Is there a difference between quicker and smoother acceleration and faster and full-bore where you simply aim to add horse power ?

I'm asking not so much to increase any horsepower but to better utilize
what exists. I'm thinking perhaps the Tc can jumper quicker out of the block and accelerate with smoother and cleaner rev.

 

not exactly sure what your trying to find out...
but read this.

http://www.vettenet.org/torquehp.html

 

what? quicker like you want shorter time 0-60. or faster like you want faster top end?

 

i think what you're trying to say is you want to increase low end power, clear all the way up to top end power? so you have more usable power throughout the powerband?

so you can accelerate away quickly, without all the ruckus of revving to redline? right?

you could if you had say...a very fast spooling turbo, but then your top end would be hurt.

 

what do you mean by "smoother" and "cleaner rev"?

i've read 4-2-1 headers and short ram intakes improve mid-range power over 4-1 headers and cold air intakes, so I supposed you can go for those. I heard the TRD supercharger provides better low/mid range power more smoothly than a turbo.

 

^ the TRD supercharger is out of production. not worth the money anyway

 

also, the trd supercharger provides virtually no extra low end power, and mid-range power gain is okay, but it is a centrifugal supercharger, so all the power is still top end.

but look, anyway you cut it, the car is still a n/a four cylinder, it isn't a powerhouse of an engine. it isn't going to sound as smooth or refined as a v6 or v8 engine.

closest example of what the OP is talking about is when my friends parents showed me their (then) brand new lexus SC430. absolutely beautiful car in all black. when they left, it was just gone with an effortless quiet thrust of the engine. but that is a 4.3 liter v8 engine, the tc's 2.4 liter 4 cyl is nearly half that size, and cylinders, it'll never be able to move like that.

 

One good way to help with acceleration without spending mounds of cash is to get the poly mount insert kit by energy suspension. They work better than a torque damper and cost around 50ish shipped. The downside is your car will vibrate a bit when the a/c is on at idle, but you will notice the change in your launches immediately. I'd also recommend putting drag radials on your front wheels for better grip. Even still the tc isn't that fast stock, if you're on a budget consider also a nitrous wet kit, it runs usually under 1K with all the extras and you can get up to around 220- 250hp.

 

yes, I wasn't sure what I was describing but a number here seemed to have understood.

thanks so much for all the replies.

i can't do any turbo. i actually want and need to pass state inspections.

But Charlie07Tc mentioned a "poly mount insert kit from energy
suspension for 50-ish " which i am incredibly fascinated about. i went
to their site but i could not locate the component. Truth be told, I wasn't
exactly sure what I was looking for as I combed through their site.

I'm also wondering if the Energy Suspension Hypeflex Urethane Master
Bushing Kit (sold through FastScions) might not also improve ride
response when paired with an aftermarket sway arm and improved
suspension.

In combination, those two for a modest cost might we I'm looking for.

 

you can find all those parts at www.dezod.com, i have the complete set installed on my tc, but it is pretty expensive, if you can't afford a turbo...

 

Try Ebay, here is the link:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Energ...Q5fAccessories

Just don't try to do the bottom front mount yourself, it was a nightmare. Go to a shop and have them use a press, the other two are easier, the only problem is getting the rear mount out, they have a diy writeup on club sciontc.