GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

so I finally got rid of a couple boxes in my house. I want to start by thanking everyone that has done this before and made my decision to buy the parts and install myself a really easy one.total install time was about 2.5-3 hours with a few breaks and a few more distractions along the way.The intake went as planned, I only removed the left side of the bumper and had no problem with getting the filter on and tight. I did however manage to melt the engine cover with the floodlight I was using... not bad but still Install of the Unichip. was easy, pop, pop, plug, plug put it back together. Simple. I got the Unichip with the s/c module. However I was not going to be boosted for a bit ,but I wanted to use the Unichip now. So I got it programmed for the mods I have but it was cheaper with the group buy to get it all now and reprogram again later. It is not in the instructions but you muse still plug in the "turbo" module to complete the MAF circuit... if you dont there is an instant CEL and the car will not rev over 3000RPM's... something the guys at unichip figured out for me really quick. 5 min phone call including holding.I had the exhaust done last month and this was the kicker. I have to be honest I was disappointed at the lack of anything the exhaust did. I sounded great but there was no real noticeable gains. Installing the CAI and the Unichip was a much, much better experience. The power throughout the RPM range is better. There is more torque and dare I say a little push you into you seat power now... something that my AWD was dying for. I'm not saying I went from slo-mo to fast forward, we are not adding 50hp but there is plenty more there when your foot is into it. Merging and passing are much easier now and I must say its nice. Also when your right foot is stuck to the ground there is a noise... a beautiful sucking noise coming from my intake. I quite like it. It makes the exhaust sound that much better, perfect tones.I am still getting a little rough idle and a CEL comes on but it is reset with the switch provided relatively quickly. I'm not too worried about it, we will see if it smartens up over the next week or so.Overall this kicks a$$. I will recommend this set up to anyone that owns and wants a little more from our cars. Great fun.I again would like to thank Brad from http://www.neverenoughauto.com for getting the parts for me and all of our members that do write-ups and reviews on any of this stuff... I really appreciate your input on this site look forward to seeing what comes next.

well I heard people say the exhaust did not seem to add anything if thats all you had. My own experience was with the CAI in first, then the exhaust, then the unichip. My car felt different/better each time.I had a cel as well first start up but it went away on its own. Try higher octane fuel, hopefully the rough idle goes away. Check and make sure the intake and everything is installed correctly and all the lines (if any) are tight.Sounds great eh? And yes you do get pushed into the seat a bit. I noticed more of a increase in torque over HP honestly. The RPM and accel increases smooth and quick.

yes, the chip really helps more on the torque than the power where the car is lacking. at least with torque, the car FEELS more powerful. and if it puts a smile on your face, that's what it's all about.

Quote, originally posted by AKLGT »if it puts a smile on your face, that's what it's all about. ain't that the truth

so the CEL was my fault... bad vac line routing see this picdo it this way and you will have no problemsthanks to northvibe for taking and posting the pic... saved my a$$ again no its running smooth and no CEL.

it was that simple eh? glad I suggested check the hoses

i am too... it was starting to bug me, stupid mistake, but much happier nowthanks

I did the same thing way back when I installed my Injen CAI, I reversed the hoses for the VSV and got a CEL after a few days. It ran fine with no problems, but just got a CEL and couldn't get rid of it. Read the codes and found it was a vaccuum problem, but couldn't figure it out. Bugged me for a while before I finally saw in someone elses pic the VSV with the cap down instead of up like I assumed it was! lol Didn't even pay attention to how it was when I unhooked it took it off with the air box!

Go for the pulley's next. Your grin will get bigger! No, they wont hurt your base engine. Just make it rev faster, idle smoother, free up some hp and torque. And to top it off, give you another cool sound to your engine at wot.My set up before the s/c was just like yours except I had both the crank and alt. pulleys and the ground kit.

i have the alt pulley ready to install and was on the fence about the crank. But if it wont hurt anything but me cheeks (from smiling) then I will follow suit. How many still good belts do you have at home? 1 OEM, 1 with the pulleys, 1 with the S/C and one that actually fits the s/c with the other pulleys. , at least you (and me) are well stockedMy set up will continue tofollow yours pretty closely... except for the tranny issues (i hope), but we will see won't we.

Hehehe Your right about the belts! I got 2 that I can't even call spares.The stock belt will fit with both pulleys. Use one or the other pulley, then you'll need a new belt. I think I tried 3 belts to go with the s/c and alt. pulley before I found one that fit. Sorry, can't remember the length.At least get a tranny cooler. They're easy to install. And switch to synthetic tranny fluid. It will help a little until you're boosted. Then, I can't say enough about the shift kit. You can either choose to get one or have the car choose for you. Espescially after you get the s/c installed.

Thats cool the stock belt fits with the underdrive crank and oversized alt pulleys. Good to know.Tranny cooler is coming soon, just have to wait for a slow day at work get the tranny guy to toss it in for me, we have them in stock all the time so thats easy, i'll just grab one for a Ram 3500 or whatever . I'm already on synthetic fluids, so thats covered.Where can I get the shift kit, is it a tranny shop rebuild it kind of thing (like you had to do) or is there actually a kit someone makes that I can get my guy to install for me?

The tranny guy I think put one together for me, but I know level ten and IPT motor sports make shift/rebuild kits for us. Trannies are too complicated for me to mess with so I just took it into a specialist. A lot less worries and it's tunable for my needs and driving habits.

Quote, originally posted by Lancer » Trannies are too complicated for me to mess with so I just took it into a specialist.no doubt... I'm lucky that I have a great tranny guy at my shop, but I can't have my car tie up his hoist while we screw around with a rebuild that has no parts. but if I can get this kit then at least it will be parts replacement and should go smoothly.... i hope.thanks for the advice Lancer... I would rather build it up right and have more days on the road then in the shop. I would really like to keep the s/c plan moving forward and keeping the mods I have now, it looks like this is a good investment. thanks again.

The pulleys are great. I am running the OBX pulleys with no problems at all.

You are correct, the pullies will bring on a big grin, but be careful of overheating and frying the block. You would also have to make other adjustments to make this work right.

if you don't mine me asking what did it cost ya for the custom exaust?and from what point was it replaced from, head, second cat?

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »if you don't mine me asking what did it cost ya for the custom exaust?and from what point was it replaced from, head, second cat?it's from the cat back... includes 4" tip, resonator pipe 14" magnaflow muffler and all 2.25" pipe about $500 parts, labor, tax all in. since there is no pre-made system for the AWD it's what you have to do. It is also a good door opener to the exhaust shop cause I will go back there to finish the job from the manifold back and they know exactly what I am looking for. They like that kind of stuff and I will probably get a better deal next visit.

Wow! Gonna have to check it out in person one day!! Ready to race hehe!!Seriously awsome mods, hopefully you won't get too many speeding tickets this year haha.Ivan.

I can't wait until I have my exhaust system installed. I am so busy I do not have time to make it happen. That also reminds me I also have to have the unichip remapped.