onequicktang

I'm new to the small chevy turbo world. I have always played with big hp mustangs. This car will be my dd and don't want to go crazy with it. First question is I would like to get all the supporting mods done first such as, cai, cat back, and intercooler piping. Can this be done without a tune? I just want to have all my bolt on mods done before I tune. I really like the idea of the trifecta, but I have read quite a few horror stories on here about the guy doing some pretty crappy tunes?

firemangeorge

Welcome to the site.

I would skip the CAI. Not really much to be gained there. GM did a really good job on the design of the SS air box and it's flow.
Any thing other than the stock air box/filter set up and you run the risk of triggering a CEL. Then you would need to tune for that.
For a DD, I've changed mufflers and upgraded the BPV. No tune needed. Changing the piping shouldn't require a tune either.

onequicktang

I've changed mufflers and upgraded the BPV.

Just the muffler? how did it sound? I have some magnaflows sitting in my barn I could throw on. Not looking for something really loud but did like the sound of the magnaflow 3in catback systems.

firemangeorge

Just the muffler.(the one in my signature). A little louder and deeper sound than stock and no drone. Still have some powertrain warranty on mine so I haven't gone too far with my mods.
Tried the muffler delete. It was a bad drone at highway speeds.
After warranty I'll probably go with coring out the 2nd cat. There are a few threads on this site about the performance benefits from that.

onequicktang

awesome. Thanks. I did read about the second cat, and I do have 12 months 12k warranty as well.

2005HHRauto

Surprisingly, our 'buggys' don't need many mods...
There are really only a few worthy mods needed.
Most mods are a matter of taste, & is really an addiction...

1st, the 'tune'
TUNE = POWER , DRIVEABILITY , DEPENDABILITY
The 'tune' is the key, to great power, & drivability, & dependability.
I't's utterly amazing, what just a tune can do, for our 'buggys'.
Every, & any 'tune', mild to wild, will unleash the power, drivability, & dependability, that we all want...
Don't be afraid of Trifecta, talk to CJ...
If there was only one thing, that I would do, a 'tune' would be it.
99% of all mods, after a 'tune', will not require a retune…

2nd, TTECH engine mount
TTECH engine mount = planting the, POWER , DRIVABILTY , DEPENDABILITY
What's important, after a 'tune', is purely a matter of taste…
But, & this is a big one, the one thing that is really needed, after a 'tune', is a TTech engine mount. It really is needed, as the stock mount is crap, just totally crap. The TTech mount, will 'plant' the power, will improve daily driving response, & drivability , reduce the front wheel drive torque steer, & just overall improve the fun-factor, by 100%.

That's it, your're done, everything else, is a matter of taste, & the fun of Hot-Rodding your 'buggy'...

With just an E47 'tune' , TTECH mount , slicks = low 13s, maybe high 12s, at the track...

Supporting Mods
K&N intake system, to remove the intake restriction, NO re-tune needed.
Coring of the 2nd cat, to remove the exhaust restriction, NO re-tune needed.
Muffler change, NOT needed, stock is free-flowing, straight-thru, 2.75" internal tubing, NO re-tune needed, if you change it out, for a matter of taste.
Intercooler &/or Intercooler piping, NOT needed, I can run 12.3s all day at the track with the stock Intercooler/piping. If replaced, NO re-tune needed.
Downpipe catted or catless, not needed, just core the 2nd cat. It's really important to leave the 1st cat in place, as it is needed. A loss of off idle torque & responsiveness, will result if you remove the 1st cat. Again, I can run 12.3s all day with the 1st cat in place. If you do change out the stock DP for a matter of taste, No re-tune is needed.

Please get your 'tune' 1st, it is the 'key', the 1st, & most important mod needed...

onequicktang

Thanks 2005! My hhr seems to only peak maybe 12lbs of boost and really seems kind of weak as far as "lugging" or "pulling power". By that I mean if I'm not feeding it rpms it pretty unresponsive!

firemangeorge

12 lbs peak boost is too low. You've got something wrong. I would be checking for a leak in the system.

onequicktang

I figured. What should I see peak wise? kind of why I want to get rid of all the plastic ducting.