dsmisfits

I normally let folks who want to race at lights and on the highway just cruise by. Today was diffrent. I pulled up to a light and noticed a white HHR with a nice Exhaust tone and 17 inch rims and figured he had the 2.4 under the hood. He was a car ahead of me at the light. Next light we are side by side. He looks over and I just knew it was on. Light turns green I mash on the gas and go, he does the same. I keep pulling him until I stopped at 60. Then we did a 25mph to 60 roll on and still had him by almost two cars. I asked what he had, sure enough 2.4 auto with exhaust and intake. The E85 really makes a big diffrence.

MY INFO
2009
Engine: 2.2
Trans: Auto
Cutsom Intake
Exhaust muffler Magnaflow with custom pipe
Trifecta tuned for E85 and to match intake and exhaust
Rear Cobalt SS springs
225/40/18 w/Cobalt SS rims
Rear sway Cobalt SS

HIS INFO
Engine 2.4
Trans: Auto
CAI Intake
Exhaust

843de

Interesting to hear about a head to head with another HHR. I usually let people go too, but lately some Acura's and Honda's have been asking for it a little too much. Having both engines I'm not surprised the 2.2 took the 2.4, although I'll probably be shot for this, I think the 2.2 is maybe the better engine. Before I get bombarded with the obvious horsepower advantage the 2.4 has on paper, I still think after driving both(not just mine), that the 2.2 is just a bit more eager. As for running on the E-85 juice, my '07 can't and although the '11 can, finding E-85 is kind of a pain here....so no experience with it.

dsmisfits

It's funny if the 09+ with a 2.2 have 155hp/150tq and the 2.4 is 172hp/162tq there is only a diffrence of 12 lb-ft of TQ. Which is really not that much. I drove a 2011 2.4 as a rental and pulled over a few miles after I first got it and was surprised to find the 2.4. Everyone talks like they have so much more performance. I really dont see it. However, freeway driving I did notice a little more passing power at 70mph+ but not by much and that died at around 85mph. I have only had one head to head and that was in my 01 Volvo s80 twin turbo. And, I was modded so really not fair. But the guy in the HHR wants to get tuned now. We wil have to see what happens then. I think he said his was a 08 so no E85. I would love to see a 2.4 running same mods and E85....

PS. I find myself planning gas routes when traveling and that can stink..

hhr_2009

What is E-85, I own a 2009 panel with an Airaid intake, GMPP catback, headers, and a Trifecta tuned (does this mean I have a E85 !)

Second question, next spring I will be installing a LNF Turbo, intercooler, 3 inch ZZP down pipe,42 injecters and Trifecta tuned (all parts come from an HHR SS), can someone tell me what max PSI I should be going to (I have a 2.2) and once everything is installed, what Stage will this setup be. I have been reading from the forums that a Turbo setup maybe different stages,

thanks

solman98

E85 is 85% ethonal and 15% gas. Your 09 is E85 capable, there should be a FlexFuel badge on the rear and you have a yellow gas cap.

hhr_2009

Yes I do have a yellow cap, with the tune I got done on my HHR 2.2 2009, do I get more HP and better distance with the same gas.

Installing a Turbo on this engine, will that affect it in any way, should I stay away from the 85% ethonal

Thanks for your help

dsmisfits

A little info on the LE8.

The LE8 is an E85 compatible 2.2 L—2,189 cc (133.6 cu in)—version of the LAP Ecotec. Bore and stroke remain the same 86 mm (3.4 in) and 94.6 mm (3.72 in). Compression ratio is 10.0:1 and the engine can run on both regular unleaded gasoline or E85.

Year(s) Model Power Torque
2009–present Chevrolet HHR 155 hp (116 kW) @ 6100 rpm (gasoline) 150 lb·ft (203 N·m) @ 4800 rpm (gasoline)
160 hp (120 kW) @ 6000 rpm (E85) 158 lb·ft (214 N·m) @ 4600 rpm (E85)

I started running E85 and noticed a diffrence, after about 60 miles of driving in two days. Noticed my mpg go down about 1.5 miles per gallon. If you are looking for a quick way to gain some hp's and tq, E85 is/might be the answer.

The main reason turbo cars love E85 is from higher boost, and the fact that the timing can be way more advanced with E85. Huge hp/tq gains. I would take to some of the SS guys about E85.

hhr_2009

Great information, thanks.

I guess by installing my LNF turbo next spring on my 2009 2.2 will be great, I'm just wondering up what PSI should I have on this 2.2 before the engine blows.
I was hopeing 7 to 10psi max. (playing it safe.
Can some one confirm that my installation should be safe at this PSI

thanks again for the great info.

dsmisfits

Most stock turbo cars run anywhere from 6-12psi. I think I would run around 8psi. I had a vw passat 1.8t which ran 21psi and a Saab which ran at 25psi. But, like I said before you really should talk to the guys who have already done this.

hhr_2009

Excellent, I was thinking 7 to 10psi, playing it safe I will keep it at 8psi.

thanks for the great info.