03 Vibe, are the base engine and GT cats the same?

Discuss any maintenance you've done to your Vibe & Matrix and ask how to perform maintenance on your vehicle
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HankG
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2014 7:14 pm

03 Vibe, are the base engine and GT cats the same?

Post by HankG »

Hi, sorry if this has been discussed before but I haven't had any luck searching. I have an 03 vibe gt registered in California and I need new cats but I'm having trouble figuring out which to buy. I know the AWD is completely different but the pics I've seen make it look like the base 1zz and 2zz use the same cats but I don't know if the internals are the same, especially with it being a CA car. I've been doing compatibility checks on various sites and getting conflicting results.

Before I drop a lot of money, does anyone know if the cats are the same or if I need gt specific ones?
jolt
Posts: 945
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 2:07 am
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota

Re: 03 Vibe, are the base engine and GT cats the same?

Post by jolt »

If you check here: https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/auto-part ... nents-scat on the base model the part number is: #19205432 Catalytic Converter1 FWD, 1.8 LITER W/ O HO

If you check here: https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/auto-part ... nents-scat on the GT model the part number is: #19205433 Catalytic Converter1 FWD, 1.8 LITER W/ HO

So the parts are not the same from the factory.
SeattleJeremy
Posts: 1170
Joined: Mon Jun 05, 2006 4:02 pm
Location: Tacoma, WA

Re: 03 Vibe, are the base engine and GT cats the same?

Post by SeattleJeremy »

There is a pre-cat converter near closer to the manifold, and a standard converter after the bend, as shown here.
https://www.justanswer.com/toyota/20o5t ... rolla.html

Magnaflow sells a universal standard cat to replace the stock one, part number 418034. With a universal cat, the bad one will need to be cut out, and the new one welded in. Any muffler shop can do this work for a reasonable fee, and most have cats in-stock ready to be installed. Magnaflow does not list the pre-cat for the 2ZZ, but they do for the 1ZZ. I'm not sure what the difference is.

Just wanted to give you a second option before you shell out $1000+ for an OEM exhaust pipe.
*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
HankG
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2014 7:14 pm

Re: 03 Vibe, are the base engine and GT cats the same?

Post by HankG »

Thanks guys.
jolt
Posts: 945
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 2:07 am
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota

Re: 03 Vibe, are the base engine and GT cats the same?

Post by jolt »

HankG wrote:.... I have an 03 vibe gt registered in California and I need new cats but I'm having trouble figuring out which to buy. ....especially with it being a CA car. ....
If you check at RockAuto Parts here: http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/pont ... erter,5808

You will see that all the exhaust cats listed in the "Premuim" section also have the note that (Not legal for sale or use in California; Not legal for sale or use in New York for vehicles with CA emissions) on them. Most replacement non-OEM cats are smaller then the factory cat is and would not meet Cali standards. I would say all non-OEM but there is a slim chance someone makes one out there. Your best bet is to go to one of the emission test stations and find out what they will allow. You do not want to spend $400 on a after market cat system just to find out that you will have to replace it with the factory cat. Another place to stop and check is an exhaust shop in California, as they will know what the law allows them to do on a replacement for the cat.
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