SolaraGuy.com

Despite my car being from New York and never being registered anywhere near California, my 1999 Sle is somehow Cali spec. I'm very curious why, but more importantly it means I lose 10 Horsepower and I have to shell out big bucks for A/F sensors instead of cheaper o2 sensors.

What exactly is different on Cali spec cars? I'm assuming there's some extra catalytic converting going on, plus the aforementioned A/F sensors and probably some ECU programming... If I had access to a regular v6 solara parts car, what would be needed to convert? Is this feasible?

Bump... No one's tried this before?

I doubt you can switch sensors. Swapping Cali spec manifolds to fed spec has been covered before (it might have gotten lost in the .org/.com switch) but its supposed to free up a few hp. Honestly, you probably won't even feel the difference. IMHO, if you're going to do that amount of work, you might as well go with something aftermarket....which we're pretty limited on

Honestly, I just want to be able to use cheaper o2 sensors instead of the more expensive A/F sensors. I can live without the horsepower, but I don't have the money for all this hippie crap...

You see any problem with swapping the PCM with a fed spec one and switching to o2 sensors?

I saw your earlier post about your codes. There is a TBS for certian 99 Solara's with the V6 California Spec for those codes. I just figured being from PA there's no way it's a CA spec car !! Anyways, if you car was produced before VIN 2T1CF22P*XC104577 then this TSB would apply. It's a very easy fix as well, there was a pin fit issue with the A/F Heater Relay. You could probably do it yourself in about 20 minutes with no new parts !! I can get you the complete TSB if you want it.

I actually have one of the first solaras built, according to my dealer. If you could get me the TSB that would be awesome! Need my email address?

Yeah, just PM it to me. It's pretty simple; there is a couple relays connected to your battery hold down. In Relay Block #2, Remove the A/F heater relay and secure pin terminals #1 & #2 in the relay block, reinstall the relay and make sure everything works.....It's a pin fit issue, make sure the relay has good connection when you install it. That may fix your problem !

Unfortunately that didn't do it. I'm pretty sure I got all the pins back in but you know how those things are, once you pull it out it will never go back the same. I just hope I didn't make it worse. CEL came back, with all those codes. I think I might just have a bad sensor.

Sorry to hear that. If you want to PM your email address to me I can send you the actual TSB from Toyota. That way you can double check and make sure I told you the correct way to do it or maybe you have a problem with that relay itself. Unfortunetly, I work at a Dealership in Michigan and we don't see to many California spec cars. I just happened to run across the TSB and thought it may be helpful.

I found the actual TSB once you described it to me, and it described my problem to a tee. However, I swapped the A/F sensor with one from a Cali spec Avalon at the junkyard. Despite being a different part, I get away with that for about 500 miles before the computer catches on throws a light. With my current A/F sensor, it only takes a few miles so I do think it's a problem with the actual sensor. I do appreciate your help though.

No problem. Hope the sensor fixes it !!

Finally (yes, finally) fixed the problem. I was the problem. Since you were so interested in helping me I figured you might be interested in what was wrong...

I blew the A/F fuse by using that incompatible junkyard sensor and shorting out the heater circuit. I also reassembled the relay block poorly after trying the fix mentioned in that TSB you told me about, and one of the pins backed out. It wasn't one of the power pins, so when I plugged it in the relay still clicked so I never suspected it until now. One of these days, something will go wrong on my car that isn't my fault. One of these days...

first off is your car a 5 speed or auto. im pretty sure all 5 speeds are O2 sensors, even in CA. in my swap im using a 5 speed ECU and had to buy O2 sensors. the engine and harness i got were from an auto but the ECU had an immobilizer so it wouldn't run the engine.