too.

Here's a pic of the one fitted to my Dad's Vitz RS:

[TOYO-GT-T]

Managed to get some pictures done, sorry quality and sun light were a wee bit of a problem!


1) Rear muffler



2)Under muffler shot - has some kind of code refference


3)Exhaust pipe coming off rear muffler leading to first resonator?


4) Far end of exhaust (Cat?)


5) Rear pipe off muffler connecting to resonator?


6) Factory airbox - there is a pipe which runs from airbox box and sits behind front headlight (very small setup and not a lot of space) -hmmm

[TOYO-GT-T]

If modifying intake be very careful with MAF, as it has to be in specific pipe diameter as well as in the right place.
What I am doing right now is removing factory snorkel on the airbox on my wife's IST and replacing it with 2.5" ducting from the under the head light.

The factory snorkel is very restictive (it goes down from 2.5 to under 2in).

Agree - do not want to mess up MAF - factory pipe is very short and basic, I did not have a good look, but it it looks simply like a little pipe tucked behind headlight, not sure what the science is, but I suppose air could be passing up a duct from down in the bumper as well as through the mesh style grill.

[TOYO-GT-T]

Following on from this I was going to source a front and rear strut brace, would it be worth while getting a sway bar on the rear as well?

If you go for a front strut brace Cusco make a good one, which looks the part too.

Here's a pic of the one fitted to my Dad's Vitz RS:

Thats exactly what I want, I suppose you can get the rear one as well. Do you how much that one was and where it was sourced from - finding it quite hard to locate parts.