Yep, I am asking how much work in parts needed and programing would it take to swap my Auto to a manual. Reason is that my auto might have just blown up again! First time, the planetary gears slammed together and sheared everything. Today I think I did it again. It is under warranty, but I am sick of not getting to play with this car like I should :)

I can get my hands on a tranny and pedals so far. Just want to know what other parts and issues might come about with this car. I have done this kind of swap on two fox body mustangs and one camaro, but nothing with this much programming. Is it even feasable, or am I just a dreamer?

 

The expense it would take to do this would far out weigh the value of doing it. You could buy another HHR cheaper.

 

Even if the hardware was avalible? Is the programming that in-depth? I just love the no interest payments.

Swapping my buddies mustang from AOD to a tremec was a breeze, but all the cars we have done have never had so much programming. This must be nothing like that? I have the hardware avalible from a wrecked HHR SS in Iowa. just don't know how all the electronics tie in the computer or if the programming would be so messed up that I would need the computer too.

Like I said dreaming..... Will probably just get another Jeep

 

Trust me the Mustang swap is easier and much cheaper than this idea.

You would be better off selling yours and buying a 5 speed.

unless you get all the other parts really cheap and I mean all the parts the tab will add up fast. Also the time needed to put it in would roll up.

In the past this was a easy deal but with todays sensors, computers and other related hardware it can make it tough. In the past it was a easy swap but not any longer.

 

That is what I was wondering.. thanks for the straight shot.

Should have bought the manual when I had the chance. My Man-gina got the best of me that day, cause the wife acted like she wanted to be able to drive it also. She has drvien it once in two years. :)

 

At times I had wished I had a 4 speed in my Fiero. Now 25 years later after seeing all the clutch, linkage and pedal issues I am glad to still have a touble free Auto. None of these issues are cheap or easy to repair anymore.

I have had 4 sp cars before and for weekends they are fine but for daily drivers it wears off after a while.

 

I have one auto Fiero and two manual (5 speed Fieros).. The auto has had two replacement transmissions (440ts). I replaced the 3 speed t125 to make it more of a highway cruiser. One manual had a bunch of work done this year..clutch, throwout bearing, bushings, flywheel. Of course the car is 23 years old. I took it to a shop as I'm too old to remove a getrag at my home. What a PITA to do on your own. These cars are usually used for road trips, so shifting isn't usually and issue, unless I get stuck in traffic. The 87 GT gets as good MPG as the HHR..

 

I had switched 3 old Saabs from automatic to manual. The difference was like adding a supercharger, it went from being a slug, to zipping away, as fast as you can shift. The Ecotec engine is based on a Saab design.
At this point, with resale values that drop like a rock, it would be wiser to just get a whole different HHR. If you have the time, money, patientce and a donor car, go for it. You can be the one who takes all the pictures and lists all the pitfalls for a generation of HHRer's to come.

 

Most standards end up with not only worn out clutches but bad slave cylinders, worn out pedals and almost all end up with bad shifter cables.

My auto is as good now as the day it was new. .

I just really hate cable shifted cars as they all get rubbery and become a pain with wear.

 

Yeah..the cable was replaced a couple of years ago, it snapped. Last year the clutch master and slave were replaced. I had the wheel bearings replaced along with bushings etc this year but the car does drive real nice now. With bad bushings and wheel bearing the tires were badly worn and were replaced. After 23+ years and 135,000 miles much is worn out.