Highly recommend these 3 performance upgrades, TY forum for the great info!!

1.8-liter VVTL-i (2ZZ-GE) and VVT-i (1ZZ-FE) engine, transmission, exhaust, intake, and performance tuning discussions
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Hebs06
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2003 8:22 am

Highly recommend these 3 performance upgrades, TY forum for the great info!!

Post by Hebs06 »

Let me first say I have had my 2003 VIBE GT for a month now and absolutley love it!!! I have had em all (1995 Mustang Cobra and a 1998 Corvette) and this car for overall drivability and practicality and economy is by far the best! With the advice from the Forum, I put on Flowmaster 60 series exhaust($130), Short Ram Air intake(bought on Ebay $60), and DENSO IK20 Iridium spark plugs($50) the differnece is amazing both in sound quality which is still mellow until you hit the lift and then look out as is the performance gain. The first time I hit lift going home I thought something was wrong the car it growled and shot out so fast LOL. Thanks for the info on the forum these adds helped a lot and are pretty cost effective as well, I highly recommend all 3. Only comment I will make is the Air intake on Ebay came with terrible directions and I guy had to make a bracket from scratch to get it to go on right...go with AEM or a CAI for a little more money. Let me know if you have any questions or if I can help in any way. I will post and gas mileage gains in a few so check back. I was getting 26 city and 30 highway.
scherry2
Posts: 4073
Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2003 8:02 am

Re: Highly recommend these 3 performance upgrades, TY forum for the great info!! (Hebs06)

Post by scherry2 »

welcome to genvibe great little mods aren't they.
splashd
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2003 12:10 pm

Re: Highly recommend these 3 performance upgrades, TY forum for the great info!! (scherry2)

Post by splashd »

I have a hard time messing with my month old car, especially with a new warranty. WIll the spark plugs alone make a difference? I have a 2004 base vibe, auto (my personal preference would've been the GT route, but my daughter will be driving soon, and I figured auto is the way to go for her...)Also, what about those Z1 performance modules, and the like--are they worth it?--Splash
AKLGT
Posts: 11694
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2003 2:57 pm

Re: Highly recommend these 3 performance upgrades, TY forum for the great info!! (splashd)

Post by AKLGT »

welcome to the forum! well, i for one have not changed out the spark plugs on my GT, because i read on here they already use some iridium plugs. on the base, however, i don't believe they use the same plugs. i've been told that they will help, however depending on what you want to accomplish, you may want to check into just a short ram for your base. it helps increase hp and low end torque. i have a full cold air intake on my gt, and it's a huge difference in performance! if you read on here, there are many simple mods you can do that will not void your warranty. just make sure you keep all your stock parts just in case.
AKLGT1998 Subaru 2.5RS
dsegundo
Posts: 426
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 11:28 am

Re: Highly recommend these 3 performance upgrades, TY forum for the great info!! (splashd)

Post by dsegundo »

Splashd,see I don't agree. I want my kid/kids to be able to drive stick because that's the way to go. Most kids can't drive stick and I feel that that's a sad way to go. Desi3 pedals are the best!!!
Desi SegundoFlint, Michigan'04 All Silver Vibe GT (Valerie) w/ the Sport packageSony CDX-M850MP H/U, Infinity CS6000 components, Rockford Fosgate FFC65, driven by Alpine MRP-F240 and Alpine MRV-T707 rocking 2 10" Alumapro'shttp://www.classicappreciation.com
AKLGT
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Re: Highly recommend these 3 performance upgrades, TY forum for the great info!! (dsegundo)

Post by AKLGT »

Quote, originally posted by dsegundo »Splashd,see I don't agree. I want my kid/kids to be able to drive stick because that's the way to go. Most kids can't drive stick and I feel that that's a sad way to go. Desi3 pedals are the best!!!i learned on stick, took my test in stick, and love to drive stick! with the exception of trucks, manual trans is the way to go! more control, more power, better mpg!
AKLGT1998 Subaru 2.5RS
splashd
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Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2003 12:10 pm

Post by splashd »

OK I agree with you pretty much but:A. I'm a wimp and my wife trumped me, and...B. It's moot because I'm the proud owner of an 04 Vibe (Neptune, M&T, ABS).I love the car, just looking for low overhead ways ot improve performance--spark plugs, modules...I'm a little paranoid on the hydrolock potential for a short ram--is there any way to avoid any real risk?--Splash
drunkenmaxx
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Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2003 6:19 am

Re: (splashd)

Post by drunkenmaxx »

well, if you drive where water would go all the way up to the short ram under the hood, you don't deserve to mod...i have the cai, it is down by the bumper, i have hit puddles that went soaring 10ft in the air, no probs yet...
chew aura pizza cheat main"the world in my hands, there's noone left to hear you scream, noone's there for you"
splashd
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Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2003 12:10 pm

Post by splashd »

OK--I'm ignorant. I live in Nashville where it's rainy, and don't want to trash my car to gain a few HP. If the odds of hydrolock are down to the lightning strike level, that's probably OK, but if they're up around the odds of getting hit by a cop's radar gun, I'll opt out.--Splash
drunkenmaxx
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Re: (splashd)

Post by drunkenmaxx »

nah, you're not ignorant i haven't read anything about anyone having hydrolock issues. even if a trivial amount of water gets to the filter, the oil on it should repel it. get an intake, you'll be very glad you did!
chew aura pizza cheat main"the world in my hands, there's noone left to hear you scream, noone's there for you"
splashd
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Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2003 12:10 pm

Post by splashd »

any suggestions on source for intakes? Brands?--or is this a religion?
drunkenmaxx
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Re: (splashd)

Post by drunkenmaxx »

most people here at this point will tell you to use the search feature, but i am a nice guy.i have an injen cold air intake. there is also intakes made by: AEM, TRD, and probably more.your religion comment has me stumped
chew aura pizza cheat main"the world in my hands, there's noone left to hear you scream, noone's there for you"
splashd
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Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2003 12:10 pm

Post by splashd »

Sorry--I menat is my question about the brand going to spark a brand loyalty argument akin to a relighious dedication to a particular brand...
splashd
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Post by splashd »

BTW--when shopping, I see CAI for Vibe GT, not for std vibe--are they interchangeable for either one?
AKLGT
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Re: (splashd)

Post by AKLGT »

Quote, originally posted by splashd »BTW--when shopping, I see CAI for Vibe GT, not for std vibe--are they interchangeable for either one?no. the GT model has an extra vacuum valve or hose (don't know the technical term). AEM, Injen, TRD, all good manufacturers make models for both base and GT models. the AWD and base will use the same intake while the GT is different. I have a TRD CAI and the only real problem with it is it sets the CEL (check engine light) off sometimes. If you ignore it, it's not a problem. I took mine out and replaced the stock airbox to make sure there was nothing wrong with it. no probs. now i'm thinking about converting to a short ram so it's easier to get to things (like the headlight).
AKLGT1998 Subaru 2.5RS
NY Pete
Posts: 267
Joined: Fri Jan 03, 2003 4:50 am

Re: (trdvibe)

Post by NY Pete »

Quote, originally posted by trdvibe »I have a TRD CAI and the only real problem with it is it sets the CEL (check engine light) off sometimes. And I have to clarify by saying I have the TRD intake on my base Vibe, and I haven't thrown a CEL yet (10k+ miles)...Pete
'02 Jetta 1.8T Silver Arrow/Black Leathuh - Neuspeed turbo inlet pipe, 17" VW Exor wheels, euro Bora tails, Neuspeed Sofsport Springs, Bilstein HD's, Da'lan hitch'03 20thAE GTI #3494 Imola Yellow/Black Recaros - Omori/AWE boost gauge, HPA Motorsports Short shifter, Neuspeed 28mm rear sway, REVO programming, Neuspeed turbo inlet pipe, FK Badgeless grille, Kamei eyelids and one big fat grin
Fialchar
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Re: (NY Pete)

Post by Fialchar »

I like the AEM intakes, as far as the NextLevel/Z1 performance modules you see on Ebay, they're a waste of money that don't add performance. Glad you like the Vibe, it's a great car ^^Things you can do to the Vibe for extra umph:CAI, Cat-back system, aftermarket muffler, ground wires, spark plugs.Expensive things you can do to it:Intercooler, ram-air system, turbo/supercharger, nosI know there's countless more, but it's a few things you can do to get you started
AKLGT
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Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2003 2:57 pm

Re: (NY Pete)

Post by AKLGT »

Quote, originally posted by NY Pete »And I have to clarify by saying I have the TRD intake on my base Vibe, and I haven't thrown a CEL yet (10k+ miles)...Peteyes, i believe the CEL issue is the GT only. but since installing the Unichip, it has taken care of it! no more CEL!
AKLGT1998 Subaru 2.5RS
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