Hey guys, hows everybody? I just got a 2005 matrix XR. I have a couple of questions for you. 1. what gas mileage are you guys getting city with these?. 2. I want to mod it, what are the best performance mods?i have to make this thing quicker , i read on k&n's site that their cai makes 12hp at the wheels, is that realistic? 3. Does anyone else find the steering wheel to be far away from you? It seems like im always reaching out to hold on to it. thanks guys, i look forward to your answers
1. With the 1ZZ-FE motor, which is the motor that comes in the XR, i would suggest getting a SRI instead of the CAI. The CAI could increase HP at the wheels by 12, if it is already turboed, but otherwise, look more for about 5-6. It will however let the engine breathe in air a little easier, so it might give you a bump of 1-2 mpg on fuel economy. also, i would suggest getting the exhaust system replaced. depending on smog laws in your area, you might be able to go without a catalytic converter. this will give the car more power as well, and works best when done with the intake. those are only 2 little mods. you can probably get better suggestions if you define more about your budget and wants with the car.
2. Move the seat forward so you dont have to reach so far forward. i dont think the matrix has a telescoping steering wheel, just goes up or down.
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2003 Matrix XRS-6MT-Black Sand Pearl-Castrol Syntec 0W30 European Formula
Mods - 18" Incubus Paranormal wrapped in Toyo Proxes4 - T-Max Style front body kit - Escort Passport 9500i...what a friend to have in the car - Part Time Mod Thule Roof Rack
1. With the 1ZZ-FE motor, which is the motor that comes in the XR, i would suggest getting a SRI instead of the CAI. The CAI could increase HP at the wheels by 12, if it is already turboed, but otherwise, look more for about 5-6. It will however let the engine breathe in air a little easier, so it might give you a bump of 1-2 mpg on fuel economy. also, i would suggest getting the exhaust system replaced. depending on smog laws in your area, you might be able to go without a catalytic converter. this will give the car more power as well, and works best when done with the intake. those are only 2 little mods. you can probably get better suggestions if you define more about your budget and wants with the car.
2. Move the seat forward so you dont have to reach so far forward. i dont think the matrix has a telescoping steering wheel, just goes up or down.
Is the exhaust that restrictive on these cars? What kind of increase would i be looking at with a high flow cat? Im in missouri so i dont have to worry about smog but i dont want it loud either. What would i stand to gain from a high flow muffler. I doubt going to a bigger pipe will do any good on a four banger. Considering i have no experience with smaller engines, the 6whp from the cai, can that be felt on smaller motors? Is there a difference in equivlance between hp gains in v6 or v8 compred to i4?
Im really no looking to make it fast just quicker. Do they make tuners for the 1.8's? what other mods can i do without goin all out with a turbo or cams.
Yes i have moved the seat as far as i can confortably and it still seems a bit out there but whatever i'll get used to it. Thanks for the reply.
I dont think the exhaust is that restrictive here, but the little bit from a new exhaust system will help out. on this small of a motor with as little power as they have to start with, you will probably notice a small increase from the CAI. for a bigger pipe, that depends on whether or not you get boost, whether the supercharger or turbo. i have heard several cars that have one or the other. a slightly larger pipe might help out with the 1ZZ, but not significantly. if you are going to get a new exhaust system, then i suggest you do get the larger pipe, but not too large. any exhaust shop should be able to tell you the largest size pipe that would be effective in your car. too large and you lose back pressure, and your low end becomes even worse.
on difference in power gains between 4,6,8 cylinder motors, assuming you got the correct intake for any particular vehicle, the air intake will provide more of a percentage gain in power, so you will have a bigger gain in power for a larger displacement motor, regardless of how many cylinders it has. so for example, the 1zz motor is putting down 126 HP. the 6 HP gain would be a little less than a 5% gain. on the 2zz motor in the XRS, which is running about 180 hp, that would translate out to about an 8 hp gain. on something like a chevy 350 which is putting down about 300 hp stock, that would be closer to 14 hp gain. another way to think about this is to imagine you are out exercising, and you changed out your airway to be able to breathe in more air faster. that would then give you a little increase in your own ability to push yourself a little harder.
Other Mods:
Suspension - springs, shocks, strut bars, anti sway bars, other frame reinforcements
Wheels - Rims, tires, brakes (drum to disc conversion in the rear would be good)
Weight Reduction - Carbon Fiber hood, carbon fiber body panels (the hood will be expensive to get a good one, and the body panels will be very high priced just because they would have to be custom made), Remove back seats, remove passenger seat, remove spare tire equipment
Performance Upgrades - Air Intake (short ram, cold air), exhaust (header back), replace header (about 4-6 hours to do it yourself and the header on 1ZZ is not that great), motor mounts, clutch, flywheel, short shifter (assuming manual tranny)
Other mods - Alarm system, deck replacement (i want to get a new deck that is DVD player/Navigation/HD Radio/Ipod ready, and for something like that, i expect cost to get around $1000-$1500), racing seat replacement, pedal replacement, shift knob replacement, add under carriage lights, HID headlight conversion, Projector Bulb conversion, replace rear tail lights, body kits
those are several things to do, but no where close to all of them. others can help out more with other mod ideas. for more mod ideas and support, check out and sign up at www.matrixowners.com. they also have local clubs all over the country.
__________________
2003 Matrix XRS-6MT-Black Sand Pearl-Castrol Syntec 0W30 European Formula
Mods - 18" Incubus Paranormal wrapped in Toyo Proxes4 - T-Max Style front body kit - Escort Passport 9500i...what a friend to have in the car - Part Time Mod Thule Roof Rack
I dont think the exhaust is that restrictive here, but the little bit from a new exhaust system will help out. on this small of a motor with as little power as they have to start with, you will probably notice a small increase from the CAI. for a bigger pipe, that depends on whether or not you get boost, whether the supercharger or turbo. i have heard several cars that have one or the other. a slightly larger pipe might help out with the 1ZZ, but not significantly. if you are going to get a new exhaust system, then i suggest you do get the larger pipe, but not too large. any exhaust shop should be able to tell you the largest size pipe that would be effective in your car. too large and you lose back pressure, and your low end becomes even worse.
on difference in power gains between 4,6,8 cylinder motors, assuming you got the correct intake for any particular vehicle, the air intake will provide more of a percentage gain in power, so you will have a bigger gain in power for a larger displacement motor, regardless of how many cylinders it has. so for example, the 1zz motor is putting down 126 HP. the 6 HP gain would be a little less than a 5% gain. on the 2zz motor in the XRS, which is running about 180 hp, that would translate out to about an 8 hp gain. on something like a chevy 350 which is putting down about 300 hp stock, that would be closer to 14 hp gain. another way to think about this is to imagine you are out exercising, and you changed out your airway to be able to breathe in more air faster. that would then give you a little increase in your own ability to push yourself a little harder.
Other Mods:
Suspension - springs, shocks, strut bars, anti sway bars, other frame reinforcements
Wheels - Rims, tires, brakes (drum to disc conversion in the rear would be good)
Weight Reduction - Carbon Fiber hood, carbon fiber body panels (the hood will be expensive to get a good one, and the body panels will be very high priced just because they would have to be custom made), Remove back seats, remove passenger seat, remove spare tire equipment
Performance Upgrades - Air Intake (short ram, cold air), exhaust (header back), replace header (about 4-6 hours to do it yourself and the header on 1ZZ is not that great), motor mounts, clutch, flywheel, short shifter (assuming manual tranny)
Other mods - Alarm system, deck replacement (i want to get a new deck that is DVD player/Navigation/HD Radio/Ipod ready, and for something like that, i expect cost to get around $1000-$1500), racing seat replacement, pedal replacement, shift knob replacement, add under carriage lights, HID headlight conversion, Projector Bulb conversion, replace rear tail lights, body kits
those are several things to do, but no where close to all of them. others can help out more with other mod ideas. for more mod ideas and support, check out and sign up at www.matrixowners.com. they also have local clubs all over the country.
Ok so the 6hp gain on the 1.8 is equal to a 14hp gain on the 350..? If thats the case then sweet. Do they make tuners for the 1.8 like jet or diablo? What would you say a cat backs worth for hp?
at this point, i will hope that somebody else jumps in here to help out on the exhaust. as for chips, yes there are after market chips, but from everything that i have seen and read, it is not worth getting a new chip for the 1ZZ unless you are going to add boost.
__________________
2003 Matrix XRS-6MT-Black Sand Pearl-Castrol Syntec 0W30 European Formula
Mods - 18" Incubus Paranormal wrapped in Toyo Proxes4 - T-Max Style front body kit - Escort Passport 9500i...what a friend to have in the car - Part Time Mod Thule Roof Rack
at this point, i will hope that somebody else jumps in here to help out on the exhaust. as for chips, yes there are after market chips, but from everything that i have seen and read, it is not worth getting a new chip for the 1ZZ unless you are going to add boost.
More money than its worth?? What gains do they claim?
The most cost efficient mods are exhaust and intake. You can do both for about $600 and gain about 8 HP in total. For exhaust, Magnaflow has a full catback system that can be had for about $450. SRI or CAI intakes can be had for $100-$150.
The most cost efficient mods are exhaust and intake. You can do both for about $600 and gain about 8 HP in total. For exhaust, Magnaflow has a full catback system that can be had for about $450. SRI or CAI intakes can be had for $100-$150.
Well, depends what you call noticeable. Mine is an XRS and I definately feel better pull, especially in lift.
As in better than stock pull. Im not looking to make it fast just quick enough to get out of its own smoke ya know. So if a cai and i dont know pulleys, ecu, tb , whatever can give me 10-15 hp (which is alot for 4 bangers) then im happy. But what do i have to do to get the 10-15? Will a cai, and cat back get me there?
A CAI will give you the most gains and for the least amount of dollars. I don't think you'll achieve 15 HP, maybe 5 with the CAI, anothr 3 with exhaust, and possibly another 1 with ported headers, etc.
A CAI will give you the most gains and for the least amount of dollars. I don't think you'll achieve 15 HP, maybe 5 with the CAI, anothr 3 with exhaust, and possibly another 1 with ported headers, etc.
So tell me this, why does K&N claim 12hp at he wheels and I believe Injen also makes similar claims of 14hp at the wheels, yet most people say just 5-8? Im not sayin your wrong, im just curious.
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Just bought a matrix
- Part Time Mod Thule Roof Rack
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