GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I have a 2005 automatic, and it is havd to feather in the throttle gently enough to accelerate smoothly. I know the manufactures tend to rig the throttle so that when you step on the gas just a little you get proportionally more TB opening. They do this so that the small engine feels peppier, but I find that it is rigged too much, and this http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=12018, would make it even worse. What do you think.

It would make it more touchy.

Right, and don't you think that it is too touchy allready. (You stick shift drivers may not notice this).

My base vibe is a 5spd standard and it is the hardest car to feed the throttle and clutch I have ever driven. The engine either bogs starting from a stop and when you try to feed in a little throttle it revs and then you slip in the clutch but between the small clutch mass and the overly sensitive throttle make it a real challenge to drive. I have had the car 5 months and still have not mastered the smooth clutch release without excessive clutch slip. And I have added in other threads I have never had a automatic and have only driven sticks for 45 years.

I have an 03 AT, and I find the throttle a tad on the insensitive side...sometimes I have to push the pedal ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR to get it to really open up...and it's tough to push it that last bit...That aside, though, getting started from a stop is relatively painless. Perhaps they made an adjustment to the ratios in 05 or something...

Mine did not seem to sensitive even after I adjusted the throttle cable. However, my last car was a heavily modified Dodge Ram 1500 with a very very sensitive throttle, so maybe I am just biased.

I have had no probs with my 04 5spd... other then when I first got it, I had to get used to it and stalled on a hill from a stop. But since then no probs, I can rev and hold the rpm around 1500rpm or 2000 if needed and take off smooth and fast, no bogging.But I also have a cold air intake which probably helps.

About 90% of the problem goes away as you get used to the sudden response, but yes, lots of manufacturers do this. Guess they hope you'll drive at part throttle all the time, thinking "Boy, this thing is peppy! I'm just using 1/4 throttle and it's moving right along!" and never mat it to discover that they were using 3/4 plus! (If someone rally wanted, they could build a reverse shaped throttle cam which started out with a large radius and then went down to a smaller faster one...)

Quote, originally posted by Susiegirl »Right, and don't you think that it is too touchy allready. (You stick shift drivers may not notice this).Obviously I don't have this problem if I am considering an aftermarket throttle rotor. I WANT quicker response...I just don't know if it will damage anything...

If you end up doing this upgrade, let us know, I'd be interested to see what it could do for my base...

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »If you end up doing this upgrade, let us know, I'd be interested to see what it could do for my base...Will do bro, I'm just waiting to see if anyone has any insight on how it could negatively impact the 2zz-ge's engine/valve springs, etc.I do have it now, but am leery about installing it just yet. Installation seems very simple and tempting..Anyone with knowledge about this stuff...please??PS I Wasn't able to find one for the base/XR...not sure if it's any different

Since the only result is that you don't have to move you foot as far to get full throttle, there is no danger to any internal part of the engine. (although I'm not sure how it would interact with an automatic transmission) One thing to look out for would be the pedal position. It will either be closer to the floor at idle, requiring re-education for your foot, or will reach full throttle while still some distance from the floor, risking a broken cable or bent throttle shaft if you push too hard.