F40 LSD 6-speed HHR SS
 

Well gents, it's time for me to finally live up to my screen name. My SS is receiving the big, bad F40 6-speed. The kicker is I'm installing a Quaife LSD as well. Diff install and tranny install will be done by me. The diff swap will be goin down in a couple days. The tranny swap will happen when ZZP's 6-speed conversion becomes available again. I hoping it will be this Friday! Fingers crossed. AFAIK I will be the first 6-speed LSD HHR SS ever. Super pumped!

Attachment 23118

Attachment 23119

This will surely be a mod that I find interesting. :thumb:

One question. What shifter will you have to use with this setup ?

Buick 6-speed shifter, and is said to be smooth when mated to this specific trans. This will probably be the most time consuming part of the swap but ZZP does provide you with detailed instruction. I think I remember seeing that there is minor welding needed, no big deal. If you can do a cutch job easily on these cars and you have some fab skill you wouldn't have a problem doing it yourself if you wanna save $

How about taking photos as you do the swap for a write up. We'd all be interested in seeing the process unfold.

With this being the most complicated project I've ever attempted on this car the last thing I'm going to be worried about is my camera because I only have 1 week to complete trans swap so I won't be making a "how to" but there will be plenty of pics.:thumb:

Plenty of pics will do the trick.:twothumbs:

Check. :happydance: Too bad that beautiful diff has to stay hidden.


Attachment 23117

Neat set up, six gears of tire ripping fun! Cool!

6 gears are nice and the gearing in this specific year of trans is ideal for racing and staying in the powerband of a turbo car. I be cruising at 2800rpm @ 80mph. The BIGGEST benefit of this trans is it's strength. Will hold nearly twice the torque as the F35 due to the 3 shaft design as opposed to the 2 shaft design of the f35. I only wanted to mess with the trans once. No gear shredding will happen with the F40. Some cobalt guys are putting down over 600hp on the f40 without issue. Unlike most, I worry about the upgrading the trans before making over 400hp. Once it's installed, the steps to get to 500hp will be easier.

Dang but I love looking at sexy internal parts, they'll sure do the trick for you Xtreme, very cool!:thumb:

Supplies and costs of the F40 swap
 

Just want to give you guys a breakdown of the parts and supplies you will need for your own 6 speed conversion.

The whole idea behind the F40 6sp mainly to have a reliable transmission that won't break with big power and torque. It can take a hell of a lot more tq than the F35, not to mention the extra gear will have you cruising at 2900 rpm @ 80mph.

Fiirst you will need to source a used transmission. Preferably under 50k miles. This specific F40 6-speed transmission that is perfect gearing for our cars is out of a 2007-09 Saab 9-3 2.0L FWD Turbo model. I'm not sure about 2010+ models, have to ask ZZP.
I found mine on Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

They check salvage yards across the nation, and give you prices, mileage, condition ect... My trans is an 08 with 48000 mile. Shipped to my door for about 1075$

Then you will need the ZZP F40 (6sp) conversion kit. $2000

ZZPerformance - F40 6 Speed Transmission Conversion #ZZ-F40C

Then u will need the basics like TOB, clutch pipe, redline mt90 trans fluid, I would do axle seals too just in case, they are cheap anyway. These parts can be found at Rock Auto, and ZZP for around ~150$

You can add an LSD if you really want one. Quaife LSD cost 1080$ and whatever it costs to pay someone to install the LSD. I installed myself and parts needed for the LSD swap cost an additional ~100$ OR ~150$ with ARP diff gear/ring gear bolts(not 100% needed so could save $50 here). Special pulling, pressing, and measuring tools also needed if you want to install new differential yourself.

This will be one hellofa cool mod when you're all done... I can't wait to see the end result!

Yes I'm very excited. Right now I don't feel comfortable going WOT or racing since I'm making over 400lbft at the wheels around 3400 rpm. Low rpm torque kills our f35 trans with ease.

Be interested to know how it improves highway fuel efficiency with the drop in cruising rpm. Always thought the SS needed 1 more gear.

I'm expecting around 2-3 mpg improvement at 80mph, but recently I have heard some say that cruising at a higher rpm is actually not that bad for mileage in our cars. I'm guessing the reasoning is because less throttle input would be needed to maintain said cruising speed. We will see. The wait continues for ZZP to re-release the kit. That's the only thing holding me back right now.

Hurry up and wait!!! The waiting is the hardest part!!!!