As i was telling in my first post here:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/sear...archid=1946037

Now for one of the first modifications I want to do is install a cool air intake.
I was looking at buying the one from here: http://hhr.dejonpowerhouse.com/
Is there anything else I need to buy? and is there somewhere else to buy the same exact for cheaper?
thanks

 

welcome steveo3140 to the forums. imo,i would not worry about an intake at this point. i don't know what plans you have for your car or what you are trying to accomplish,but intake is NOT the first thing to worry about. i would do mods i like to call the "invisible" mods. these mods will help the car ALOT,but no one will know you have them. first thing, motor/trans mounts. you have a couple of brands to choose from. if you have a 5 speed and plan on upping boost and other things, a good clutch is in the works. depending on which route you go for tuning, you WILL need one sooner or later!! after that or if you have an auto,get you a charge pipe kit. i would suggest hahn because you get bottom and top and fitment is spot on. others may suggest other brands. next,depending on where you live and local/state laws,i would look into an exhaust system to open up the turbo. catless or catted dp are everywhere(i have one for sale for a fair price). this is almost a must have for a turbo car to see some gains. i would suggest 3inch exhaust all the way back also. next if you still have some cash,up grade the intercooler. last thing choose a tune. everyone will have different opinions on which is better. hptuners-you have to trust that the person tuning your car knows what he is doing. trifecta- vince is good and his tunes might not be aggresive,but they are safe(see my sig). gmtune- do a search and decide for yourself. gonna say this also...IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT A WARRANTY,DO NOT MOD THE CAR!!! the gm tune protects your warranty,but at the same time will get voided (depending on dealer)for intakes,charge pipes,etc.. i left out some things,but i'm sure someone will throw some more stuff in.

 

Mightymouse is right, leave the CAI for later. You can prop the lid or take it off, switch out the filter and you good to go. get the turbo upgrade first. It adds a good deal of HP, but more importantly it turns the ECM's "learn-down" off, so your computer can recognize bolt-ons and not cut the engines output. after that again Mightymouse is right on.. piping, then exhaust. I also have to vote for HAHN, but there are other great brands out there. Welcome to the forum.... Half the fun in modding these cars is the research, have fun.

 

Mightymouse you wrote

IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT A WARRANTY,DO NOT MOD THE CAR!!! the gm tune protects your warranty,but at the same time will get voided
Are you saying that if anyone brings in a HHR ss and has the turbo upgrade installed it voids the warranty?
that does not make any sense?
I am hoping I am just misunderstanding what you wrote?

 

STG-1 if installed by dealer is covered by warranty, Trifecta is not.

 

wow read the entire sentence.....it will get voided for intakes, exhaust, charge pipes...

 

depends on the dealer, mine always looks the other way

 

^^^ this .

you can have the gmtune,but the gmtune does not mean you can have an intake and still be covered. if so, i think EVERYONE would be gmtuned with all the bells and whistles lol

 

Yeah, mine looked the other way this past week and installed the new HPFP under the powertrain warranty...even with the mods. I was prepared to fight em' if they said something.

 

I think you just decide what kind of car you want.

The HHR SS with a stage 1 tune that works is a nice gt type wagon that runs fast and is a lot of fun.

If you want rip roaring 1/4 mile numbers than it takes some hardware and definatley a tune.

Find a good tuner. I first went to Vince who did a good job, but not what I wanted so I went back to stock.

I have now set up with HP tuners and James from the cobalt forum, though I haven't had time to data log the car and go through the process.

So far I like James though and he is very fast in getting back.

Still if I want to get a lot more power, I'm going to add more hardware.

I have been told the suto trans on the HHR SS runs hot and am looking into a trans cooler.

Anyway, great luck with your tune and 21 to 22 lbs is pretty safe, but keep in mind this is not a $65,000 to $80,000 autobahn burner that will run at 140 mph all day long without some serious hardware and tner upgrades. It's a great little car, but it still is an economy based vehicle.

IMO