eric,stay away from slicks with your hhr. unless you are confident your axles will hold up,i would just go drag radials. if the track is prepped and the slicks are hot,you will bite so hard and the drive train will be in a world of hurt imo.

just want to add,getting this FAT car into the low 13's is a feat all it's own. for what this car is,it's already impressive. no aerodynamics,4100 lbs+,4cyclinder turbo, you can't be disappointed for not geting into the 12's.

 

4100lbs????

 

Man your HHR is that heavy. WOW my 1/2 Truck weighs almost that much. here's the weights:Curb weight, base (lb / kg): 3322 / 1510 (manual), 3353 / 1524 (automatic)

Exactly good call

Overview
Model: HHR SS
Body style / driveline: 5-passenger, 5-door / front-engine, front -wheel drive
Construction: welded steel monocoque; galvanized except for roof
EPA vehicle class: sport utility vehicle – 2WD
Assembly location: Ramos Arizpe, Mexico
Key competitors: Chrysler PT Cruiser GT

Engine
Ecotec 2.0L DI Turbo VVT
Application: 2.0L DOHC I-4
Type: 122 / 1998
Displacement (cu in / cc): 3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86
Bore & stroke (in / mm): cast aluminum
Block material: cast aluminum
Cylinder head material: DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder; dual continuous variable valve timing
Valvetrain: Individual coil-on-plug
Ignition system: spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) with variable high-pressure rail and electronic throttle control
Fuel delivery: direct injection with a variable high-pressure rail and electronic throttle control
Compression ratio: 9.2:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): 260 / 194 @ 5300* (manual trans)
250 / 186 @ 5300* (automatic trans)
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): 260 / 351 @ 2500-5250*
Recommended fuel: premium recommended but not required
Maximum engine speed: 6300 rpm
Emissions controls: close-coupled catalytic converters, Quick-Sync 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; wide-range O2 sensor
Estimated fuel economy: TBD

Transmissions
GM Powertrain Sweden F35 5-speed manual / Hydra-Matic 4T45 4-speed automatic
Gear ratios: (:1):
First: 3.58 / 2.95
Second: 2.02 / 1.62
Third: 1.35 / 1.00
Fourth: 0.98 / 0.68
Fifth: 0.69 / –
Reverse: 3.31 / 2.14
Final drive ratio: 4.17:1 / 3.29:1

Chassis/Suspension
Front: MacPherson independent strut-type with direct acting, 23mm solid stabilizer bar
Rear: semi-independent torsion beam with montoube gas shocks; 24mm solid stabilizer bar
Steering type: electric, power-assisted variable-speed rack-and-pinion
Steering ratio: 14.8:1 (variable)
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock: TBD
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m): TBD

Brakes
Type: power 4-wheel disc with standard anti-lock; 54mm single-piston front calipers and 38mm single-piston rear calipers
Disc diameter x thickness (in / mm): front: 11.65 x 1.02 / 296 x 26 (vented)
Disc diameter x width (in / mm): rear: 9.84 x 0.55 / 270 x 14 (solid)

Wheels/Tires
Wheel size and type: 18 x 7.5-inch split-spoke polished forged aluminum
Tires: P225/45R18 Michelin Pilot MXM4

Dimensions
Exterior
Wheelbase (in / mm): 103.6 / 2631
Overall length (in / mm): 176.5 / 4483
Overall width (in / mm): 69.1 / 1755
Overall height (in / mm): 62.5 / 1588
Track (in / mm): front: 58.7 / 1491, rear: 58.7 / 1491
Minimum ground clearance (in / mm): 6.3 / 159
Ground to rear load floor (in / mm): TBD
Curb weight, base (lb / kg): 3322 / 1510 (manual), 3353 / 1524 (automatic)
Weight distribution (front / rear): 59 / 41

Interior
Seating capacity: 5
Headroom (in / mm): front: 39.6 / 1006, rear: 39 / 991
Legroom (in / mm): front: 40.6 / 1031, rear: 39.5 / 1004
Shoulder room (in / mm): front: 53.5 / 1358, rear: 52.7 / 1339
Hip room (in / mm): front: 50.1 / 1273, rear: 50.6 / 1266

Capacities
EPA interior volume (cu ft / L): TBD
Passenger volume (cu ft / L) 97.4 / 2758
Cargo volume (cu ft / L): 63.1 / 1787 (w/ rear seats folded)
25.2 / 638 (w/ rear seats up)
GVWR, standard (lb / kg): TBD
Payload, base (lb / kg): TBD
Trailer towing maximum (lb / kg): not recommended
Fuel tank (gal / L): 16.2 / 49
Engine oil (qt / L): 5 / 4.7
Cooling system (qt / L): TBD

*Pending SAE certification.

Note: Information shown is current at time of publication. Please visit our GM Media web site at http://media.gm.com for updates

 

looking on the inside door panel is where i got this. i was assuming that this weight came from fliuds. also i went by this weight because the cobalt weighs in at 28 or 29??? looking at the two cars side by side it's hard for me to believe the hhr is only 300-400lbs heavier,but i forgot you did weigh yours at the track,so i could be wrong.

 

With the stock clutch the drive train will be safe...with slicks or DR's and a great track prep the clutch my cry a little off the line and then again from the 1 to 2 shift and then carry on...at least that is what mine did...

 

What you were reading on the door pillar placard was the GVWR. or the gross weight with a full cargo load. As that's the maximum 'safe' weight the manufacturer will recommend, it's that weight they base tire pressures on.

 

a co -worker with a '94 z28 lost to my '00 mustang gt 2 TIMES ! he was talking so much smack at work prior to our race @ the track, that it was freakin' great to shut him up afterwards !!

i won by 2 tenths in the 1st race & 3 tenths in the 2nd . he didnt "feel" like racing a 3rd time.


SORRY TO THREAD HIJACK !!

congrats on the times & good luck & i hope youre able to get into the 12's , crazy steve !

 

I thought our cars weighed around 3400lbs, not 4100, am I wrong?

 

You are right "Curb weight, base (lb / kg): 3322 / 1510 (manual), 3353 / 1524 (automatic)"
Dimensions
Exterior
Wheelbase (in / mm): 103.6 / 2631
Overall length (in / mm): 176.5 / 4483
Overall width (in / mm): 69.1 / 1755
Overall height (in / mm): 62.5 / 1588
Track (in / mm): front: 58.7 / 1491, rear: 58.7 / 1491
Minimum ground clearance (in / mm): 6.3 / 159
Ground to rear load floor (in / mm): TBD
Curb weight, base (lb / kg): 3322 / 1510 (manual), 3353 / 1524 (automatic)
Weight distribution (front / rear): 59 / 41

 

I thought the 16" wouldnt fit the HHR/SS's? what gives do they fit or not? what did you get your's off of?