I shortened it up leaving one full thread left at the end . If I drive it with in the letter of the law for a day or two ( read that as 1/2 tank + or - ) the computer will take the violent edge off of it . But if I just drive hard again she is right back there crisp as hell !! I think for winter I'll back it off as I won't need or want that much power with snow on the roads. The really cool thing about this is that the GM Performance Team rep at the Hot Rod Power Tour told me how to do it and said there is a Performance Guide for the Solstice available thru Pontiac dealers with this and other tips in it that will work on the HHR engine. I 've had zero trouble after doing this and the exhaust has takin on a little different-deeper sound that I really like . It hasn't really effected the gas mileage either . My son says it's way more fun to drive now and actually likes the car! And he's a Ford owner -two Focus's -one with a blower on it !--o6designs-KATZUP

 

Thanks for the info! How did you get at the waste gate rod, it looks real tight back there from the top looking down...sorry to steal your I'm new thread with a bunch of questions

 

I shorten up a 3/8 open end wrench and lightly dremeled it to fit the 10mm nuts ( I had extra 3/8 but not an extra 10mm ) . You only get about a half a swing at a time with a wrench- underneath is the only way to get to it and still see what your doing . I didn't have to take any of the sheilds off or at least I don't beleive it would have help anything . Don't forget to put a witness mark where the stock posistion was or at least measure so you can put back to stock posistion if you want !!--o6designs-KATZUP

 

Very cool, thanks for your help :) Free power=good power. I've done some reading on this mod for the solstice/sky and from what I've read its safe too.

 

From this thread at Solstice Forum.

I'd appreciate if Bill could elucidate on this a little...

 

Where exactly is the waste gate rod? Anyone have a picture that they can point it out on? And what exactly will this do?

 

BUMP! Anyone?

 

Here's the thread that shows you what the arm looks like. If you get under the car follow the exhaust to the engine and you should see the arm next to the turbo. Read the entire thread before your mess with it and modify at your own risk...

http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f...ate-mod-40031/

 

Thanks!!!

 

Wow, thanks for the tip! I tried this last night and can't believe the difference! I didn't go all the way to the end of the thread, left about 2 turns or so... I was seeing about 18-19 lbs of boost at full throttle. Great acceleration!

I also saw almost 4 mpg better on gas mileage this morning too, and I drove it exactly the same way I always do. If this thing stays at 35-36 mpg for my commute I am going to be one happy dude! It seems like the boost is far more responsive and you barely have to touch the pedal to get going thru the gears from a stoplight. of course it is much more fun to mash the pedal though!