Supercharger and AWD...why not both?

[SirMoosealot13]

ok gang, i just purchased my new 2005 AWD, got it fully loaded except for the leather because i wanted two-toned which wasnt factory available, but i had it custom done and just got it back today, and its BEEEEEUUUUTIFUL(pics to follow soon!). anyhow, at the time of purchase i was inquiring about the supercharger at the dealer, and they told me it wasnt possible to add that component, however, after doing my own research via multiple performance shops in my area(im in NJ just outside NYC so there are alot around here) EVERYONE of them told me there was no reason not to be able to(4 places in total)...so i turn to you guys for the truth, why does the dealer say no and these other guys say yes? is this or is this not doable? and why the heck wouldnt GM make it like that from the factory, i mean AWD AND a Supercharged engine....gosh i got tingle in my spine! get back to me guys and let me know what the deal is here....thanks a bunch as always, Happy Holidays to all! Thomas

[kostby]

It's definitely been done at least once (on an AWD Matrix), but it voids the factory warranty. Why? The long-term longevity of the AWD driveline components isn't assured with the approximate 30% increase in horsepower and torque with the supercharger.Toyota and GM don't want to replace the fairly expensive Matrix/Vibe AWD drivetrain components under warranty if they get trashed by the extra torque and horsepower supercharger, so they don't warranty that combination.Neither GM nor Toyota offer the supercharger INSTALLED from the factory. On a manual or automatic Front-Wheel-Drive Vibe or Matrix with the 1.8 1ZZ engine (but not the 2ZZ GT/XRS engine), the supercharger is a dealer-installed add-on at the time of purchase (and then carries the same warranty as the rest of the drivetrain.) If you install it yourself, I believe the warranty is 12 months/12,000 miles on one of the warranted models, but not AWD.User 'Greenfire' (User Profile --> http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...d=753) HAD an AWD Matrix with TRD supercharger. He eventually blew his supercharged engine, apparently because of a severe lean condition caused by an aftermarket performance chip problem, definitely NOT anything to do with AWD. In any case, he had to cough up the money for another engine out-of-pocket. OUCH! I believe he chose NOT to supercharge the replacement engine. Genvibe thread --> http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=12567. The first post in the Genvibe thread has links to the full details in the relevant forums of Matrixowners.com.If you have performance shop contacts who regularly do mods on the 1ZZ Toyota engines, transmissions, and (hopefully AWD drivetrains), I'd say GO FOR IT. An unlimited supply of money would also help! Welcome to the Encyclopedia of Vibe, by the way!

[ragingfish]

The powertrain isn't built strong enough to be supercharged.You'd be nuts to do it, especially on a car under warranty...

[drunkenmaxx]

its been done several times, by matrixowners at (where else) matrixowners.com - there have been no drivetrain issues so far. the only drive train prob caused by FI so far was a turboed AWD that screwed up the tranny. i say, if you want to, do it. i wont be too jealous.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by drunkenvibe »there have been no drivetrain issues so far. the only drive train prob caused by FI so far was a turboed AWD that screwed up the tranny. i say, if you want to, do it. i wont be too jealous. and greenfire's supercharger that killed his engine!

[drunkenmaxx]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »and greenfire's supercharger that killed his engine! i believe he had fuel management that was running him extra lean?>"Another thing to take into mind is that Greenfire was using a Split-Second AIC-1 fuel controller to run his 5th injector, and the A/F ratio was re-tuned with it.The engine can definitely handle the power from the SC. Greenfires problems were the result of running to lean while under full boost.Hopefully everything works out ok for him."

[Mase]

I think another thing to worry about is the 1st catalytic converter in the exhaust system. Since the 1st cat is bolted directly to the exhaust manifold instead of to a length of downpipe, the cat will experience a lot more heat and pressure than usual. It's likely the cat will eventually blow out. I'm also wondering...aren't the '05 1zz's drive by wire? You may have some compatability issues with that.Good luck if you run with it though. I think Greenfire was running hi 16's/ low 17's with his SC AWD setup.

[greenfire]

Hi guys, what everyone is saying is correct. Keep in mind there is no SC out for the 05s yet, so for now it will not work. Also don't forget "vup"(his name is different on here)(teammonkeys?) has a SCawd Vibe.Unless you beat the cr@p out of you car I don't see why the 4wd tranny/drivetrain would not hold up. Get a transmission cooler and you are good to go. The biggest dis-advantage is that you warranty is out the window.

[Faultline]

It just depends on how adventurous you are. When I turboed my 5 speed Vibe, I figured that I threw away my warranty on my motor, and maybe my tranny as well. If I blow my motor, I will not try to get it covered under warranty...just out of principle, why should gm give me a new motor if I am the one who causes predentonation??Having said that, I dont see why SCing the AWD will be dangerous. AS Greenfire said, he did not think it woud be a problem.. His motor problem had to do with A/F ratios and predentonation, which could have happened to a manual 5 speed, or automatic.If the 05's are drive by wire, then I know for sure the The SF fuel system will work on it because it works on the DBW celica models. It is mechanical in nature. It is the fuel solution that I have, and has worked for 2 years now. Most of the electronic piggyback systems will not work with DBW ECU's. Soooo if you really want to do this, then it is possible.

[tecton]

the transmission in the vibe can handle the power, if you read greenfires thread, he states the tranny never had a problemthe awd drive train isnt a factor, as the times you will be using it wont be at anysuper high boost level, or high speed conditioni know i dont use the awd at 100mph, even at take off....i dont see it being a problem really

[tecton]

as far as the headerunbolt it, and take it to a shop, tell them to cut off the pipes/cat off the flange, and make new header out of the stock flange...or better yet, find a used one from a junkyard and reuse the flange but have new pipes made for it without th cateasy as cake

[tnpartsguy]

**Off topic**Dude, you live near my mom's hometime! She was born near Pineville. I still have family in Pineville, Herndon, Bud-Alpoca, Beckley, ect.....love those mountain roads up in that area!!

[tecton]

yeah the mtn roads here rule too much fun