GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

This guide is for the cost conscious modder. Total parts cost is under $2000. These are mainly for the '03-'04 Vibe Base & '03-'06 Vibe AWD with the Cable Throttle. The Pulleys, Mufflers, Camcon apply to all years of Base & AWD Vibes.

STAGE I:(8-10hp gained/freed up at the wheels)

Intakes: - Base & AWD
Cosmo Racing Cold Air Intake (CAI) - http://www.cosmoracing.com/pro...d=409 - $120.50 + shipping


Cosmo Racing Short Ram Intake (SRI) - http://www.cosmoracing.com/pro...d=792 - $95.50 + shipping


_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Header
DC SPorts Header #THC4405 - BASE ONLY - http://neverenoughauto.com/ind...57112 - $305 Shipped
Will work with '03-'08 Base Vibes - Bolt on - Direct Fit.


OBX Header - AWD ONLY - http://www.amazon.com/OBX-Head...L35RS - $175 + shipping
Will work with Vibe AWD(It's been proven to work w/minor modifications)




_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Throttle Body Spacer:
Helix Power Tower Plus - http://wheelskin.com/spe-97185.html - $76.99 Shipped - with $10 off discount - Code: SSGEN0506 <= Discount code not working as of 1/25/11
Install Instructions: http://www.streetandperformanc...5.pdf

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Exhaust:

AWD
Requires a custom exhaust only. 2-1/4" piping, Magnaflow high-flow cat, Flowmaster Hushpower II (in place of resonator) & Dynomax Super Turbo Muffler (largest possible) will give you the best "quiet" performance possible. Cost = $500 +/- Use a custom local shop in your area for best possible price.

Vibe Base
Magnaflow Catback Exhaust - http://www.exhaustdealer.com/p...=6477 - $324 shipped


_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _


Pulleys:(w/o underdriving any accessories) - Base & AWD
Unorthodox Racing Lightened Alternator Pulley - http://www.unorthodoxracing.co...30712 - $104 + shipping


Alutec OEM Sized Lightened Crank Pulley - http://www.motorexonline.com/crankpulleys.html - $200(+/-) + Shipped
(You will have to e-mail them to get current pricing and how to order.)
EDIT: Also check with Evan on 9thGenCorolla: http://www.9thgencorolla.com/f...12125



Note: These pulleys used together will allow you to use the oem belt as both pulleys are the same diameter as stock. Also these pulleys do not produce hp gains, they free up existing horsepower to the wheels that is lost due to the heavier oem pulleys.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _


After you have your Stage I mods done then it is time to get the most out of those mods.

STAGE II:(5-8hp gain w/base tune & 8-12hp gain with dynotune at the wheels)

Performance Chips:
Power Enterprise Camcon:
Air/Fuel & Intake Cam Controller - http://www.street-power.com/poencaforvvf.html - $399.00
Camcon Info: http://www.powerenterpriseusa....n.htm
You can use the Power Enterprise recommended base settings for the 1ZZ-FE: http://www.powerenterpriseusa....E.pdf

Boomslang Harness for Camcon - http://www.boomslang.us/camcon.htm - $199 + shipping
This will allow for plug-n-play capability and it comes prewired for the Camcon.

(note: above pic is only a representation of what the prewired harness will look like, it is not that actual one you would get.)

Unichip:
Piggyback engine management computer - JUST FOUND OUT THAT IT IS STILL AVAILABLE THRU UNICHIP AS OF 2/26/10. Call: 1-866-UNICHIP - $492+ shipping


E-manage:
Fuel Management and Ignition timing - http://www.greddy.com/products...anage/ - $200+ (used on Ebay) <= GReddy Website not working as of 1/25/11


Boomslang Harness for e-manage - http://www.boomslang.us/emanage.htm - $279
This will allow for plug-n-play capability and Each PnP harness is wired with main, injector, and ignition wiring for the E-Manage.

(note: above pic is only a representation of what the prewired harness will look like, it is not that actual one you would get.)


_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _


STAGE III: (What good are power mods without better handling?)

Suspension: -
Canuck Motorsports Lowering Springs - Base & AWD - $150 + shipping
http://www.canuckmotorsports.c...oyota (buy under Matrix and specify 2WD or AWD)



Progress Rear Anti Sway Bar #62.2150 - BASE ONLY $174 shipped
http://neverenoughauto.com/ind...64723



_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _


STAGE IV: (Need a little more power for just a little more money?)

Forced Induction - (Install and use at your own risk)
Zex Safe Shot EFI Universal Nitrous System - Base & AWD - $285 + shipping
http://www.atlanticspeed.com/p...=6178
An affordable option to gaining 15 to 35 instant horsepower, and it installs in less than an hour. It is a dry nitrous kit. It is upgradeable to a a Zex wet nitrous kit to gain 55-75hp. Comes with a 5lb tank. Nitrous fill costs $5 per lb in my area. So $25 per tank to fill. Cost to fill in your area may be more $$.

great thread! now I have to get the pulleys and finish stage one.

Good job BC

yeah so thanks for the link to the SR i just bought a blue one so now i can get ready to hook up the SLP hood and make it fully functional ram air.

man i think the spacer looks about right to be next on my list

That's an excellent write up! Too bad I have an '05 with Drive-by-Wire

Quote, originally posted by Toasted7 »That's an excellent write up! Too bad I have an '05 with Drive-by-Wire Thanks. The only things you wouldn't be able to do would be the TB Spacer & Unichip. You already have an intake and you can still use the Camcon. Boomslang does make a harness for the changed '05-'06 ecu pinouts.

*

Thank's for the links! I've been looking for the lightened crank pulley and was thinking about the tb spacer.

No problem, Lancer. I wouldn't bother with the TB spacer since you have a supercharger. It may be more of a hinderance than a help. If anything, you should get your throttle body bored out from http://www.maxbore.com for $100. So you can allow more air flow into the engine.

why doesnt the unichip work with the DBW???

The ECU pinouts are different and the Unichip website doesn't show it is available for the DBW cars. You could e-mail/call them to see if they were going to have one available for the DBW cars.

Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »No problem, Lancer. I wouldn't bother with the TB spacer since you have a supercharger. It may be more of a hinderance than a help. If anything, you should get your throttle body bored out from http://www.maxbore.com for $100. So you can allow more air flow into the engine.+1 to the throttle body bore out. thats why I bought the TB from BC to get it bored. its stock at like 54mm or something and bored to 60mm. You can also get your intake manifold bored to the size of the TB (60mm) so the full intake would be all the same size. BC what about cams (Monkey wrench racing)? oh your doing all the mods for under 1000. tranny cooler would be a great mod for auto vibes as well and its only abot $40 I just got mine in the mail today!!!

Yeah, Cams would be Stage III. It would require $500 for the Cams, $200-300 for installation, and $200-300 for additional tuning to get the most out of them.I can do an aftermarket Cams write up next week for those that want to take that additional step. There are two companies that make Cams for the 1ZZ-FE. The auto tranny cooler is really only needed it you are going to be towing (like me) or going FI (Like Lancer & Damronjr are now and northvibe will be in the future). It is only needed if you ar egoing to be putting a lot of additional stress on the auto tranny.

Forgive my ignorance but what exactly does the TB spacer do for the engine?

Quote, originally posted by Katscan »Forgive my ignorance but what exactly does the TB spacer do for the engine?Here is an earlier Helix Power Power Plus Thread: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=17744Her is more info about the Helix from the Mfr.: http://www.streetandperformanc...p.htm

Bluecrush is DA MAN!

Yeah blue i think this thread is NEEDED for our forum. Like new celica.org they have a list of parts that can fit the gt/gts and i think mo.com was making one. This is nice for people to see whats out there for cheap! Oh on a side note, I hear there is problems with the 1zz and going over 1g, then the oil pump cannot get enough oil through the engine thus spinning a bearing and breaking the engine. The Monkey Wrench Racing oil pan is baffeled to fix that issue and there is a 1zz High velocity oil pump available aswell too keep that oil flowing REAL good. I think genvibe we should pool a bunch of money to win the power ball when its at like 200 million and then we can all split it so we each get a coule mill.

Ok another ignorant question What engine do I have and does the spacer still work when my throttle is not a cable system? I have a 2006 Base Vibe.

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »Oh on a side note, I hear there is problems with the 1zz and going over 1g, then the oil pump cannot get enough oil through the engine thus spinning a bearing and breaking the engine. The Monkey Wrench Racing oil pan is baffeled to fix that issue and there is a 1zz High velocity oil pump available aswell too keep that oil flowing REAL good. I think genvibe we should pool a bunch of money to win the power ball when its at like 200 million and then we can all split it so we each get a coule mill. I haven't heard that happening on the 1ZZ, but I have heard of that happening on the 2ZZ. I suppose is is possible that it could happen though. If your doing the poor man's mods then you probably wont be getting the aftermarket oil pan. It wouldn't be worth the money.If your going over 1g very often your most likely autocrossing. In that case you should get the MWR Moroso Oil Pan that Lancer has. The majority of Vibe owners do not need it. So this would be good for the Autocrossers and for the FI peeps.

stay away from the lighter crank pulley....I won't say any more about that... Just do a search...Everything you did BC is a great source of knowledge. Just wish someone near me did/knew half as much as you. thanks...

The pulley to be worried about is the underdrive crank pulley and that is only for the 2ZZ-GE engine. The 1ZZ-FE can handle the underdrive pulley as well as an OEM diameter lightened Alutec pulley. But I don't recommend any underdriving. That is why I only specified lightened oem diameter pulleys.BTW, thanks for the kind words.

wow nice list Brian ill have to print this out and keep a check list

I stand corrected.

Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush » I wouldn't bother with the TB spacer since you have a supercharger. It may be more of a hinderance than a help. If anything, you should get your throttle body bored out from http://www.maxbore.com for $100. So you can allow more air flow into the engine.I was thinking about getting it mostly to bridge the 1" space I have between my TB and the CAI. But I like the crank pulley better.

Hey Blue Crush, thanks for the link. Is enlarging the throttle body something that benefits mildly modded motors? Seems like the same basic mod as adding bigger carbs to the old V-8s, picked up some power with stock motor...but really benefited from more aggressive cams. Have a good weekend.

Bump for the Newbies!

Bump for being a poor man

Quote, originally posted by kevera »Bump for being a poor man A poor man with a Supercharger!

I think I skipped a step

hey mods, maybe we should make this a sticky...

I'll be honest right out the gate, I'm a daisy fresh newbie when it comes to car stuff. However, this thread definitely caught my interest and I had a few questions. Since I'm not one to be able to apply the differences in horsepower to real-life scenarios, could someone please characterize the performance differences garnered from these mods in slightly simpler terms (track times, 0-60 times, general feel, etc..?) Will a modded 1.8 cyl outperform a base 2.4 cyl? Also, do these mods cumulatively affect gas mileage one way or the other, and if so how much so? Thanks in advance to whoever takes the time to answer my potentially mundane questions. It's much appreciated.

Well lets see. I'll try to answer all your questions here. The 1.8 stock auto Vibe will run around 9.4 seconds from 0-60 with no mods. Say you start off with a cold air intake. That should decrease your time by almost 1 second. Next you buy a catback exhaust with header. There goes another second. Now you want a chip. You buy Unichip. This should shave close to another second off of your time. Buy the throttle body spacer and you maximize you intake's flow. I prefer getting it bored to the same size as your intake. The spacer doesnt necessarily give you horsepower or torque, it only frees up whatever is lost because the Vibe engine is very restrictive. You don't actually get all 130 horses. There is some horsepower loss and torque loss whenever you drive aggressive. This is because the stock ecu wants to protect the engine from overheating, etc. The spacer will free up whatever gets lost so you run at 100% efficiency. And about the gas mileage. If anything, these mods will lower your gas mileage by a little bit if you plan on flooring the thing alot. So much power comes at a price. Drive it normally and you shouldnt see any loss in gas mileage. You will notice a much more responsive and powerful ride (not to mention the noise you'll make ) if you carry through with every one of these mods. Hope that helps.

About the Alutec pulley: I noticed on Unorthodox's website that the underdrive crank pulley for the 1zz and 2zz have the same part #. So, I'm assuming that they make one underdrive pulley for both engines. If that's so, I'm wondering if the Alutec pulley would work for the 2zz? After reading all the threads about underdriving the 2zz, I am going to stay away from that mod. However, maybe the Alutec pulley, which has the OEM diameter, would be safe, that is of course provided that it even fits the 2zz. Anyonw know if the OEM crank pulleys on the 1zz and 2zz are the same? Also, provided the Alutec pulley would fit the 2zz, do you guys think IT would be safe or still something to stay away from?

I think the vibration dampening is the problem removing the stock one off the 2zz.

Quote, originally posted by kevera »I think the vibration dampening is the problem removing the stock one off the 2zz.from my knowledge yeah...it was any aftermarket engine pulley on the 2zz should be stayed away from. Some people run them but...imo i wouldnt take the chance.

Quote, originally posted by Sonic Boom »Will a modded 1.8 cyl outperform a base 2.4 cyl? Also, do these mods cumulatively affect gas mileage one way or the other, and if so how much so? by the 1.8 vs 2.4 if you mean the 03-07 vibes vs 09. if so, at stock it would most likely end up as a drivers race for track times and 0-60, if you use the same driver in both cars the 09 may be a hair quicker. the 2.4 has 20-30hp more but the car gained some weight so the extra power can just about be ignored. adding an air intake and exhaust to an 03-07 can increase gas mileage a little as long as you dont change your driving style/use the gas more.

I definitely have read that, but I thought I read that the dampening was debatable as to the cause. I'll have to read the threads again, but I was hoping someone might have a definite answer. Would the Alutec pulley also affect the dampening because it's a lighter weight eventhought it's the same diameter?

Quote, originally posted by sjbourg »I definitely have read that, but I thought I read that the dampening was debatable as to the cause. I'll have to read the threads again, but I was hoping someone might have a definite answer. Would the Alutec pulley also affect the dampening because it's a lighter weight eventhought it's the same diameter?It's a tough chance to take for 2 hp.It's not worth the worries for that kind of gain.

PS - Instead of underdriving the crank pulley on the 2zz, you could do the other 3, which is what I would like to do (later down the road). Several makers offer the alternator pulley. Unorthodox offers the water pump pulley, and STR offers the powersteering pulley athttp://www.racingworks.com/str...s.htmAnyone have these STR pulleys? Any comments on them?

Agreed!

VIBERATORHey man, you are blowing sunshine up this guys tailpipe by quoting the 1 second drop in 0-60 times for the few things you are claiming need to be added to make your car faster.You are leading this guy astray and there is no dyno proof that the items you are adding will drop the times by as much as you claim.How bout you prove your numbers before someone has to spend their money.Now, will some of those items make the engine sound louder ? Yes,Will is SEEM like the engine has more HP, yeah if loudness is a factor.Based on your post, you will now do 0-60 in 6.4 seconds with a cold air intake, an exhaust and a chip. NOT !Maybe with a supercharger or turbo.Give this guy the truth rather than lead him down the wrong path.Dyno proof anyone?

Well nobody dynos a 1.8L base Vibe lol. But i was just exaggerating. The stock base Vibe comes 125horse. I only have a K and N short ram and a tb spacer. When i added the short ram, i got 8 horsepower from that (no joke). And when i added the spacer, it brought me to an even 140, and it added some torque, but i'm not sure how much. I just know my first gear is considerably stronger than before. I raced a 2001 stock celica gt not too long ago. Those are 140 horses and i beat him off the line by 1.5 car lengths and held that all the way to the quarter mile mark, meaning i'm at 140 horses on the dot. I started off at 9.4 0-60, now i do 8.3-8.5, depending on the launch. I don't know how much exactly a CAI adds, or how much a header will add, or how much a chip will add, cause it all depends on what brand, tubing size, etc. I was just trying to make a point here.

was looking at the helix throttlebody spacer..anyone here know if that same one would fit the 05-08 throttle bodies? only difference i know between the 2 is the drive by wire/cable portion..i'd like to get one to go with the new SRI...help is much appreciated

BC, you state that these mods will work on '03 AWDs, which is what I'm driving. Will an AWD see enough of a performance boost (especially after Stage 1) to bother? I love the extra traction in the snow, but the thing is dog... dead... slow in the upper gears. And I just sold my '94 Camry LE 4-cyl to get this for a "peppy" ride and better handling! I know that the old adage "No replacement for displacement" still stands, but one can hope, with prices like these!Thanks!

Quote, originally posted by torque2k »BC, you state that these mods will work on '03 AWDs, which is what I'm driving. Will an AWD see enough of a performance boost (especially after Stage 1) to bother? I love the extra traction in the snow, but the thing is dog... dead... slow in the upper gears. And I just sold my '94 Camry LE 4-cyl to get this for a "peppy" ride and better handling! I know that the old adage "No replacement for displacement" still stands, but one can hope, with prices like these!Thanks!Yes, the CAI/SRI will give you an increase in top end. The TB Spacer will gain the low end torque lost from installing the CAI/SRI(You will need to cut 1" off the CAI/SRI for this to fit properly). The Muffler/Exhaust will help the top end as well. But I say the most noticeable difference when I installed the pulleys. i would definitely recommend the stage1 mods for most people wanting to get some extra hp without breaking the bank. Remember to reset the ECU after the intake and exhaust mods to relearn the new air flow.

How would this make my 05 sound? Would it sound less like a kitten and more like a lion?

Quote, originally posted by Kevzaz »How would this make my 05 sound? Would it sound less like a kitten and more like a lion?Yes, maybe more of a Cougar....

*remembers the part where baby Simba tries to roar for the first time*

I always thought, I don't wanna do any performance upgrades on this car. Its a slow car, I understand it, so anything can only make it a little faster. 'You can't polish ****'. But now I am starting to take a second thought to giving it a little extra power.

You thought the same way i was thinking when i got my car. But it was so slow i had to mod it to make it a bit quicker. i recently ran a 16.6 quarter mile with ONLY an intake, tb spacer, and no slack on the throttle cable. to toyota for making an awesome sleeper! haha