1995 Camry Coupe Restomod

Here is some insight into my mount-designing process. The whole point of test-fitting the engine last weekend was to fab up these "templates" for motor mounts. With the engine suspended into position, I hastily cut and tack-welded a bunch of scrap into place to capture the positional data. Then I took these templates off, took measurements, and made CAD models using the data. 

For the rear mount, I hacked off the studded feet of the original mount, welded some steel to span them, and welded more steel from that to the CV bearing mount. There was not enough room for the original mount since it was hitting the 2GR exhaust manifold.

I can use the front mount but with a different bracket, I am pretty sure. 

With the engine out, here is what the templates look like in the chassis:

The front mount was easy enough to design a simpler version. It even has some self-fixturing tabs and slots for easier welding.

The rear mount is more complicated. Not only can I not use the OEM mount due to space, it also has to house the CV axle bearing. I found some generic motor mounts from Speedway that are small enough to fit this space. 

I wanted the mount as close to the engine as possible, since that's a long lever arm to get past the CV bearing. It's an awkward, heavy design and I am taking no feedback since I already placed the sendcutsend order 

In the meantime, I am de-looming the engine bay harness and cleaning it up in here. The more I study the wiring diagrams, the easier this is looking. It's like 5 wires from the interior and another 7 or 8 from the engine bay fuse box. Also collecting some missing parts here and there, like broken connectors, missing O2 sensor, power steering hoses, etc. 

I'm really enjoying this swap project. All the 2GR swap stuff like wiring diagrams is well-documented, and all the 3rd-gen Camry stuff is abundant and cheap. There's even a write-up on which resistors to replace in the cruise control switch to make that work. The motor mounting brackets are the only real thinker so far. 

I get pretty excited when I see this thread has updates...

which is weird because I've never cared about a Camry before lol

Swapped out the old fuel pump for one from a 2GR junkyard car. They are identical in form factor, including the electrical plug. I presume the 2GR one flows more, plus it's newer.

Parts cannon has been fired at adjustable regulator, fittings, and hoses to adapt this return system to the 2GR's returnless fuel rail.

Electrical progress is good too. I've been studying the diagrams of the two cars and it's looking pretty straightforward. I will be deleted all but a few wires from the old Camry's engine harness, and re-using the fuses and relays with the 2GR harness.

2 chassis plugs and 2 ECU plugs, and the engine harness can be passed through the firewall for further pruning. I am pretty sure I'll remove the ECU and Cruise Control computer completely. I haven't found a reason to keep either one yet.

Those few wires dangling in the middle of the engine bay plus a handful going through the firewall should be all I need to integrate with the 2GR harness. It basically boils down to relays and main power fuses on the engine side, and switched inputs (key, A/C, cruise) on the firewall side. I think.

I've lived vicariously through several of your build threads now.

Carry on!

Front mount turned out great! It welded up easily and attaches to the stock XV10 chassis motor mount. I don't know if anyone has used this part of the block for engine mounting, but I guess I'll find out if it's strong enough. It uses the M10 stud originally for holding the stock manifold cat, so I don't know if it will be compatible with stock manifolds. 

Rear mount works too but I'm not as happy with it. I might switch to a tubular bushing style mount. I pressed the 3 old studs out of the stock chassis mounts and pressed them into this 1/4" plate. The 4th hole is shared with the rubber mount, so it's 3/8" instead of M10 like the others. 

The bearing carrier part of this mount is much better now that I opened up the clearance a little bit. 

I left this piece unwelded until I fit the engine again, then tacked it into place.

I'm sure it will work just fine but I might try a design like this using some universal tube bushings.

Anyway I probably  have at least 3 or 4 more engine in-n-outs before I'm happy with this. 

Fantastic design and fab work!

I've never liked a Camry so much. 

Dude this rules, great work!

Engine mounts finished, old studs pressed into the new plates, and painted with the new Rustoleum "engine enamel". Test-fit the engine and it went right into place. I also re-booted and greased the CV axle I had been using to align the bearing holder and pressed a new OEM carrier bearing on it. So now I can use the old, worn out bearing as a welding fixture. 

Both sides have plenty of room for exhaust routing. The front exhaust has to go down then rearward, between subframe and oil pan.

The rear exhaust goes slightly forward and down, between subframe, axle, and shifter cables, then turning 90 degrees rearward and going straight back.

I am using stock manifolds with the header-cats cut off. This leaves a 2.5" collector outlet on each manifold. With each down-pipe routed under the subframe and ending parallel to each other, I can merge them with a 2-into-1 stamped y-pipe. 

After the 2-to-1 merge, I have plenty of 2.5" and a big perforated core resonator from the 2GR donor car. I'll see what that sounds like before adding a muffler behind it.

Love seeing this back up top, nice work! 

Exhaust progress. I added a little length of 2.5" to the cut-off headers and put the V-bands there. Then a hundred cuts of mandrel bends to make it work. I was also able to re-use the factory hanger under the subframe.

You can see the passenger CV axle installed in the motor mount next to the rear exhaust flange.

CV axle still spins smoothly without binding. I think I got it right.

The exhaust is mostly 304SS with some aluminized mild bends and the y-pipe. The flex joints and V-bands are stainless too. I tacked it in place with the MIG and I am tig'ing this together with 308 SS filler. It will be plenty nice for this car.

Engine is installed, I think for the last time! Somehow the rear mount ended up taller than expected, so a corner of the intake manifold is touching the bottom of the hood at a brace. I can probably remove the hood insulation and grind away some clearance, then re-install the insulation and you'd never know. It will latch right now, but puts more tension on the latch than I'm comfortable with.  

The to-do list has suddenly fanned out into many parallel paths.