Loss of power after Stage Upgrade
Banned
Joined: 06-20-2008
Posts: 1,682
From: Chi-Towns burbs
I've been beating on my car since day one. And even more after the stage kit. My clutch is just fine like the day I bought it. Didn't GM out the strongest blitch they had in this car for a reason? For the people who have theirs slipping already what are your daily driving habits on this thing? I'm just wondering. I mean I will be getting a new clutch but not until next summer or when I get a bigger turbo but that's to hold the power. And don't get me wrong I'm not bashing anyone I'm just curious
Senior Member
Joined: 09-07-2008
Posts: 1,016
From: Mebane, NC
Exactly, I was running 25 psi with Westers race tune. Now I have a GM stage
tune. Also have HPT so I can change at will after Lyndon retunes the GM tune.
The boost hits alot slower on the GM tune. The Westers hits with a rush.
The GM tune hits softer on a purpose tohelp protect parts. Thus the low rpm
on aftermarket is stronger but both are strong above 3500 on up.
BUT and it is a BIG BUT, the GM tune does not cause the clutch to slip in
4th or 5th gear. The boost is less than race tune but when the aftermarket
was lowered to similar boost as GM, the clutch still slipped- again I feel due to
how hard the boost hits. I believe the aftermarket can be modded to have best of both worlds. Before with race tune, I just stayed away from WOT
at the 3200 rpm range unless I downshifted.
tune. Also have HPT so I can change at will after Lyndon retunes the GM tune.
The boost hits alot slower on the GM tune. The Westers hits with a rush.
The GM tune hits softer on a purpose tohelp protect parts. Thus the low rpm
on aftermarket is stronger but both are strong above 3500 on up.
BUT and it is a BIG BUT, the GM tune does not cause the clutch to slip in
4th or 5th gear. The boost is less than race tune but when the aftermarket
was lowered to similar boost as GM, the clutch still slipped- again I feel due to
how hard the boost hits. I believe the aftermarket can be modded to have best of both worlds. Before with race tune, I just stayed away from WOT
at the 3200 rpm range unless I downshifted.
Where in MI? Who did your stage upgrade?
Senior Member
Joined: 12-09-2008
Posts: 224
From: Detroit Area
Senior Member
Joined: 09-07-2008
Posts: 1,016
From: Mebane, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 07-31-2007
Posts: 101
From: MI
I've been beating on my car since day one. And even more after the stage kit. My clutch is just fine like the day I bought it. Didn't GM out the strongest blitch they had in this car for a reason? For the people who have theirs slipping already what are your daily driving habits on this thing? I'm just wondering. I mean I will be getting a new clutch but not until next summer or when I get a bigger turbo but that's to hold the power. And don't get me wrong I'm not bashing anyone I'm just curious
aftermarket that hit harder in the 3200 rpm range.
tf
Senior Member
Joined: 07-31-2007
Posts: 101
From: MI
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 01-12-2009
Posts: 10
From: Clark, NJ
to Camaro98z28 the waste gate mod is just simply adjusting the wastegate actuator rod. If you get under your HHR find the turbo and you will see a threaded rod on the exhaust side (attached to the wastegate) i believe the nut is a 13/32 (deep socket). Just loosen the outer one a tad, then the one closer to the wastegate will get threaded on more. I think they say to leave 4-5 threads visible. you dont want to tighten it on all the way. After that just thread that outermost one on until you can tighten it down against the lever and other nut. Viola your done! Its a HUGE pain to do cuz of lack of room but it will help you produce boost faster and a tad more. However if you dont have the kit it will "relearn" and drop the boost back down to stock levels, yet you still retain the quicker spool. hope this helps you! 
