I've had a an 08 Manual SS for a couple years now. I've wanted to AutoX with it but my regional won't let me run it without modifying it because it's a "rollover danger".
im finally in a place where I can start modifying my completely stock SS.
I have to change to my width to height ratio which means either dropping or adding spacers or both. Im not super keen on lowering it because that honking nose loves to rub already. But I'm also worried about the stress spacers put in my hubs, specially while autoX.
any preference or information in helping me make the choice would be appreciated.

I'm not super worried about being competitive, they're putting me in DSP either way, I just want to go have some fun in my daily driver.

 

coil overs for adjustability would be ideal, a TurboTechRacing rear sway bar will improve handling and polyurethane bushings for the rear axle pivots and Moog bearing bushings up front in the LCA’s rear bushing .
I’m no fan of spacers, either, I don’t see any reason for them .

 

Yeah, rear sway was one of the first things I was looking at. Not super expensive and everyone raves about it. Is there a specific advantage of the ttr bar vs the ottp or zzp bars?

​​​​​​First I've seen the rec for replacing the bushings, they a big help? I did notice some uneven wear on my rears, might need to do that anyways.

Thanks for the opinion! I'm thinking I could get away with an inch in either direction so I'm looking at the zzp lowering springs. Any opinions there? Fully adjustable struts are probably out if the budget for a little while at least.

 

Adjustable coilovers are out of my price range really. I was considering the ZZP lowering springs because they're supposed to be only about an inch drop, cheap and I think I could get away with that for autoX. Honestly I wouldn't do the drop or spacers at all if they weren't making me do it to be able to run.

The RSB was at the top of my list, it seems everyone raves about it and it's another cheap mod. Is there a reason for preferring the TTR bar over OTTP or ZZP?

I haven't heard about the bushing changes though, does it have a significant effect? I had some uneven wear on my last set of rears, so I might need to do that anyway....

 

TurboTech Racing is on of our sponsors , I’ve had one of their RSB for years, very happy with the body roll control in corners and in a cross wind on the highway.

The FE5 LCA’s rear bushing is solid rubber, very good for awhile but they do deteriorate, the MOOG "problem solver" Rear Bushing - K200792 - also K201285 which is zinc coated

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/brak...bushing-60188/

and the Prothane bushings
https://www.prothanesuspensionparts.com/7320


the ZZP springs are good very the application your SS will be driven in, not to low and tighten up the the suspension

 

I would second what you're thinking about, as far as Rear Sway, and some stiffer, slightly lower springs. You will also want some good tires, and try to get some added camber, which is not easy with these cars. DSP is pretty quick. I ran it locally in another car about 10 years ago. I had Hoosier race tires and still got clobbered by lighter cars a lot. My car was around 2650 pounds. The SS is 600 pounds more. The Neons that used to make me miserable were about 400 pounds lighter than me.

Have fun, but getting fast is not going to be easy. I was allowed to take my SS out once in stock form. It was a nose-heavy pig. I don't think it should be disallowed, either. It is NOT an SUV.

 

Yeah, I don't ever expect my HHR to post any impressive times, specially in DSP and specially since I'm a relatively inexperienced driver. (I got to AutoX a Tesla Roadster once.). I just wanna run it and have fun. Depending on how things go by end of this year, hubby and I might put together a proper toy car, but for now just wanna get out there and let loose in my favorite car. It's nice having something pretty fuel efficient, somewhat sporty and I can fit my Great Danes in the back end.

 

You might just find a different club. My friend tried to get me to autoX. The Porsche club wouldn't allow an HHR(but a PT Cruiser was ok!). The Corvette club allows the HHR.

 

Powell yyz’s, bilsteins, powell bushings and rear sway bar will make it handle great. I found mounts helped too. A zfr6758 is perfect for autox. A good clutch helps a lot too