Vibe GTR with V6....

[SilverExpress]

Ok, Ok....just day dreaming here at work during lunch. I read on another post that the 2007 Vibe might have a different drivetrain all together...so with my krazy imagination here is what GM has at it's disposal....A Vibe with a V6 would be nice. There's plenty of room in the engine bay for one that's for sure. Here are some other possibilities that I can think ofPossibilities........-Subaru's WRX Drivetrain (let's not forget the SAAB 92X....both companies are owned by GM, Subaru however is just 30-40%)-Ecotech 4 cylinder-Or one of GM's in house V6's-SAAB's Turbo V6 (Coming in the new 2006 9-3 Aero)The Vibe is a very popular Brand Name, and I think it would be a real bad move to let this one slide. So whether it be a Toyota engine and trans driving that nameplate or not in the near future, GM has a lot of other choices to pick from. Now come on, wouldn't you want a WRX underneath that Vibe of yours???????

[pwarren4]

If any engine / drivetrain components are replaced with GM models - it will immediatly end my interest in the Vibe.The Toyota quality of the engine is the only reason I considered the Vibe in the first place.Why didn't I just buy a Toyota? The Blazer I owned last ended up at a GM dealer with a quote to repair mechanical issues that far exceeded the value - a fair trade arrangement was negotiated and I said bye to the money pit GM product. Any other dealer would have laughed at me when I mentioned trading in the Blazer, then either refused, or just taken it from me (which far from what happened anyway).

[Pablo1669]

Quote, originally posted by pwarren4 »If any The Toyota quality of the engine is the only reason I considered the Vibe in the first place.This is such an outdated statement. GM has some pretty damn good products out there now. You can't keep living in the 80's and 90's anymore.

[StampedeVibe]

I'd have to agree with PW. The Toyota engine/transmission was the main reason I considered buying the Vibe. Otherwise, I would have just leased the el cheapo Cavalier/Sunfire for 3 years until I saved up enough to buy a Honda/Toyota. I still haven't heard great things about GM quality in the past, but I have heard they're improving. But, personally, I'd rather wait until I see GM car owners raving about quality and reliability before I jump in.

[Pablo1669]

Quote, originally posted by StampedeVibe » I'd rather wait until I see GM car owners raving about quality and reliability before I jump in.What about the people on here that are ranting about their Toyota product giving them problems? It's the exact opposite.Rather then just going on what people tell you, do some research, look at the JD Power scores, and you'll see all the signs out there that GM is improving their quality.

[russ257]

toyota still has the percepton though i mean look at resale value of the vibe vs the matrix

[Mavrik]

But a WRX Subaru drive train would need some serious modification since its awd. And certainly hope GM would not use their own V6 in there... but a turbo saab engine... POWER hehe.

[SilverExpress]

Mavrik, Vibe is already available as an AWD. I figure you would need new axle shaft lengths, stiffer suspension, new engine mounting locations, new exhaust piping, new wiring harnesses, battery location, new radiator/intercooler locations...etc..Impossible? Hey if they can stuff a 5.0 in a miata....why not.....

[Thewhite]

Quote, originally posted by pwarren4 »If any engine / drivetrain components are replaced with GM models - it will immediatly end my interest in the Vibe.The Toyota quality of the engine is the only reason I considered the Vibe in the first place.I agree with you, when my dad brough me to my Pontiac dealer for the first time, I told him "I won't buy a GM daddy!!" Then I saw the Vibe, remembered the macanic is Toyota, and fall in love. Maybe the quality of GM has improve, but the reputation has not. When I'll read excellent quote in 'nadian auto magazines (often more impartial than american) about GM produt, then I may try a GM pure product for a next car...As for the AWD, the one one the Vibe is NOT a all wheel drive. it's a kind of traction control. If the front wheels slip, then rear wheels will take some power. But the front has to slip first. On the Subaru AWD, the 4 wheels always have power, and if you don'T need it, the rear wheels will then loose power. That's a HUGE difference, and this is why, like Trdvibe, buy a WRX as my next car: great engine, with a real AWD.a Vibe GTR? sweet, I will like it, but don'T buy it.

[Mavrik]

Quote, originally posted by SilverExpress »Mavrik, Vibe is already available as an AWD. I figure you would need new axle shaft lengths, stiffer suspension, new engine mounting locations, new exhaust piping, new wiring harnesses, battery location, new radiator/intercooler locations...etc..Impossible? Hey if they can stuff a 5.0 in a miata....why not.....uh yeah I was aware of that really. What I am getting at is the AWD Vibe is the ***** out of the three models. GM has their reasons for not making a GT an AWD. Also would really take a lot of work since the WRX engine faces forward where the Vibe sits sideways. Now obviously the AWD Vibe has this well in hand but throw in a bigger engine and all that, its going to take so much modifications they might as well build their own.

[russ257]

hey now watch picking on the awds. A trd mechanic said our difs were build by bosh(porsche) and were pretty bulletproof. look at the turbo awd's out there

[joatmon]

More power is great and all that, but I bought the Vibe because of the mpg rating. GM doesn't offer much in terms of efficiency compared to Toyota Priius, Honda hybrid civic, VW diesels, all almost 50 mpg hwy, and the Vibe is still sitting at the top of the entire GM lineup in the mid thirties, and the only reason GM has a car with the Vibe's mpg is the toyota under the skin.The mpg is important to me, I wouldn't buy a V6 Vibe, but lots of people probably would.

[DaddyVibeMI]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »More power is great and all that, but I bought the Vibe because of the mpg rating. GM doesn't offer much in terms of efficiency compared to Toyota Priius, Honda hybrid civic, VW diesels, all almost 50 mpg hwy, and the Vibe is still sitting at the top of the entire GM lineup in the mid thirties, and the only reason GM has a car with the Vibe's mpg is the toyota under the skin.The mpg is important to me, I wouldn't buy a V6 Vibe, but lots of people probably would.Indeed, same down here. The mpg is very important to us that gas is not cheap anymore.

[Pablo1669]

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik ». GM has their reasons for not making a GT an AWD. Don't you mean Toyota has its reasons? GM, if not acting in a joint venture under Toyota's control, would never put such a disappointing powertrain in that vehicle.

[pwarren4]

Quote, originally posted by Pablo1669 »This is such an outdated statement. GM has some pretty damn good products out there now. You can't keep living in the 80's and 90's anymore.My experience with a 98 model Blazer is what brought me too my opinions

[ShadowRuleZ]

Right. Go talk to the GM vehicles that I have, all are still on original drivetrains, and all still run and drive with no issues (well, my fiancee burned up the rings in the caprice). The S10 is my daily and I still make 4 hour round trips every weekend.83 Caprice - 305, 199k.94 S15 Jimmy - 4.3, 182k.92 S10 - 4.3, 225k.And my project cars, which no longer run since I am using one for parts and putting a huge motor in the others85 Monte - 305, 170k when it got pulled83 Monte - V6, 175kI've never had problems with my GM prodcuts. Parts are easy and cheap to replace. The only things I've had to deal with on these cars are starters, a heater core, a radiator, exhaust, and an alternator and water pump or two. All commone replacement items. So in short, I have several GM vehicles that still run and drive and have a ton of miles on them.We bought the vibe because it fits what we were looking for (and it wasn't a Chrysler since she wanted an auto). So far, considering the toyota drivetrain, I feel that it is louder than a comparable GM engine, and that the transmission feels clumsy in comparison to a GM auto.

[Dave_ca]

Give me a Vibe with the 2 litre SC from the Cobalt SS/ion Redline.

[gapvibegt]

I would have to agree with the guys who say that letting GM ruin the vibe with their poor quality Drivetrain and engine combinations would be Disastrous. I have owned several GM cars (80s, 90s and 2000s) and not one of them (Save the Prizm) has had either a decent build quality or performed well. The beauty of the Vibe GT is that it has all of the tried and true mechanicals of the Celica GT-S at a bargain price. I'm not bragging when I say that the VIBE GT I have outperformed my Grand Prix GTP on EVERY category save the drag strip. Same goes for the car against a Sunfire GT and my friend's V6 Camaro. I think the only thing they could do better would make the GT into a GTR and make it truly desirable would make it standard with the TRD Intake and Exhaust, boosting HP by about 25. That would be schweet. Since low-end Torque is tough to get out of a 1.8L, perhaps a new supercharger that works with the VVTL-i Engine would also be a nice touch.

[gapvibegt]

To comment on the drivetrain being disappointing? You must not own a GT? You tell me of a drivetrain on ANY GM car that compares in terms of quality of build, reliablilty and performance that is in the same price range as the Vibe GT/Matrix XRS. About the only thing that compares is the Corvette and that's a $50k car!

[gapvibegt]

Bosch and Porsche are entirely different companies with no corporate affiliation. Bosch makes a number of automotive components for many vehicles including Porsche, but not drivetrains. The drivetrains in most Porsches including 996s are I believe made by ZF which uses Basteon Gearing.I'm pretty sure ZF doesn't makes the Vibe's AWD system, but perhaps someone knows the source?

[SilverExpress]

Ok, Ok, Ok.......Oh my.....did not mean to start a flame war between GM and Toyota. If anything, I've learned that the people in this thread focus primarily on 1. Reliability2. Build Quality3. Looks4. Performancethis was interesting. Again, I was just daydreaming, and nothing more. I work in an area called automation, and I deal primarily with robotics....so like you, I'm also a customer when it comes to my Vibe and GM. I get no special treatment at any dealership (besides the employee discount), like all of you I'm treated like anybody else, and it really comes down to the attitude of the dealers, and the work ethics of the dealership. I have el-zilcho influence....besides not coming back or giving them a damn good referrel letter.Got nothing against Toyota, or any other companies. Got neighbors who work for Daimler-Chrysler, Ford, Mazda, and a handfull of suppliers. Behind the nameplate are all good people (unless proven otherwise in a court of law).

[03VibeGT6Spd]

I hate to disapoint to many people but Toyota didn't build there GT engine.It was built by Yamaha in West Virgina!Thats was the only reason, I trust the engine to hold upto the high rpms.My last yamaha engine redline at 14,000 rpms and took tons of abuse, and never let me down. I would have never trusted a 100% Built toyota engine with that.

[Stang2Vibe]

I thought that the GT's engine was made by Toyota, with the exception of the valvetrain---Yamaha designed and built the cylinder head and the valvetrain. I sure have a lot of parts under the hood of my GT with "TOYOTA" stamped into them. Also, I thought that the entire Vibe drivetrain was made in Japan for all models, and the motors and trannies were shipped by boat in crates to the NUMMI plant in Fremont, CA for final assembly. I know my sister's '03 Corolla was made in the NUMMI plant in CA as well. Of course, I would not bet my life on the accuracy of any of this info. I sure wish that GM would just come out and tell us where all this stuff was made and the whole Vibe story so we don't have to keep trying to piece this together from all different sources.

[Stang2Vibe]

Quote, originally posted by gapvibegt »I would have to agree with the guys who say that letting GM ruin the vibe with their poor quality Drivetrain and engine combinations would be Disastrous. I have owned several GM cars (80s, 90s and 2000s) and not one of them (Save the Prizm) has had either a decent build quality or performed well. Funny that you should bring up the Prizm. It was always rated pretty high for reliability and build quality. The argument that supports your statement is that those Prizms were essentially just rebadged Toyota Corollas.

[ColonelPanic]

They do tell you... It is listed on the parts content information sticker that was on the window when you bought the car... If anyone still has that, it may be worth looking at... I'll look next time I'm in the shop, which is, um tomorrow. It does show the country of origin for the engine and transmission. IIRC, mine was US for the engine, Japan for the tranny or something to that effect. But that's a base/automatic. Probably came from here:http://www.toyota.com/about/op....html

[Stang2Vibe]

Quote, originally posted by SilverExpress »A Vibe with a V6 would be nice. There's plenty of room in the engine bay for one that's for sure. Here are some other possibilities that I can think ofPossibilities........-Subaru's WRX Drivetrain (let's not forget the SAAB 92X....both companies are owned by GM, Subaru however is just 30-40%)-Ecotech 4 cylinder-Or one of GM's in house V6's-SAAB's Turbo V6 (Coming in the new 2006 9-3 Aero)Ok, back to the post that started off the thread. As someone mentioned earlier, using a Subaru drivetrain in the Vibe would really be a task. All new Subaru's (except for a few Outback models which use a 3.0L V6) use a version of the 2.5L H-4 engine--a horizontally opposed 4 cylinder, or boxer engine. Instead of the typical motor where the pistons go up and down, the boxer engine's pistons are turned to move horizontally. This makes the engine pretty flat, but rather wide. And as also mentioned earlier, it is aimed to have the output shaft go out the back of the engine, where our Vibe motors output is aimed toward the driver's side. As for Subaru's AWD systems, they are currently using a total of 5 different systems for their cars, depending on what model and engine you choose. One of their AWD systems works on the very same principle that the Vibe AWD system uses (viscous coupling). But I'm not saying that a Vibe motor can be connected to a Subaru AWD system or vice-versa.I've been wondering if you could fit a Supercharged GM 3.8L V6 in a Vibe somehow? That would probably be my ideal engine to shoehorn into a Vibe if possible.

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by Stang2Vibe »I've been wondering if you could fit a Supercharged GM 3.8L V6 in a Vibe somehow? That would probably be my ideal engine to shoehorn into a Vibe if possible.Even in normally aspirated form, the 3800 is a hell of an engine. The folks' 2004 Impala SS has the supercharged version, man that's bad... I'd take one of those over a 2ZZ any day (sorry, no offense GT guys.) Winding a car up to 20,000 RPM's to get anything out of the engine and having to shift gears all day long just ain't my cup of tea. Really, I could give a crap less about performance. But I do prefer having more torque available at lower speeds than anywhere else, my vibe sorely lacks that. With the big GM V6 and supercharger, I'm getting all of that, plus get a very smooth shifting auto to boot... Not sure about the long term reliability of the ones with SC, but the plain ol' 3800 has been a good engine... After seeing the parent's engine though, no way in hell it would fit in one of these cars... I'd say the block is completely at too wide of angles... It's a big engine!

[Emerica13]

If the vibe gets a new drivetrain, they should definitely shove in a toyota 2jz. That would get some good public attention

[ALi3N]

Honestly guys, after driving a 2zz for almost 2 years now, i welcome the tried and true Ecotec 2.2. Sometimes i grow weary from having to work such a high strung engine and jerky transaxle (which i am discovering has disappointing build quality on the syncromesh) all the time. I have several friends sporting Ecos and i have been nothing but impressed with this engine. I think the Vibe & Vibe GT would do good with the same drivetrain as the new Cobalt and Cobalt SS respectively.

[Dave_ca]

I believe the 2 litre Supercharged Ecotec would be the perfect mate to the vibe. Not only would it be a mid 14 to low 15 second car, it would still turn over decent gas mileage, remain under 3000 pounds and have the great looks and versatility that we have now. But give me the 6 speed from the corvette, the Cobalt SS can keep its floppy 5 speed ;/

[Pablo1669]

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic » Not sure about the long term reliability of the ones with SC, but the plain ol' 3800 has been a good engine... those engines, SC'ed or not, will last happily for 2-300,000 miles.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by Pablo1669 »This is such an outdated statement. GM has some pretty damn good products out there now. You can't keep living in the 80's and 90's anymore.Perhaps, but I hold a grudge for a long time. Sell me crap and then ignore me? Why should I reward that behavior. What goes around comes around or something like that.

[billy]

The ONLY reason I bought a Vibe is because of the Toyota powertrain and yes I do get a full GM discount. But I still shy away from GM products even with the discount - I've mainly purchased imports for their reliability.For those who stand by their GM products, good for you. I, however, have seen it from an engineering standpoint working directly with GM. They can't compete and will never be in the same caliber of Toyota ever, especially these days on how they push their supply base around. I'm ashamed to have even worked with GM in many cases and am glad that I'm finally out of the automotive market.....I digress and I apologize.Bottom line - any import powertrain is more reliable than the domestic market. Show me proof about mileage claims and I'll listen. Until then, I too am stuck in the 90's because I do not see anything from GM that is impressive regarding powertrain. Oh yah, how are the 3.4L V6's with all their head gasket problems? Don't forget 4.3L's and their valve train knocks. And last, but not least, the Sunfire 4 bangers which chew head gaskets.....pretty damn reliable boys!!!! Should I mentioned the 4.8 and 5.3L V8 issues as well on the truck line????

[ALi3N]

Please elaborate for me a bit if you will... When you say 'And last, but not least, the Sunfire 4 bangers which chew head gaskets....' are you speaking of the Ecotec 2.2 I4, Non Ecotec (Pre 1998) 2.2 I4 or the 2.4 I4 found it many older Sunfire GTs, Cavalier z24s and various other base model mid size GM cars? I know for i fact that the 2.4 I4 engines were gasket eaters, but are you and i talking about the same engine? I only ask because i have had experience with all 3 engines. I myself owned an S10 for 3 years before my Vibe GT with a non Eco 2.2 in it and i can vouch for it's reliability. 150,000 heavily abused miles and 2 clutches later i sold it to my best friend 2 Novembers ago and he is still driving it trouble free. My experience with the Eco 2.2 has been with 2 other great friends of mine that own Eco powered vehicles and have had nothing but fun with them over the years. My experience with the 2.4 include all the shisti used cars carrying these engines we took in at the dealership that all burned oil and smelled of rotten eggs (probably from poor timing and emissions systems). I am not harassing nor do i have a (much) biased opinion on the matter. I just wanted the opportunity to clarify the issue for all our fellow Vibers....what that PC enough or over the top, i can never tell.