Vibe Manual Shift Boot on an Automatic

[LawMaker]

hello all: Ive been trying to find out from everyone (I even called Crutchfield) to find out of this is possible and they beieve it is, can someone tell me for sure. I have an 03' Vibe (Automatic) and I want to make it LOOK like a manual, What I was thinking is... replacing the current automatic shift knob with this one ( http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-Hu ... morephotos ) and then finding a manual vibe shift boot to place over the gear shift of the automatic. This will give the Appearance of a manul transmission. Now my question(s) are: Will a manual vibe shift boot fit over the automatic gear shift AND does anyone know where I can get a manual vibe shift boot (Maybe can I go to my dealer or something). Someone please let me know, thank you all

[ragingfish]

Wouldn't it be easier to learn a manual and actually have a REAL one? Hehe...

[LawMaker]

hehe yea it would be easier and my brother (has an 03' Bmw M3) could teach em to drive a manual with no problem but the thing is I already have an automatic vibe and I cant just get a manual one like that, and I dont want to get rid of my baby I love my car

[joatmon]

I don't have a Vibe parts list, but there's a link to a Matrix parts list PDF in http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1232 According to that file, the shift boot was about $38, you should be able to get one from either a Toyota or Pontiac dealer. Check both to see who has the better price. No idea how to get it to install and look right on an auto. There's probably some aftermarket shift boots out there too, some might be better or cheaper, and might not make the install any more difficult since you'll probably have to invent the procedure anyway. Post some before/after pix when you get it set up.

[joatmon]

Some $10 shift boots on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 2426408067

[NovaResource]

First, none of those shifter knobs have a button for the overdrive on/off switch on the stock shifter. Second, a shifter boot would cover the gear indicator so you'll have to guess what gear you're in.

[LawMaker]

I know it will cover the gear indicator that im not worried about, but i completely forgot about the overdrive buttonHmmmanyone have any suggestions?Hey I just found this...http://www.autotoyaz.com/shifknobbuta.html

[ragingfish]

GM Part Number for shift boot:5 Speed: 88970584 List: $48.796 Speed: 88970585 List: $47.37

[LawMaker]

ok the shift boot not a problem, I was thinking of this now? how about leaving the overdrive button OUT like have it engaged (Which is always is anyway) and just putting the one buytton shifter on it?I can put this shifter on it ( http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-Hu ... morephotos ) and just forget about the over drive button (I can have the overdrive engaged before I change the shifter and then just leave it angaged because its ALWAYS on anyway I never take it off, do you think that would work?

[ragingfish]

I find myself disabling overdrive quite often...but to each his own I suppose...

[LawMaker]

i never turn it off so the button is useless it is always on hehealso you have a vibe gt (meaning manual i believe) I have a base vibe so the use of an automatic makes it easier without the use of the overdrive button.

[ragingfish]

what in the world makes you think I have a GT?I have a base auto, just like you chief.

[mwebb]

I also turn my overdrive off quite often- But i think the first shifter looks awesome! Too bad there is no overdrive button on it!- Let me know if you get one and how it works out-

[ragingfish]

I disable OD when I need more power to pass, or when I hit a steep enough grade that I need the engine to brake some...personally, would not advise removing any use of the button, but it's your car, your decision.

[ragingfish]

What, turning off OD? Not at all! It's like downshifting to 3rd...

[ragingfish]

No one said anything about turning off OD when going 90 MPH! It's no different than proper downshifting...if you're going slow enough, you can disable it and get some extra torque to help slow down the car without using the brakes. And if you use it for extra power, you watch the redlines. No harm.Man, you'd act like I had a manual and just dropped it into 1st when I was doing 75...To quote NovaResource in an ancient overdrive post:quote:Overdrive in the automatic trans (the only trans where there is a button to turn overdrive on or off) is nothing more than 4th gear (not 5th). When overdrive is off you are in 3rd gear. With overdrive on, you are using 4th gear.Overdrive is nothing more than any gear where the output RPMs are more than the input RPMs. In other words, a gear ratio less than 1.00Auto (2WD):1st : 4.012nd : 2.213rd : 1.434th : 0.98 (overdrive)Reverse : 3.27Final Drive Ratio: 2.96Auto (AWD)1st : 2.852nd : 1.553rd : 1.004th : 0.70 (overdrive)Reverse : 2.34Final Drive Ratio: 4.24In the 5-speed manual transmission, both 4th and 5th are overdrive gears:5-speed manual:1st : 3.172nd : 1.903rd : 1.314th : 0.89 (overdrive)5th : 0.73 (overdrive)Reverse : 3.25Final Drive Ratio: 3.94In the 6-speed manual transmission, both 5th and 6th are overdrive gears:6-speed manual:1st : 3.172nd : 2.053rd : 1.484th : 1.175th : 0.92 (overdrive)6th : 0.73 (overdrive)Reverse : 3.25Final Drive Ratio: 4.53 quote:If you turn overdrive off you are in 3rd gear. Turning overdrive off does not help or hurt performance to pass someone because pressing the throttle down causes the trans to downshift from 4th gear (overdrive) to 3rd gear. Sometime even to 2nd gear depending on your speed and how much you press the throttle. Using the button just does it manually.For 99% of the driving you never will need to turn the overdrive off. Just leave it on. If you are driving down a steep hill while towing, then you might want to turn the overdrive off to have engine breaking help slow you and save your brakes.

[NovaResource]

The Overdrive on/off button just shifts between 4th gear (overdrive) and 3rd gear (not overdrive). Like Mike said, shifting properly (not down shifting above approx 4000-rpm) won't hurt the trans.

[pmh013]

quote:I disable OD when I need more power to pass Me too! I drive on too many single lane highways to not have that OD button. At this time of year, the highways are full of RV's & farmers with slow equipment. You need to pass & get back in your own lane before you have a head-on with another RV or farmer. If you're primarily a city-driver, you could possibly have not even noticed the OD button, as you would have no need for it.