Newbie here with exhaust question.
Thread Starter
Joined: 07-04-2015
Posts: 3
From: Oklahoma
Newbie here with exhaust question.
I hope I'm posting this in the right section ,Was thinking about replacing the stock muffler with aftermarket ,is there any performance gains from this?
will this interfere with factory settings?
What are some of you guys running.
will this interfere with factory settings?
What are some of you guys running.
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama
Welcome to the site. 
No real performance gains to be had with only a muffler change. Just a sound change, depending on what you go with.
Now, if you go with a whole cat back system you may get a slight increase with the 2.2. Especially in the higher rpms.
It shouldn't effect any of the settings or cause any CEL codes. Don't think anyone here has had any problems when doing any mild exhaust mods on the 2.2's .
If you wanted to go with a catless set up, then you would likely need a tune.
No real performance gains to be had with only a muffler change. Just a sound change, depending on what you go with.
Now, if you go with a whole cat back system you may get a slight increase with the 2.2. Especially in the higher rpms.
It shouldn't effect any of the settings or cause any CEL codes. Don't think anyone here has had any problems when doing any mild exhaust mods on the 2.2's .
If you wanted to go with a catless set up, then you would likely need a tune.
Administrator
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,083
From: Welland,Ont Canada
Welcome to the site! I had a Magnaflow 11123 stainless steel muffler, to me it sounded good but the wife didn't, now it was on for one day so no chance to see any gains but PapaJoe bought it off me and installed it on his 2.2 , he will most likely chime in with any gains to report!
Senior Member
Joined: 12-06-2013
Posts: 540
From: Everett, Wa
I had a swapped a 2.4 catback with a 2.5" 400 cell catted downpipe to my 2.2 HHR. Didnt throw any codes, sounded awesome. As far as power, I'm sure it opened it up a bit, but not enough to where I could feel it.
In case you were wondering, the stock 2.2 catback is 1.75", the 2.4 catback is 2.25", with a larger resonator and a more free flowing muffler.
In case you were wondering, the stock 2.2 catback is 1.75", the 2.4 catback is 2.25", with a larger resonator and a more free flowing muffler.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-08-2012
Posts: 189
From: texas
Hoping to get my stock hhr ss muffler installed this weekend. Not sure about the diameter, but it's definitely larger than stock and it is a true straight through design. Its like looking through a piece of pipe. I hope it doesn't sound ricey. I am also going to be ordering the midlength header and catted dp from zzp soon. I'm not sure if the muffler alone will help any of maybe just top end. I'm also trifecta tuned so maybe that will help with the exhaust change as well.
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama
Hoping to get my stock hhr ss muffler installed this weekend. Not sure about the diameter, but it's definitely larger than stock and it is a true straight through design. Its like looking through a piece of pipe. I hope it doesn't sound ricey. I am also going to be ordering the midlength header and catted dp from zzp soon. I'm not sure if the muffler alone will help any of maybe just top end. I'm also trifecta tuned so maybe that will help with the exhaust change as well.
The 5 speed or automatic trans one ?
For those wondering. Yes, there were different mufflers for the SS, depending on the transmission choice.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-08-2012
Posts: 189
From: texas
It's off of a 2008 5-speed. If I remember correctly the difference is the amount of baffles between the two?
