Has anyone swapped an SS engine/tranny into a non-SS HHR?
12-14-2012, 10:11 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-19-2008
Location: Los Alamos, NM
Posts: 129
Has anyone swapped an SS engine/tranny into a non-SS HHR?
I love my 2006 5-spd 2LT. I love the color (Daytona Blue Met.), I love the tan interior with heated leather seats (with armrests 
), the chrome package, the 17-inch wheels (a little better than the SS wheels), the regular HHR front-end, and I love the fact that it has no sunroof (I'm tall...sunroofs subtract 2" of head room). The 2.4L is a decent engine, but a 2.0L turbo would pretty much make my HHR perfect. Has anyone done this swap? I know you can get an LNF engine/tranny transplant for $3000-3500 from ebay, but I'm sure there's going to be more to it than just that (e.g. computer, electronic issues).
), the chrome package, the 17-inch wheels (a little better than the SS wheels), the regular HHR front-end, and I love the fact that it has no sunroof (I'm tall...sunroofs subtract 2" of head room). The 2.4L is a decent engine, but a 2.0L turbo would pretty much make my HHR perfect. Has anyone done this swap? I know you can get an LNF engine/tranny transplant for $3000-3500 from ebay, but I'm sure there's going to be more to it than just that (e.g. computer, electronic issues).
Last edited by 5speed4; 12-15-2012 at 01:39 PM.
12-14-2012, 10:49 AM
#3
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Join Date: 07-17-2006
Location: Dallas, GA
Posts: 6,050
If you can locate a totaled SS as the donar then it's very possible. But after that expense/labor it might not be worth it. There will be lots of odds and ends you will need along the way, so the donar will help with that.
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12-14-2012, 12:09 PM
#5
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Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-19-2008
Location: Los Alamos, NM
Posts: 129
12-15-2012, 01:24 AM
#6
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Join Date: 04-03-2009
Location: atlanta, ga
Posts: 707
You need swap to a ss complete vehicle harness...down to the tail light plugs, as well as ecu, bcm, all powertrain equipment...engine, trans, axles and hubs, turbo and accessories....sure im missing something
12-15-2012, 11:10 AM
#9
Member
Join Date: 10-03-2010
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 81
Might be easier to buy a used SS and swap in some of the interior elements you like from a donor LT. I confess, I have moments when I wish my SS could have an exterior look more like the LT. Or, even more retro. Though, I suppose whitewalls wouldn't do much for the handling!
12-15-2012, 01:44 PM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-19-2008
Location: Los Alamos, NM
Posts: 129
Might be easier to buy a used SS and swap in some of the interior elements you like from a donor LT. I confess, I have moments when I wish my SS could have an exterior look more like the LT. Or, even more retro. Though, I suppose whitewalls wouldn't do much for the handling!
I guess I'll have to look for other power adders.