So I've had my HHR almost two weeks now and I'm getting the urge to mess with it. I have kind of a noob question about EcoTec...can it be tuned to produce more performance? My buddy has a 99 Prelude with some work done to it and he had it tuned after installing an Apexi Neo and it picked up a noticible amount of performance (granted he also has CAI, headers, full exhaust, etc).

Now I know that Chevy's EcoTec and Honda's VTech are two different things, but how different are they? Adding a piggy back ecu to an HHR with a version of variable valve timing shouldn't be any different than the Honda boys, should it?

 

The HHR has VVT don't waste your money on a ecm!!

Check out my site for ECM tunes.

 

Find a tuner that supports EFIlive, and use him to your advantage as you go down the modding path.

 

Really, I found that there is not much you can do to a 2.4 EcoTech unless you want to spend BIG money with a full-up build of the internals. You'll probably need forced induction too. In other words, not much bolt-on is going to do you much good. Look at it this way, you already have a relatively big displacement four, with 4 valves per cylinder, dual overhead cams, variable valve timing, computer controlled fuel injection. Not much more to add. If it was a V-8 it would be around 350 hp. Not shabby. I have seen some numbers on Chevy's GMPP boosted drag cars and salt flats racers quoting 750 to 1,000 hp for short bursts. I doubt they live long at that level, and they cost BIG money.

All that said, the things you can readily do are add a header, freer flowing exhaust (usually adds loudness), a good intake that is enclosed and breathes outside air (I like my GMPP), and then a TriFecta tune. They seem to be the leader in EcoTech tuning, and I have heard no complaints about them. I am guessing that the header, exhaust and intake may give you 10 hp combined (I am guessing, and that is a big maybe). The tune on top maybe would add another 5 to 10 hp?? So you are looking at what, maybe 190 hp or so? In any event, running premium in the 2.4 is a given if you want power.

I hope this helps. God Bless, Marc

 

Well said sir. (golf clap)

 

its very true if you want to exceed getting more than 20 or so hp over stock plan to spend some big money. 2-3k for a turbo about 2k for a supercharger swap. or nitrous being the cheapest but not reccomended for unexperienced.

 

Spirited Driver, I am merely standing on the shoulders of others, since I am an expert at nothing. These boards are such a great place to learn. :-) God Bless, Marc

 

Which is why I am engine swapping.

 

I've pretty much moved on from this idea...this car is my daily and if I really wanted to make some serious power, I'd either trade it for an SS and hop that up or get something with a bigger motor. Was more of a "can it be done" and "would it be beneficial" question. Thanks for the input on this guys, it is much appreciated as always.

 

So 1970Judge, how DO you get a 455 Super Duty under the hood of an HHR? Heh, heh. God Bless, Marc