sometimes it can be hard to search here, especially if its for common or frequently used terms. I have sometimes resorted to doing a google search of genvibe, using a search string that ends with site:genvibe.com
1 The 03 AWD was rated at 123 HP, the nonAWD base at 130 HP, not that much of a difference. One main thing attributed to cause the difference was that the exhaust on the AWD was more convoluted to work around the rear driveshaft and differential. One member (pmh013) had a lot of power and economy problems with her 03 AWD from catalytic converter clogging, so thats something you might consider checking. I don't remember anyone here having any real benefit from an ecu tweaking chip.
2. Removing the driveshaft might help some, but I don't know if it would help enough to be worth it, especially if you'll be putting it on and off depending on when you might actually want to have a functional AWD
3/4 Some people have put a cold air intake on their vibe, replaces the air box with an open air filter, and they say it helps, but I've never done it.
5 Any chain auto parts store will sell something marketed as a MAF sensor cleaner. Its easy to do, 2 phillips screws and one connector to remove the MAF, then spray the crap out of it with the cleaner, let it dry and put it back in.
6 The smaller gas tank (11 vs 13.2) on the AWD is also due to having to accomodate the rear drive parts, I'm not sure its feasible to try to put a bigger gas tank in there. Easier to carry around a gas can.
7 sounds like you got that one. I had a lot of trouble with that outlet in my first vibe, blew the CIG fuse regularly.
8 Like andewclaus, it sounds like your temp gauge settles about where mine does. Vibes came form the factory with Toyota red coolant
mickybluesb wrote:EVERY TIME i get gas, the car refuses to start for a good 5-10 seconds of the engine turning over before it starts up. I suspect fuel pump? Someone told me it could be fuel pressure regulator? Its as if the pressure in the tank gets released and it has no pressure in the fuel lines to start the car
The car has an electric fuel pump, and I'm pretty sure it powers up when the key is switched to the run position, doesn't need the engine to be actually turning over. Also, in general, the car tries to put a vacuum on the gas tank, not pressure, for evaporative emissions control, so if you hear an air movement sound when you take the gas cap off, its air rushing into the tank, not pressure being released. Have you tried turning the key to run and waiting 5-10 seconds before kicking it to start?