Mods: Your opinion

1.8-liter VVTL-i (2ZZ-GE) and VVT-i (1ZZ-FE) engine, transmission, exhaust, intake, and performance tuning discussions
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Ugetmyvibe
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon Jul 17, 2017 8:23 pm

Mods: Your opinion

Post by Ugetmyvibe »

Hi guys. I'm new here, I couldn't find the new members area (if there is one), so I should probably introduce my car. I have a 2003 Pontiac Vibe base (I think) with the 5 speed manual. I bought it myself from a family friend for $1000. Ill quite rambling and get to it. Does anybody have any specific recommendations for what to get? I already know CAI and exhaust, but are there any headers out there that fit? I used to have a Honda/Acura, so I'm kinda spoiled with bolt ons in the past? Also, is there any websites y'all recommend for finding parts? I primarily use Carid. I apologize for my newness! Thanks!
jayoldschool
Posts: 294
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2014 6:04 pm

Re: Mods: Your opinion

Post by jayoldschool »

Here's my advice: don't waste your money on intake/exhaust "upgrades". These cars aren't fast, they don't make much power, and those mods really won't pay off. Keep your cash ready for maintenance that it will definitely need. Brakes, sensors, steering, suspension, and...likely... A replacement transmission.
SeattleJeremy
Posts: 1170
Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2006 4:02 pm
Location: Tacoma, WA

Re: Mods: Your opinion

Post by SeattleJeremy »

Welcome to the forum. I'm with jayoldschool. The base (5-speed) cars are not fast, and it's not financially responsible to spend as much as you paid for the car on mods that won't make a difference.

Quick math here.
$270 - Injen CIA
$570 - Magnaflow cat back
$100 - Shipping (from where they are in the US to where I am in the US).
------------------
$940
Prices from monkeywrenchracing.


If you want to make the car louder just to make it loud, throw on a fancy looking muffler, but don't waste your money on anything else.
*Sold* 06' Vibe Base - Mono Platinum - Manual
Turo'ing 15' BMW 328i Sport - Jet Black - Auto
Daily 19' Toyota Camry SE Hybrid - Galactic Aqua Mica - eCVT
circuitsmith
Posts: 242
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:26 pm

Re: Mods: Your opinion

Post by circuitsmith »

The first thing I recommend is you change the transmission oil and cross your fingers.
2006 Matrix 5-sp
jayoldschool
Posts: 294
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2014 6:04 pm

Re: Mods: Your opinion

Post by jayoldschool »

And, when you change that trans, don''t put another C59 5 speed in, just get a C60 six speed from the GT/XRS. I did!
circuitsmith
Posts: 242
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:26 pm

Re: Mods: Your opinion

Post by circuitsmith »

Here's an option for a 6 speed with the same top gear as the 5 speed:

http://www.monkeywrenchracing.com/produ ... n-lsd-new/
2006 Matrix 5-sp
NoRemorse2291
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Nov 06, 2015 9:08 am

Re: Mods: Your opinion

Post by NoRemorse2291 »

A vibe may not be a race car but you can damn sure chop the top down a few inches and drop a real ricer engine in it and it can be quite fast but modding the original engine isn't really gonna get you anywhere.
Ugetmyvibe
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon Jul 17, 2017 8:23 pm

Re: Mods: Your opinion

Post by Ugetmyvibe »

I have some knowledge on building motors and such (primarily the Honda K series and the GM LS) and if I've learned anything, it's that one motor is in multiple cars and some parts are interchangeable. Our cars have the same motor as the Celicas (in the same year at least), has anyone tried snagging a intake manifold from a GTS, are the headers swappable? Also, dont tell me it's not fast, I'm aware. I work with super and sports cars. I just want it to be faster than stock Is all. I appreciate the replies but I wouldn't ask the question if I wanted to just stay stock.
SeattleJeremy
Posts: 1170
Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2006 4:02 pm
Location: Tacoma, WA

Re: Mods: Your opinion

Post by SeattleJeremy »

The 2ZZ manifold requires a custom adapter to mate to the 1ZZ engine. Here a few links I found on the subject.
http://www.trdforums.org/threads/2zz-in ... 1zz.35746/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKwkTNyJzF8

There are a few posts on matrixowners club, but my work firewall blocks it for some strange reason.
*Sold* 06' Vibe Base - Mono Platinum - Manual
Turo'ing 15' BMW 328i Sport - Jet Black - Auto
Daily 19' Toyota Camry SE Hybrid - Galactic Aqua Mica - eCVT
jolt
Posts: 945
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 2:07 am
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota

Re: Mods: Your opinion

Post by jolt »

If you can find an old Vibe TRD supercharger with all the parts to bolt on. This was a factory-dealer installed supercharger for the standard 1.8L engine. No longer made, and for the most part, no replacement parts. These did not sell because of the above reasons; just did not make economic sense. Here is a couple of link:

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f77/ ... mber-2450/

http://www.genvibe.com/html/features/sc ... ive1.shtml
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