PCMforless
Senior Member
Joined: 09-10-2009
Posts: 170
From: Durham
Well I placed an order today. We will see how it turns out. They are only 2 hours away, but said the tune could take 1-2 hours..so including the drive that would be 6 hours so I decided to do the Dashhawk loaner program.
They send me a tuned PCM and the Dashhawk for me to do the CASE and security relearn. $179 to my door(after the refunds for sending the items back).
Not a bad deal for a tune.....
They send me a tuned PCM and the Dashhawk for me to do the CASE and security relearn. $179 to my door(after the refunds for sending the items back).
Not a bad deal for a tune.....
Senior Member
Joined: 09-10-2009
Posts: 170
From: Durham
My kit is waiting at home. It just happens to come on the day I am starting my 3-13 hour shifts.
I won't get home until after midnight so I am trying to decide if I want to go ahead and install tonight or wait and do it in the morning :)
Will post my results as soon as I know.
I won't get home until after midnight so I am trying to decide if I want to go ahead and install tonight or wait and do it in the morning :)
Will post my results as soon as I know.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-13-2009
Posts: 414
From: NC
Intakes and Tunes?
Hello JoeR, I respect your experience and opinion, and would like to ask a few questions and share some first-person experience.
Intakes:
Both Andy and I have now installed GMPP Intake systems on our 2.4 HHR's, and the result in both cases was a dramatically better pulling engine, especially in the mid-range and upper mid. We did back-to-back drives before installing Andy's, and could both feel a huge difference when his went on. I'd say both pull equally now. It is way too much of a difference to be attributed to the sound of the engine fooling the seat of out pants. I am sure Andy can back me up on this one.
Here is my question: Could the result we felt be as a result of a greater area under the power curve rather than a peak number increase? Being a former long-time V-8 guy, for the street I will always take a fat curve over a peaky one with a slightly higher peak hp number. 490 ft-lbs of factory torque in my old '71 Charger spoiled me for a long time. ;-)
Andy's car has mid-40's miles on it, mine is at 15k. His felt soggier than mine did comparing "before the intake" performance, but now both feel equal.
Traction Control Software:
Dropping an HHR into low gear on earlier cars reduces power output as Andy demonstrated. On my '09, defeating the Traction Control seems to do the opposite. In other words, it seems like defeating the TC results in the engine being freer to spin the tires if wanted and better takeoff. Does this make sense considering the software at work?
Tune:
Last question - Even if a tune does not post much higher peak numbers, if the 5 second enrichment delay is defeated, wouldn't that improve the area under the power curve? In other words, getting rid of that enrichment delay may not help peak output, but it seems like it would certainly improve 0-60 times? Am I on the right track here?
Many thanks for your consideration of these questions. God Bless, Marc
Intakes:
Both Andy and I have now installed GMPP Intake systems on our 2.4 HHR's, and the result in both cases was a dramatically better pulling engine, especially in the mid-range and upper mid. We did back-to-back drives before installing Andy's, and could both feel a huge difference when his went on. I'd say both pull equally now. It is way too much of a difference to be attributed to the sound of the engine fooling the seat of out pants. I am sure Andy can back me up on this one.
Here is my question: Could the result we felt be as a result of a greater area under the power curve rather than a peak number increase? Being a former long-time V-8 guy, for the street I will always take a fat curve over a peaky one with a slightly higher peak hp number. 490 ft-lbs of factory torque in my old '71 Charger spoiled me for a long time. ;-)
Andy's car has mid-40's miles on it, mine is at 15k. His felt soggier than mine did comparing "before the intake" performance, but now both feel equal.
Traction Control Software:
Dropping an HHR into low gear on earlier cars reduces power output as Andy demonstrated. On my '09, defeating the Traction Control seems to do the opposite. In other words, it seems like defeating the TC results in the engine being freer to spin the tires if wanted and better takeoff. Does this make sense considering the software at work?
Tune:
Last question - Even if a tune does not post much higher peak numbers, if the 5 second enrichment delay is defeated, wouldn't that improve the area under the power curve? In other words, getting rid of that enrichment delay may not help peak output, but it seems like it would certainly improve 0-60 times? Am I on the right track here?
Many thanks for your consideration of these questions. God Bless, Marc
Senior Member
Joined: 09-10-2009
Posts: 170
From: Durham
Just dropped my Tuned PCM in. Was easy peasy lemon squeasy. Unfortunately I have to do the security relearn and my break was over...so I will go back in about an hour or two when I have more time as the security relearn can take up to 35 minutes.
I have the Dashawk so I can do my own CASE relearn, and that is a very quick and simple process.
After that I will have to wait until the break around dinner time to go and give it a good run down the street.
Damn I was off Monday - Thursday and the damn thing arrives on Friday, hehehe.
I have the Dashawk so I can do my own CASE relearn, and that is a very quick and simple process.
After that I will have to wait until the break around dinner time to go and give it a good run down the street.
Damn I was off Monday - Thursday and the damn thing arrives on Friday, hehehe.
Senior Member
Joined: 09-10-2009
Posts: 170
From: Durham
I know...after having to wait since 9/25 for this I am wishing I would have looked at it some more.
But this one works out to be $165 after I send the stuff back and get my refund.
After everything else I have spent I was trying to keep costs down as much as possible.
Senior Member
Joined: 10-02-2005
Posts: 1,245
From: VA
Hello JoeR, I respect your experience and opinion, and would like to ask a few questions and share some first-person experience.
Intakes:
Both Andy and I have now installed GMPP Intake systems on our 2.4 HHR's, and the result in both cases was a dramatically better pulling engine, especially in the mid-range and upper mid. We did back-to-back drives before installing Andy's, and could both feel a huge difference when his went on. I'd say both pull equally now. It is way too much of a difference to be attributed to the sound of the engine fooling the seat of out pants. I am sure Andy can back me up on this one.
Who the heck is Andy??
Dramatically better...huge difference?? Post up some creditable dyno results and/or dragstrip times, please! 
Me thinks that Andy (and you) have read way too many advertising claims!! And, oh... the sound is worth at least XX HP, too!
Mid and upper-mid range...??? Hey, get a clue.. If an intake is restrictive it will NOT be a problem until the very upper range of throttle/RPM and airload volume is reached! PERIOD!!
Here is my question: Could the result we felt be as a result of a greater area under the power curve rather than a peak number increase? Being a former long-time V-8 guy, for the street I will always take a fat curve over a peaky one with a slightly higher peak hp number. 490 ft-lbs of factory torque in my old '71 Charger spoiled me for a long time. ;-)
Correct, except that intake restrictions WILL NOT show up until higher air load demands are reached.
Andy's car has mid-40's miles on it, mine is at 15k. His felt soggier than mine did comparing "before the intake" performance, but now both feel equal.
Traction Control Software:
Dropping an HHR into low gear on earlier cars reduces power output as Andy demonstrated. On my '09, defeating the Traction Control seems to do the opposite. In other words, it seems like defeating the TC results in the engine being freer to spin the tires if wanted and better takeoff. Does this make sense considering the software at work?
Tune:
Last question - Even if a tune does not post much higher peak numbers, if the 5 second enrichment delay is defeated, wouldn't that improve the area under the power curve? In other words, getting rid of that enrichment delay may not help peak output, but it seems like it would certainly improve 0-60 times? Am I on the right track here?
Getting rid of the PE delay will definitely improve response and power "under the curve". Getting AFRs right and timing will also improve power across the entire range.
Many thanks for your consideration of these questions. God Bless, Marc
Intakes:
Both Andy and I have now installed GMPP Intake systems on our 2.4 HHR's, and the result in both cases was a dramatically better pulling engine, especially in the mid-range and upper mid. We did back-to-back drives before installing Andy's, and could both feel a huge difference when his went on. I'd say both pull equally now. It is way too much of a difference to be attributed to the sound of the engine fooling the seat of out pants. I am sure Andy can back me up on this one.
Who the heck is Andy??
Dramatically better...huge difference?? Post up some creditable dyno results and/or dragstrip times, please! Me thinks that Andy (and you) have read way too many advertising claims!! And, oh... the sound is worth at least XX HP, too! Mid and upper-mid range...??? Hey, get a clue.. If an intake is restrictive it will NOT be a problem until the very upper range of throttle/RPM and airload volume is reached! PERIOD!!
Here is my question: Could the result we felt be as a result of a greater area under the power curve rather than a peak number increase? Being a former long-time V-8 guy, for the street I will always take a fat curve over a peaky one with a slightly higher peak hp number. 490 ft-lbs of factory torque in my old '71 Charger spoiled me for a long time. ;-)
Correct, except that intake restrictions WILL NOT show up until higher air load demands are reached.
Andy's car has mid-40's miles on it, mine is at 15k. His felt soggier than mine did comparing "before the intake" performance, but now both feel equal.
Traction Control Software:
Dropping an HHR into low gear on earlier cars reduces power output as Andy demonstrated. On my '09, defeating the Traction Control seems to do the opposite. In other words, it seems like defeating the TC results in the engine being freer to spin the tires if wanted and better takeoff. Does this make sense considering the software at work?
Tune:
Last question - Even if a tune does not post much higher peak numbers, if the 5 second enrichment delay is defeated, wouldn't that improve the area under the power curve? In other words, getting rid of that enrichment delay may not help peak output, but it seems like it would certainly improve 0-60 times? Am I on the right track here?
Getting rid of the PE delay will definitely improve response and power "under the curve". Getting AFRs right and timing will also improve power across the entire range.
Many thanks for your consideration of these questions. God Bless, Marc
If anyone has ANY factual evidence to the contrary... Well... post it up!
I might be an old fart, but I do try to keep an open mind!! 
Senior Member
Joined: 09-10-2009
Posts: 170
From: Durham
I am Andy :)
I met with Marc last week and he helped me install my GMPP since he already done his before.
What he was saying was two people, back to back driving different vehicles within a short amount of time. He and I both noticed a difference. While my HP and such might be the same there is definitely a difference in the power being produced now...whether its available more quickly or whatever, but to keep sitting back and saying provide me before and after dyno's before even listening to people is just being short sighted.
I personally don't like dyno's as the vehicle isn't moving and its not pulling anything. While it might be a good way to tell the actual HP difference between a different set of mods it doesn't truly represent how each mod might perform under a real world test.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-30-2006
Posts: 9,149
From: Maryland Heights, MO
Some people just like beating a dead horse! I don't doubt most of what JoeR says, BUT, to insist that everyone else must be wrong unless they have before and after dynos or track times gets old. 