Small Mods Added to my '09 GT

[FootScoot]

I have had my GT now for a little over a month, and have started doing a few things to it. New stainless exhaust tip.

New antenna. Actually a 2011 Mazda 3. Part #EG23-66-A30

Snooker ball shift knob. Made by yours truly.

[Kincaid]

Looks good. I'd like a white cue ball shifter for my manual stick.

I also get some rust out my tail pipe, and a lot of black soot. My Accord and Civic have no rust and much less soot. Anyone have any ideas why?

[trb]

Looks good! What exhaust tip did you have, the stock one? How is the new one installed? I like the way it looks, like a full exhaust pipe, not like the screw on stainless ones from Autozone. I need to get one too, as the prior owner apparently put in a fart pipe, so the dealer I bought it from just installed a generic muffler and plain tailpipe. It looks like trash, but hey it works. I've been looking for a good used stock one or a nice aftermarket one that does not cost $$$.

[FootScoot]

I'm thinking the rust is from the welding material. I didn't notice it until I took that pic, so I painted it with some VHT Hi-Temp black. I got the tip at a local muffler shop, $47 installed. The rest of the system was in good shape, and I didn't want it any louder. I had the stock tip before.

The shift knob is fairly easy to do. I just went to a pool table/ recreation supply company, and bought the used snooker ball. I already had a M10X1.5 tap, which is what was needed for the Heli-Coil insert M8X1.25 which fit my auto shift lever. The standard may have a larger shaft, I'm not sure.

[trb]

$47 is not bad. I'll have to check some of the shops around me and see what they have that can be welded onto my muffler and look stock.

As for the shifter, you are correct that the manual knob has a larger hole. I checked on one at a salvage yard and it indeed was several sizes larger. I'd like to put the manual trans shift boot and knob on my car since I really don't like the way the spindly auto lever looks, along with the gated shifter. We don't need to see the markings on the shifter since the gear position is shown in the instrument panel anyway. I was thinking about using epoxy to fill in the open space between the manual knob and the auto lever but maybe a helicoil would work. I just need to find another wrecked Vibe with a manual trans I can pull the parts from.

[vibenvy]

Very nice mods ! Could you please post a picture of the antenna that shows the entire thing? Thanks in advance!

[FootScoot]

Thanks for the kind words. Here's a pic of the whole antenna, not great, but it was dark outside.

[tpollauf]

Nice mods so far to your RED 09 Vibe GT I really love that bright orange ball in place of the stock shifter. My 09 Gt, being a 5-speed manual, will eventually see a "Hurst" shifter handle in place of the original ball. Someday ........................................... Keep up modding

[FootScoot]

I'm not sure why the shift knob looks orange. Must have been the flash. Here's a different shot with the flash subdued (piece of masking tape).

[vibenvy]

Thanks for the kind words. Here's a pic of the whole antenna, not great, but it was dark outside.

Nice! Any idea how long that antenna is?

[FootScoot]

I think it's around 7 inches long, but I would have to measure to make sure. It's a lot shorter than the stock one.

[vibenvy]

I think it's around 7 inches long, but I would have to measure to make sure. It's a lot shorter than the stock one.

That makes sense. That's the length of the Honda ones we have on our Vibes. I measured the factory one and it was like 17" long or something.

[FootScoot]

Yep, it's the same length as the Honda antenna, just a slimmer base which fits a little better with the antenna base on the car.

Now to tackle changing out the fog light bulbs. The passenger side housing is loose, so I will need to tighten it up a little. I'm not sure how it's held on, so that will be a new learning experience.

[vibenvy]

Now to tackle changing out the fog light bulbs. The passenger side housing is loose, so I will need to tighten it up a little. I'm not sure how it's held on, so that will be a new learning experience.

Your best bet for getting at the fog lights is to put the vehicle on ramps or jackstands and remove a few of the bolts (just enough to be able to pull the plastic down and get your hands up there) from the plastic liners underneath the front of the vehicle. The bulbs are quite the pain to get out and put back in. I have no clue how the fog light housings themselves are held in place.

[FootScoot]

Got the fog light bulbs changed! They are kind of a pain to get to, and even more of a pain to get back in. Got a little crazy and put in a K & N filter in it too.

[vibenvy]

Got the fog light bulbs changed! They are kind of a pain to get to, and even more of a pain to get back in. Got a little crazy and put in a K & N filter in it too.

You should be commited !

Glad to see you're jumping right into modding your Vibe! Keep it up !