RatRodS

I have a 2008 HHR SS Automatic. I am looking to get 300 hp. I want to buy an HPTuner. Where do I start? I get confused when I go to HPT and want to read about the LNF but the Cobalt is mentioned most of the time. I can figure things out most of the time but need a starting point. Thank you.

Ls2_HHRss

Chevrolet Performance LNF Turbocharger Upgrade Kit. Factory upgrade will make your car go to 290hp and over 300 trq.

DrLoch

Look here for his auto tune. Granted it's for E47 and you didn't mention if that is where you are going or not but 2005HHRauto but looking at his tune and comparing to your will help you understand what to do. There is also a thread here that starts to get into tuning a SS.

Bringing back that 'old-school' wonderful, vacuum advance, part-throttle feeling LNF

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/hhr-...47-tune-51190/

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/hhr-...auto-ss-54854/

There are people that will help. You don't need to buy the GM stage kit to get the sensors.

You can get them here Ecotec Parts GM Stage 1 Sensors
You will need to alter your tune be fore starting the car after you instal them. No short cuts....


Search for for a thread that Dbeluscak started about tuning a LNF.

RatRodS

Thank you for the links. I will need to,purchase the sensors $145 and the HPT $499. Before I install the sensors I need to write a tune for my HHR? That is the part I get stumped. Is there a application to start? Do I need a laptop for the HPT? Does the HPT come with the scanner? I would like it if we had a step by step procedure for those who would like to tune their own vehicle. Thank you.
I should mention there is no E85 in my neck of the woods.

RJ_RS_SS_350

Have you tried the GasBuddy mobile app? It has a new feature that helps you find e85 stations. I had searched with an e85 website that turned up no results in my area(small town). Turns out there is a station right down the street from me that sells e85, found it with GasBuddy.

Dbeluscak

Sorry I've been so absent of late. Too much going on to get into it. That being said, I did "start" a HPT learn and share thread. Just never finalized and posted. I'll address the easy concerns

1. You will need a laptop computer with a good battery.

2. HPT is both software and hardware in one package. The only difference in the "pro" version is the ability to record data without a laptop and read it later. I haven't figured this out yet myself, I have the pro version. The hardware portion is the scanner that plugs into your OBDII port/USB port.

3. Sensors are optional, you'll need them for reading higher than normal boost levels(There are workarounds). They will need a tune. Which is quite simple, it's about as hard as changing the date and time on your PC.

Tuning is a TON of fun. But just as many headaches, IMO. As far as e85 goes, eh, it's giving me a headache too. I'm on my 3rd tank and have to recalibrate my MAF after each fill up. To be fair, the wife's car is so far from stock I'll probably always be calibrating the darn thing!

I think the trouble lies in a repeatable mixture from the vendor. E85 can be anything between 51% and 85% ethanol. Without getting into a messy stoich discussion, it plays hell with my wideband sensor. Just need to get on the dyno already, that would help a lot!

I'll get back to work on our stater thread. Jeez, is it really almost September? Where did summer go?!

RatRodS

Checked and the closet E85 station is over an hour away.

donbrew

The ethanol is added to the gas by the truck driver at the loading rack. You are trusting a truck driver for the percentage of ethanol.

Dbeluscak

Exactly! The pump itself has a warning that ethanol % varies from 51-85%. I'm still hopeful, but I'd rather buy a few barrels of 99% E and mix myself. Can't have stoich being different after each fill up. Seems counterintuitive to what we're trying to achieve.

We have the mods to support full e85, but without consistency I wouldn't even consider it an option

donbrew

On top of that; remember the BIG SCARE when ethanol was first introduced?

Ethanol is hydrophylic; it loves to combine with water. You can fill a glas full of water then add ethanol without over flowing the glass. Meaning that it is very likely that X% ethanol is really X-W% ethanol.

I have never understood the chemistry involved with using gas dryers that everybody was trying to sell when E10 was became the rule. The drying agent is alcohol meant to combine with the moisture then be burned. There must be a chemistry explanation but I'm not a chemist. I do know the first test the lab doest on Aviation fuel is a burn test; they put some in a fire, if it sizzles & pops there is water in it and it flunks.