drummerboy0088

Hi Everyone!
It's been a while - so good to see everyone is still active on the site.

As some of you know, I documented the LDK swap build on my 2010 SS Auto . Since then, the car has been tuned by ZZP, we installed a 3" catless downpipe/3" exhaust setup, and a LT1 fuel pump to support all the bolt ons, as well as a trans tune from fellow HHR enthusiast Shane Hatfield. Now it's time to take the engine out and do it all over again. This (hopefully) will be the last time the engine comes out of the car, as it's time to strengthen internals for a bigger turbo.

Here's what will be going in the car:
Wiseco Pistons
ZZP 4340 Rods
Supertech 94# dual springs and retainers
Stage 2 LHU/LDK cams by Comp Cams/ZZP
BorgWarner S257SXE turbo
ZZP exhaust manifold
ZZP catless turbo downpipe
TiAL 42mm actuator
TiAL 50mm BOV
ZZP upper intercooler charge pipe with BOV flange

The goal is to get to 500 HP on 93 pump gas. This car is rarely driven (maybe 1,000 miles a year) and is primarily a show car that I'd like to take on the drag strip for exhibition. Ryan at ZZP said I can easily get to 475WHP with what I currently have on the car, and what's about to go in. They mention the concern about blowing the trans, but we all know what 2005HHRauto has done on the strip with his 4t45e!

I plan to document the build process like last time, but the only difference is I'm going to film it as well. Check out the intro video here -


Looking forward to sharing this build with all of you...again!

Oldblue

Looking forward to the build, and pictures, we love pictures !

Cat Man HHR

Drummerboy just subscribed to your Youtube channel. Well put together, background music, meh.
Question:
1) Did you rob Fort Knox to to this or is someone at ZZP your uncle ?
2) I guess when you say 500 HP that's at the flywheel ?
Will be following along on this build.
You have done your homework.

drummerboy0088

I wish that was the case - would have been cheaper! In all honesty though, this is much easier since family is helping with the labor.

And I'm talking to the wheels. With everything else done to the car already, these additional mods should get us around 475WHP on 93 easily (according to Ryan at ZZP). It's a matter of seeing how the 4t45e holds up to it.

Many thanks - I want to do this once, so it's been a few years of researching!

Ohiocruiser

I am tuned by zzp. With zfr6758 to 320whp. They strongly advised me not to go any higher with my auto transmission.

Cat Man HHR

Nick, in your Youtube video you showed the pistons. con rods and balancer. You never mention if the rotating assembly will be balanced.

DrLoch

Generally high end rods and pistons are already weight matched. WIth a 4 cyl they are opposed, ie 2 up 2 down, zero balance. When I have LNF's balanced they have been spot on, fwiw.

Cat Man HHR

Interesting

drummerboy0088

Yes - a friend has a 8.5 second fox body on small tires, and his machinist is doing the engine (he owns an HHR as well). Installing all internals, cams, and checking the crank.

This motor only has 4,000 miles on it, so it should be ok.

drummerboy0088

Word on the street is GM put around 600 to the wheels with an auto HHR back when it was in production. Don't know how true that is but hearing that, and seeing 2005HHRAuto's posts about what he's done, I'm willing to challenge this.

I even talked to Fred at SMG Motoring, who sold a beefed up 4t45e on Cobaltss.net a few years back that could easily handle that kind of power. Unfortunately they don't touch the trans since GM no longer supports the 4t45e for racing purposes. Fred said exactly what 2005HHRAuto has mentioned - replace trans fluid/filter frequently, and keep temps down. I'll run an external trans cooler along with the OEM, and I have a trans tune on the car to help keep the temps down. Last thing Fred mentioned was to keep the car in I if I put it on the track - that will keep it out of 4th and help keep temps down.

Could it fail? Absolutely.