Bottom line: best way to upgrade 2003 AWD vibe on the cheap-ish

[jasonisnuts]

I got a 2003 AWD Vibe at a shocking price (previous owner kinda smelled, that's been fixed) but since purchase I've notice sled dogs may give me more mid range acceleration than the 1.4L engine .Ultimately what are some quick and easy ways to get some power back (if there was any to begin with!) or increase it? I've already put in synthetic oil, new oil filter, new air filter, and switched to highest octane gas, but what else can I do that is relatively cheap, easy to install, and has no potential for engine/tranny/etc damage?I've heard cold air intakes can make the engine run too lean and cause big problems, but then again a lot of people seem to love them and have no probs with em. Is ram air better, equal, worse? Is a K&H air filter really worth the $55? I've seen exhaust upgrades too, but because I got the dang AWD model the ones I have seen don't fit... thanks to everyone in advance for the advice!Jason

[BlueCrush]

Hi Jason. Welcome to GenVibe (fellow Minnesotan)! I would recommend the mid range octane gas(89-90 octane). The premium will do nothing for your performance and will drain your wallet faster.I would recommend an Injen CAI or a Weapon-R Secret Short Ram intake. K&N have the best filter for CAI's and SR's. $150-$200. The K&N OEM replacement filter will only give you about a 1hp gain.As for exhaust I had mine custom made at Hi-Performance Art in Blaine. You will get the best pricing there. $250-$300You could get the Alutec (OEM sized) lightened crank pulley ($140) and the Unorthodox Racing (OEM sized) Alternator Pulley ($75). This will only free up horsepower your engine is already producing but that is not getting to the wheels due to the OEM pulley weight.Another cheaper mod is the Helix Power Tower Throttle Body Spacer for around $80. It will give you more torque in the lower RPM range.With these mods you will have no problems with 89-90 octane gas and you will gain approx. 15-20+/- horsepower to the wheels for about $800+/-.The nice thing is you can do these mods over time as to spread out the cost.That's about it for the cheap mods. Hope this helps.P.S. - Bottle of Febreze ($5-7) to help keep that car smelling fresh.

[jasonisnuts]

Here I was expecting a couple ideas from a couple people... thanks man! Step 1: Ram air, Step 2: ?. Step 3: profit!Let's say I win the lottery or get a big inheritance and want to go crazy, will all/most of the Toyota TRD parts for a 2003 Matrix work in a Vibe?This is unrelated to engine/transmission, but one of the other reasons I got the Vibe for cheap was because it is White, has a lot of highway miles, and it therefore has a ton of paint chips and scratches. I can obviously get touch up paint at the dealership, but in your opinion where is the break even point where it's not work the 6 hours it will take me to touch it up (and risk it not being an exact match) versus just shelling out for a dealership or aftermarket paint job?

[NascarXprt]

for all of TRD engine mods, yes they will fit cause they are exactly the same motor and componets.

[northvibe]

hmm cheap mods, so all the ones BC listedcaihelix power towerExhaustPorted exhaust headersgenvibe stickers water injection will help cool the enginepulleys BC recommended (only for 1zzfe , base vibes)theres always the camcon/unichip if you can afford themGround wire kitPort and polish the intake and TBThats all I can think of at the moment...

[NascarXprt]

but those chips are still alittle bit pricey.

[northvibe]

300-400 for a camcon i think...lol come on thats not sooo bad a SC is 2500