Took my "new to me" HHR SS panel van to the track a couple weeks ago. It has BC coil overs and lowered and a stage one gm upgrade. Did really well against all the other guys in the group. 2 groups with a total of about 40 cars and I was 5th with a 1:34. Fast little van! A friend took some pics and the only disconcerting thing is seeing the back wheel in the air on the corners! I had some guys come over and ask me what the hell a delivery van was doing on the track :)

 

Track was Streets of Willow in Cali

 

nice!!

 

Does it have a rear sway bar??

 

Awesome! It's always fun to see something a bit different at the track.

Any issues with brake fade? My car has the brembo package and I'm only running regular DOT 3, but I can feel it creep in after about 10 hard stops. Makes me nervous to track it.

 

87, what pads do you have installed?

 

I've got stock GM pads and drilled/chamfered rotors from brake performance all around. I noticed the fade when I broke in the new pads. Bled the system and put in Valvoline synthetic DOT 3 fluid a few weeks ago when I did the brakes.

 

My pads are stock, but the brake lines, rotors and fluid are not! No fade after ANOTHER track day yesterday, this time at the ROVAL at Auto club speedway in Fontana. That is where you use about 1/3 of the NASCAR banked straight and turn 1. Best time was 2:04. Not bad for a panel van :). I was in the upper level "open passing" that is race like conditions...no point by for passing. This group was fast! It reminded me of Daytona racing where there are super fast cars along with slower cars....you have to have your eyes glued on the mirrors waiting for 600 hp plus supercars and race cars overtaking you at all times. Great fun and the SS held up well. It does feel like it loses power after it gets hot...does anyone have any idea how much power is pulled when it gets hot and if there is a fix for that?

 

I use DOT 4 fluid and steel braided brake lines.

 

The suspension is BC coil overs set at mid range, lowered and front and rear aftermarket sway bars. The tires are real sticky Bridgestone Re71R's. Great track tire.