Well my vote went to the SC, I prefer the smooth power boost of the SC over the rather abrupt boost of a turbo. I work on a lot of boosted engines in my shop and can honestly say, I've seen much shorter engine life on turbo engines as compared to supercharged engines. Of course, everything else being equal, the TC will whip the SC anytime, it just won't last as long.

I would have selected the V6 but the only choice was an ATX and I don't do ATX's.

 

The V-6. If the rest of GM's cars can get 31 mpg with this engine (Monte Carlo and Impala), imagine what the lighter HHR will get, and for the hotrodders, I think a very quick little stock, long lasting combination. The Cavalier used to have this, the Z-24? was a nice ride. as for cost?.... well maybe $1000.00 option, same as Auto. Basic V-6 nothing fancy.

 

Polls like this and this site in general are reasons why I don't post here much. The consesus of this site seems to be to figure out how many different way the HHR can be changed to make it 'better'. I'm more into keeping a vehicle as original as possible. I restore older vehicles and you guys are basically 'tuners'. I'll be looking for a site where I can discuss these vehicles as they are rather than turn them into something they're not. I imagine most of you find that boring but to each his own.

 

I prefer N/A. And good luck getting a straight 6 or a V8 under there.

 

Wow. I'm not trying to be insulting but that sounds like something my mom would say. I have had to hear the leave it stock speech out of her so many times. I can't wait to see her face when I finally get the Malibu she gave me restored. She wants me to restore it back to factory but I have other plans.

 

what ever i'm american and it seems to me all most of us like to add a special touch to our cars since the 50's. What i mean is i am not trying to re-design my HHR just add somethings to it to make it persoanl.

 

Like I said, 'to each his own'. Captain Howdy, I'm 56. Probably in the same age bracket as your mom. upOnGamE, I'm also American (?) so I don't get that comment at all. What do you know about the fifties other than what you've heard and read? I lived it. Anyway, since you opened you response with the very astute 'what ever' that just reaffirms that there really isn't much to this site for me. Enjoy your toys. OUT!

 

You are. Like I said I wasn't trying to be insulting. Your statement just reminded me so much of something my mom would say. I have no problems with you keeping your vehicle stock.

 

I too grew up in the 50's and 60's. I lived the age of the GTO, Chevelle, Corvette, SS, Z-28, Road Runners, GTX, Shelby's, shall I go on?. These were little 4 and 6 cylinder cars originally. Tuners?, yea, guess soo, but these little cars of the past, guess what they are today? DeLorean and Duntoff were right, speed sells. There is nothing wrong with a little speed along with great economy. There are many Camaros that started life out as 6 cylinder grocery getters. If the major auto companies look back, they will see what sold in those days, and what is needed today. The technology is there, why not use it, hence the poll? My dad made a statement yesterday, while looking at an old picture of his old 4 door 1940 Ford. "That thing got 29 mpg". That was in 1950 when he owned it used. Seems we have came a long way, but then again, we haven't. Gas in now $3.00 a gallon, back then it was about $.20 a gallon. He didn't care as much then about mileage as we do now. Power was not one of my dads biggies, but the efficient use of the Automobile. He was an Auto Shop teacher for 17 years. Horsepower is the icon of the American car. Today, fuel economy is at the top of most drivers concern. We have the technology to have both, why not. How do you think the Auto makers know what to build, they listen to the consumer. Staying stale will bring an auto company down fast, look at Oldsmobile, Studebaker, AMC, and Kaiser, among others.

 

It's a shame to see you leave this site, after all it's all about diversity. Like you I'm of the older crowd at 57, but I also like to keep up with what the kids are doing today like we did as kids. So I guess this makes me part Hot Rodder and part Tuner since I work on and modify both older rods as well as sport compacts. I personally love to tweak out as much power from my cars as I can within reason. It's fun while at the same time making my car.....well....MY CAR.

Your 56 so this means you were born in 1950 a year after me, which means you couldn't have lived the 50's, more like lived through the 50's since that ended when you were only 10. Our generation lived in the 60's and 70's, the muscle car era.

Not trying to be critical here but as one who's your age I know I haven't lived the 50's, and surely wouldn't try selling any of these younger folks here my experience of one who did. Now I will admit that a lot of my "Hot Rod" background was indeed influenced by the 50's, as well as the generations that followed. This younger crowd isn't doing anything different today than we did, the only difference is the canvas for their imagination looks a bit different than ours did. Me, well I like painting on both. Keeps me involved, I love teaching the younger folks from my own experiences as well as learning a lot from them about these late model high tech cars. - Dan