So I just got myself a 2007 Yaris...

[hellstang947]

and I absolutely love it. I admit, I did not think I would, it was mostly because it was the best I could find for the budget, and I'm glad I decided to get it.

Obviously, like any car anyone's ever owned, there're a few nuisances.
I'm very happy that they are rare and minor.

The one I was wondering about is how slow the RPMs are. I feel like the car could and should have just tiny bit more power at lower gears (it's a manual tranny). So I've been doing some research on what to do about it, and I came across NST Pulleys. Seems interesting, and I'm wondering if I could get some opinions on them.

But more than opinions, wondering if anyone has (or if there's a place for me to find them) solid numbers on the changes they make. I'm fully aware it's not going to make my car "faster" in the sense that "omg look at thing zoom off the line". But I'm wondering if it'll give it a different "feel" when I press on the gas pedal.

I'm a full believer that one can develop a relationship (and no, not the perverted kind) with a car. Not any car, but sometimes you just feel it. Some people may not get what I'm talking about, but I know some do.

So anyway, hope my question is clear enough. I would just like it to feel different (obviously quicker).

Sorry for the wall o'text. One last thing... is there anything better than the pulleys I could do?

Thanks!

[bronsin]

The Yaris engine is a thing of wonder. 106 hp and only 1.5 liters. That was unheard of thirty years ago. Engines that big were like 60 or 70 hp.

I know you are not going to want to hear this but im my opinion good vibes from the Yaris come from reliability and frugality at the pump. Its a small, perfectly designed car. Its roomy, comfortable, carrys lots of things when needed, and is easy to get in and out of.

MAybe there is a chip for the engine?

Good luck with the car!

[swidd]

You read about the electronic throttle causing a slight lag, so you have to hit the gas a moment before you would on an older car?

The short shifter kit, a little piece that sits on top of the gear linkage in the engine bay and requires five minutes and no tools to install, makes the gear shifting quicker, so the engine RPM doesn't have time to drop as much between gear shifts. I'd recommend that before playing with the pulleys... Makes the gear stick feel tight and more gated, like in any german sports car, as it should be.

[thebarber]

Nst pillows WILL help the feel. An intake and/or lightweight wheels help too

[hellstang947]

Originally Posted by bronsin

The Yaris engine is a thing of wonder. 106 hp and only 1.5 liters. That was unheard of thirty years ago. Engines that big were like 60 or 70 hp.

I know you are not going to want to hear this but im my opinion good vibes from the Yaris come from reliability and frugality at the pump. Its a small, perfectly designed car. Its roomy, comfortable, carrys lots of things when needed, and is easy to get in and out of.

MAybe there is a chip for the engine?

Good luck with the car!

As much as I "don't want to hear it", I knew this already, and I'm perfectly ok with it. Like I said, I am absolutely loving the car, and I do take it for what it is. Roomy, comfy, and miles upon miles before I hit the pump.

I don't think I want to start messing with chips just yet. I actually want to keep it mostly stock, was just wondering about this gas pedal delay that gets to me when I hit the highway. But all is good.

Thank you to the rest for the suggestions. I thought about the short shifter, but I know it itself doesn't give the car power, just rather a different feel to the shifting. And I'm not sure I want to mess with that just yet either. I like the smooth, stock shifter. I've played with short shifters on other cars and they weren't really for me, I always end up switching back. A short shifter would be one of the last modifications I'd make to it.

Thanks again everyone

[why?]

pulleys do help the car accelerate faster by a tad, they make the car overall feel lighter. lightweight wheels help a lot too. And if you really want faster revs, a lightweight flywheel to top it off.

And of course for more power there are all the usual bolt ons.

If you do mean the delay when you hit the gas and the car accelerates, that is the drive by wire lag. Pain in the neck. There are boosters if you really want to buy one, they basically make the car accelerate a bit faster and remove the lag. Sprint sells one, Blitz sells a more complicated one with a ton of different levels from eco to sport.

[hellstang947]

Originally Posted by why?

pulleys do help the car accelerate faster by a tad, they make the car overall feel lighter. lightweight wheels help a lot too. And if you really want faster revs, a lightweight flywheel to top it off.

And of course for more power there are all the usual bolt ons.

If you do mean the delay when you hit the gas and the car accelerates, that is the drive by wire lag. Pain in the neck. There are boosters if you really want to buy one, they basically make the car accelerate a bit faster and remove the lag. Sprint sells one, Blitz sells a more complicated one with a ton of different levels from eco to sport.

I do mean the delay when I hit the gas and the car accelerates, it's my only real complain about the car at the moment.

It's no biggie though. Like I keep saying, I absolutely love the car. I know it's not a sports or racing car, it's a fun little car that gets me where I gotta go, for cheap and reliably, and it's fun to look at.

I guess I was mostly here trying to see what my options were. But maybe I'll just keep it the way it is for a while and some time down the line, if I really get fed up with it, I'll start putting stuff into it.

I'm not an expert on cars. I know some stuff but it's pretty basic. Years ago (early 2000s) I had a mustang, and I started putting all these aftermarket parts into it. Soon after, I realized the error of my ways. Things started going wrong, stuff wasn't installed properly, rattles started happening, and I pretty much regretted everything I did to it. I don't want to make the same mistake again.

Anyway, enough babbling, thanks again everyone for the advice and suggestions!

[bronsin]

Yes the yaris is a little jewel!

It doesnt need nasty turbochargers!

[why?]

i agree that everything can be a pain if it is not installed properly. People on the miata forums swear by the sprint booster.
http://www.sprintbooster.us/Toyota_Boosters.html

Sprint won the best new product at sema.

Micro Image can probably get you one, and they also sell the blitz. Supposedly it is a 10 minute installation where you just pull one wire out, replace it with the controller, and put the wire taken out into the controller.

[ijose 845]

i have a 07 yaris as well mines the hatchback version and i love it as well
and yes i agree i want to go faster aswell! lol