OK I was originally gonna go DP and Trifecta selectable/hide tune (over my GM stage tune), but now I'm thinking of also adding a
KO4+ turbo upgrade
Crazy Steve Intercooler
and Dejon hot side ICP

Now with the Trifecta tune I'm thinking of getting the rev limiter bumped up to 7k (to take advantage of the turbo they say it will flow to 7400 rpms), getting 1st gear limited to 10 psi (for traction) and the overall tune to 24 psi.

Any thought or ideas other than get a bigger turbo. I want to keep the stock looking turbo in case of warranty work.

Do you guys think with the help of Vince at Trifecta I could get close to 350 whp out of this? (350 whp is my goal). I know some people tried these turbo's back in 08/early 09 (with so so results), but we've had some good tuning advancements since then.


Opinions appreciated

 

Well, if you're looking just for H.P., then that should do it.
As to warranty: If you go in for engine, trans, rear end ect. work, you can kiss that off. When they see anything that is'nt stock in the engine compartment[such as aftermarket piping ect.] that screws your warranty right there.
You have to choose which one is more important, H.P. or warranty. "Moon"

 

As above. And plan on doing something with the clutch and halfshafts if you ever plan on having tires with actual traction.

 

I have really thought out the warranty issue, keep in mind my HHR SS isn't my daily driver, not even the second car driven in our family.

I can replace the after market IC, Hot side ICP, and Down pipe in 1 afternoon with factory/stock stuff myself. The Trifecta tune is switchable/hideable, but I already have a GM stage tune also, so I don't think my dealer would go to extremes to search for other than the stage tune.

As far as the turbo wheel upgrade, I don't think any mechanic would even notice to be honest, just not enough of these or cobaltt ss/tc's in my area for a mechanic to be familiar enough to spot a bigger wheel in the turbocharger.

As a matter of fact my dealership never even seen a HHR SS till I had them get one from dealer in another state and they don't carry cobalt ss/tc's.

Half shafts is a new one haven't heard anything about that yet.

Yeah I know I'll need a clutch but it will have to wait till summer, I'll just have to use the GM stage tune more (boy that will be hard).

 

I dont think the drive shafts are any thing to worry about unless you are just really into draging...or dont know how to drive a FWD well (please no flaming from any one) plus if you are planing on going to or above 7K you have to do atleast valve springs.

 

Anybody play with the cams yet?

 

I would be a bit concerned about trans durability with 7000 rpm in the higher gears. Might be especially hard on 3rd although I don't have the facts to back that up, just what I was told by one of the builders. Obvious advantage of 7000 rpm plus in 3rd is that you would not have to shift to 4th near the end of a 1/4 mile run. Don't forget clutch upgrade of course too!

 

I sure would'nt want his parts bill $$$$$$, with 350rwhp. Stuff gonna go South with that kinda HP and Torque[uless you spend mucho dinero on beefing up trans, ect.. Motor will take it...other parts???
As a ole ex racer, I know well about pumping up stuff, and what all it can hurt, just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water. Better have a tow truck on retainer, when you jump on it. "Moon"
P.S. I used to have a AWD Eagle Talon, mucho suspension work, and 380 HP.
You should have seen my parts bill. I know better now.

 

All you have do is read up on the cobalt SS/TC, they do far more extreme modding than we do, the trans will be fine with a clutch upgrade. ZZP is still on the factory transmission in there race car (with a clutch upgrade of course). They make somewhere around 525whp

Crazy, I found a few posts on the cobalt forums and hpt forums saying that the factory valve springs could handle over 7k rpms. BYT has been reving his past 7k for awhile, along with others. The consensus was to stay at 7k if you raise the Rev the limiter to be on the safe side.

 

With just the GM Tune, Traction is a huge issue! I can easily spin the tires now between 40-50 MPH. Even if you limit to 10psi for first, forget about dumping it in 2nd.....Lets not forget about wheel hop too.... They make a traction bar for the cobalts(Personally, I don't want to drill my lower A-arm to add it though)... I have to agree with Moonsign, you can get as much HP out of your car as you have resources to do so! Deep pockets= HP but at that point, I would say screw it and do what Foose did...... Tunnel, Tub, and V8!

As far as a bigger snail, hit up XXL I do believe he went with a Turbo that can handle upwards of 450HP, but he is also capable of custom tuning for his vehicle and makes no bones about the SS being a money pit. Good Modding To You!