how to unleash some throttle response?

shryocdj · Post by **shryocdj** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:51 am

so, my engine supposedly has 130 hp (2003 base, automatic) but it feels like 100...i get pretty good mileage but its super slow. obviously the manuals can manipulate the hp more but what gives?is the exhaust completely restrictive or something?

keithvibe · Post by **keithvibe** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:59 am

lose weight... HAHAHA... JK...

kevera · Post by **kevera** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 9:09 am

It is about a 100hp at the wheels.It's 130hp at the crank.

Petrucci914 · Post by **Petrucci914** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 9:30 am

The supercharger must have fallen off. Check that first.

Petrucci914 · Post by **Petrucci914** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:51 am

Quote, originally posted by shryocdj Â»so, my engine supposedly has 130 hp (2003 base, automatic) but it feels like 100...i get pretty good mileage but its super slow. obviously the manuals can manipulate the hp more but what gives?is the exhaust completely restrictive or something?So, on a serious note, Kevera is right. This is the reason why our signatures look the way they do. We're trying to get as much power as we can out of this thing and I'm still not satisfied

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:10 pm

Quote, originally posted by Petrucci914 Â»So, on a serious note, Kevera is right. This is the reason why our signatures look the way they do. We're trying to get as much power as we can out of this thing and I'm still not satisfiedWell if that's the case, take out the rear seats, rear hatch and bolt on an afterburner! Batmobile will have nothing on you! I'm not sure why I do mods myself now. I think since I've paid off the Vibe and after years of reading the forums on how exited users here are installing stuff I wanted to try it out. But honestly I hardly drive the car, mostly because I work alot and I have a company vehicle.I'm on the road all the time so coming home to take the Vibe for a recreational drive has little appeal. Grocery run is mostly what I use it for so I've jokingly referred the GT as a "Grocery Transport"

BlueCrush · Post by **BlueCrush** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:34 pm

To unleash better throttle response here are your options:1) Tighten your throttle cable (Free)2) aFe Pro Dry-S Drop-in Filter ($30)3) Clean your MAF Sensor ($10 for the cleaner)4) Weapon-R Throttle Rotor ($35)5) Helix Power Tower Plus Throttle Body Spacer ($75)6) Alutec Lightweight Crank Pulley ($160+install)7) Unorthodox Racing Lightweight Alternator Pulley ($75+install)8) Unichip ($400)9) Remove the airbox snorkle (free)Installing an intake or aftermarket exhaust will result in a loss of low end torque, but give an increase in mid and upper torque and hp.Hope this helps.

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 1:03 am

Shoulda had a V8!

shryocdj · Post by **shryocdj** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 2:02 am

yeah, i now its 130 at the crank, but so is my 1990 jetta which pulls on the vibe big time. i don't know the weight specs on the car so i guess it might just be heavy (and i know i'm not the one that needs to lose weight at 120 lbs ) i dunno, just feels the like the engine is starved for air or something

Petrucci914 · Post by **Petrucci914** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 3:44 am

Well, what's the comparison with the torque? That's what matters on the take off. I can almost guarantee that the Jetta has 20-30 more ft/lbs of torque......more of which comes out at a lower-rpm. These 4-Cyl Toyota powerplants focus on higher-end torque.

ajflan · Post by **ajflan** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:05 am

I think the Vibe only weighs around 2900 lbs.

savedbyzero · Post by **savedbyzero** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 1:37 pm

Step one: Pop the hood.Step two:Notice there's only four cylinders and no large snail-like mechanism forcing air down it's throat.Step three: Close hood.Step four:Enjoy gas mileage.

ajflan · Post by **ajflan** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 12:02 am

Good point lol.

kunkstyle · Post by **kunkstyle** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 12:43 am

Quote, originally posted by savedbyzero Â»Step one: Pop the hood.Step two:Notice there's only four cylinders and no large snail-like mechanism forcing air down it's throat.Step three: Close hood.Step four:Enjoy gas mileage.I'll argue that one. Owned one of these before I moved to Calgary.4 cylinders, no snail like object forcing air anywhere, and it could kick any vibe to the curb (not dissing mine or any other vibes here, of course )

Attached files

keithvibe · Post by **keithvibe** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 1:37 am

hey kunkstyle... whats the difference between a Porsche owner and a cactus???

Petrucci914 · Post by **Petrucci914** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 1:43 am

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe Â»hey kunkstyle... whats the difference between a Porsche owner and a cactus???Both are pricks?

keithvibe · Post by **keithvibe** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 2:14 am

Quote, originally posted by Petrucci914 Â»Both are pricks?one has it on the outside one on the inside... LOL

kunkstyle · Post by **kunkstyle** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 3:14 am

Ha. Ha. Ha. Good thing I sold it then.

NibCrom · Post by **NibCrom** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:21 am

Quote, originally posted by Raven Â»Shoulda had a V8!Haha, too true!

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:02 am

bored throttle body was a nice mod! that with my cai and throttle rotor

VivaVibe · Post by **VivaVibe** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 7:13 am

I find this discussion odd. I have a light foot in order to max mpg's and yet I almost always jump out ahead of others from a stand still; even without trying. This car seems quick off the line to me. 04 base auto. Although I don't floor it, so perhaps after the initial start it might have slow acceleration. Since I don't race it I wouldn't know. Perhaps it's just a matter of what you're used to driving.

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:56 am

the car may start rolling quickly, but until like 4.5-5 k rpm this 1zz is slow compared to a lot of other 2.0 I4's and v6+. Also when the engine is warmed up and the air ouside is cold, this engine runs nice.

djb383 · Post by **djb383** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 10:13 am

1990 VW Jetta 9.0 sec 0-60 and 16.6 1/4 mile so it can't be that much quicker than a Vibe. It's all about hp-to-weight ratio. 130 hp from 109 cubic inches ain't to shabby. I doubt it's starving for air. Put it in a fat 2700 lb body and you've got 21 lbs/hp. As an old hot rodder I can tell you muscle car performance starts at about 10 lbs/hp and goes down from there. I have a motorcycle that makes no where near 130hp but it's power-to-weight ratio is 3.4 lbs/hp. Yep, it's spooky quick. http://www.exoticcarsite.com/0...s.htm

savedbyzero · Post by **savedbyzero** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 10:18 am

Quote, originally posted by djb383 Â»1990 VW Jetta 9.0 sec 0-60 and 16.6 1/4 mile so it can't be that much quicker than a Vibe. It's all about hp-to-weight ratio. 130 hp from 109 cubic inches ain't to shabby. I doubt it's starving for air. Put it in a fat 2700 lb body and you've got 21 lbs/hp. As an old hot rodder I can tell you muscle car performance starts at about 10 lbs/hp and goes down from there. I have a motorcycle that makes no where near 130hp but it's power-to-weight ratio is 3.4 lbs/hp. Yep, it's spooky quick. http://www.exoticcarsite.com/0...s.htmSome of those numbers are just whack. But a good basis to go off of. I recently saw review on TV about the new Caliber SRT4. They claimed 15 sec. 1/4 mile....ya, maybe uphill, with 4 passengers and trailer! No way that thing only runs a 15 sec with 300-hp, 260 lb-ft of torque at 3100 lbs.

djb383 · Post by **djb383** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 10:53 am

...........and which ones are whack, Jack. Aren't we talking about the Vibe and it's somewhat weak throttle response which is due mainly to it's power-to-weight ratio?

savedbyzero · Post by **savedbyzero** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 11:56 am

Quote, originally posted by djb383 Â»...........and which ones are whack, Jack. Aren't we talking about the Vibe and it's somewhat weak throttle response which is due mainly to it's power-to-weight ratio?Easy. First, I'm not Jack. Second, did I say the Vibe? No. Just adding to the topic. Mag numbers are always all over the board. And yes, you are right about the weak throttle response on the Vibe. Base and GT's both fall flat on their face off the line. Wasn't disagreeing with that fact. Trust me, I've had to play catch up several times. Thankfully, having the '03 GT, lift helps scoot me around on the top end.

Whelan · Post by **Whelan** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 5:50 am

Drive an AWD model then tell me yours is slow.

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 5:51 am

Quote, originally posted by Whelan Â»Drive an AWD model then tell me yours is slow.in snow or dry pavement?

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 5:52 am

Quote, originally posted by Whelan Â»Drive an AWD model then tell me yours is slow.tell me about it, i literally raced a minivan full of people and barely won. i was the only one in the car!

Whelan · Post by **Whelan** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:11 pm

Quote, originally posted by northvibe Â»in snow or dry pavement? In the snow I'll waste a base anyday of the week!!!Who cares about dry, we had our first bit of snow the other day, the beach parking lot was dusted over, so I got my first set of AWD donuts in for the year, WooHoo!!

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 10:06 pm

don't sell yourself short, you'd molest the GT's in the snow too!

Whelan · Post by **Whelan** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 11:36 pm

Quote, originally posted by drunkenmaxx Â»don't sell yourself short, you'd molest the GT's in the snow too!I like the way you put that, hahaha! Considering a GT/XRS gets most of their power above the 4k line I seriously doubt people will be redlining in the snow, even with snow tires on. So once again we play the game called "I win" how's it played? simple. "I win"

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 3:10 am

have you ever experienced lift? it would do nothing but spin the hell out of the tires! big sudden jolt of power...

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 3:48 am

Quote, originally posted by drunkenmaxx Â»have you ever experienced lift? it would do nothing but spin the hell out of the tires! big sudden jolt of power...I've expierences "lift" and there was not BIG sudden jolt of power.... I was waiting for something to happen, when the car owner said, "did you feel it" I said "feel what?" maybe his lift wasn't working???

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 3:50 am

Quote, originally posted by Raven Â»Shoulda had a V8!OR a "proper" 4........ The "snail" is resting quietly just below the bend in the upper pipe... He's rust colored...Oh and I don't know many people who drive Vibes to "unleash" much of anything... they are what they are.... ask the guys adding S/C and turbos to them and they all tell you (and already have) they are left wanting more.... I'm actually wanting LESS in the Subaru.... lol

ajflan · Post by **ajflan** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 4:15 am

Well if you want less, I will gladly take it off your hands. That thing is gorgeous! I love it!

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 4:21 am

Quote, originally posted by ajflan Â»Well if you want less, I will gladly take it off your hands. That thing is gorgeous! I love it! thanks..!!!Get me a bone stock STi drivetrain and i'll swap ya...

savedbyzero · Post by **savedbyzero** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:48 am

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind Â»I've expierences "lift" and there was not BIG sudden jolt of power.... I was waiting for something to happen, when the car owner said, "did you feel it" I said "feel what?" maybe his lift wasn't working??? Something must have been up then. Whenever I have people in my car (who usually don't know much about cars) and hit 6K, they always ask "What was that? This got NOS or a Turbo?" Always makes me laugh! But like was said before, it's not enough. It's a quick little car, but nothing ridiculous. That's why I got the Magnum R/T! But yet, I still want more...

kevera · Post by **kevera** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 8:49 am

keithvibe · Post by **keithvibe** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 8:56 am

how the heck do you get that threw emissions in Jersey?

kevera · Post by **kevera** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 9:01 am

Doesn't he live in Michigan

ajflan · Post by **ajflan** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 9:19 am

Yes he does.

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:03 pm

Quote, originally posted by savedbyzero Â»Something must have been up then. Whenever I have people in my car (who usually don't know much about cars) and hit 6K, they always ask "What was that? This got NOS or a Turbo?" Always makes me laugh! exactly, when i sold my stock vibe rims, it was to a guy from matrix owners that had an XRS. i had him take me for a ride in it so i could feel lift. well, it was raining outside, so at about 35, he nailed it and the tires spun. blah, subaru, they may be quick but the ugly is incurable. we all know they are great performance machines, but we don't need to be reminded any time something is mentioned about how fast something besides one is.

keithvibe · Post by **keithvibe** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:23 am

Quote, originally posted by kevera Â»Doesn't he live in Michigan look at the plate silly boy...........................................................................................................^^^^^^^JerseyMust not be HIS car.... he stole someone elses photos

ajflan · Post by **ajflan** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:26 am

I'm pretty sure thats where he got the car from. He does live in michigan though.

Whelan · Post by **Whelan** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 5:44 am

He took a road trip the Jersey to get it if I remember correctly.