I received my HRC/PPC tune on Monday. Here are some 'first impressions' in no particular order...

Product was well packed (3#, BTW, for those of you who whined about my whining about the $28.xx shipping charge-- Bill calls it a "flat rate," which is fine, but it's a $9 shipment :( ). Inside the box was an HRC sticker and the PPC in its original packaging.

Bill and company have included a couple of pages of instructions for you to follow. For completeness, you should always read the whole manual before doing anything to your car... but the only real value the PPC manual has that isn't covered by Bill's short-n-sweet instructions is a clear indicator that one should never try to tune a Volvo without first ripping a hanf dozen fuses out of the car and planning for a very long afternoon sitting in the seat while the tuner does the read/write. I'm guessing the Volvo ECM has to be "cracked" before read/write, and that is what probably takes so long. Don't worry... the HHR will flash in about 90 seconds... and is step-by-simple-step from Bill's add-in instruction sheet.

Performance increase is absolutely obvious from the moment you drive away from the tuning process. Roll-on from 2000 RPM in any gear shows marked acceleration over the stock tune, and it continues to pull well after the stocker. In looking at some specs on the stock BW turbo, it's clearly in spin mode at 2000, thanks, I suspect, in part to the fact that it's got a tiny rotating assembly, so it doesn't surprise me that this is where the power comes on.

However... because this turbo spools up so fast, it's all in way too soon for my liking, and so some of the "performance" comes from running through the gears. I'm eagerly watching for an announce from Bill for a nice bolt-on 20g kit. With the raised redline of the tune, the 20g would allow for much more flow before you ran out of turbo and had to rely on gearing to go faster.

I'm using Shell 91 octane gas, and in NorCal.


Questions for Bill...

Are there any RPM's above 7000 in a "stage 2" that would still be relatively safe with the stock motor? If so, we need them :thumb:

Do you have access to the "accessory" elements of the ECM? If so, you should turn on Competitive Mode at ignition. If not, I drew up a circuit that would "press the button twice" at ignition... if I get some free time (ha!), I may build an inline module that plugs into the Molex connector on that switch that will flip the mode when I start the car. It's definitely a much more fun ride with tune + Competitive Mode-- on a nice blacktop parking lot, with about a 5mph roll-on in 1st gear, I was banging the rev limiter and the tires were still spinning hard. :thumb:

Where's my bolt-on 20g kit? :thumb:



OK, must go home now. More comments as I think of them... or not.

for you to post your thoughts, seems like you are happy with the PPC so far...

also waiting for c2vette to give us more updates along with turbo wannabe
we like reading about the fun you guys are having with the new tune:smile:

received my first email HHR SS PERFORMANCE update from Bill today. looks like the Tune will be different for the auto's, can't wait to see the results and how much power we can expect with that trans.....:D

The one thing that I suspected is that GM had it "right" reducing the boost in the lower gears. It's had to launch as is, but with full (22+psi) in first and second gear, how do you grab pavement??? I don't plan to drag race anyone from a standstill, so all I'll lose is gas mileage everytime I'm in first or second gear? That's not a knock, just my specific need. I am only interested in the power I can gain in 2nd ( a little more) and all i can get in 3 and 4. I already shift 1-3-5 beacuse the boost kicks in quick (mileage guy remember)...

So in a concise question. Are there going to be updates for this tune so that I can customise for my application....or even for a larger intercooler, intake or exhaust??? In ohio we can get 93 octane (even 94 in fewer places) anywhere.

Here's a drop in GT30:
http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f120/factory-direct-group-buy-10-spots-only-2949-shipping-46964/

looks good:

I received my HRC/PPC tune on Monday. Here are some 'first impressions' in no particular order...

Product was well packed (3#, BTW, for those of you who whined about my whining about the $28.xx shipping charge-- Bill calls it a "flat rate," which is fine, but it's a $9 shipment :( ). Inside the box was an HRC sticker and the PPC in its original packaging.

Bill and company have included a couple of pages of instructions for you to follow. For completeness, you should always read the whole manual before doing anything to your car... but the only real value the PPC manual has that isn't covered by Bill's short-n-sweet instructions is a clear indicator that one should never try to tune a Volvo without first ripping a hanf dozen fuses out of the car and planning for a very long afternoon sitting in the seat while the tuner does the read/write. I'm guessing the Volvo ECM has to be "cracked" before read/write, and that is what probably takes so long. Don't worry... the HHR will flash in about 90 seconds... and is step-by-simple-step from Bill's add-in instruction sheet.

Performance increase is absolutely obvious from the moment you drive away from the tuning process. Roll-on from 2000 RPM in any gear shows marked acceleration over the stock tune, and it continues to pull well after the stocker. In looking at some specs on the stock BW turbo, it's clearly in spin mode at 2000, thanks, I suspect, in part to the fact that it's got a tiny rotating assembly, so it doesn't surprise me that this is where the power comes on.

However... because this turbo spools up so fast, it's all in way too soon for my liking, and so some of the "performance" comes from running through the gears. I'm eagerly watching for an announce from Bill for a nice bolt-on 20g kit. With the raised redline of the tune, the 20g would allow for much more flow before you ran out of turbo and had to rely on gearing to go faster.

I'm using Shell 91 octane gas, and in NorCal.


Questions for Bill...

Are there any RPM's above 7000 in a "stage 2" that would still be relatively safe with the stock motor? If so, we need them :thumb:

Do you have access to the "accessory" elements of the ECM? If so, you should turn on Competitive Mode at ignition. If not, I drew up a circuit that would "press the button twice" at ignition... if I get some free time (ha!), I may build an inline module that plugs into the Molex connector on that switch that will flip the mode when I start the car. It's definitely a much more fun ride with tune + Competitive Mode-- on a nice blacktop parking lot, with about a 5mph roll-on in 1st gear, I was banging the rev limiter and the tires were still spinning hard. :thumb:

Where's my bolt-on 20g kit? :thumb:



OK, must go home now. More comments as I think of them... or not.
Hey, glad you like it so much! Thanks for the good review.

No, we don't forsee extending the rev range any further. RPM stresses are the most brutal thing you can do to an engine, as loading on the crank and con-rods increases as the square of RPM. This is why GM chose the 2.0 liter formula for this engine (as opposed to the 2.2 or 2.4), and durability is our first objective (after power increase!) at Hahn RaceCraft.

We won't make changes that put the car in competititve mode...this choice has to be made by the driver.

20G kit continues development...and it will be the most expertly designed, tested and best-priced alternative available. No welded up turbine housings or other questionable durability aspects will be involved, just proven techniques and cutting-edge technology we've developed in over 20 years of continuous turbocharging research.

The one thing that I suspected is that GM had it "right" reducing the boost in the lower gears. It's had to launch as is, but with full (22+psi) in first and second gear, how do you grab pavement??? I don't plan to drag race anyone from a standstill, so all I'll lose is gas mileage everytime I'm in first or second gear? That's not a knock, just my specific need. I am only interested in the power I can gain in 2nd ( a little more) and all i can get in 3 and 4. I already shift 1-3-5 beacuse the boost kicks in quick (mileage guy remember)...

So in a concise question. Are there going to be updates for this tune so that I can customise for my application....or even for a larger intercooler, intake or exhaust??? In ohio we can get 93 octane (even 94 in fewer places) anywhere.

Without a doubt, if one is concerned about power to spare in lower gears, one should not consider this modification. However, HHR SS is far from unmanageable with this power increase...it's really nothing different from any other powerful car, in that some judicious modulation of the right foot is part of the program until she 'hooks up'!

Updates may well occur, but we've found the tune in other applications to be compatible with the upgrades you mention. And we are working on them as I type!

( Updates may well occur, but we've found the tune in other applications to be compatible with the upgrades you mention. And we are working on them as I type! )



Received a call today to let me know that my SS is in pieces and they are getting the measurements they need for some really neat parts. :D

XXL - Glad to hear your impressions of the tune. I put the stock tune back in for some testing that Bill wanted and man what a pooch!! I won't do that again. The SS is so much more balanced with the tune. I know the more I drive it the more I can't keep my foot out of it. Enjoy your new found power. :thumb:

Just to report in, I am still having fun with mine. It seemed to settle in at 20-21 psi after a few days and it has stayed that way ever since. Power is awesome, but I will be going for the new plumbing and intercooler when available. I have also noticed that the throttle response, and power seem to be improved over stock even when at very low or even no boost, and that has me a bit mystified, maybe just a better advance curve and fuel control perhaps? If I were to do any drag racing, I would really like to see the rev limit raised to 7000 in 3rd (as it is in 1st and 2nd) so you could carry 3rd through the lights. MPG has also slightly increased (when I can keep my foot out of it).

I would like to see some independent before/after dynos.I believe one gentelman has run it at the track with decent results.(I thought the trap wold be higher)

The price is beyond stiff for a boxed tuner. but I understand the market and recouping r&D costs.

On a side note I don't think I have ever payed over $500 and that included dyno time.Hopefully some other options present themselves in the future(vector,westers,gm parts,etc..)

Headers and catback exhaust for my 07 Vette cost over 1500 bucks and only dyno netted 25HP. My next step was a SC+intercooler added another 140HP at 4200 bucks. Soooo for 5700 bucks I got an extra 165 HP.. This comes to about $40 per horse. Even if the HRC programmer only adds at the least 30 HP it comes out to about $33 per hP! and thats the low end! The tuner is expensive, but actually a decent buy for the HP! Small mods will nickle and dime you and generally dont generate much HP! MHO:smile:

http://genuinesaab.com/gallery/albums/hhrSS/HHRssCompare.sized.gif
As requested. I have had my tuned for a little over a month now and its still so freaking fun. My boost has also settled in at around 22-23 lb from the 26-27 I got at first....still you couldnt tell the difference.:nuts:

Headers and catback exhaust for my 07 Vette cost over 1500 bucks and only dyno netted 25HP. My next step was a SC+intercooler added another 140HP at 4200 bucks. Soooo for 5700 bucks I got an extra 165 HP.. This comes to about $40 per horse. Even if the HRC programmer only adds at the least 30 HP it comes out to about $33 per hP! and thats the low end! The tuner is expensive, but actually a decent buy for the HP! Small mods will nickle and dime you and generally dont generate much HP! MHO:smile:

Don't get me wrong on the dollar per hp chart it's decent. Don't forget your comparing a factory turbo car against a NA vehicle. To totally ruin your theory we could talk how a $400 programmer for a diesel will net you 150+ hp and 200+ tq.

Sounds like you had a nice vette.

I sold my magnacharged 480 rwhp 04 vette to pay for my wedding last september...lol (damm i miss her;))

http://genuinesaab.com/gallery/albums/hhrSS/HHRssCompare.sized.gif
As requested. I have had my tuned for a little over a month now and its still so freaking fun. My boost has also settled in at around 22-23 lb from the 26-27 I got at first....still you couldnt tell the difference.:nuts:

Is that your pull? (what machine)

Numbers look a little funny.... Is the tq correct?:confused:

I would love to see a couple independent tests on a dyno jet or mustang dyno.

What caused the boost re learn? Is it supposed to be higher but the pcm is being difficult?(I don't know a ton about the newer PCM's)

Numbers look a little funny.... Is the tq correct?:confused:

The early peak is definitely real. The boost comes on very quickly, then peters out as you hit the limits of the tiny BW turbo.


What caused the boost re learn? Is it supposed to be higher but the pcm is being difficult?(I don't know a ton about the newer PCM's)

I'm guessing this may be the $2 BOV that GM is using. I've noticed boost creeping up at times, and the BOV popping as it should at other times. I'm hoping that Bill will be offering his piston actuated BOV in a swap-in form for the HHR soon (or maybe the one he's got for the Sol/Sky is already a direct bolt-in????).

The one thing that I suspected is that GM had it "right" reducing the boost in the lower gears. It's had to launch as is, but with full (22+psi) in first and second gear, how do you grab pavement???

I'd prefer to manage that myself. They gave me a clutch and gas pedal to deal with this... and, if I can't figure those two controls out, they also have traction control (which I disable when I start up).

Its on our shop's SuperFlow Dyno. And yes the tq spike is correct...It has got hot and very humid here so I am guessing thats were most of my boost has gone.

I would really like to see the rev limit raised to 7000 in 3rd (as it is in 1st and 2nd) so you could carry 3rd through the lights.

Ditto!!!!!


MPG has also slightly increased (when I can keep my foot out of it).

Ditto (23.1 avg has already creeped up to 23.6 in just a few hundred miles... same driving conditions as before the tune (except for the gut-wrenching jaunts from time to time :thumb: ).

New info posted on HRC site here (scroll down to table) (http://www.turbosystem.com/New_Folder/In%20Development%20Page.htm) is indicative of the roll-on comments I made in my OP.

Its on our shop's SuperFlow Dyno. And yes the tq spike is correct...It has got hot and very humid here so I am guessing thats were most of my boost has gone.

Is the turbo done at these power levels in the higher rpm range?

I would love to see the hp be a little higher vs the tq. I don't think that tq at 3500 rpms is really gonna help all that much at the track when your power shifting the rpms don't drop that much.

Hopefully someone can get out there and run some good numbers. My goal is 13's on a street tire and 103+ trap speeds.( stock there "supposed" to run 99)

New info posted on HRC site here (scroll down to table) (http://www.turbosystem.com/New_Folder/In%20Development%20Page.htm) is indicative of the roll-on comments I made in my OP.

Who knows the 1to1 ratio in these cars?

I imagine it's 4th gear like normal so why are the dyno pulls in 3rd?:confused: :smile:

Is the turbo done at these power levels in the higher rpm range?

I would love to see the hp be a little higher vs the tq. I don't think that tq at 3500 rpms is really gonna help all that much at the track when your power shifting the rpms don't drop that much.

Hopefully someone can get out there and run some good numbers. My goal is 13's on a street tire and 103+ trap speeds.( stock there "supposed" to run 99)

As I mentioned in my OP, the small BW turbo is all in too soon. We need a bigger unit, which, of course will cost us a little on the bottom end, but if it comes in by 3000rpm or so, I'll be happy. I've used Mitsu 16g and hybrid "18g" units before, and they definitely would work. Bill has suggested the 20g, which I'm all for... and though it tends to come in a little higher than 3000 (as high as 3500 in "typical" trim), it can be cleaned up for a little faster response-- porting, clipped vanes, etc.

As I mentioned in my OP, the small BW turbo is all in too soon. We need a bigger unit, which, of course will cost us a little on the bottom end, but if it comes in by 3000rpm or so, I'll be happy. I've used Mitsu 16g and hybrid "18g" units before, and they definitely would work. Bill has suggested the 20g, which I'm all for... and though it tends to come in a little higher than 3000 (as high as 3500 in "typical" trim), it can be cleaned up for a little faster response-- porting, clipped vanes, etc.

makes sence....

Seems like there turbo kits are priced pretty fairly. It will be intresting to see what happens as people start to push the limits on this new platform.