I've read that the Solstice guys can get more power using an MBC and drop in air filters (run at a conservative number, I know MBC at 25lbs = bad). Does anyone know of similar types of modifications that can be done on our cars for cheap safe power? I would like to see more then one option for getting more power out of our motors when the platform seems to have much more support in other vehicles. I'm the type that can't afford to put another $1000 into my new car with the added bonus of having to cover any drive train repairs incurred for the rest of the life of the vehicle (bye bye 5 year warranty). No offense to any talented and helpful vendors. Anyone with knowledge in this area please feel free to share ... :D

I've read that the Solstice guys can get more power using an MBC and drop in air filters (run at a conservative number, I know MBC at 25lbs = bad). Does anyone know of similar types of modifications that can be done on our cars for cheap safe power? I would like to see more then one option for getting more power out of our motors when the platform seems to have much more support in other vehicles. I'm the type that can't afford to put another $1000 into my new car with the added bonus of having to cover any drive train repairs incurred for the rest of the life of the vehicle (bye bye 5 year warranty). No offense to any talented and helpful vendors. Anyone with knowledge in this area please feel free to share ... :D

not to sound like an ass,but there is no such thing as "cheap" mods for more power. if you can't/don't want to spend money to do it right,then leave it stock.

Wondering this myself. I don't want to do anything that will void warranty's, but it would be nice to have a few extra ponies.

not to sound like an ass,but there is no such thing as "cheap" mods for more power. if you can't/don't want to spend money to do it right,then leave it stock.

:laughabov Some relatively cheap power would be nice, but this is true. After paying the Corvette tax on performance parts for the last five years, most other performance parts seem cheap.

:laughabov Some relatively cheap power would be nice, but this is true. After paying the Corvette tax on performance parts for the last five years, most other performance parts seem cheap.

Not HHR SS tuning thus far...lol:lol: :one:

It was way cheaper to tune my vette;):eek:

Anyone with knowledge in this area please feel free to share ... :D

If you grenade the turbo as the boost creeps up out of control, you're going to spend your $1000 pretty quick.


Wondering this myself. I don't want to do anything that will void warranty's, but it would be nice to have a few extra ponies.

Adding ponies tends to void warranties... unless you're looking for the 3hp claimed by adding a stock replacement K&N filter.

I have to agree that the tune for the HHR SS is way too high. A good tune for my Vette was half the price. Of course, as more people offer tunes the price should come down. I'll wait.

Yeah, cheap to me is around 400-500 bucks. Something like an MBC could come off and leave no evidence it was there unlike a reflash....

Yeah, cheap to me is around 400-500 bucks. Something like an MBC could come off and leave no evidence it was there unlike a reflash....

hahns reflash let you go back to stock.

Adding ponies tends to void warranties... unless you're looking for the 3hp claimed by adding a stock replacement K&N filter.

Not always. I'll pass on the poor filtering, super clogging, and generally sucky K&N filter. I'll never waste another penny on one of those!

Not HHR SS tuning thus far...lol:lol: :one:

It was way cheaper to tune my vette;):eek:

I agree, but I'm hoping that will change pretty quickly. Tuning the Z06 is a piece of cake and way less than what HRC charges for their handheld tuner. Heck, I can buy a Moates RoadRunner and EFILive for what the HRC tuner costs!!!!!!!:scared:

Personally, I don't like using someone else's tune without knowing what they did. I'll wait for full HPT support and purchase two credits for the HHR. I would rather have the ability to tune it myself.


hahns reflash let you go back to stock.

The dealer can still tell that the PCM was flashed. The CVN may be correct, but in the event of a major component failure you can bet the dealer is going to check for 'unauthorized' flashing or a non-stock tune (CVN).

I agree the tune at 1k is way to much money ill wait. You can almost get a standalone for that price.

Here's a link to the site that I had found with the cheaper path stage kits. I'll email them to see if their stuff works with our cars....what do you guys think?

http://solstice.dejonpowerhouse.com/

Not to sound like an a$$ but here's some FREE power.... :D

http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=16556&page=2

The post above refers to shortening the waste gate arm. There are definitely some cheap easy ways to get power from turbocharged engines....

Here's a thread from the sky forum with links on how to do the waste gate mod. There's lots of good posts on results from people who have done the mod. It appears to give up to 20lbs from stock components and with no other mods. The links also take you to graphs on before and after dyno runs. As soon as I can figure out how to get at the arm I'll adjust and let you guys know the results.

http://www.skyroadster.com/forums/f24/11-free-rwhp-wastegate-mod-21537/

I have pulled mufflers off some trucks (350 GMC and V-10 Ford F250) and gotten very cheap performance by doing it. I do not believe it voids the warranty. Cats were not touched.

:laughabov Some relatively cheap power would be nice, but this is true. After paying the Corvette tax on performance parts for the last five years, most other performance parts seem cheap.

I hear ya brother!!!!!!!!!!

Not to sound like an a$$ but here's some FREE power.... :D

http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=16556&page=2

thanks for the link...i was looking for some free power...and ive actually done this before...i just forgot about it

raising this thread from the grave