HOw is the auto faster? Is it cause the tune reduces power in 1st and 2nd for traction?

 

Not sure what you want here but here is what happens.

The Auto is down in stock trim on HP and Torque in first and second gear.

Now with the GM upgrade it gives you 290 HP and 315 Torque that is also covered under the 100 mile 5 year warranty. IT also gives you full power and torque to the engine. The Traction managment will still cut in but the engine has power.

I was not an HHR fan. Didn't hate them but never even considered myself driving one. I was never a FWD fan and I was never a 4 cylinder fan.

Once I drove the SS I was hooked by the GMPD tuned suspension and the low flat torque curve. I have owned and driven everything you can think of multiples of BBC, SBC, LS, 3800SC, Pontiacs etc. I can say I enjoy this engine as much or more than most of the other cars I have owned. The power is there low RPM or high RPM. The Torque holds from 1800 RPM to 5300 RPM in a flat curve. It hits the peak and will hold the torque unlike any of my other GM engines.

If I was looking for a weekend play car I would still opt for a Camaro or Corvette but for an every day driver that you can look forward to drive on a daily baises the SS is the way to go.

Note this is not a ricer as this is an American engine. The Eco and Eco Turbo will be the SBC of the future as they will be found in many of GM's cars. They will get cheaper to build and use.

I got to know John Lingenfelter before he died and one of the biggest thrills he had was working on his Turbo Drag truck that ran a 1200-1400 HP Eco Turbo Eco in it. He once he got to 1200 HP he had to go to a Race head as the stock one he was using was breaking in half. He loved to play with this engine and said they could get more out of it.

I am not sure if you have driven one yet but you need too. Also keep in mind if it does not have a tune on it you need to remember the tune makes it a whole different car. Note too the GM tune will require Premium but you pick up 1-2 MPG.

 

Thank you hyperv6 you have sold me. If you get the tune on the manual is it still slower then a tuned auto.. Everyone of my cars had manuals if that was one of the choices. If I go to test drive some of these cars would the dealership know if there is a tune or not? How would I know if there is a tune on the car? ANything I should be looking for.

 

There is a barcode sticker on the airbox, a premium only sticker in the gas cap area, and the car should show a 18-21 boost at wot

 

Thank you very much... Do you think a dealer would know these things show it on the ad

 

Sounds like someone started a new urban legend,
Over 4 years on this site,
I've never heard an auto SS is faster than a 5 speed , upgrade or not.

Love to see the proof on this.

93,500 miles on mine , But i only put 93,493 of the miles on it.

 

FWIW. The dealer upgrade is called the GMTU or GM Turbo Upgrade. Also refered to as the Stage 1 upgrade.
Would the dealer know. Hell, some dealerships don't even know what it is!
I wouldn't be looking for it in an ad. Just remember as stated above. There should be the Premium Fuel Required sticker in the fuel door.NOT the sticker thats says Premium Fuel Recommended. Also the sticker under the hood(could be anywhere under there). And lastly it will(should) boost above the stock 14 lbs. 18-22 lbs depending on variables.
Also looking under the hood,it will have the upgraded Bosch sensors, if you know where to look. (anybody got a picture?))

 

The manual should be a little quicker even with the equal power of the tune. That is as long as the driver knows how to use it.

The greatest issue for 1/4 mile times for either tranny is getting traction. FWD cars take off and the weight of the car trasfers to the rear and unloads the tires. It can make hooking up difficult with this much power.

The only real neg on the Manual is if you have to replace the clutch or if the shifter gets funky with age. Like I said many do not have that many miles and it is hard to say what they will do. Also you do have to use care dumping the clutch as GM did have a TSB on cracking tranny cases back in 08.
As fo if it has the tune like he stated look at the boost. In a normal SS 12-15 PSI is the norm where in the SS with the GM tune 18-23 is what I see depending on location and weather. Also look for the EPA sticker and the Premium required sticker on the gas lid. THe non tune will say Recomended.

 

I went with an automatic 08. I want my storage compartment. Could use a 2 pod A-pillar, though, so I could add an aeroforce gauge but keep my analog boost gauge. My 08 has the 2 matching front seats. That is something to consider as not all 08 had matching front seats.

As to the above opinions...I prefer a manual car but that would have been a deal breaker with the wife. I'm not unhappy with my automatic. It seems like the automatic holds boost very well throughout the shift-points. I've got boost so it pops up to 20+psi and stays there through all shifts like it is nailed there. I miss the greater control of gear/rpm of a manual, but when you get to tuning the auto can be all it should be.

 

As I own a 08, I love it. Ive seen the 09-10's and to me, they just tried to hard. The dash mounted info box, is hard to read when trying to drive down streets with cornors, more to have to take your eyes off the road. Sunroof and all that is nice, but adds weight. :) And anyone who wants a Auto, must not like driving sticks. If you enjoy sticks, You will love the 5 spd. Although, I wish it was a 6 spd, but, meh. get a stage 1.5 clutch, and you can do some minor mods and still be safe. But overall, first and most important mod, Bigger Intercooler/tune. Fixes the turbo lagg alot. :) Just my two cents

On a side note, Trailblazers are so nice. Primer Black, with black rims... mmm lol.