I hammered the throttle on my 1LT for the first time yesterday (just have under 5000 km). The thing kept pulling up to 6000 RPM before I got out of it and let the auto trans shift. It's got plenty of balls.

 

What I want to add here is the 2.2L OHV and the 2.4 VVT are rather "different" engines. The engineers at GMPT have tried to make them smooth and efficient by choosing the proper gearing and clutches for those Ecotec engines.
The 4T45/E is also used in the 3.5L V6's and 2.4L's of the '07 Saturn Aura, the Malibu and the Pontiac G6. They use the gearing the 2.4L HHR because it is a very similar application. The only change for a V6 is a different case to match the engine.
Our 5 speed stick-shifters should be the ones who will notice any difference in the engines, given the manual selections guided by the "magic green arrow" . The chips in the BCM will only control the engine revs and not influence the trans. output.

Clare

 

Have Black 2.2 and a Silver 2.4.. both are just fine and use 87 octane in both with no problems...

 

About four months before re-election?

 

i've got the 2.2 and it does just fine. passing power is good. everything else is pretty cool. i would like some more power, bieng it that i've had a couple of v6 malibus, a taurus, infinity qx4. had some other cars but im used to the v6 power. had a couple of v8s too.....*note to self....need air intake, and exhaust....*

 

OHV usually denotes a pushrod engine.

 

I have the 2.2 and it does fine even on the Interstate. I have had no problem with excellerationg, or passing or keeping up with traffic.

 

love it!!!

 

[QUOTE=hhrcrafty;167988]According to my window sticker, the 2.4 engine was a $650 option, not $1000. There are no bolt-ons you can throw at the 2.2 engine for less than $650 that'll give you the same power and efficiency as the 2.4. Put another way, the 2.4 engine is also only about $11 more a month than the 2.2.

Yes, the price on the 2.4L add on is $650.00 but you have to also purchase the 1LT package which is $1000.00 more than the LS package. So by my addition that's a minimum of $1650.00 for the opportunity to get a 2.4L. So you paid $1650.00 more for 29 horsepower and a power front seat.....You got screwed my friend.

Now as for bolt on's .....There are far more performance "peices" for the Ecotec 2.2 than the 2.4L VVT, and for far less than $1650.00 or even the $650.00 2.4 price tag that will up the horsepower rating 29 points. I'll only name one senerio here.... my Zex Nitrous Kit......$400.00 and 75 horsepower gain which is plenty to run circles around your stock 2.4L.....and I would be more than willing to prove it.........Regards

 

My '06 LT bought off the lot had a 2.4L and automatic. After 24K miles I've been averaging 30.1 mpg. It get greats mileage on the highway and I've taken several 2-3000 mile road trips in the 16 months of ownership. I wasn't looking for a performance vehicle when I got the HHR.