Matt, the rumors about the engine falling out of the powerband must be due to some lazy (read: slow) shifters. I've had no problems with the engine falling out of the powerband. I shift a "little" quicker than in my turbo legacy, but by no means any more inconveniently or rushed. Also, 2002 Celica's lowering of the redline. The 2002s had a 7800rpm redline vs. the 2000-2001, and 2003-2004's 8400rpm redline. Considering that the peak power is made at 7800 rpms, this was a really poor choice for the 2002s. Those were immediately axed from my list of choices in cars.
There were several tests done with the cam switchover point with an Apex-i Power FC (which I'd like to get my hands on) and in all honesty, they found that the 6000rpm changeover point to be optimal given the lobe variances and torque curves. They cross at around 6200rpm, and given the changeover rate of the cam engagement system, 6000rpm still seems to be the optimal changeover point.
Matt Monson wrote:Boostjunkie,
Something you might explore with that GT-S is gettting an aftermarket VVT controller to move the cam switchover down a few hundred RPMs. One of the major complaints that I have read about with this car is that it is tuned so that if you hit redline in any of the first few gears, it drops back down to the emissions/fuel economy cam because of the tranny gearing. Changing that switch over point would do a lot for the performance and driveability of the car. Otherwise, I think your focus on handling is well founded...
It is very awesome that the car is still with us and not in some impreza doods hands. As for the celica, I personally would've went with an early 90's all-trac or whatever, but good choice none the less. Wasn't this the car where they made those commecials with that stupid body kit and everyone was like the car was parked and people would come by and think it was speeding, like a cop wrote a ticket and some old man was yelling at the car, know what I'm talking about?
