a swap would solve the problem but a broke student like me can't afford something like that. the intake, header and exhaust upgrades sound nice but unfortunately no job and no money. I think i could do the tune up. if i decide to do a tune up should i take it to a mechanic or do it myself? all i know about a tune up is ya change the spark plugs and wires, check the hoses, belts and stuff. i probably wouldn't know what i'm looking for when checking the hoses and belts
when it comes to cars i'm not really to mechanical.
to set the timing i would have to take that cover off and underneath that would be a chain right? i also don't have the tools to set the timing, what would i need to buy and how much is it roughly? about the spark plugs and wires i don't know

but its been 1 1/2 years since i bought my celica. the tires were 3 psi less then then the recommended psi due to cold. i never had it taken in for a compression test but my celica has 179,000 miles on it