03 Vibe GT ready to start down the upgrade path....please offer some guidance.

[blaster701]

Hello, my name is Jeff and this is my first post here. I have spent a few days reading and searching. There is a lot to read, and would like a little guidance.Currently have an 03 Vibe GT(bought new). It is now our family hauler. Shortly, it will become my commuter car. She is stock except for a good set of summer tires and a drop in K&N filter. Also just crossed 105K miles. Still on the OEM brakes and OEM clutch! She has new plugs as of the other month.I will be looking to add power and make suspension changes when this becomes my car. I am comfortable spinning wrenches and have rebuilt many 2 stroke jet ski motors and a four stroke outboard. I want to leave the general "look" the same. Kinda want a little bit of a sleeper.What is a good set of steps to follow? Also assume that I will be doing the clutch and brakes soon/first.Thanks in advance!Jeff

[keithvibe]

first thingdo you want to stay non-asperated or do you want to boost?

[blaster701]

I am open to boost, as long as I can keep the car daily driver ready to go everyday. Keeping the MPG somewhat good is important....

[Herb]

Well in general, quick improvements would go along with a CAI or SRI, catback exhaust, and a piggyback computer like the UnichipMore advanced you might want to look into getting your exhaust manifold ported such as the service Boosted 2.0 provides: http://www.newcelica.org/forum...04266He's also working on a custom intake manifold, though one that will fit a Vibe is still in development http://www.newcelica.org/forum...92138Other things to look into would be replacing the shifter cable bushings with bronze versions, installing a short shifter kit as well.

[keithvibe]

making the decision early on will end up saving you money in the long run. saving money spend on mods that would be pointless if you went boosted.Depending on your knowledge of turning wrenchs going boosted can cost you dearly.If your good with wrenching and pick up info fast so you can tune the car yourself you could go boosted for under 4000kIf your depend on someone else doing the work for you stay clear of boosting and go with bolt on that you can do in your garage/driveway.mwr is a good place to get your boosted parts from if your serioushttp://store.monkeywrenchracin...2_238

[blaster701]

Thanks for the responses. I am fairly handy with a wrench, and tuning a 2 stroke. Just don't have a fair amount of experience with 4 strokes and cars. Maybe I will just stay na.With that in mind, header, cat back and better intake? Mayne computer adjustment.

[wyatt89]

My 04 gt got a progress rear sway bar earlier today and it's awesome. It really reduces the body roll on higher speed turns and whatnot. It was the best 100 bucks I've ever spent on mine and it only took about 5 minutes to install.

[blaster701]

Well, it looks like the rear sway bar (from here and some other posts) seems like a logical first step. Heck, this could even be done while the car is still the family car!Think I will stay NA. Header, cat back, and intake seem to be a straight ahead (driveway) direction. Maybe shifter and CPU work for Phase 2.Any suspension direction? Lowering is OK, but do not need to go crazy.

[wyatt89]

Might look into energy motor mounts, they help more than you could ever imagine and only make it vibrate a tiny bit more at idle. It keeps the wheel hop and engine movement away. Most people on here have tein S tech's for lowering springs but a really good set of shocks will help even more for handling. Both together will be even better. I've got a short ram air intake on my vibe and it really doesn't have a whole lot of noticeable difference except in the noise category. It helps in a psychological aspect because it sounds a lot manlier, haha.Don't bother with the header, the stock GT manifold has been proven to flow really well, it would just be a waste of money to buy one. Shifter bushings or a short shifter will help you enjoy it a bit more, the stock stuff is pretty damn sloppy.Hope this helps a bit