First Post straight from Dallas, TX.
I currently drive a 2004 Chevrolet colorado zq8 wit a few mods done.
I've been looking at the HHR because of the mpg and still having some storage over other cars.

Ive been reading around here for a few weeks now and finally decided to post with some questions. I will be looking at purchasing an HHR in about April '08. I am leaving for the Marines in Jan and will not be finished with boot camp until the first part of March. By then the SS should be out but i dont know if i would want to get it since it will be the smaller 2.0l engine. If i just get a 2.4l i can go ahead and turbo that my self and save some money. I already have HPTuners software which i bought for my truck. Any opinions welcome.

 

Not questioning your abilties, but how comfortable are you moding a 2.4 to have a turbo and throwing the factory warranty out the window? (considering there has been no proven turbo kit for the HHR)
There has been no price annouced for the SS, so you may not be saving any money in the long run.

 

If you can get the turbo to work, cool! You'd be the first on a HHR. I don't think your software will work with the HHR, but I've been wrong before. But to date, no one is running a 2.4 HHR turbo that I'm aware of.

I've got a 2.4 tuned by Tune Time w/Westers, runs strong. I gotta feeling by the time you do all needed to even try to turbo a 2.4 you'll have spent more than the cost difference of the SS.

The 2.0 turbo is doing 260hp. I'm think a tune will push that a bit. I'll be happy with the 280-300hp range.

BTW, welcome to the forum.

 

to the site!!! I would go with the HHR SS!!!

 

It Depends on you. If you want to build this yourself get the 2.4L, the turbo kit and the HP tune. If you want it completed just get the HHR SS. I also have the 2.4L HP tuned. Love it. When I'm ready for some serious power, I will finish restoring my 1978 25 anniversery Corvette.

 

'78 Corvette serious power.....hmmmmmm.....?

 

Hmmmm. indeed. Not to trash your car or flame in any way, the 78 Vette is hardly a force to be reckoned with. On the contrary... here's some specs I dug up on Google.

(For 1978) Chevrolet produced two special edition Corvettes, one being a Pace Car appearance edition and the other a special silver anniversary paint package. The L48 engine was standard with the L82 optional.

With the optional L82 205-hp engine, the Corvette could charge to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds.

Stock Engine specs:
Horsepower 185.00 HP (136.2 KW) @ 4000.00 RPM
Torque 280.00 Ft-Lbs (379.7 NM) @ 2400.00 RPM

...so when you're ready for some serious power, maybe you should drop in an LS1 or LS2 crate into your Corvette. It won't be an original spec motor, but then I would think it'd be a lot more fun to drive!
jmho

 

Skip the LS1 or LS2 and go for a 434ci small block! You can pump 630hp easy but if your into serious hp you can get 800+ out of it. You could also pump it up to a 472 and get over 900. That wouls be normally aspirated. No blower, no turbo, and no nitrous. The most I have seen out of an LS1 on a dyno was a tad over 700 rear wheel running a butt load of nitrous.

For the HHR. Go with the SS! If you have never tuned a turbo your asking for a real headache! If you ever wanted warranty work on that motor your not going to get it. If you hole a piston or crack a ring there going to know it was boosted. I havnt meet a guy running a aftermarket turbo setup yet that didnt push it by running up the boost and running race fuel.

Now you could take the SS and just run the boost up a little and top over 300 easy. If they dont have one you could add a intercooler and get some more ponies. Shouldnt be an issue getting some good hp out of the SS without all the hassel.

 

I would def. go with the SS simply b/c of warranty issues. That and the beautiful new front end fascia. What billbeau said was right about throwing a rod... Nothing like having the engine covered if she blows... and peace of mind with the 5 yr/100K mile warranty. Seems like a no-brainer to me.
SS all the way.

 

What I think would happen which is what I have seen many times with people that add aftermarket boost. They keep uping there boost without checking to see if there getting detonation. This happens allot when increasing the boost and not adding octane or adjusting your timing. The only way is to tune it on a dyno. Sometimes you wont even hear the detonation untill its too late. You wont throw a rod but youll either crack a piston, hole a piston, burn a valve, or crack a ring. Anyone of those and your in for an expensive repair.

Just get the SS and wait till someone figures out how to change the boost! Then up your boost a couple pounds but make sure you add some 100 octane unleaded race fuel. May even look into a colder plug. Not sure on that though. Then go out and

KILL MUSTANGS!!!!

Stay away from the LS1 Camaros though my budy has a blown LS1 throwin 695 rear wheel ponies. LS1's respond very well to mods! Not as well as a small block or big block though.