GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I have an 05 Vibe 1.8 litre vin 8.
It has 100,000+ miles on it and burns oil. A lot of oil. The valve guides or valve guide seals are leaking.

I have a line on an engine, another 1.8 litre from an 09 Vibe that has only 500 miles on it.
I can get it for a good price, and I would like to know if it is possible to install it in my 09 Vibe.
I know the 05 has variable valve timing and the 09 doesn't.

I have gotten mixed answers, the one dealer said it would fit no problem another said it won't fit.
I called a used auto parts place and the guy there said it will work but I will have swap the exhaust manifold and possibly the oil pan and maybe
some other stuff. OK that's no big deal.


I would appreciate any information you can offer.

Thanks!!

Anything's possible, but it's not going to be even close to a drop-in replacement. The 2ZR-FE is physically bigger than the 1ZZ-FE, front to back. The intake and exhaust manifolds are different. The mounting points are different. Basically you'd have to take the entire contents of the engine compartment from the 09 and transplant it into the 05. No matter how cheap that 09 engine is (even free), a good 1zz is going to cost you less in time and money during install. Not to mention no regular mechanic would want to touch the resulting frankenstein's monster afterward for regular maintenance.

Try these guys: http://car-part.com/index.htm

They have approximately 350 compatible Vibe engines listed, all over the country, various mileage and price.

I think I have a line on a rebuilt 1ZZ-FE in Rochester, MN for $800. Drop it in and you have a brand new engine. Otherwise just get your engine head rebuilt if that is indeed the problem. What may decide it is the labor to install the engine vs labor for the head work.

The 09 1.8L is a totally different engine. So you'd need new harness, new mounts, new ECU, new transmission.... In other words, more work than is worth it unless you have a vested interest in putting an 09 1.8l into a first gen.

If the problem is in the top end the fix shouldn't be that expensive. Putting a 2ZR-FE in an 05 wouldn't be worth the effort. Put a 2zz in there would be simpler and more fun to drive.

"I know the 05 has variable valve timing and the 09 doesn't."

Why the change? Did that save the manufacturer money? Is one better than the other?

jake75 wrote:"I know the 05 has variable valve timing and the 09 doesn't."

Why the change? Did that save the manufacturer money? Is one better than the other?

I don't think that's correct. Variable valve timing is on pretty much every car these days, and is a technology that can give good power and fuel economy. The 2ZR-FE, the 1.8l from the 09, does indeed have it, if only based on what the engine cover says.

Thanks for the info - the VVT feature is probably so common that it doesn't merit a mention - like saying "fuel injected" - no one uses a carborator anymore.

Thanks for the info...

If anyone is interested I am going to sell the 09 2ZR-FE 1.8 litre engine.
It has less than 500 miles on it. A local dealer was doing electric conversions.
I am asking $1200.00 for it and I am in the Nashville area.