GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Ok i have read a ton of info on this forum about cai and short ram intakes, i i have to admit to being a bit lost. I want to add a intake to my 2005 base vibe that will increase performance a bit, look nice and not cost a ton of money. I hav e done some searching online and not many intake kist listed for 05 yet. Just looking for a bit of advice on if i should get a short ram or cai and were to find a good one for my 05 vibe.

if you want more bang for your buck, go with a CAI. short rams will add some power, but only 5-8 hp while CAI will add about 12-15 hp. there is a small price difference, but for the most part, you're getting more with a CAI. the downside, is when you need to clean the filter, you'll need to crawl under the car and remove the splash guard to get to the filter. a short ram intake will only be on the upper part of the engine so it's right there and easy to get to. i had a CAI on my vibe GT and it wasn't a big deal to clean the filter. also, because you have a base vibe, there are no differences between the 03-05 models so just look for the 03/04 1zz engine intake. only the 2zz (GT) had changes in 03 and 04. I believe the 04 CAI will fit fine on the 05. if you've researched, you will find plenty of places people have purchased their parts from, PT Tuning, local vendors, JC Whitney, etc. depending on who and what you want, you should check out petertracks website neverenuf.com.he's got some great prices and is a member here and on matrixowners.com. many of those guys swear by him. he can take little longer to get back to you, but he's legit and comes highly recommended.*EDIT* according to Petertracks, the 05 1zz HAS CHANGED and the 03/04 CAI/SR will NOT fit! hmm.... wonder what they did to make the change?? sorry, disregard the earlier info.

Man u got me all excited for a moment, well back to scourering the internet for a possible fit

ya, sorry about that. didn't realize they changed the 05. anyone know what was changed??? placement? some stupid emissions filter?

Drive by wire I'd say...

TRDvibe, He's got a base. 6-8 hp max with CAI and it will be a bit less responsive below 3k.

Early '05s still had a cable throttle and the later '05s were drive by wire (DBW). If yours is DBW, CosmoRacing makes a CAI that will fit. If it is still a cable throttle, then Injen and CosmoRacing both make one that will fit.I agree with Hope, I would go with a CAI over a short ram any day of the week.

How do i tell which one it is?

If you look down at the throttle body there will be a spring and a cable running to it (easiest way to describe it). If it is DBW, like mine, then there is just a black plug with some wires going into the throttle body.cable throttle (red highlight)

Quote, originally posted by goodvibe »TRDvibe, He's got a base. 6-8 hp max with CAI and it will be a bit less responsive below 3k.oh. well there is still a noticeable difference w/ a cai. even w/ mav's base vibe i can tell it's gutless all stock the way it is. especially compared to what i was used to on my VGT and now the LGT pretty much makes me feel like i'm walking. lol. but w/ the cai on the base, it really improved that low end oomph imo. still worth the money if you're not wanting to spend $$$ for a turbo or s/c.

Ok thanks for the help. I found the cosmorace one for my year but the list for the injen products lists only for 2003 and from what i have been told they change a few things so it won't fit my 2005

It took almost 2 months to get my CAI from Injen b/c they didn't make enough as "the CAI for the Vibe not being a very popular product, no inventory was held for it."I drive an 03, and I can't see Pontiac/Toyota jacking with the engine layout enough to prohibit the 05 model from fitting. It'd be a 15-20 minute job at the outside.I am wondering why it wasn't a popular item. It provides a noticible low-end jump, and it does my heart good to see people look at me with the expression of "that just can't be the Vibe sounding like that."

the Injen CAI will NOT fit your car if it is a DBW (see above). I know because I ordered one after Injen said it would fit and it does not. You will have to go with an '05 CAI from Cosmoracing if yours is a DBW.

Hey guys i added a cosmo cai im not the most mechanical person but after a bit of trying i got it to work. The problem i ran into was the headlight hosing was in the way of the pipe even after raising the fuse box. Also the hose from the engine block is too short and does not match the nozzle on intake hope your installs go much better .

Quote, originally posted by overboost1232003 »Hey guys i added a cosmo cai im not the most mechanical person but after a bit of trying i got it to work. The problem i ran into was the headlight hosing was in the way of the pipe even after raising the fuse box. Also the hose from the engine block is too short and does not match the nozzle on intake hope your installs go much better .Sounds like you have an 05. You should be able to get a longer piece of hose to adapt to your CAI (didn't BlueCrush do this?).The fog lamp housing is just below the CAI intake and you'll have to sit the filter right on top of it. One member here (m4VibeGT) cut off a portion of the intake side of the CAI to allow better airflow through the filter.

I was the firs 05 with CAI i beleive. yes you have to make the vaccum hose longer. I have cosmo and it fit perfect. easy install.