Are these published anywhere handy?... apples-to-apples as far as LSD goes, either each with an LSD or each without an LSD, but not one with LSd vs. one without LSD, that wouldn't be apples-to-apples.

 

GM has published 0-60 specs for both cars, 6.3 sec for the stick, and 7.5 sec for the auto. LSD is only available on the stick car.
As far as apples to apples, comparing a stick to an auto which has 25 less hp, and one less gear, plus a much less advantagous overall 1st gear ratio, is not apples to apples.

 

The auto car has a 3.29 differential ratio, which multiplied by the 2.96 1st gear gives a 9.73 ratio launch.
The stick car has a 4.05 differential ratio, which multiplied by the 3.38 1st gear gives a 13.69 ratio to launch off the line. Thats alot of extra torque multiplication.
2nd gear, auto 5.32 ratio(1.62x3.29), stick 7.12 ratio(1.76x4.05), advantage stick again.

 

0-60 would you get out of first gear?

 

You forgot something - the multiplication of torque by the torque converter.

I have not seen data on the HHR SS auto application, but most automatic transmissions have a torque multiplication factor of somewhere around 2X the gear ratios.

 

Only on the initial start, not thru the gear or in 2nd. That 2x is only up to the stall speed, (1800-2000rpm on a stock car) then rapidly diminishes or you would be slipping like crazy.