Hello!
This is my first post here so hopefully this question hasn't been answered yet. I have a 2007 Hhr LT with the 2.2L engine and an automatic transmission. The car has 123,000 miles on it and I dont think the previous owners ever flushed the transmission. Every now and then, the transmission does a hard shift up from first to second gear and since no work has been done to it since the factory, I have a feeling the transmission is on its last legs. I would like to replace the automatic transmission with a manual transmission, but I'm not sure if the 2.2L engine ever came with a manual option, so the next best thing would be the 2.4L manual transmission. Has anyone attempted this and is it even possible? I dont know much about transmissions so I might not even be asking the right questions. If that is the case, could someone steer me in the right direction?

 

The most important thing is your 2.2 crankshaft doesn’t have provisions for the manual transmissions pilot shaft and bearing.
so no matter if you get a 2.4 manual transmission, it’s not going to fit.

now for that hard shift issue , it might just be a shift solenoid needs to be replaced, here a how to

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/driv...olenoid-61313/


and here’s a thread about an SS swap

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/driv...-thread-62970/

 

I have definitely heard that the solenoid is a common shifting issue with these vehicles and will definitely look into the link you provided. Am I correct in assuming that the 2007 2.2L engines didn't have a manual option? And would the 2008 (or newer) 2.0L SS engines have fewer compatibility issues or were there changes within that model year that would prevent this?

 

It is not recommended to flush the fluid. You can have it drained and refilled, but do not have it flushed.

Manual transmission was an option for all HHRs.

I'm not sure why you're asking about engines, if you have a transmission problem. If you really want a manual transmission, get a donor engine and transmission of the same size and year. You should even be able to take from a 2008. Use only a 2.2. 2006 was different, 2009-up was different, all year 2.4 and 2.0 were different. Using any of these incompatible engines is asking for trouble.

Can it be done? Yes, but it's a lot(not a little) extra work.

 

My bad, when I mentioned "SS engines" I meant transmissions. I figured that I would more than likely need an engine swap to do this but figured I would ask on the off chance that it would be a "simpler" swap, I guess as simple as engine/tranny swaps can be, but I appreciate the help none the less. I did know that you shouldn't flush the transmission, in my instance, but I will definitely look into the possible solenoid issue and possibly replace the fluid but not flush the system. If by some miracle I am able to find a 2007 2.2L transmission, what would be some things to watch out for, and what would be a decent mileage for a used one that isn't going to die?

 

You could most likely get a trans/engine bundle on the cradle from a junkyard. LS/LT does not matter, just 2.2L NON-VVT.

 

Awesome, I will definitely check out the junkyards in my area.

 

And read the link I posted, there’s the clutch pedal to install and the shifter and the console

 

That plus the assorted pedal position sensors and the shifter cables etc.
You would really need a donor car to be sure you got "all" the parts necessary for a swap like that.

 

That's a fair point. I currently don't have the space for a parts car so this probably isn't a feasible job at the moment. But seeing as these cars typically last 200,000 to 300,000 miles, this may be something I consider in a few years. But concerning the solenoid possibility, what is the typical labor rate for that job? I looked into the link Oldblue sent and it said it should be about a 7hr job for a shop. Seeing as I am relatively new to working on cars, that 7 hr job would probably not work out for me to do myself.