GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

will be placing my order for the 2004 vibe. I plan on doing a lot of aftermarket performance parts to the car. So basically i am deciding on whether to get the GT or AWD. i like the idea of all will drive but i dont know how much aftermarket performance parts will be out there to beef up the 123h.p and the idea that it is not a manual

This has been a subject of some considerable concern and debate on this site. Sadly, it seems that there is really relatively little in the way of aftermarket performance parts for the AWD Vibe. I know that there are a good bit more for the base and GT models. The supercharger from the factory will be available for the base model only. The turbo's that I have seen planned for production are for base models with their manufacturers looking toward the GT next. I'm not exactly sure why nobody seems to want to tackle the task of performance mods for the AWD. It probably has a lot to do with the AWD unit itself and how performance mods would affect it. I think that if you are looking to go crazy with perf mods, get a base model with the options you want. Seems that the base model is the target platform for aftermarket perf mods. Many manufacturers seem to even be shying away from the GT engine because of its' very high compression and the high-tech lift system it uses. The engine in the base model seems to be a tried and true engine that has been around in one form or another for a few years now and it the main focus of the aftermarket mod makers. As a GT owner myself, I can say that I'm not seriously lacking for power with my Vibe. People are constanly very surprised at the car's performance capabilities, and I have done no performance mods to the car yet. My main focus is on the suspension and wheels/tires. Neither are very good in my opinion. The performance mods I have planned for my engine are rather few. The main things I want are Amsoil sythetic oil and an Injen Cold Air Intake (CAI). Other than that, it's mostly suspension stuff and things to change the appearance a little because I like my car to look more unique.

if i was to get the awd that has the same engine as the base model couldn't i just use those aftermarkets parts? i'm guessing the only thig making the difference in horsepower from 130 to 123 is the programming in the ecu or air/fuel mix

The word from Pontiac/Toyota is that the exhaust changes to allow for the AWD system make the difference in the HP. Again, according to them, the AWD system cannot handle much of an increase in HP without sustaining damage to the viscous clutch between the front and rear drives.

i just assumed the awd system that is on the vibe is the same GM awd system on the saturn vue and tha azteck both with well over 123h.p

anybody happen to know 0-60 on the awd

I hope you've test driven both.The AWD was one of the features that drew me to the vibe, and the first one I drove was an AWD. But I like a manual shift, so I took the GT next to it out as well. There was never any question about which I was goin to get after that. Once I'd tried the GT, the AWD felt underpowered.

quote:So mods can be doneMods can be done but the question is whether or not the AWD system can handle the extra power. I have read in a few places that it can't.

Then go for it. No one can be really sure until they try. Unless you do throw a turbo or SC on it you will not gain any major power increases. It depends on what you need. When I bought my Vibe I was looking for something to haul my various sporting equipment around but also be fun to drive. I would never have considered the AWD because the only time it might be useful is during the winter. The other 8 or 9 months a year the AWD would be useless. Stuck between the base and the GT there was no question in my mind. The GT had a lot more power and the 6 speed is fun to drive. I was thinking about the base with a SC but I didn't want to wait that long. I've had my Vibe for over a year now and the SC is still not available. When it is finally available, I probably wouldn't have the cash to get it anyway.My suggestion would be to get the base with the SC or the GT unless you really need the AWD.

0 to 60 times have been estimated for the awd to be closer to 11 seconds.....yeah its not very fast, but if you live in climates that get slick during winter, you're the first one out of the gates there have been rumors of development of a hi-po awd to counter or join the subie/mitsu fray...when that happens, it would be interesting to see if the hi-po awd system parts/pieces would be adaptable to current awd vibs...the big fear is a sudden jolt of power to hit the viscous (sp) plates of the awd system...i dont think a cai, custom exhaust or any mods that dont dramatically increase power is going to damage the system! i dont think nitrous would be a good thing to do to it and the effects of a supercharger would be unknown (maybe if it was underdriven more than the one that they will release soon, but what would be the point of having one then! ).

Hey Vibeman! From your original post I'm assuming that 'a lot of aftermarket performance parts' means that you'll be spending some bux on this car. While the AWD is a great car, the AWD system is suspect if your seriously increasing horsepower (remember the Aztec etc uses Subaru's system, not Toyota's 'on demand' system).I'd suggest a base vibe as you'll be able to customize it more for your style (turbo? SC? NOS?) than you would a GT. If you just wanted a fast car, I'd say GT as, out of the box, it is a pretty fast little hatch (wagon? ) but the Base is way more modable... and cheaper!Plus... no offence GT guys... if you've really pumped up a base, it's fun messing with other cars with stealth base!So.. if you want immediate big power... GTif you want HUGE mod'abiltiy' but you'll have to do some work BEFORE you get some serious power... Base.What ever you get, you'll love it... believe me!

well it looks like i'm off to test drive a base model i already test drove the GT and yes it is quick for what it is but 11.5:1 compression scares me a little when i'm wnting to turbo this vehicle just whis they made a six speed for the base. I guess a five speed will have to do if i go that route