GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

does anyone agree with me that pontiac dropped the ball in not making the high output engine available on the awd model?

quote:does anyone agree with me that pontiac dropped the ball in not making the high output engine available on the awd model?Remember that this car is primarily Toyota. Pontiac, or should I say GM, cannot change anything mechanically on the Vibe unless it is approved by Toyota. This was explained to us by Jeff Strausser, head of quality for the Vibe at the Michigan Rally.So although it is easier to blame GM for things, a lot of issues cannot be addressed by GM without the approval of Toyota. A good example of this is the hydraulic clutch issue in the Engine & Transmission forum.

Like TritonGT said, it's not Pontiac, it's Toyota. Also, the AWD unit is not strong enough to handle the HO engine. They aren't going to offer an engine/trans combination that will just keep returning as a warranty repair.

the AWD mechanism cant handle more power.

quote:does anyone agree with me that pontiac dropped the ball in not making the high output engine available on the awd model?I think it's more of GM should have insisted that Toyota share some of GM's parts like their Versatrak AWD that can handle more power so you could use a HO engine. Put then again, the HO engine is not ideal for an AWD hatchback. The GT's engine is great for a FWD car, but not so for a more utilitary vehicle like an AWD.

I agree, a high rpm high output engine is not suited for and AWD system. Lower rpms and torque are what make and AWD system work better.

quote:does anyone agree with me that pontiac dropped the ball in not making the high output engine available on the awd model?Remember I'm just kidding sarcastically: Sounds like you dropped the ball by not buying a Subaru...Seriously, if the GT is ~$2000 more than the base and the AWD is ~$3000 more than the base, that's getting close to WRX money for nowhere near WRX scoot. Seems like it would be slower than the 2wd GT.

Scott I may have a stupid question. I see in your side picture that you have a red cover on your motor of our vibe, is that your stock cover painted or is that after market? I took mine off and put wire loom on it. i would like to add more color, like by painting my valve cover, but I dont know if that will f*ck my warrenty? once I figure out how to run the scanner i will post pictures!

That's the factory plastic engine cover I just painted.http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id ... 41#43441Do you really want to paint the valve cover or just the plastic engine cover? You could remove the valve cover to paint it but that would probably require a new gasket to re-seal it when you re-install it. Just be sure to keep dirt from getting unto the engine when the valve cover is off.

hey, that looks f*kn sweet! I wish i could show you pictures of mine all wire loomed up! Ill just tape things off and paint the valve cover. I already pulled off the plastic cover off. You did paint your header, right? I got to get the cai for my car!

quote:does anyone agree with me that pontiac dropped the ball in not making the high output engine available on the awd model?It does make you wonder why subaru can mak the awd Wrx , with loads of power, but toyota cant?

quote:It does make you wonder why subaru can mak the awd Wrx , with loads of power, but toyota cant?Nobody said Toyota can't make one, they just haven't. I guess they don't feel the need to make one.

quote:You did paint your header, right?Paint your header? The Vibe doesn't have a header from the factory and you can't see it from the front anyway. Also, paint will just burn off the header. The 4 black tubes on the front of the base engine (silver on the GT) are the intake manifold, not the header. The exhaust is in the back of the motor.

quote: The 4 black tubes on the front of the base engine (silver on the GT) are the intake manifold, not the header. yes, and just remember...we need not call it plastic.....that does not sound good....its "composite" material.... I have a composite intake manifold...not a plastic one!