GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...73455I see Injen for $280, and this--what's the diff?--Splash

Second question is whether any of those chips on Ebay actually work--and if I can do CAI and chip to boost HP?

The main difference is that it is a Short-Ram intake, and not a CAI like the injen for the price you have stated. Short-rams make less power due to it inhaling hot air from under the hood, where-as a CAI runs behind your front bumper to inhale cooler air.The minor differences of this from any name brand short ram, is the cheap filter, shotty welding job, and questionable performance of a no-name in general. Poor intakes have been known to throw your computer into fits, it will make your service light come on.If you are looking for a decent intake at a cheap price, check out the Cosmo racing CAI, some people here have already posted good results, and it's only about $110. http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=6136 If you do end up going with the injen, many people have gone with PTuning.com, and Adventon.com. Adventon is cheaper, but is said not a certified injen dealer. http://www.ptuning.com http://www.adventon.com

That one is the same as mine...it is made by Bomz Racing. I got mine for $40.00 and it is awesome. You dont get fancy colored metal or a brand name anyplace but thats ok with me. the intake is a short ram but i run forced air through a scoop behind the lower grilles which funnels right up to the filter. The filter doesnt have the 2nd filter element from the top like some do but hey....i can always put whatever filter i want on the end of the intake. Heres a picture of mine.. -Phil

hehe.....funny

Short ram is not as good as CAI--OK.But is it worth the effort at all? How much more power will it give me?

take a look at these numbers from AEM.Matrix XR (Base Vibe) with Cold Air: http://aempower.com/pdf/dyno/2...S.pdf Matrix XR (Base Vibe) with Short Ram: http://aempower.com/pdf/dyno/2...S.pdf Matrix XRS (Vibe GT)with Cold Air: http://aempower.com/pdf/dyno/2...S.pdfMatrix XRS (Vibe GT) with Short Ram: http://aempower.com/pdf/dyno/2...S.pdf the number speak for themselves. As far as the quality of the intake posted, well, to each his own, but, I wouldn't buy it. You can get a CARB certification sticker with true "Big Name" manufacturers. Try to get that from the producer of the intake you are referring to. Won't happen! The big companies put time and effort into gettinf the most out of the product they produce. They put countless hours/ dyno runs into making the piece preform.You get what you pay for.Save for either an AEM, Injen, or TRD CAI (Cold Air Intake). As far as the modules on ebay.....well, in the nicest term I can think of...They're ****!...It's a scam!You can also go with a set of ground wires. Check out http://matrixowners.com. Search for ground wires and you get all the info you need on the topic! PoweredByRice makes/sells them. They're a good quality product for $50. Sparkplugs may smooth out your idle, but performance gains will be minimal.The CAI should give you the added kick and growl you're looking for. Definitley go for this mod first. Installation takes no more than 1.5 hrs with basic tools and common knowledge of how to read/follow directions. Just walk through them first and identify everything before you start removing things!If you've got any other questions, feel free to ask! And welcome to genvibe.com!

Quote, originally posted by splashd »Second question is whether any of those chips on Ebay actually work--and if I can do CAI and chip to boost HP?There was a group buy going on for a Unichip on matrixowners.com that wasn't some Ebay scam. Someone posted it here, you might want to look up Unichip on this site. It was able to be custom programmed when you ordered it (at no extra cost) to maximize your mods (like a CAI). I was considering ordering one programmed to work with the Injen CAI and intalling it after I get the CAI.