Cold Air Induction - What Kind of HP/Torque Gains Can Be Expected

[DiveNut]

I'm a newbie to the forum and am glad to see so many fellow Vibe enthusiasts. Just purchased a 2004 base Vibe. Not many options...just power pkg, monochromatic Abyss paint, 16" alloy rims. While I've only owned it for 4 weeks I am really having a blast with it! Of course being a gearhead I already am looking for ways to bump up the power. Anyone have an idea of the sort of gains I can expect from the various CAI kits out there? Any tricks/challenges in the install? Thanks in advance for the help and happy motoring.

[DiveNut]

Can anyone let me know how to post a picture?Thanks!

[Stang2Vibe]

Welcome to the site! Glad you found us. There is lots of info on the topics you brought up. Just try the search feature in the top right corner of the screen. You could probably read weeks worth of material on these things.Are you aware that a factory supercharger is available for the base model Vibes? That would be the biggest HP and torque booster for you. Some companies are making turbo systems that can be fit to the Vibe also. Those options are much more expensive than a CAI, but they also give you more power.Unichip makes a piggyback module for the Vibe for around $700 if I remember right. The module is able to be custom tuned for your car by Unichip for the mods you have added to maximize power. It has been reported that the chip doesn't do much for these cars without also getting a CAI and a performance exhaust.Injen and AEM are the most popular CAI's here so far. Cosmo also makes one that I'm told is cheaper than the others. Some handy members here have even made their own and told us how they did it. I think Injen is the only CAI company so far to post dyno numbers for the Vibe/Matrix. Try the site search for the most info on this.Again, welcome and enjoy your stay! Lots of fun and friendly folks here to talk to!

[Stang2Vibe]

Almost forgot to mention--this summer the GenVibe site is having a meet in Michigan that will probably be the biggest one we have for the year. More info on that if you are interested posted in the Michigan forum.

[Thewhite]

If you don't have a lot of money to put on it, a CAI is a good way, but you MUST FIRST buy 17 po wheel. the 16 po that comes with the car are twice heavier that sport wheels, and the tires coming with it sucks. If I can make you a suggestion, the new Toyo Proxes4 are extremlely interesting!

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by goodvibe »The Unichip actually does quite a bit for a GT without mods, especially before lift where we need it most.well, looking thru the dynos and what not, w/ the CAI (which is what i have), it increases the lower end torque by quite a bit. not as much as a s/c, but then again, it's a fraction of the price! if i add a free flowing catback exhaust, set up almost identical to their test XRS, they had a huge gain in torque and decent top end hp. still, i'm pretty impressed w/ it even tho i haven't had a chance to REALLY test it out. later this month or next when i can put on my summer rims again!

[DiveNut]

Wow! You guys (and ladies) don't mess around... Thanks for all the insite. While I'd love to SC my Vibe, I'm afraid a CAI setup is all I can swing in the short term. Thanks for the tip on the 17" rims TheWhite, I would have thought that the 16" sport rims I optioned would be lighter. Shows you what I know! I'll scope out the 17's w/better meats when I wear out the stock tires, which won't be long at this rate!. Plus the 17's look better as well. Thanks again all.P.S. Still trying to find out how I can post a few picks of my Vibe? Can anyone help out?Take care and play safe.....

[Stang2Vibe]

That's one of the best things about this site, responses come quickly! Always glad to see a new face around here.As for the pic problems, the forum software was upgraded a few months ago and there have been a few bugs in the new system. The forums don't seem to allow uploading of pics to the site yet, but you can link to pics that are already somewhere else on the web. Many members chose to open a page on cardomain.com and load their pics to that site, then link to them here to post them.

[Thewhite]

Quote, originally posted by DiveNut » I would have thought that the 16" sport rims I optioned would be lighter. The original 16'' and 17'' are in steel, not aluminium. show you the difference!!

[AKLGT]

the 17's are aluminum i believe but they are fugly, imo. unfortunately, that's what i got.

[Thewhite]

Quote, originally posted by trdvibe »the 17's are aluminum i believe but they are fugly, imo. unfortunately, that's what i got. You bought a chip, but no wheels!!!!

[AKLGT]

chip or wheels.... hp/torque or wheels.... hmm... which one do i want??