GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

So I need to replace my catalytic converter, I have 2003 Vibe with 245k on the clock. But I have noticed that there are 2 different exhaust setups between the AWD and FWD vibes.

AWD Vibe


FWD Vibe


This is all fine and dandy but I cannot find the exhaust manifold/primary catalytic converter for the AWD vibe or the midpipe/ second catalytic converter and resonator pipe.

Well i can find it, but only from GM parts resellers who want alot for them, anyone got any other sources

I assume you have an AWD? Buy a quality Aftermarket CAT and have a muffler shop weld it in, they may need to add a bung hole for the O2 sensor. Unless your exhaust is rusted and falling apart that would be the simples and cheapest route.

Salsa Guy wrote:I assume you have an AWD? Buy a quality Aftermarket CAT and have a muffler shop weld it in, they may need to add a bung hole for the O2 sensor. Unless your exhaust is rusted and falling apart that would be the simples and cheapest route.

Yes I have the AWD, I tried that route initially along with replacing all the exhaust gaskets to ensure there were no leaks, and new o2 sensors, still getting p0420 , me thinks that the primary cat is bad still

The AWD Vibe's main cat is located inside the exhaust manifold. The only way to replace that cat is to replace the manifold.

Have you tried looking at the Toyota sites? The Toyota Matrix has the same header.
http://parts.olathetoyota.com/2003toyot ... parts.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - has it for $168.04.

dcampman1112 wrote:

Salsa Guy wrote:I assume you have an AWD? Buy a quality Aftermarket CAT and have a muffler shop weld it in, they may need to add a bung hole for the O2 sensor. Unless your exhaust is rusted and falling apart that would be the simples and cheapest route.

Yes I have the AWD, I tried that route initially along with replacing all the exhaust gaskets to ensure there were no leaks, and new o2 sensors, still getting p0420 , me thinks that the primary cat is bad still

Primary Cat? Are you talking about #6 or #8 on the AWD Diagram? #6 is the pre-cat, # 8 is the primary Cat. If you replaced #8, the O2 sensors and still getting the P0420? You may consider a defouler on the downstream O2 sensor. Now the downstream is located after the CAT (#8).

Salsa Guy wrote:

dcampman1112 wrote:

Salsa Guy wrote:I assume you have an AWD? Buy a quality Aftermarket CAT and have a muffler shop weld it in, they may need to add a bung hole for the O2 sensor. Unless your exhaust is rusted and falling apart that would be the simples and cheapest route.

Yes I have the AWD, I tried that route initially along with replacing all the exhaust gaskets to ensure there were no leaks, and new o2 sensors, still getting p0420 , me thinks that the primary cat is bad still

Primary Cat? Are you talking about #6 or #8 on the AWD Diagram? #6 is the pre-cat, # 8 is the primary Cat. If you replaced #8, the O2 sensors and still getting the P0420? You may consider a defouler on the downstream O2 sensor. Now the downstream is located after the CAT (#8).

I guess by primary cat i was referring to #1 as the manifold contains a large cat, #6 is just a pipe and #8 i replaced with a universal cat.

Haven't tried a fouler yet, my exhaust is so hacked up re welded and hacked up now im looking for the cheapest oem style parts i can find, i quasi checked for matrix parts, just on rock auto though, and i was only able to find the #8 part/pipe

cool that saves me quite a bit, the toyota site has the manifold wayyyyy cheaper, and the gm site has the midpipe assembly cheaper, so i think ill mix n match, but so far ive found a solution thats 200$ cheaper.

Salsa Guy, thanks for the clarification.

dcampman1112, hope you can get this issue resolved soon

You are correct about the Manifold #1 containting the pre-cat. I heard of some Matrix 4WD gutting the the pre-cat in the mainfold for some power gains but I don't recall issues with P0420 by doing that. Matter of fact a few 4WD guys putting OBX headers on and not complaining about the P0420.

Are you burning oil or getting antifreeze in the exhaust? it''s really strange you are still having these issues despite changing O2 sensors and the CAT. Yea I just do the defouler, it's cheap and simple.

Im having a similar situation. The flange on my Manifold rusted out so the spring bolts are hanging. I need a new exhaust manifold for my 03 Vibe AWD and the cheapest I can find one for is $516. I dont want to dump that much into the car at this point.. spent over $3000 in the past 2 years replacing parts.. I heard the OBX headers will work with some "modifications" what modifications are they talking about??

Please help this has been a headache for weeks now.

Search MO. Some guy has pics of the OBX install on a AWD. The bad thing about the OBX is the welds are known to fail.

Check this out
http://www.trademotion.com/parts/2003/P ... am=FM03195" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

thats a huge savings compared to what i was looking at.. Thanks for the info.. living in ny i cant even get a used one because its unlawful to sell used converters here.. yay me.. this will most likely be the route i go.. if the obx welds are crap and it takes some modifications to get it installed ill run into more headaches than its worth.. you rock ..