I would go with C , as you don't need tuned for it.
The HHR SS filter is close to the MAF, & doesn't created air turbulence at the MAF, like the Cobalt, based air intakes.
They may both be LNF based cars, but the HHR SS intake doesn't have the
wacked out air turbulence issues, that the Cobalt has.
Adding the K&N air system to the HHR SS, creates a very positive, linear change to the MAF. On a stock HHR SS, the fuel trims tend to run a little on the negative side. By adding the K&N air system, it pushs the fuel trims closer to zero, & sometimes a little positive. You would never need to tune for the K&N air system on a HHR SS, because there isn't any air turbulence at the MAF, & the small, positive fuel trim change is fine, on the tune.

Do you remember when all MAF's, had that honeycombed shaped air straightener on it.
There was a reason for it, to straighten out the air flow.
One member here, added an air straightener to his Cobalt type air system, & it worked.
Maybe ZZP should add an air straightener to their air systems, so the MAF doesn't freak out.

 

i believe Terminator2 is in the Jacksonville area. from what i understand he's one of the best LNF tuners. i know he's on cobaltss.net, look him up and see what he can do for you.

 

Sweet. Thanks man. I have seen his posts on the HPT boards, but didn't realize he is in my area.

 

Yeah the guys on the HPT forums are extremely helpful, I'm lucky myself to have an excellent tuner to exchange info with when I proceed on my own. Start with a nice base tune that's proven, mine is based off the GM upgrade tune as I'm running the 3-bars. Good luck, I suggest Terminator too if local! Always nice to learn firsthand.

 

i'm sorry but that's false.

most of the people on here that have purchased the k&n intake setup (or just a k&n filter) have experienced issues with the MAF. i'm also saying this out of personal experience with the product as well. once again the HHR SS & the Cobalt SS Turbo are the same. whatever issues they have, we'll have. whatever issues we have, they have them too. please understand this so i don't have to repeat myself for a 3rd time in this thread.

when it comes down to the numbers, the zzp intake for the HHR SS is a much better buy than the k&n intake setup. right off the back it yields better power gains, costs about the same and once tuned... will proved even more power gains.

the ONLY benefit to the k&n setup is the filter. the pipe is barely an upgrade over the stock pipe, which doesn't make it worth it's price tag. hence why i quickly resold the k&n setup i purchased and stuck with just a k&n filter in the stock setup. now that there's a true, legit intake for the HHR SS (zzp) i have all intentions of purchasing it and working with my tuner to get the MAF dialed in correctly and i'll provide dyno numbers once finished.

 

no problem man. i believe he's in your area. good luck and may the schwartz be with you.

 

rallycobalt06
At least we agree, to disagree with each other...

I've been tuning with HPTuner for at least 8 years, & before HPTuner
came out, I had LS1Edit. So I do know what the numbers are telling me,
when I'm logging, & tuning.

There are even guys on this forum who say that I can't be in the 12's, with
an HHR SS automatic. And even so, with very few mods.

Do you still believe that there is a, learn down , feature in the LNF ECM.
There isn't, yet many still thing so. You tune, to allow more power,
where, when, & how much.

So, if anyone had a problem with the K&N air intake system, on an HHR SS, it could've been from oil from the filter, or install errors, letting air in, at the wrong places. Once again, the HHR SS air intake doesn't have the air turbulence at the MAF, like the Cobalts do. Even GM performance gave up on making a better Cobalt type, air intake.

The K&N system works, making 15hp on my HHR SS.
For the average "Joe", not you "Joe S", who wants a good performing, fresh air, intake system, that doesn't need to to be tuned for, & makes power, it's the way to go.
If you need a hot air intake system, that freaks out the MAF with air turbulence, that needs to be tuned to work, because of the turbulence, than
thats the way to go.
Hay, at least we have 2 options.

You know, most every car made today, uses a 'fresh' air intake.
Why are we still living in the past with "hot' air intakes.

When K&N designed the HHR SS air system, they removed the 'restriction' that the stock tube had.
That's all that was needed, you don't need a big 'honking' pipe to make power.

 

the ZZP intake isn't a "hot air intake system"...... the Dejon piece of crap setup, THAT'S a "hot air intake system", puts the filter right on top of the engine. last i checked hot air rises and with the Dejon thing it's getting sucked right in.

the ZZP design puts the filter in front of the engine, right behind the front grille where fresh/cooler air is coming into the engine bay and pushes the heat created by the engine back towards the firewall and out of the rear of the engine bay.

 

I just double checked my current tune, compared to the stock tune.
I though at one time that I had to 'tweek' the MAF, at the the power level
that I am at now.

MAF Calibrations- Are the same, identical to stock.
Zero MAF Calibration changes are needed with the K&N system,
at any power level.

The ZZP air intake is not shielded, so it's a hot air intake.

 

I'd love for you to do a reading of air temperature as to where my filter is located right now, and another within my bumper/fender liner/area of your preferred filter choice.

Then calculate the minor difference, and the potential power loss from such.

When you're done, talk about everything that you repeat and that you've shared in your signature as well.