GT air filter breathing

[bryan59]

We just had our dealer perform the updated TSB: 09-07-30-010A.Not sure if its helped or not as the heavy downshifting stopped about 2 weeks prior at just below 3000Km.In any event the other driveability issues to do with jerky acceleration or a turbo like lag seem some what lesser too. I am not interested in tricking out our 2009 GT but seem to have read here, where changing the air filter helped with these driveability issues.Any thoughts on this or suggestions are appreciatedthx

[vibenvy]

I have the K&N Typhoon intake on my '09 GT and I couldn't be happier with it. It sounds great and gives the car a little more oomph making it a lot more fun to drive.The other day I ordered an aFe Pro Dry S drop in air filter for my mom's '09 GT as she didn't like the "sound" of the K&N intake. I am curious to see how it performs once installed.The way I look at is a different filter and/or intake isn't going to hurt anything (asuming you use a dry filter and not an oiled one) so you might as well get one. All it can do is help.

[bryan59]

Well the extra HP may help the drive ability issues. Can such systems be bought in Vancouver BC? And what would be the typical cost and the cost of the installation?thx

[bryan59]

I am interested in that K&N/dry filter system.I see someone here had problems with directions on such a system for his 08 Vibe: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=38987In any event can you post some install steps with any pics that might help?thx

[vibenvy]

The cheapest place I found to get the K&N intake (#69-8613TS) is eBay. I also got the AEM Dry Flow filter (#21-203DK) on eBay as well. Whatever you do, DO NOT use the K&N filter. People have had problems with the oil used in K&N filters causing problems with the MAF sensor, among other things. The piece of mind that a dry filter brings is well worth the extra $40-$50 in my opinion. Not to mention, you could always do like I did and turn around and sell the K&N filter and get your money back that you spent buying the dry filter .The intake will come with a very detailed instruction booklet (including step by step instructions with pictures!). You can also download it in PDF form from the K&N website if you want to check it out before ordering the intake. It is very easy to install yourself. Just take your time and follow the instructions and you will be just fine.The '08 and '09 Vibes are totally different so don't let that guy having problems with his '08 affect your decision to install the K&N intake on your '09. Many '09 2.4L owners on here have installed the K&N intake and have been using it for a while now without any issues whatsoever. Mine has been on a few months already and I have not had a single problem with it. No check engine light or the engine running weird or anything like that. I don't have any pictures of the installation, but here are a few of the finished product:Let me know if you have any other questions and I will be glad to help you out the best I can.

[vibenvy]

I just wanted to remind you that aFe makes a drop in dry filter (the Pro Dry S) (#31-10151) for the '09-'10 2.4L Vibes in case you don't want to mess with an entire intake. I am still waiting for the one for my mom's '09 GT to arrive so I can see if it makes any difference, but again, it's not like it's going to hurt anything so I guess it's worth the $57.00 with shipping. I will be sure to post my opinions of it once it's installed.

[bryan59]

I had a look at the pdf and it does look well detailed. The pictures I guess are from a Toyota Matrix. Were there any errors or omissions in regards to your Vibe GT when follow those instructions?And so do you feel the mod has made any particular changes to its drive ability or is it just a general across the board kinda thing? Also ..... what effect does it have on your gas mileage, hopefully its not worse?Thx for your help by the way!

[bryan59]

Had a look at that AFE site. There is quite a price difference between just the filter and the intake system. I'd be interested to know what the real world differences are between the 2. If you have it on order for your moms then it shouldn't be to much longer. Please let me know what your take on these 2 options are especially in regards to bang for the buck....thx

[vibenvy]

Yes, the instructions that come with it couldn't be anymore detailed in my opinion. Yes, the pictres are from a Matrix, but the engine layout is exactly the same so just pretend it's a Vibe in the pictures . Here are my thoughts right after installing it (from the thread I posted pictures in right after the install):Quote, originally posted by J TO ENVY »The installation was easy and the fitment is great. My only complaint is that I couldn't get the screw out of the EVAP solenoid so I could attach the new bracket to it, so I ended up zip tying the EVAP solenoid to the intake tube bracket. Honestly, zip tying it ended up being much better though because I had a hard enough time as it was trying to screw the intake tube bracket to the underside of the intake and trying to also screw the EVAP solenoid bracket to the underside of the intake would have made it even worse.When cruising it sounds like I have a very nice sounding aftermarket exhaust setup. It's loud enough to make the driving experience enjoyable, but it's not too loud that it becomes annoying or droning. When I hit the gas it gets really loud though, considering it's just an intake. All in all, I highly recommend it to every '09-'10 2.4L Vibe/Matrix owner. It is well worth the time and money. You will not be disappointed with it.As far as gas mileage goes, every time I get gas I figure out my gas mileage. Before the intake I was averaging about 26 mpg, with the intake I have been averaging about 27-28 mpg. I drive on country roads and through small towns mainly. On the highway I averaged about 30 mpg before the intake. I have not really done any highway driving since installing the intake, but I am guessing it would probably average about 31-32 mpg now with the intake. It's not a huge increase, but it's an increase none the less and every little bit helps.I will definitely let you know how the drop in filter works out. I ordered it last Saturday so it should be arriving any day now. I am expecting that it will do a decent job for the price, but I am thinking the intake is still going to outperform just for the fact that it gets rid of the restrictive factory piping which is where power is lost. I'll be sure and keep you updated though.You're very welcome !

[bryan59]

I asked my OEM service dealer about this and this was his reply:The air intake system change you are considering at this time would be ill advised. There are quite a few reasons why. Here is a short list:1.The engine control module is not calibrated to the air flow that the new system would let in.2.If there was ever a problem with the motor internally you may have warranty issues3.The reason they flow more air is they have larger holes in the filter material which will let more dust particles enter the engine.Of these I'd think number 1 might be of interest?

[vibenvy]

Well, if you are worried about the warranty and all, I would recommend just getting the aFe drop in filter than. I received the one for my mom's GT yesterday. I will be test driving it later tonight. I will be sure to report back.As far as the stuff the guy at the dealer said, personally I think it's a bunch of bs. All the sensors and everything connect up the same and it simply removes all the restriction of the factory setup by replacing it with a more direct pipe. I really don't see how it would mess anything up. If that were the case there would be a check engine light or something. Personally, I was planning on just putting the stock system back in if I have to take the car to the dealer for anything. By you asking him about it now you really won't be able to get one because you asked about it and he would more than likely be suspicious.

[vibenvy]

Well, the filter has provided no noticeable improvements sound or performance wise, but we will see what happens with the gas mileage in another week or so. It is definitely worth the $57 to have a reusable filter as oppose to the crappy stock one.

[Sublimewind]

J-to-envyI just noticed in your 3rd pic... that vacuum/vent hose running to the intake is kinked... If you pulled it off the intake and cut 1-2" off from it, it wouldn't kink... Kinked hoses are bad..

[vibenvy]

Thanks Sublime! I wasn't happy with it being kinked and knew it wasn't good, but wasn't sure what to do with it. I will do that first thing tomorrow!

[vibenvy]

I got it all taken care of today!Thanks again Sublime !

[feelinthevibe]

doyou need to have that heatsheild on there,is it able to come off.?

[vibenvy]

Yes, you need to have the heat shield on there because when the hood is closed it keeps a tight seal that surrounds the air filter thus keeping the air going into the filter cooler. If the heat shield wasn't needed, it wouldn't be included with the intake .

[high revin]

Typhoon on my 03 GT love it ecs. matched with a Borla exaust works well, I built a ducted ram air to it from the lower grille aswell.

[bryan59]

Hey there .... you got a final verdict on that filter only option?Any noticeable positive effects?thx

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by bryan59 »Hey there .... you got a final verdict on that filter only option?Any noticeable positive effects?thxWell, the gas mileage seems to be pretty much the same. Like I said before, it doesn't seem to provide any real noticeable increases like the intake does, but I guess it can't hurt anything and it's washable/re-usable so it will save us money on crappy stock filters if nothing else .