After reading the "won't boost thread" I'm terrified to put the GM stage 1 kit in. I am picking up my 2008 HHR SS this Friday and had already spoken to my Chevy dealer re: intalling it. They have already done some and seem comfortable instaling them. BUT, if I am going to have problems all the time due to the kit, forget it. Are there any HHR SS owners out there who have had the kit installed and have been problem free? I want to enjoy the car, not spend all my time in the shop. Thanks

 

generally speaking an installer with experience will give you a problem free experience. I had it installed by a dealership who didn't know what they were doing the first time and had lots of issues. I later had it fixed at a dealership that had experience and have had a problem free ride for almost a year now.

 

If you're talking about my "won't boost past 13 psi" thread, I don't really know if it had anything to do with the Stage kit install. My kit had been installed for almost a year before I had issues, and the problems have to do with piping that is possibly unrelated to the kit. The dealer thinks the installers *might* have damaged the piping, but they say it could have also been unrelated. Having the stage kit made it more obvious that something was wrong since it wouldn't boost as high as it should(a stock automatic car wouldn't often be boosting higher than 13 anyway). Even after my issues, I would go ahead and get the kit installed!

 

I think we are uncovering a slight trend here....most the problems are showing up 1 year after install.. mine just started....this needs further investigation...as in maybe GM needs to make a change......personally, I think the mounts are too weak and letting the eng roll too much, tweaking everything thats connected to a hardpoint. So its pulling on wiring and piping also allowing contact of certain parts.......
Kinda makes you wonder if all the fumbling around the mechanics did might have a bearing on it.......

 

After doing some research I have discovered on the the crateenginedepot.com web site in their instructions for the stage 1 kit that the TMAPmodification is needed when installing the kit. In short it states that the sensor will require modification before assembly or leaks may occur. They show a close up of the TMAP and show that a "boss" needs to be basically removed or as they state "carefully clearance the boss" must be removed to prevent interference with the alignment tab on the CAC pipe. You can read the detailed and see the photos on their site. I'm new to this forum but from what I have read if the TMAP sensor doesn't have the "boss" removed before installing it may interfere with the CAC pipe, causing a leak at some point. I am going to call them and see if they have a "revised" one out for the HHR SS. I don't know if this will help anyone but I know when I get mine I will be checking for that tab/boss and give the information I have to the dealer in case they weren't aware of the potential problem. If there is a revised one ready I guess it wont't be a problem.

 

I thought that was for the old version of the kit, which was intended more for the solstice/sky. Isnt this years kit easier to install?

 

I've had my kit for 15K miles of my vehicles 18K.

http://www.sandyblogs.com/techlink/2...grade-kit.html

Issues I had were failing spring/BOV, turbo bearings, etc. Had nothing to do with the LNF Turbo upgrade. Bearings would have gone regardless....was a flawed, overseas turbo. (go figure). BOV is not great....no OEMs ever are...they are attempting to meet GOV standards and rider "sound" comfort. (since the 2.0 of the (90's era) Eclipse, Talon etc.......you should see the junk I removed from them for sound suppressing to unleash gobs of factory power sitting there)

This kit is covered under warranty, gets better gas mileage, removes power restriction for additional add-ons.......plus more power/TQ? End of Discussion.

Would do it again, and again and again and again and again.....get the hint?

My car has been to the dealer twice to repair the driver side door actuator! Another import part!

 

Kit in about a year ago, no stage 1 associated problems so far.

 

Corvairman,
Despite the fact that my 2009 Panel has been sitting at the dealer for the past two weeks waiting for the parts detailed in pittbull's thread - "national, no GD way to make it go faster, backlog" - I would install the upgrade. Best nine days of smooth running I've ever experienced.

 

They won't let you take it home? I've still got mine, but it ain't fixed.