Looking to see what else I can do to my 2009 GT

[spartans21]

I have added CAI but what else can you do to this outside adding turbo or supercharger?

Also:
Does anyone know of an exhaust tip for this model that might just make the pitch higher a bit?

[tpollauf]

Check out this post for ideas.

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=38532&hilit=exhaus ... xhaust+tip

She's done a lot to her 09 Vibe GT since she got it.

[lannvouivre]

Intake, header, exhaust.

Lowering springs maybe.

After that things get very, very pricey.

[vibenvy]

As far as performance mods go, I have a K&N Typhoon short ram air intake with AEM Brute Force Dryflow air filter and AEM air filter wrap and a Magnaflow catback exhaust system on my 2009 Vibe GT. I am very happy with the sound and performance of these mods. I have also seen an increase in my gas mileage with the addition of these mods (~2-3 MPG increase overall). I just had Hankook Ventus V12 evo extreme summer performance tires installed on the OEM 18" wheels so handling should be greatly improved. I am also currently in the process of collecting parts to do a full brake upgrade. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of direct-fit performance parts for 2009-2010 Vibe GTs, so you either have to make do with what's available or go custom.

Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll do my best to point you in the right direction .

[Dairgo]

I've been looking into these things myself.

Right now you can get direct fit Magnaflow Exhaust Manifold (51078), highflow cat (49502) and catback exhaust (16849) from Hottexhaust for some where in the range of $1100 (look for vibenvy's post, she mentions you can ask them for a coupon, it knocked the price from $1400 to $1030) that's with free shipping.

I've talked to a few shops here in St. Louis about how much labor is gonna run me. The average is right around $300, the cat and cat back are cheap, somewhere in the range of about $100 in labor because it's easy to remove and replace. The Exhaust manifold is where it the cost goes up by about another $200 because all the things you have to remove to get at it and get it out (O2 sensors).

As some have mentioned, there may not be much gain in replacing the manifold as the GT stock one has pretty good flow as it is.

Or you could get some TRD parts, like the sway bar for the matrix that is a solid bar, not a three piece that flexes on the GT. The Rear Sway bar is also a possibility.

Personally, I'm likely going to start with the 3 pieces for the exhaust, then work my way to the strut brace and rear sway bar.

[vibenvy]

Or you could get some TRD parts, like the sway bar for the matrix that is a solid bar, not a three piece that flexes on the GT. The Rear Sway bar is also a possibility.

I think you're confusing the front strut tower brace and the rear anti-sway bar. The front strut tower brace (#PTR02-12080) is the only TRD part that will fit the 2009-2010 Vibe AWD and GT (pictures of it installed in my Garage thread). The rear anti-sway bar and the lowering springs will not work because the 2009-2010 Vibe AWD and GT have IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) .

[spartans21]

Thanks for all the replies guys and gals!

So I have added the K and N Short Ram. I do enjoy the new sound and and noticed a little added power at 3rd gear. I have found the Magnaflow cat back exhaust for $ 600 on autoantything.com... I don't know if switch the OEM cat converter is going to add to my performance and don't know if I want to spend the extra money just to match a Magnaflow converter with the cat back exhaust. I have also heard most headers only fit the 1.8 L, but as mentioned above, sounds like some of you found an aftermarket exhaust header for the 2.4 L.

Is there really no gain from any header over the OEM GT header? Would it be worth it to add the aftermarket cat converter with the cat back exhaust?

[vibenvy]

FYI, I would highly recommend ordering the Magnaflow catback from Hott Exhaust. They offer free shipping and there is a link on their homepage to message them for coupon codes. Just message them and tell them what part/s you're wanting to get and they'll send you a coupon code to use at checkout. I did this before I ordered the exhaust for my Vibe and it ended up saving me around $140.00. I ended up paying only about $450.00 shipped for the exhaust. This was by the far the cheapest price I found of any sites online.

Here's a list of Magnaflow catalytic converters and headers that will fit the 2009-2010 Vibe GT.

EDIT: Here are a few other threads you may want to read through regarding 2009-2010 Vibe GT engine mods...

09-10 GT header?

Joshuaeb09's Platinum 09 GT

09 vibe gt mods

[spartans21]

Outstanding links! Thanks.

I am a little nervous of doing anything other than the cat back exhaust. I dont like paying for labor so I dont like to order anything that I cannot put together myself. If installing a new header and and cat convertor is just matter of swapping parts I can do it. If there is any sort of fabrication to complete proper install I am screwed though.

[spartans21]

Also did you keep your resonator when you added the Magnaflow cat back?

[vibenvy]

I believe so, yes. I personally couldn't be happier with the catback and K&N SRI on the Vibe. I had a full header back dual outlet exhaust on my former 2002 Pontiac Sunfire GT Coupe and it was way too loud and annoying even when just cruising around town for example. I was worried about getting the catback for the Vibe, but it's a night and day difference from what my Sunfire sounded like.

[spartans21]

Ordered! Thanks for your help. I emailed them for a coupon and ended up paying 430 out the door for the cat back exhaust at all.

Getting new rims and tires today. Think I am going to be done after this. I read up on changing the header, looks like it will be a hassle. Tight fit and by changing the OEM header and downpipe you are getting rid of the pre cat that is on that exhaust. Therefore, you will throw a O2 sensor code, which at that point become a slippery slope either to sim the sensor or to burn it out.

So you like the sound of the your mangnaflow cat back? I hope it is louder than the stock muffler. From the sounds of it, you say it is not very loud :/

[lannvouivre]

If you have the resonator removed (about $40-50 at a muffler shop), it will be louder. Of course, you'll know what you want when it arrives.

[spartans21]

just what I have done so far

Typhoon SRI
Magnaflow cat back
18'' Black Matte platinum widow rims,
blue LED interior dome light,
Blue LED floor lights
WHITE LED under carriage lights
Smoked tail lights
aftermaket backup camera display featured in rear view mirror
2, 15'' kicker comps with DB dirve 1500 amp
hollywood tinted windows.

[spartans21]

just one more

[vibenvy]

So you like the sound of the your mangnaflow cat back? I hope it is louder than the stock muffler. From the sounds of it, you say it is not very loud :/

It's louder than stock, it's just not muscle car or buzzy rice burner loud and / or obnoxious. It's pretty mellow until you step on the gas. I think you'll be happy with it. I look forward to seeing pictures of it installed and hearing your opinions on it. Glad to hear you went through Hott Exhaust. They're excellent to deal with.

Also, Dairgo and I have been messaging back and forth on here. He messaged me just a little bit ago actually and said he'll have all his exhaust parts installed by next weekend, so I told him to be sure and post pictures and all for us, so keep an eye out for that.

[Dairgo]

I'll be sure to get some pictures of it with my good camera, and not just phone quality, and I'll get some clips so you can hear what it sounds like with the new exhaust.

I know it won't be this loud though...http://vid276.photobucket.com/albums/kk ... d694d1.mp4

[tpollauf]

Very nice work so far. Love the blue "glow" you've accomplished Send pics of the back-up camera install & a shot of the image. Just curious of the quality of the rear view image. Keep up the good work!