Supercharger
Joined: 10-18-2006
Posts: 6
From: so-cali
Does J&S Support the HHR?
Yes, and no.
Technically the J&S can support any engine, but the 4 channel unit works on the ECOTEC COP engines (LSJ,LE5) and the 2 channel for the Coil pack engines(L61). A J&S was used back in 2003 on the Gude Turbo kit at SEMA for a Saturn ION and not much has changed since then other than making it easier with true COP (Coil On Plug) ignition to wire up.
Other than J&S physically writing a schematic and installing a system on an ECOTEC it's supported.
I have personally done it on the LE5 we have here to watch for knock, but it was on the dyno and not tested on the street.
To be honest with LS2 Edit and SCT, and HPTuners, Diablo, etc all in the stage of offering a solution the J&S is not as important as it was in the past.
Yes, and no.
Technically the J&S can support any engine, but the 4 channel unit works on the ECOTEC COP engines (LSJ,LE5) and the 2 channel for the Coil pack engines(L61). A J&S was used back in 2003 on the Gude Turbo kit at SEMA for a Saturn ION and not much has changed since then other than making it easier with true COP (Coil On Plug) ignition to wire up.
Other than J&S physically writing a schematic and installing a system on an ECOTEC it's supported.
I have personally done it on the LE5 we have here to watch for knock, but it was on the dyno and not tested on the street.
To be honest with LS2 Edit and SCT, and HPTuners, Diablo, etc all in the stage of offering a solution the J&S is not as important as it was in the past.
Joined: 10-18-2006
Posts: 6
From: so-cali
In my opinion if a tune is so agressive that it needs proactive knock control then it's not a good street tune. We all want the ragged edge of performance, but if you are that close to the edge - extra junk in the trunk, a hill, or excessive head wind will case the same problem as bad gas would.
J&S is awesome for the act of tuning, but being a degree off the edge is just as powerful and much safer for long term use.
New Member
Joined: 12-10-2006
Posts: 24
From: Thunder Bay Ontario
I did tell you, at a later date ,that Vector Motorsports did the ECU tuning for the Hahn turbo solstice.I saw a package containing an ECU that was sent from Hahn's to Vector for tuning.Kirk,the guy who worked on my HHR ,told me he drove the Turbo Solstice after he tuned it.
Still don't know what the attraction is for a turbo on a front wheel drive car that already has way too much torque steer at stock power levels.The Solstice is rear wheel drive with a limited slip differential - THIS is the car to turbocharge.
If you want to improve the driveability of YOUR HHR then get the ECU tuned by WHOEVER you want.The Tunetime tune is 'open' so if the dealer flashes over it for some reason you'll be paying shipping charges to get your ECU reflashed again.
If you use any ECU for the performance flash other than the original for your car the ECU will need to go to a dealer for a 'crank relearn' procedure.That applies regardless of which tuner flashed the ECU.
None of this info appeared in the 'group buy' thread.It should have.
Regarding emissions compliance - Chris (at Vector)told me that his tune is legal for the next two years until other standards come into effect.
Vector is currently selling a DashHawk that plugs into the OBD II port and gives the same info a $2000 dealer scan tool provides.The cost is $300.It was developed in conjunction with a major manufacturer and they have exclusive sales rights for the next year.It will do the 'crank relearn' and also will be able
to provide a way to upgrade the tune via computer download.
If I sound overly enthusiastic about Vector,it's because I am!Chris wasn't impressed by TuneTime- but if other people have had success with that tune,why should I care?It's good to have a choice. Bernie
Still don't know what the attraction is for a turbo on a front wheel drive car that already has way too much torque steer at stock power levels.The Solstice is rear wheel drive with a limited slip differential - THIS is the car to turbocharge.
If you want to improve the driveability of YOUR HHR then get the ECU tuned by WHOEVER you want.The Tunetime tune is 'open' so if the dealer flashes over it for some reason you'll be paying shipping charges to get your ECU reflashed again.
If you use any ECU for the performance flash other than the original for your car the ECU will need to go to a dealer for a 'crank relearn' procedure.That applies regardless of which tuner flashed the ECU.
None of this info appeared in the 'group buy' thread.It should have.
Regarding emissions compliance - Chris (at Vector)told me that his tune is legal for the next two years until other standards come into effect.
Vector is currently selling a DashHawk that plugs into the OBD II port and gives the same info a $2000 dealer scan tool provides.The cost is $300.It was developed in conjunction with a major manufacturer and they have exclusive sales rights for the next year.It will do the 'crank relearn' and also will be able
to provide a way to upgrade the tune via computer download.
If I sound overly enthusiastic about Vector,it's because I am!Chris wasn't impressed by TuneTime- but if other people have had success with that tune,why should I care?It's good to have a choice. Bernie
New Member
Joined: 12-10-2006
Posts: 24
From: Thunder Bay Ontario
Sorry about this previous message.It was supposed to be a PM to snoopy.In my ignorance it ended up in this public thread.
The key to any HHR performance improvements is the ECU.There are a lot of ways to do that - including HP Tuners which is do-it-yourself but requires a lot of technical skills.
Afterwards.......Turbo,cams,header are options only limited by your financial situation.
Nice to see that some HHR guys have the performance bug. Bernie
The key to any HHR performance improvements is the ECU.There are a lot of ways to do that - including HP Tuners which is do-it-yourself but requires a lot of technical skills.
Afterwards.......Turbo,cams,header are options only limited by your financial situation.
Nice to see that some HHR guys have the performance bug. Bernie
Platinum Member
Joined: 05-09-2006
Posts: 6,805
From: "Upland" Mesa, Arizona
Bernie.....
Why would you send a PM, about this, just to me??? I'm confused about what your intent is. You also sent me one several weeks ago (unsolicited by me) supporting and "touting" this same vendor. Appears to be a sales pitch for an unsupported vendor. I know exactly who and what Vector is. AND, THEY ARE ONLY ONE OF SEVERAL DOING BUSINESS WITH GM IN THIS AREA(I can honestly say, "they have problems also"....they do not walk on water).
I was going to send this as a PM to you but, thought it better to make it public, since you are associating this contraversy with me. I have nothing to do with it. Please leave me out of it.
Oh, I forgot to say.....the Dash Hawk does not appear to be exclusive to Vector....unless of course, they are doing business under several names. I know several automotive vendors that sell them.
Why would you send a PM, about this, just to me??? I'm confused about what your intent is. You also sent me one several weeks ago (unsolicited by me) supporting and "touting" this same vendor. Appears to be a sales pitch for an unsupported vendor. I know exactly who and what Vector is. AND, THEY ARE ONLY ONE OF SEVERAL DOING BUSINESS WITH GM IN THIS AREA(I can honestly say, "they have problems also"....they do not walk on water).
I was going to send this as a PM to you but, thought it better to make it public, since you are associating this contraversy with me. I have nothing to do with it. Please leave me out of it.
Oh, I forgot to say.....the Dash Hawk does not appear to be exclusive to Vector....unless of course, they are doing business under several names. I know several automotive vendors that sell them.
Last edited by Snoopy; Jan 31, 2007 at 01:01 PM. Reason: Addition..
New Member
Joined: 12-10-2006
Posts: 24
From: Thunder Bay Ontario
snoopy, there is no disagreement and you are not involved in a controversy.I assumed that you were actually intending to modify your car and would be interested in what I had to say about my experience.That was why I sent a PM to you previously.
I must apologize to the owner of TuneTime. I am not slagging his product.He gives everyone a chance to improve their car's performance.There have been many people testifying on this site as to the positive results of the ECU reflash he did for them.He is also to be commended for actually buying a car that he is modding.
Many vendors state that their product is best and comments about their competitors should be taken with a grain of salt.
The fact that there are so many competing vendors means that personal experiences with various products should be written about by the people who buy them.Then others are better able to make a decision on which product to buy.I can only make an informed comment about what I've installed on my own car.
Personally I'm happy to see so much aftermarket support for the HHR. Bernie
I must apologize to the owner of TuneTime. I am not slagging his product.He gives everyone a chance to improve their car's performance.There have been many people testifying on this site as to the positive results of the ECU reflash he did for them.He is also to be commended for actually buying a car that he is modding.
Many vendors state that their product is best and comments about their competitors should be taken with a grain of salt.
The fact that there are so many competing vendors means that personal experiences with various products should be written about by the people who buy them.Then others are better able to make a decision on which product to buy.I can only make an informed comment about what I've installed on my own car.
Personally I'm happy to see so much aftermarket support for the HHR. Bernie
