beware the killer echo

how do you turn a 2000 toyota echo sedan, into a really fast highway machine that not even a camaro SS can stop. it also has to handle like it's being moved from underneath by a magnet, and has to cost fairly little. i'd like parts that you can get in CANADA, please :)

Before we tell you how, you must answer "Why?". For the why will dictate the how.

A 2000 Toyota Echo can be made to move really fast. It isn't that difficult. The key is in how you push it out the back of the C130 and how high up you are when you start the push.

klipless wrote: Before we tell you how, you must answer "Why?". For the why will dictate the how.

1: i want to be the fastest echo to go around mosport? 2: "Because!"

stoptheeconobox wrote: 1: i want to be the fastest echo to go around mosport? 2: "Because!"

I think if you were to take it around Mosport, you'd be the first person to do so, and by default the fastest. But just to be sure, you could throw some well-worn freebie A6's on there and lock up the track record [for an echo] for good.

stoptheeconobox wrote:

klipless wrote: Before we tell you how, you must answer "Why?". For the why will dictate the how.

1: i want to be the fastest echo to go around mosport? 2: "Because!"

Would that really be that hard? How many other modified Echo's are there anyway?

Or you could just buy a Camaro SS and a nitrous kit for a lot less money and have WAY more fun.

Ooohhh!!! I know!

Step 1) Pry 'Echo' and 'Toyota' badges off of said vehicle Step 2) Affix badges to Elise Step 3) ????? Step 4) Profit!!

griffin729 wrote:

stoptheeconobox wrote:

klipless wrote: Before we tell you how, you must answer "Why?". For the why will dictate the how.

1: i want to be the fastest echo to go around mosport? 2: "Because!"

Would that really be that hard? How many other modified Echo's are there anyway?

i dunno. what matters is that i have an echo, and have 6 grand to play with

oh wait, i just saw a turbo echo HOWCOOLIZAT?!?!?!?!

I think you could proabbly figure out a way to shoehorn a 2grfe in there for $6k.

I'm not going to ask the why, because i don't care.

They should corner well with some coilovers and wide wheels, they've got lots of potential in that area, but little to no potential in terms of power. If you want to outrun muscle cars you'll need a dual powertrain swap, for starters, and a turbo on each powertrain. Then you'll need an LSD in each tranny to help lay down the power. This idea is notably insane even by GRM standards, but I'm not going to question you.

Edit: Alternative to dual powertrain: 4WD and BFE (Big F'in Engine)

stoptheeconobox wrote: i'd like parts that you can get in CANADA, please :)

http://www.turbinetech.ca/projet_detail.php?id=5&SESSID=8d0b23a8364b5d22772f329a4ffd31fa

How much are you willing to remove for the sake of speed?

All Toyotas are faster with AWD Celica drivetrain swaps.

I think that Turbinetech job might run a bit more than 6K. Roll cage looks pretty serious.

Fastest around a track is a valid excuse. Would a Celica GT engine fit?

With the six large, the best upgrade would be to buy a faster car for six large. Seriously. Doode.

You're probably not serious but I respond for my sake.

I used to have an echo, I loved it but it got very light at speeds over 80. I would not ever want to drive one faster than 70-75. I think the bubble shape generates allot of lift.

The stock engine runs on regular gas with something like 11:1 compression ratio. how cool is that? It has a variable timing cam and a freaking valve in the muffler to give it 5 more hp at high rpm's. Seriously.

My echo died from a rear end collision. Subaru killed it, she wasn't paying attention.... Subaru needed a new bumper/fenders, echo died: frame/body/rear "axle" etc. parted ways. Would not recommend being in one at speeds greater than 70-75 when they start to get light. Think safe like an old beetle.

My echo turd returned 40-43 mpg with an auto and ice cold ac. Weighed as much as a tandem bicycle and never broke. What you need is to buy a $4000 C4 vette and a $2k Nitrous kit. Then you can drive your echo to work after you blow that up embarrassing a camaro.

$2k Miata and exchange $4k for go-faster bits from Keith's employer?

how about trade in echo on ZX-10R/GSX-1000R and laugh at muscle cars?

Why do people come to a non-model specific forum and ask how to modify their specific model of car, especially when nobody on that has probably even driven that car, much less have any experience in modifying it?

Stoptheeconobox - have you thought about maybe going to Google and typing in "toyota echo forum" and finding some people who just may have experience with your car and asking them? I know it sounds crazy, but I found several forums that actually have discussions about modifying Echos and could actually give you some advice on how to make your car go as fast as a stock V6 Camry.

Bob

There have been a lot of tongue-in-cheek responses, but I'm going to give you a serious one - don't even try it.

The primary reason I say that is that the center of gravity of the Echo is very high in comparison with its track width. Modifyng the suspension and adding grip is just begging for a rollover.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Being an echo owner I don't see the point. Keep it as an a-b and build a $6000 toy.

Schmidlap wrote: Stoptheeconobox - have you thought about maybe going to Google and typing in "toyota echo forum" and finding some people who just may have experience with your car and asking them? I know it sounds crazy, but I found several forums that actually have discussions about modifying Echos and could actually give you some advice on how to make your car go as fast as a stock V6 Camry. Bob

I bet there is tons of discussion on performance on the echo forums. NOT!

you don't need $6k to get your econobox into the 14s... (I wish all the pics worked it's a classic article) http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=776885