Help me understand Bolt ons please.
New Member
Joined: 05-28-2013
Posts: 17
From: Lancaster,ca
Im new to turbo cars as well. I come from a Mustang performace back ground, so is it safe to say what I did to gain power with those cars applies to my HHR? Example if I increase intake air flow, I need to open up the stock exhaust/headers to optimize results? Also mine is stock except the stage 1 kit, so what would be the first bolt-ons to do, CAI or just better air filter, stuff like that. Thanks !!
Premium Member
Joined: 10-09-2010
Posts: 14,420
From: Tacoma
Welcome Lablvr . Lots of folks stay with stg-1 till the end of warranty, you have to admit they are pretty peppy boosting 20 or so. I had to get better tires right away. BUT...once you feel 26 or more pounds of pull. Well its like this.....
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
Filters, cold air intakes and exhaust are all small gains just like the Mustang.
As you may already know headers, heads, cams and intakes are where the Mustang pick up more real power.
I work in the performance aftermarket and have made a good living off the Mustang and the parts to make them faster.
Now if you want the most cost effective means to make a SS faster just get the GM Performance Upgrade or a reliable aftermarket upgrade.
MY GM upgrade took my SS Automatic from 235 HP in first and second gear to 290 HP and 315 FT LBS of torque and did not void the warranty. There is not stage one or two per say as some people like to call them and it confuses the deal. GM made one up grade. Most aftermarket tunes are made on replacing the 2 bar map sensors with 3 bar map sensors. Then they flash the computer with a proper tune.
Most tuner shops can do the same thing as long as they know the limits of the transaxle, pistons and rods.
The engine will go to 400 HP before GM recommends replacing the rods and pistons. The weak link is the transaxles and the clutch. The GM tune is inside the limit and the Trifecta seems to be able to deal with it but if you do your own tune you need to remain in the limits.
From dealing with the GTP 3800 SC I know the same transaxle in those were good to 320 FT LBS and after that they needed to be built or replaced with a stronger unit. I would see guys start to break parts.
The SS and any turbo is much easier to make faster with out going into the engine than most other cars. But like anything else the more you spend the faster you go and the more of a chance you may find a weak link. I used to see it in the Mustangs all the time. A guy builds the engine only to lose the clutch and linkage. He replaces that and then the rear axle or diff breaks. Same applies here too if you plan much of an increase. This is common to many models anymore as todays vehicles are more powerful and often they are built to limits.
As you may already know headers, heads, cams and intakes are where the Mustang pick up more real power.
I work in the performance aftermarket and have made a good living off the Mustang and the parts to make them faster.
Now if you want the most cost effective means to make a SS faster just get the GM Performance Upgrade or a reliable aftermarket upgrade.
MY GM upgrade took my SS Automatic from 235 HP in first and second gear to 290 HP and 315 FT LBS of torque and did not void the warranty. There is not stage one or two per say as some people like to call them and it confuses the deal. GM made one up grade. Most aftermarket tunes are made on replacing the 2 bar map sensors with 3 bar map sensors. Then they flash the computer with a proper tune.
Most tuner shops can do the same thing as long as they know the limits of the transaxle, pistons and rods.
The engine will go to 400 HP before GM recommends replacing the rods and pistons. The weak link is the transaxles and the clutch. The GM tune is inside the limit and the Trifecta seems to be able to deal with it but if you do your own tune you need to remain in the limits.
From dealing with the GTP 3800 SC I know the same transaxle in those were good to 320 FT LBS and after that they needed to be built or replaced with a stronger unit. I would see guys start to break parts.
The SS and any turbo is much easier to make faster with out going into the engine than most other cars. But like anything else the more you spend the faster you go and the more of a chance you may find a weak link. I used to see it in the Mustangs all the time. A guy builds the engine only to lose the clutch and linkage. He replaces that and then the rear axle or diff breaks. Same applies here too if you plan much of an increase. This is common to many models anymore as todays vehicles are more powerful and often they are built to limits.
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama
Filters, cold air intakes and exhaust are all small gains just like the Mustang.
As you may already know headers, heads, cams and intakes are where the Mustang pick up more real power.
I work in the performance aftermarket and have made a good living off the Mustang and the parts to make them faster.
Now if you want the most cost effective means to make a SS faster just get the GM Performance Upgrade or a reliable aftermarket upgrade.
MY GM upgrade took my SS Automatic from 235 HP in first and second gear to 290 HP and 315 FT LBS of torque and did not void the warranty. There is not stage one or two per say as some people like to call them and it confuses the deal. GM made one up grade. Most aftermarket tunes are made on replacing the 2 bar map sensors with 3 bar map sensors. Then they flash the computer with a proper tune.
Most tuner shops can do the same thing as long as they know the limits of the transaxle, pistons and rods.
The engine will go to 400 HP before GM recommends replacing the rods and pistons. The weak link is the transaxles and the clutch. The GM tune is inside the limit and the Trifecta seems to be able to deal with it but if you do your own tune you need to remain in the limits.
From dealing with the GTP 3800 SC I know the same transaxle in those were good to 320 FT LBS and after that they needed to be built or replaced with a stronger unit. I would see guys start to break parts.
The SS and any turbo is much easier to make faster with out going into the engine than most other cars. But like anything else the more you spend the faster you go and the more of a chance you may find a weak link. I used to see it in the Mustangs all the time. A guy builds the engine only to lose the clutch and linkage. He replaces that and then the rear axle or diff breaks. Same applies here too if you plan much of an increase. This is common to many models anymore as todays vehicles are more powerful and often they are built to limits.
As you may already know headers, heads, cams and intakes are where the Mustang pick up more real power.
I work in the performance aftermarket and have made a good living off the Mustang and the parts to make them faster.
Now if you want the most cost effective means to make a SS faster just get the GM Performance Upgrade or a reliable aftermarket upgrade.
MY GM upgrade took my SS Automatic from 235 HP in first and second gear to 290 HP and 315 FT LBS of torque and did not void the warranty. There is not stage one or two per say as some people like to call them and it confuses the deal. GM made one up grade. Most aftermarket tunes are made on replacing the 2 bar map sensors with 3 bar map sensors. Then they flash the computer with a proper tune.
Most tuner shops can do the same thing as long as they know the limits of the transaxle, pistons and rods.
The engine will go to 400 HP before GM recommends replacing the rods and pistons. The weak link is the transaxles and the clutch. The GM tune is inside the limit and the Trifecta seems to be able to deal with it but if you do your own tune you need to remain in the limits.
From dealing with the GTP 3800 SC I know the same transaxle in those were good to 320 FT LBS and after that they needed to be built or replaced with a stronger unit. I would see guys start to break parts.
The SS and any turbo is much easier to make faster with out going into the engine than most other cars. But like anything else the more you spend the faster you go and the more of a chance you may find a weak link. I used to see it in the Mustangs all the time. A guy builds the engine only to lose the clutch and linkage. He replaces that and then the rear axle or diff breaks. Same applies here too if you plan much of an increase. This is common to many models anymore as todays vehicles are more powerful and often they are built to limits.
LNF Turbo Upgrade Kit
Stage Kit
Power Upgrade Kit
New Member
Joined: 05-28-2013
Posts: 17
From: Lancaster,ca
Ok, thanks for the help. I don't plan on going 400hp, I do have the Turbo Upgrade and don't plan on going much more in hp maybe just a little. 290hp and 315tq is great!! I'll be looking into upgrading the suspension first, maybe the brakes. More power is great in a straight line, but if you don't upgrade in other areas, it can send you over a cliff!!
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