Why would anyone want a detuned auto HHR SS with 235hp? Driving a manual is not hard at all and it can be second nature to anyone. Hell, most of Europe has never even seen an automatic car. Just wondering.

Do you mean 235 VS. 260HP?

It's still more HO than the auto 2.4 I have now. I'd guess you could get it tuned and get some/all of the HP back.

my wife had her knee shot out in desert storm, is not able to drive a standard, i have bad knees from surgeries, i can drive one but if i had to evacuate like we might be doing in a few day i would have to leave a stadard at home. some people are just lazy. oh and you cant tow a trailer with the manual...lol i dunno, me if i were able id be signing papers on a black ss manual and just hope a hurricane dont blow it away.

oh almost forgot, some people have enough trouble driving, doing make up (or shaving), eating a mc griddle, and talking on their cell phones, adding a manual into that mix would give them too much to do while driving!

Do you mean 235 VS. 260HP?

It's still more HO than the auto 2.4 I have now. I'd guess you could get it tuned and get some/all of the HP back.

Lol yea, fixed.
Can the auto handle more horsepower? My impression is that they detune it because the automatic cannot handle 260hp

yeah from what i hear the auto is the same one that's being used on 2.4L N/A vehicles? So in that case, it's prolly rated to handle no more than 235.

I'd be afraid to bring up the HP on the auto for the very reason you mention here, it will likely break the tranny. My Ford SHO had that trouble. I had the standard for twelve years. It took ford many years to develop an automatic for it that would take the torque and HP. I had no tranny trouble with the manual other than it had an undersized clutch so Ford gave me a free one when it needed replacing.

All that said, I had a standard Vibe and the power wheel spun with no further traction coming from the other front tire. Piece of crap without positraction of some sort.

Do standard HHRs have this problem? I want BOTH my front wheels to be working for me so I have traction. The standard Vibe fails in this manner while the automatic one seems fine. My automatic HHR is ok with TC and other things happening, so do manual HHRs have any problems with one tire not catching while the other one spins in the snow uselessly, etc?

It is sad the automatic HHR SS loses so much HP. I'm tired of shifting a million times in the city. Shifting is for the young and wanna be Europeans :D

I'll liley pass on the SS since I am set in a non manual mindset. I've been shifting the better part of thirty years with the Corvairs and three on a tree Buiocks etc. Now days automatics are sophisticated and can get the same MPG or better than some one shifting a stick.
Besides, when you play like Mario Andretti on the streets, you get tickets. I know :red: :eek: , My SHO did 150 MPH stock from the factory with a five speed. Oh, and it was red:lol: :bow:

All in all, I guess I'll TRY a manual SS. I mean what can I lose...... ( THe wife is ALREADY apprehensive.....:lol: )

Why would anyone want a detuned auto HHR SS with 235hp? Driving a manual is not hard at all and it can be second nature to anyone. Hell, most of Europe has never even seen an automatic car. Just wondering.

Because I'm lazy and just want to steer :D

If you live in an area with bumper to bumper traffic you would understand.

Personally I prefer and manual transmission to an automatic and I'm no spring chicken either. :lol: I also live in Denver, CO so I know what bumper to bumper traffic is like, although if I lived in SoCal, I'm sure it would be much worse. I really don't even think about it being a stick shift...I just get in and drive. :smile:

I drove both the automatic and manual HHR's before I purchased my HHR. I felt the atx left a little on the table myself, but then again I had the salesman riding in the back seat too. Plus...I had my heart set on a 5 speed which are much harder to find than the automatic.

Wouldn't be a problem here...but that's because I wouldn't buy anything else but a manual. It also makes me feel younger...I'll save driving an ATX for when I can't shift anymore...but then again when that happens, I probably shouldn't be driving any more either. :lol:

Personally I prefer and manual transmission to an automatic and I'm no spring chicken either. :lol: I also live in Denver, CO so I know what bumper to bumper traffic is like, although if I lived in SoCal, I'm sure it would be much worse. I really don't even think about it being a stick shift...I just get in and drive. :smile:

I drove both the automatic and manual HHR's before I purchased my HHR. I felt the atx left a little on the table myself, but then again I had the salesman riding in the back seat too. Plus...I had my heart set on a 5 speed which are much harder to find than the automatic.

Wouldn't be a problem here...but that's because I wouldn't buy anything else but a manual. It also makes me feel younger...I'll save driving an ATX for when I can't shift anymore...but then again when that happens, I probably shouldn't be driving any more either. :lol:

The funny thing around here was when I first stumbled over the HHR in the Chevy lot, all I could find were five speeds. :confused: I did not know there were automatics until I got the literature.
My wife was cool with a manual, but I am tired of them and wanted and still want nothing to do with them, esp after the Vibe experience.
So e eventually got an automatic.

How soon before someone here uptunes an automatic HHR SS and blows the tranny?:roll: :eek:
I give it a month after said owner gets the car:lol:

I for one had my heart set on an automatic after driving my 98 Z28 M6 since it was new. There is quite a bit of traffic in my area, esp at rush hour and pushing in and letting out the clutch while you creep is no fun.

HOWEVER, droppin 25HP like that just to get the auto is really not an option so I guess I'll have to just suck it up and keep on shifting. :cussing:
its a tough job but somebody's gotta do it!

How soon before someone here uptunes an automatic HHR SS and blows the tranny?:roll: :eek:
I give it a month after said owner gets the car:lol:

Yeah and then comes on here and complains that GM won't honor there warranty. Just like they do now on some of there mods. :mad: :mad: :cussing: :cussing: Sheeesh give me a break.


Alan

If you live in an area with bumper to bumper traffic you would understand.

I drive a 5 speed in bumper to bumper 5 days a week
:thumb:

I drive a 5 speed in bumper to bumper 5 days a week
:thumb:

Try Miami gridlock, then you would understand.:eek:

I know this may be a stupid question... but are the performance numbers going to be the same between the 235 HP automatic and 260 HP manual versions (0-60, etc.)? My brain is telling me "yes", but I have yet to see any information that backs this up.

mmm no coments, i prefer the manual, in that version of course

I know this may be a stupid question... but are the performance numbers going to be the same between the 235 HP automatic and 260 HP manual versions (0-60, etc.)? My brain is telling me "yes", but I have yet to see any information that backs this up.

I would bet they are not the same at all. Considering the current 2.2 5-speed and the 2.4 auto are only .14 seconds apart (0-60). I would imagine the new 5-speed has a much better ratio and clutch. The auto is the same as it is now.

And remember, you not only loose 25hp, but you also loose the LSD also. Two very big factors for those that can't or won't drive a stick. Personally, I don't understand why anyone wants a small car that's an auto. Hell I had a 5-speed in the 89 ext length Aerostar I used to own. :lol:

I would bet they are not the same at all. Considering the current 2.2 5-speed and the 2.4 auto are only .14 seconds apart (0-60). I would imagine the new 5-speed has a much better ratio and clutch. The auto is the same as it is now.

And remember, you not only loose 25hp, but you also loose the LSD also. Two very big factors for those that can't or won't drive a stick. Personally, I don't understand why anyone wants a small car that's an auto. Hell I had a 5-speed in the 89 ext length Aerostar I used to own. :lol:

Because I had a small car with a manual and it simply did not have any traction when things got wet or snowy no matter the tires ( I tried different tires) The Vibe had no traction. The power tire would spin and the other tire would sit. No matter what I tried. Somethings wrong with a design if that happens these days. I learned I cannot trust a manual on the current lineup of cars because of this. I have asked outright if the HHR manual has this problem, no one has answered. I think TC would kick in or something. But I refuse to drive light small cars that will get me and my family stuck in only a few inches of snow like the VIbe did. That is suppose d to be Toyota engineering which most folks bow to.:confused: So I dunno what to think other than I'm tired of manuals and I no longer trust them.
And I did drive a clunky but very cool manual SHO for twelve years, so I'm no manual wimp.:cool: Never get stuck in that car 'cause it had weight and BOTH tires spun when traction was scarce:thumb:

Larger cars drive THROUGH the snow better since they press downward to the pavement more than lighter cars do. Lighter cars need TC or positraction more because they glide over the slush/snow mess more. Just some observations from my many years at the Gulf station. Our Toronado would cruise right through a lot of snow that would hang up the omins/ Horizons( The new kids on the block at the time, EVERYONE had them ) The small cars needed thin tires to help them out. No thin tires these days, just fat tires on large rims. Good for the dry days.........

Maybe I should move where no snow occurs , then I could drive anything. No pressures below the snow belt. Just put on performance tires and drive. Those lucky stiffs!:lol:

i finally figured it out, the auto version with less hp and no lsd is for the same people who buy v6 camaros, stangs, chargers..or the old inline 6 versions of your favorite muscle cars...its for people who want the look but thats all they want... they want that turbo, they want the fancy body work and interior but they arent driving enthusiasts, they are commuters, drivers, soccer moms trying to be hip and for people who just have never and or will never learn to drive a stick. but they gotta have that badge, that ss badge... for slightly slower

Because I had a small car with a manual and it simply did not have any traction when things got wet or snowy no matter the tires ( I tried different tires) The Vibe had no traction. The power tire would spin and the other tire would sit. No matter what I tried. Somethings wrong with a design if that happens these days. I learned I cannot trust a manual on the current lineup of cars because of this. I have asked outright if the HHR manual has this problem, no one has answered. I think TC would kick in or something. But I refuse to drive light small cars that will get me and my family stuck in only a few inches of snow like the VIbe did. That is suppose d to be Toyota engineering which most folks bow to.:confused: So I dunno what to think other than I'm tired of manuals and I no longer trust them.
And I did drive a clunky but very cool manual SHO for twelve years, so I'm no manual wimp.:cool: Never get stuck in that car 'cause it had weight and BOTH tires spun when traction was scarce:thumb:

Larger cars drive THROUGH the snow better since they press downward to the pavement more than lighter cars do. Lighter cars need TC or positraction more because they glide over the slush/snow mess more. Just some observations from my many years at the Gulf station. Our Toronado would cruise right through a lot of snow that would hang up the omins/ Horizons( The new kids on the block at the time, EVERYONE had them ) The small cars needed thin tires to help them out. No thin tires these days, just fat tires on large rims. Good for the dry days.........

Maybe I should move where no snow occurs , then I could drive anything. No pressures below the snow belt. Just put on performance tires and drive. Those lucky stiffs!:lol:

You keep mentioning traction issues, but are willing to give up the LSD. I have not driven mine in snow (or an amount tha made up anything), but have been in lot's of hard heavy rain. Take off takes a light tough on the clutch. That's a given with any manual tranny. Personally I do not like TC of any sort, I would take an LSD anyday. Reducing power or electronically applying brakes (what most TC units do) is not like an LSD that equals the power to the ground.

My truck had TM built in to the PCM, once removed via a custom tune, it was like night and day. You don't want a stick for whatever reason, thats on you. But don't complain when it hardly drives better than the current auto you own. I can just imagnine how much TM is built into the current auto to allow it to handle 235hp. It has so much to just handle 175hp as it is. And that barely give the 2.4/auto and edge over the 2.2/5speed (if you want to call .14 an edge :lol: ).

Maybe the SS/auto should be called a "Sport" instead of an SS.

i finally figured it out, the auto version with less hp and no lsd is for the same people who buy v6 camaros, stangs, chargers..or the old inline 6 versions of your favorite muscle cars...its for people who want the look but thats all they want... they want that turbo, they want the fancy body work and interior but they arent driving enthusiasts, they are commuters, drivers, soccer moms trying to be hip and for people who just have never and or will never learn to drive a stick. but they gotta have that badge, that ss badge... for slightly slower

...and the people who see the value in having a transmission that is less likely to have warranty issues due to "driving style", people who ARE driving enthusiasts that feel that the standard 2.2L or 2.4L just doesn't offer enough juice, people that respect their spouses that don't feel comfortable driving a manual, business people who are constantly on the cell phone or eating on the run that simply don't have two hands available for driving while shifting, people who like the comfort of an armrest while gaining the convenience of a more accessible cupholder, people who know an automatic version will be worth more down the line since most car sales are automatics, people who simply prefer the (appropriate) sporty look / feel of the SS as opposed to the classic LS / LT look... I could go on and on. GM got it right by offering an automatic version; I just wish they offered a beefier transmission to take advantage of all 260 horses. Let's face it, GM is going to sell way more automatics than manuals. At least with both offerings, everybody is happy!

Nicely said misterjensen.

I have been doing the manual or auto transmission funky chicken flip flop in my mind for the last week and I believe I have found the answer to my situation, everyone’s will be different of course.

All the pros and cons just about cancelled each other out; so it just becomes a personal choice.

So the cincher for me, if I am reading the information right, is that if the limited-slip differential is optionally available with the manual transmission only. I live in the snow-belt on a not-always-plowed road to a ski hill and Traction Control might be adequate but I would like any extra advantage I can get.

So five speed with limited slip diff it is (for now).

You keep mentioning traction issues, but are willing to give up the LSD. I have not driven mine in snow (or an amount tha made up anything), but have been in lot's of hard heavy rain. Take off takes a light tough on the clutch. That's a given with any manual tranny. Personally I do not like TC of any sort, I would take an LSD anyday. Reducing power or electronically applying brakes (what most TC units do) is not like an LSD that equals the power to the ground.

Well perhaps I'm not informed here. The LSD is ONLY in the five speed? :confused: Certainly my Vibe had no usable LSD. I tried for 8K miles and it stunk. I drove a SHO for over a decade and NEVER had any problems with traction. I know a useful LSD whan I have one. Like positraction of old.

TC IS a different animal and should be a user turn on/off option.
I can drive a stick, these days I may prefer not to.

Will an HHR stick give me the traction I need in the snowbelt? If not, every auto I've ever drove has been way better than my recent bout with the Vibe's stick.

I guess I'll have to try one in bad weather and see.


My truck had TM built in to the PCM, once removed via a custom tune, it was like night and day. You don't want a stick for whatever reason, thats on you. But don't complain when it hardly drives better than the current auto you own.
I won't complain if I bought an auto SS. I would have driven it and dealt with the pros and cons. Like my SHO, I would want an SS HHR mainly for the suspension and the 4WD Brakes. I HAD to get a five speed SHO (which was immediately WORTHLESS on the market BTW) because it was all that was offered until year three or four.

I can just imagine how much TM is built into the current auto to allow it to handle 235hp. It has so much to just handle 175hp as it is. And that barely give the 2.4/auto and edge over the 2.2/5speed (if you want to call .14 an edge :lol: ).

Well, at least automatics for the most part offer the Same MPG as a manual in most cars these days.

Say what you will about folks who want automatics, but automatics do their jobs in a MUCH better way than they used to. Both manuals and automatics have their place. I fail to see how one cannot find use in both modes of shifting:confused:
It is a shame in the case of the HHR that Chevy feels not enough sales would occur in the HHR SS automatics to justify building a tranny that could handle the full output of the turbo engine. That is what grates on my mind.

Maybe the SS/auto should be called a "Sport" instead of an SS.

Yeah, that badge would do for me since it would have the suspension and brakes that really matter.

Extra HP while cool, is pretty useless after a bit in a FWD due to torque steer, and in general on our streets since there are more and more cameras and lasers out there every day. We are moving into a real police state so our days of fast jaunts are really coming to a close.:roll:
I'd rather be able to maneuver better than to have higher speed. Though that extra 25 HP will no doubt feel real nice:D
It's all about compromises. I'm glad Chevy has not discontinued the model. At least this is all progress in the right direction:thumb:

I have a Cobalt, but if any of you HHR guys gets an auto SS. You could spend $500 and build the auto tranny to handle 260hp and you'll be set with a tune to maximize your power. The trans they're using is I believe the same trans as the auto Cobalts. It can only handle about 250hp, above that it will go. An auto HHR SS tuned with a built trans, bigger turbo could be a real sleeper.

I doubt the transmission is as fragile as everyone claims. They've been running 400 HP V8 transplants in old Fieros for years on the old 3-speed transaxle from the Citation days with no problems. GM probably just doesn't want to deal with all the neutral-bangers coming in with smoked torque converters.

I doubt the transmission is as fragile as everyone claims. They've been running 400 HP V8 transplants in old Fieros for years on the old 3-speed transaxle from the Citation days with no problems. GM probably just doesn't want to deal with all the neutral-bangers coming in with smoked torque converters.

Agreed, the torque converter is the weak point in the trans. If only that was swapped I'd guesstimate you'd be clear to 300hpish.

Where are you Clare?????

I know you're biting your tongue....or "chomping" on the bit !!!!:smile: