I'm willing to bet you will notice the difference if you put your stock air cleaner setup back on. Why not try that? Then the differences will become more apparent. It's only 9hp - and mostly the gains are noticed under hard acceleration. Still, some drivers are more sensitive to their engine's output and performance than others...

 

Also to add to what Mike just said... You won't notice and air intake as much as you would combining it with other modifications as well. Once you change the intake on a vehicle your added performance is in leaning out the vehicle a tiny bit and allowing air to enter with less restriction. When combining this with a free-er flowing exhaust this allows the engine to breathe easier.. IN and OUT... Like Mike said above. Put the stock unit on and compare it to the CGS or AirRaid and you should notice a little better seat of the pants feel to the HHR.

 

I'll second what Jason said above; an intake modification should always be complimented by an aftermarket exhaust for a balanced power improvement.

More air in = need more exhaust flow out.

Good point Jason!

 

Maybe I'm just sensitive, but I felt the difference immediately when I put on my CGS. Of course, I put on the corvette oil filler cap too. That probably added to the HP!! I also recently took off my 18's for the winter and put the stockers back on. I get a lot more 2nd gear rubber now than I did before I put on the CGS.

 

My main reasons for replacing the intake are; Clean up the engine compartment and easier to replace the filter.

EXHAUST
I know that everyone is talking about the T-980???? Muffler. I'm afraid my car will sound like a pissed off weedeater. What does this muffler cost and what would it have over a Flowmaster 40 series?

 

Maybe I am crazy, but I swear i felt more of a difference when I took my wheelcovers off. It also improved my fuel economy. Oh yea, the wheelcovers are back on because by girlfriend says it looks funny with out them on. I should also mention that I still have the stock muffler, so that may be my problem.

 

I too have the CGS and I just love the extra performance I get, Also have IMCO T-924 Turbo Muffler that sounds great. The sound is alot better than the stock muffler.
rhoss1

 

I have an airaid/IMCO muffler combo (on a 2.2) and its definately peppier. Hesitation of idle is all in how you drive it. I can chirp the tires pretty easily and get some good spinning when its wet out. It took a while to break in, but accelaration has definately improved and it sounds like I did "something". I wish it (the intake) wasn't so loud sometimes, but the stock unit was pretty dense.

 

Its actually the IMCO T-924 and I got mine for about $40 shipped. That been a while so I don't know if you can still find it for that cost. I know one of our vendors carries it, SoCal HHRs.

I liked mine a lot, since replaced it with a custom cat-back. It adds just enough of a low tone to be notice without a bunch of added cabin noise. I'd bet that the Flowmaster will be louder and performance close. I had a Flowmaster clone on first. Performed well sounded good, to me. I was happy with it, just a LONG story. The IMCO was not as loud but seemed to perform as well. Can't say better since the first one wasn't on for more than a week.

Hope this helps.

 

Flowmasters and magnaflows are really good mufflers for performance gains. But is will sound a little raspy on the top end. Lots more noise than anything else out there. Just make your purchase based on what works for you. The IMCO's offer very little sound over stock unless at wide open throttle. The magna/flowmaster's will have a DEEP rumble and idle but get more "ricey" towards the top end. If you want a quiet cabin the IMCO is your best bet.