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Why do the AWD Vibes have less Horsepower then the Base Models?

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 12:31 am
by MountainMax
I was thinking maybe the AWD version has more Torque thus less HP, but i wanted to ask the experts here their opinions. Also does anyone have the horsepower/torque ratings of all the 2003 models? I was told my AWD has 123HP and the base model has 130.

Re: Why do the AWD Vibes have less Horsepower then the Base Models? (MountainMax)

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 12:43 am
by goodvibe
I think that it's that they were concerned about the amount of power that the 4WD system could handle and a more restrictive exhaust.

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 12:47 am
by northvibe
the base 1zz fwd and awd have the same engine. But the awd has the read differential to give it the awd. So there is hp/torq used up for that making it a slower accel car but having the same engine specs. someone correct me if im wrong but I think its because of the AWD mechanics that steal those hp/torq numbers.

Re: (northvibe)

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 1:09 am
by BlueCrush
Like they said, the AWD has a more restrictive exhaust so the HP/TQ to the Crank is rated at 7hp less. The AWD drivetrain has nothing to do with the HP/TQ at the crank. It would only affect the HP/TQ to the wheels.

Re: (BlueCrush)

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 1:27 am
by Whelan
Not to mention us AWD people are tuggin a few hundred pounds more weight with the differential, case, and shaft.

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:08 am
by AKLGT
AWD drivetrain draws more power to get all 4 wheels to move. simple as that. so at the wheels, it's probably losing about 25% while FWD will only lose 18% (thereabouts) at the crank.

Re: (AKLGT)

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:26 am
by BlueCrush
Quote, originally posted by AKLGT »AWD drivetrain draws more power to get all 4 wheels to move. simple as that. so at the wheels, it's probably losing about 25% while FWD will only lose 18% (thereabouts) at the crank.It's not full-time AWD. The rears engage only if and when the fronts start spinning. Otherwise it is just like the FWD during normal driving. Pontiac's hp ratings at the crank (not to the wheels) have more to do with the restrictive AWD exhaust more than anything else.

Re: (BlueCrush)

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:45 am
by Whelan
Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »It's not full-time AWD. The rears engage only if and when the fronts start spinning. Otherwise it is just like the FWD during normal driving. Pontiac's hp ratings at the crank (not to the wheels) have more to do with the restrictive AWD exhaust more than anything else.It is noted by Toyota as well that the difference from the 130-123hp is due to the exhaust restrictions because I think the AWDs have a secondary cat.

Re: (Whelan)

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:55 am
by drunkenmaxx
also, a crappier header and more bendy exhaust due to the AWD system.this has been established 1000 times! that is the only thing that causes less HP at the crank.

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:03 am
by AKLGT
ah. i see. so it's not full time AWD. well, be interesting to see what happens with the Toyota-Fuji (Subaru) investment. i wouldn't be surprised if you start seeing the symmetrical AWD system in yotas in the future.

Re: (AKLGT)

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:26 am
by Whelan
The system is also fully mechanical. It's not electronically engaged and instead uses a viscous coupling so when the fronts slip a tiny bit the rears are engaged by the lock. So basically if you have a cusom exhaust made and ditched one of the cats and threw the stock muffler back on you could be back to the 130 almost. Not that I would, but just a though.

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:38 am
by AKLGT
2 cats is too many. my LGT came stock with 3 cats.... but then i took them all out. a lot more power! and i'm sure with a larger diam exhaust on the VAWD, you'd be right back to 130 hp or a bit more i'd think if you left only 1 cat or even went catless... or a High flow cat.

Re: (BlueCrush)

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:18 pm
by goodvibe
Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »Like they said, the AWD has a more restrictive exhaust so the HP/TQ to the Crank is rated at 7hp less. The AWD drivetrain has nothing to do with the HP/TQ at the crank. It would only affect the HP/TQ to the wheels.This is correct. Measurements are taken at the crank and BEFORE the tranny/diff. The 4wd system has no effect on the factory spec.. It can on a wheel dyno but that wasn't the question. The exhaust is more restrictive but a couple of exrta bends and a little length doesn't lose you over 5% of both Torque and HP. This was intentional by Toyota.

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:31 am
by MountainMax
Thanks for the replies, I knew it had nothing to do with the AWD but I wondered if they had a more torquey motor on the AWD and less HP because of it. I know it has a precat in the header which I was told to remove as I can't buy a performance header for it.

Re: (Whelan)

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:58 am
by tnpartsguy
Quote, originally posted by Whelan »Not to mention us AWD people are tuggin a few hundred pounds more weight with the differential, case, and shaft. The AWD car might weigh a few lbs, more, BUT we have aluminum rear independant suspension components, versus the HEAVY steel solid beam axle base and GT cars. Curb weight on an '06 Base is 2,700 lbs; the AWD is 2,980, and the GT is 2,800. I personally like having I.R.S, and think it's worth the girth!

Re: (tnpartsguy)

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:58 am
by Whelan
I def. love the IRS. I had it on my Saturn, then for some reason they ditched it on the 01-05 Civic Coupes, I missed it badly. Now I have it again, yea!!!!!