This is very true, I have used NAPA parts for many years and have been very pleased with their products.

 

Okay Oldblue I am sold on idea of SS conversion...just one quick question. When I look for brake pads I can look for ones that fit an '08 SS as opposed to an '07 LS, correct? I am assuming the they are a little bigger??

 

Welcome & Congrats on the HHR.

My 08 Panel seems to have come with the SS bigger rotors. And I'm not complaining after over 9 years of ownership.

 

Put these pads on and they are great - greatly reduced brake dust.

 

 

So I have good news and bad news...

The bad news is I won't be getting the HHR this trip home, so most likely won't get it until Christmas / New Year time.

The good news is my dad had his mechanic (who is a friend of his) take it and find anything "unsafe". So it is getting a new stainless fuel line cause the original is very rusty, he put the new SS rotors and caliper brackets that I had ordered and realized one of the calipers was bad so he replaced both, new strut and coil spring assemblies, new intermediate steering shaft (the old one is completely locked up!), and new parking brake cable. Also, last year he put new lower control arms and sway bar links...anyway since some of the stuff hadn't come in yet it isn't going to be ready by the time I head home, but should be in great condition when I come back to get it!! It is going to be my project car, but dad didn't want his grandkids riding in it until he knew it was safe so now I get to spend my money on other fun stuff!!

Also, got a little more info from dad, it is a 2LT...haven't had much of a chance to look what that means. Is that just since it has sun roof and leather? Or is there something different with the engine, suspension, etc? Would that be why the manual says use only 91 or higher octane?

 

I believe that the 2lt came with the 2.4L engine as std. other than that, leather, sun roof etc. were options.

Both the 2.2L and the 2.4L motor run just fine with 87 octane (regular) as noted in the owners manual.
Our 2.4L never missed a beat on regular ( I think I put in 1 tank of 91 over 11 years).

It sounds like yours is gonna be nicely set up for you. You are gonna enjoy it.

"If your vehicle has the 2.4L L4 engine
(VIN Code P), use premium unleaded gasoline
with a posted octane rating of 91 or higher. You
may also use regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher, but your vehicle’s acceleration
may be slightly reduced, and you may notice a
slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred to
as spark knock."

"If your vehicle has the 2.2L L4 engine
(VIN Code D), use regular unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the
octane rating is less than 87, you may notice an
audible knocking noise when you drive, commonly
referred to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon
as possible."