03 to 04 ecu upgrade?

1.8-liter VVTL-i (2ZZ-GE) and VVT-i (1ZZ-FE) engine, transmission, exhaust, intake, and performance tuning discussions
Post Reply
FlynHwian
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 6:49 pm

03 to 04 ecu upgrade?

Post by FlynHwian »

I've heard in some places on the forum that from the 03 model year to the 04 model year the Vibe GT was detuned for emission requirements.SO replacing an 04 ecu with an 03 ecu would lower the lift engagement and gain some hp back. Is this true or am I on crack, cuz I can't find the posts anymore. *Edit* Also, would it just be plug and play, cuz this seems like the ultimate cheapo ecu upgrade out there...
BlueCrush
Posts: 8272
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:47 am
Location: Twin Cities, MN

Re: 03 to 04 ecu upgrade? (FlynHwian)

Post by BlueCrush »

Quote, originally posted by FlynHwian »Is this true or am I on crack, cuz I can't find the posts anymore.BOTH! I know some guys on NewCelica.org have done it to their GT-S's. I thought a couple people did it on MO to their Matrix XRS's. I did a search on there but their search engine sucks so nothing came up in the results that I could find. I would pose the same question on MO. Good Luck.EDIT: Upon further research I found this thread on MO from "thebarber"http://matrixowners.com/forums...05&hl=
My Fleet:
'15 Ford Fusion AWD Titanium 2.0 Tutbo
'14 Lincoln MXZ AWD 2.0 Turbo
'14 Nissan Pathfinder AWD SL
'05 Pontiac Vibe AWD
FlynHwian
Posts: 14
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 6:49 pm

Re: 03 to 04 ecu upgrade? (FlynHwian)

Post by FlynHwian »

...two words...Next Mod
BlueCrush
Posts: 8272
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:47 am
Location: Twin Cities, MN

Re: 03 to 04 ecu upgrade? (FlynHwian)

Post by BlueCrush »

...one word...Cool!
My Fleet:
'15 Ford Fusion AWD Titanium 2.0 Tutbo
'14 Lincoln MXZ AWD 2.0 Turbo
'14 Nissan Pathfinder AWD SL
'05 Pontiac Vibe AWD
northvibe
Posts: 7641
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2005 2:25 pm

Post by northvibe »

Yeah 03 ecu lower lift fpm kick in easy mod for cheap thrills
goodvibe
Posts: 915
Joined: Sun Jul 27, 2003 10:39 pm

Post by goodvibe »

I had an 03 so I'm biased but that swap is a mixed blessing. The peak HP was virtually identical when dynoed and the 04 actually has a stronger torque curve below lift and timed as fast or faster in sprints. Lower lift is great but being stronger below is probably more important. It would be nice to have both. Changing to an 04 or 03 ECU from later years seems very worthwhile but the 04 for 03 swap is iffy.
Vibe GT, TRD springs, Progress bar, STB, Unichip, Borbet E 16x7.5, 225/50 Bridgestone RE750, beefed up grounds and battery bypass capacitors(had em laying around)
Post Reply