'07 stock LS upgrades?
Thread Starter
Joined: 09-10-2013
Posts: 1
From: Hoffman Estate, il
'07 stock LS upgrades?
I have a stock 07 LS HHR Auto and I was looking to get better performance and sound out of it. What would you guys suggest? I'm not sure what upgrades I could put on without hurting my trans. Im looking for parts where after I put em on, I dont really need to do anything else except get a tune.
Premium Member
Joined: 08-09-2012
Posts: 1,979
From: Cambridge, Ontario , Canada
the most popular things to do is changing the exhaust (preferably cat-back) and adding a different style cold air intake (from either Airaid or K&N - depending on if its a 2.2 or 2.4)
you can also swap the exhaust manifold, intake manifold and throttle body (from a 2.4L if your a 2.2) as well for an extra oomph
you can also swap the exhaust manifold, intake manifold and throttle body (from a 2.4L if your a 2.2) as well for an extra oomph
Deceased
Joined: 06-30-2010
Posts: 25,739
From: Kannapolis NC
to the forum!Tires, tires, and tires.
Ditch the OEM rubber, or whatever the dealer may have slapped on it, and invest in some really good rubber.
I run Continental's and Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ's, you'll be amazed at what premium touring or performance tires will do to wake up an HHR.
Senior Member
Joined: 10-06-2011
Posts: 1,150
From: Mesa, AZ
This is an 07 LS so it is a 2.2l L61 motor.
From what it looks like from searching this forum our 07 LS's do not gain much of any true HP without the tune and even with the tune it is still below 20hp. The tune alone is around $300. Intakes are not cheap for our cars either coming in around $200 on up. You can make one if you are willing to cut out the MAF from the factory air box and save some money there. Pre built catback exhausts are few and far between too and seem to start at $500 and up but again if you can piece something together a muffler shop should be able to get you out the door for less than that. Basically what I am saying is it can cost you $500 -$1000 just for a few HP.
The 2.4l intake manifold that makes a difference for our engine is the one piece intake manifold from the Cobalt SS N/A 2.4l 05-07 motor and is around $500 alone.
From what it looks like from searching this forum our 07 LS's do not gain much of any true HP without the tune and even with the tune it is still below 20hp. The tune alone is around $300. Intakes are not cheap for our cars either coming in around $200 on up. You can make one if you are willing to cut out the MAF from the factory air box and save some money there. Pre built catback exhausts are few and far between too and seem to start at $500 and up but again if you can piece something together a muffler shop should be able to get you out the door for less than that. Basically what I am saying is it can cost you $500 -$1000 just for a few HP.
The 2.4l intake manifold that makes a difference for our engine is the one piece intake manifold from the Cobalt SS N/A 2.4l 05-07 motor and is around $500 alone.
Premium Member
Joined: 08-09-2012
Posts: 1,979
From: Cambridge, Ontario , Canada
This is an 07 LS so it is a 2.2l L61 motor.
From what it looks like from searching this forum our 07 LS's do not gain much of any true HP without the tune and even with the tune it is still below 20hp. The tune alone is around $300. Intakes are not cheap for our cars either coming in around $200 on up. You can make one if you are willing to cut out the MAF from the factory air box and save some money there. Pre built catback exhausts are few and far between too and seem to start at $500 and up but again if you can piece something together a muffler shop should be able to get you out the door for less than that. Basically what I am saying is it can cost you $500 -$1000 just for a few HP.
The 2.4l intake manifold that makes a difference for our engine is the one piece intake manifold from the Cobalt SS N/A 2.4l 05-07 motor and is around $500 alone.
From what it looks like from searching this forum our 07 LS's do not gain much of any true HP without the tune and even with the tune it is still below 20hp. The tune alone is around $300. Intakes are not cheap for our cars either coming in around $200 on up. You can make one if you are willing to cut out the MAF from the factory air box and save some money there. Pre built catback exhausts are few and far between too and seem to start at $500 and up but again if you can piece something together a muffler shop should be able to get you out the door for less than that. Basically what I am saying is it can cost you $500 -$1000 just for a few HP.
The 2.4l intake manifold that makes a difference for our engine is the one piece intake manifold from the Cobalt SS N/A 2.4l 05-07 motor and is around $500 alone.
Senior Member
Joined: 10-06-2011
Posts: 1,150
From: Mesa, AZ
Member
Joined: 09-22-2007
Posts: 86
From: USA
Sell it and get an LT, 26 hp there for the same price on the used market. :) Or you could get a header, down pipe, CAI, tune and say a magnaflow for around a grand and most likely have less than the 26 hp of the LT. In the end the value wouldn't go up that's why I think if you want more power it would be cheaper to sell it, buy an LT and swap out the muffler for the sound you want.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-25-2012
Posts: 602
From: Columbus, Ohio
I chipped mine, did a CAI, and hi-flow muffler. Plus with the chip I run 92 octane. Ive noticed a good difference from it. Ive had my fair share of highway runs with different cars and id say ive invested maybe $350 so far and its been worth it. Plus slapping on a set of Goodyear Eagle GT's gave her some pretty decent grip and better curve handling. suspension wise.. ive heard alot of people say that a rear Sway Bar helps ALOT as far as cornering, keeps the rear planted nice.. but all in all its ALOT more fun to drive vs when i first got her..
Premium Member
Joined: 08-09-2012
Posts: 1,979
From: Cambridge, Ontario , Canada
finaly got a tune done this past weekend, low end is finally better and acceleration has improved, but i was hoping for a bit more oomph but i guess thts what you get with a 2.2 lol
