SC on 5-spd Manual; It can be done.
Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 12:16 am
As sater9 has alluded to in the previous post, the only thing holding us back from installing a TRD SC on the Vibe is the different ECUs. According to Nick, GM uses a Denso system while Matrix uses the Delphi system. The SuperChargers come with a piggy-back ECU that is needed to control boost as well as the fifth fuel injector, among other things I imagine. After talking with Jack from UniChip, he assured me that the Unichip can replace the piggyback and does everything it can do and more. The disadvantage is that throwing a TRD SC on the Vibe will surely void the warranty, which now is only 12 months or 12,000 miles on an existing warranty. I’m not too worried about this because by the time GM releases the 5-spd SC, if ever, my warranty will be up anyway. Besides, the Toyota VVT-i 1ZZ-FE is a proven engine and the SC was specifically designed and extensively tested for it. The advantage is that TRD SC’s can be had for under $2,500, I haven’t found a GM one for less then the MSRP of $2995. Install should also be cheaper not having to pay Genuine GM shop charges. Of course, the money saved will have to go toward the UniChip with the SC version retailing for $900 (Ouch)!!!!! The advantage of the UniChip is that it can be custom tuned for your car to take full advantage of SC’s, CAI’s, cat-back exhaust, headers etc. A mod that many Matrix folks are doing anyway and getting good gains in HP and torque. I’m going to look into it a bit more, and if GM does not release theirs soon, go for it.