Oh. The. Start calling local engine builders and your bank manager!
It'll be spendy!

 

It's been discussed before, but it would be a lot easier to just find a HHR SS.

 

I know it will be expensive but if I buy a SS then I would have a car just like everyone else and I'm still gonna want to mod it too so in the long run it would probably be cheaper to mod the one I have and that is paid for.

 

Depends on how much you can do yourself. Parts alone I would guess around 5000, getting a builder to do the work maybe another 5000. Depends on the quality and reputation of the shop too.

 

As of right now I'm going to take it to zz performance this summer unless I find someone closer to me that will work on this platform. I want a turbo kit and the motor stronger to handle the turbo.

 

How much power do you want to make?

 

400 would be great but 300 would probably be fine.

 

Well that is a big range. My advice: Research all the parts you need and/or the kit you're going with. Get it set up, tuned(by someone who knows WTF they are doing) and run it in the 3-350whp range on the stock block. That will be plenty faster than a tuned LNF. If you are happy with that then leave your engine alone. Don't build it first. Even if you blow it up, a 2.4l LE5 with less than 60k can be had for $600 or less and I would just drop that in without building it because it likely won't happen again. If you pay more you are getting ripped off. That engine is stout enough to reliably double the power. You will need a clutch. It will slip well before 300whp. The F23 transmission is good for way more than the engine can take so don't worry about that. You will need engine/trans mounts to control wheel hop. Your '06 control arm bushings are probably failing. Replace them. The design changed to a solid rubber bushing without a cutout anyway. If you have specific questions LMK Also, I venture over to the Solstice and Cobalt forums to dig up more info. I am not claiming to be an expert, but I spent a lot of time under the hood my HHR.

 

I also want to add a turbo, so will I need to have anything done special for that? The turbo kit I want is from zz performance. Other than that leave block alone and do camshafts and cylinder head done plus upgrade clutch.

 

I bet somebody sells upgraded cylinder liners and main & rod & wrist bearings. Jeez, sounds like an entirely new engine!