What can I do to make my car faster and sound better?

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GoodVibes1
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Joined: Sun Dec 01, 2013 1:37 am

What can I do to make my car faster and sound better?

Post by GoodVibes1 »

I have a vibe and I'm wondering what I can do to make it faster? And I don't want nos so can you tell me things such as installing a turbo. But can you tell me the things I should do that will tremendously increase performance and make my car go faster being the 4 banger it is. Also can you name the brand of the part you recommend that goes with the vibe if you can.

I also want to make my car sound a lot better. I haven't done anything to the exhaust and I don't know much about exhausts. So can you tell me what kind I need and what I should do to it etc. I don't really want my exhaust crazy loud but just a little loud to sound nice and most important the overall sound of the car is what I want to sound better, more like a sporty kind of sound.
Nasmfell
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Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 5:48 pm

Re: What can I do to make my car faster and sound better?

Post by Nasmfell »

Supercharger, or sell and get a GT
Raven
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Re: What can I do to make my car faster and sound better?

Post by Raven »

It would help to know what year your car is.
I put a DC Sports header and a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust with a Cosmo Racing CAI. I don't think the horsepower went up all that much but it sure sounds wicked and fast.
2006 5 speed.

GM/Toyota made a supercharger kit for '03 to '05 which can be adapted to the drive by wire newer models with an adapter plate and Greddy Emanage or such.
They are hard to find now and still don't make the power of a GT.
lannvouivre
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Re: What can I do to make my car faster and sound better?

Post by lannvouivre »

Monkeywrenchracing.com makes turbo kits for the Vibe 1ZZ and 2ZZ. You can look at those to get an idea of what you want from there. Garrett has this https://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbobyg ... ostadviser" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; handy tool to help you select a turbocharger made by them. It seems that the turbos used by manufacturers in production cars are cheaper and more common. For example, there's one used in like the Nissan Titan that I want.

There's also a supercharger for the 2ZZ Celica GTS, but it takes some modification to fit the Vibe GT and tons of modifications to fit the Vibe Base (1ZZ). Then there are the TRD/GM Performance superchargers, if you can find one, made for the 1ZZ as mentioned by the last posters. Not much modification needed for those to fit the 1ZZ if you have an '05-8 model. The SCs sound really cool, too. They SCREAM.

For front end sound improvements, you can do a cold air or short air intake, as well as the DC Sports header (4-2-1 design). The header that fits the AWD base Vibe is made by ABX and people have had issues with it cracking before.

For back end sound. you can go with the Magnaflow catback exhaust. There's also a TRD axle back, a Skunk, and a Borla exhaust. The TRD one runs like $700 when you can find it though, I think? I did a Magnaflow muffler and tip on mine for about a total of ehhh, $220 including having them installed and the parts.

EDIT: Oh, and MWR has tons of other mods, including pistons and cams. I know cams make a different sound, no idea about pistons though.
"If you don't love me at my diddliest, you don't deserve me at my doodliest." - User ktluvscricket of reddit
Nasmfell
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Re: What can I do to make my car faster and sound better?

Post by Nasmfell »

I don't think the OP wants to add a turbocharger
lannvouivre
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Re: What can I do to make my car faster and sound better?

Post by lannvouivre »

Nasmfell wrote:I don't think the OP wants to add a turbocharger
He said no NOS, but turbo is an acceptable suggestion.
"If you don't love me at my diddliest, you don't deserve me at my doodliest." - User ktluvscricket of reddit
thebarber
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Location: kitchener, ontario

Re: What can I do to make my car faster and sound better?

Post by thebarber »

Intake and exhaust
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beemerphile1
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Re: What can I do to make my car faster and sound better?

Post by beemerphile1 »

It would be far less expensive to sell your economy car and buy a more powerful car. Fact of life - Vibes weren't designed or built to be fast powerful cars. They are an excellently designed, well-built economical utilitarian vehicle. They excel at what they were designed to do.
NE Ohio - home to the most successful Pontiac drag racing team in history - Bill Knafel's "Tin Indian" and also home to Summit Auto Racing.
2009 Vibe base 1.8L auto towing 2009 Aliner Sport hardsided pop-up
Phlorida
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Re: What can I do to make my car faster and sound better?

Post by Phlorida »

beemerphile1 wrote:It would be far less expensive to sell your economy car and buy a more powerful car. Fact of life - Vibes weren't designed or built to be fast powerful cars. They are an excellently designed, well-built economical utilitarian vehicle. They excel at what they were designed to do.
+1
2009 Pontiac Vibe Base
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Salsa Guy
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Re: What can I do to make my car faster and sound better?

Post by Salsa Guy »

The GT/XRS does both. TRD made a very good Supercharger for these cars that DID NOT void the warranty. Yes it does require a little more maintenance but it does add more fun to the 1zz. The problem is Boost is addictive and you want more. IHE will net you 10-15 HP for $500-$600.
05 Matrix XR 4WD and 03 Vibe GT
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vibolista
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Re: What can I do to make my car faster and sound better?

Post by vibolista »

1.) install a Harman Kardon sound system in your Vibe.

2.) find a long straight well paved and lightly patrolled downhill road.

3.) turn up the sound system.

4.) mash the gas pedal. :o
'08 Manual, Sun&Sound, 17" Borbet Type CA wheels, 215/50 Summer Tires... 16" OE steel, 215/55 Snow Tires
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vibenvy
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Re: What can I do to make my car faster and sound better?

Post by vibenvy »

IMO an intake is a great place to start, especially if you're not too mechanically inclined. They're relatively cheap, easy to install, make engine sounds more noticeable and add a slight power increase. After you've gotten over the initial period of stepping on the gas to hear the sound of the intake, it can actually increase your gas mileage a little as well.

As others have said, tell us more about your Vibe so we can further assist you...
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2009 Liquid Platinum Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
2009 Steel Blue Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
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