Some help please....

[SirMoosealot13]

Hi all, once again i need a hand and was hoping you all could enlighten me. I own a 2005 AWD vibe, as we all know performance parts for vibes are limited, and even more so for the awd....in my quest to make some basic upgrades to bolster the sluggish 130 hp i get in my AWD i seem to be coming to a dead end in finding headers, ive contact performanc shops as far as 500 miles away to no avail. I was wondering if anyone knows, based on the fact the Matrix and Vibe are essentially one in the same, if i might be able to use headers made for the matrix on my vibe, and if so does anyone have a part #? if there is a matix set of headers that are interchangeable into an AWD vibe, what model of would fit the 2005 AWD? if this is not possible, does anyone know where i might acquire a set of headers....please please please offer me some good news here...thnx

[Stang2Vibe]

Your best bet would probably be to first post this same thing in the engine and transmission forum. Second, the Matrix is also offered in an AWD version, so if there is such a part made for an AWD Matrix, it will most likely work on an AWD Vibe. I can't say that for sure, but if you find the part and research it a bit you will know if it will work. Next, I don't know if there is a difference in the headers for an AWD Vibe compared to a base Vibe. That will probably be the first thing that you'll want to find out. If the base and AWD headers are interchangable, then you're probably in luck. You could then cross-reference this with the base Matrix and see if headers on the base Matrix and Vibe are interchangable. That would open up even more opportunities for you, I'm sure. Another thing to consider is that the engine in the base Matrix and Vibe as well as the AWD Matrix and AWD Vibe are all the same engine--Toyota's 1ZZ engine. That is the same engine that is used in all of the Corolla models except the Corolla XRS. You have a lot of possibilities here, you just need to verify interchangability between the brands.Another thing that may help you if you get no responses here would be to ask over on the matrixowners website. There are many mod-knowledgable people over there as well. I remember seeing a thread over there where someone compared the performance of the stock header to two other brands, so there are parts out there.link to MO website:http://www.matrixowners.com

[kostby]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news...Actually, you're only getting ~123 hp in the AWD version of the Vibe/Matrix, not 130.The problem and the reason a 'BASE' Vibe header isn't compatible, is the extra twists, turns, and position of the catalytic converters required to fit the exhaust system and the AWD under the car. Definitely, search the forums at matrixowners.com as previously suggested. You can add 10-15 horsepower to base Vibes with Cold Air Induction and an aftermarket exhaust system, such as Magnaflow. Sorry, I don't know if those accesories are available for AWD.I know that Greenfire who frequents both forums has an AWD Matrix, and at one time, a supercharger too, even though 'technically' it wasn't an authorized mod, due to drivetrain concerns about the added power.Greenfire eventually had to replace the supercharged engine because of damage caused by an aftermarket chip. I believe he's running a normally engine aspirated now.

[nismo]

I thought his motor was completely done?

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by kostby »Greenfire eventually had to replace the supercharged engine because of damage caused by an aftermarket chip. I believe he's running a normally engine aspirated now.

[teammonkeys]

Quickest and easiest but costly (3K) is to supercharged it...

[Stang2Vibe]

Quote, originally posted by kostby »The problem and the reason a 'BASE' Vibe header isn't compatible, is the extra twists, turns, and position of the catalytic converters required to fit the exhaust system and the AWD under the car.So the placement of the catalytic converters and routing of the exhaust actually force a change in the shape of the exhaust headers on the AWD? I thought that those differences would only force a change in the parts after the header? Why is it that the header has to be shaped differently? I mean, what part of the AWD system is so far forward on the car that it interferes with things in the engine compartment? Now I'm really curious!