As I looked at the CGS web site, I found this recent article.

[CGS products on custom HHR for GM
Apr 28, 2008

Godfather customs was commissioned by General motors to build a custom Chevrolet HHR Panel for the SEMA show in Las Vegas NV. Godfathers president Hal Johnson said:"I researched the HHR and all the aftermarket products made for it. CGS by far manufactures the best Air Intake System and Exhaust System, so we at Godfathers knew that we were going to have to team up with CGS on this project for GM."]

I know there has been a lot of controversy over the best intake. And I do admit that I am biased.

Just wanted to throw this in for comments.

 

The Godfathers Custom HHR appeared in a multi-page write up in this magazine last spring... Underhood photos showed a CGS setup if I remember correctly.

Very pleased with the look and results from my CGS in combination with the Magnaflow stainless steel exhaust...

 

I'm guessing that they are also getting it for free which might taint their choice some.

I'm very suprised you are still so pro-CGS with all of the issues you've had. Since we switched to GMPP, we haven't had any problems.

 

GMPP by far has my vote, but maybe they were considering "BANG" for the buck!

 

I spoke with them at CGS and they feel my problem could be corrected with the GM update on the computer, which the dealer should have told me about.

Problem or not, it still is the best looking system on the market, IMHO.

 

Told you a long time ago about the GM updated calibration. Don't count on the dealer to tell you that.

Agree, the CGS looks (& sounds) good, but if you think it makes power.... Well, I've been trying to tell you folks here about that fallacy for a long time.

You also need to understand about how the aftermarket and advertising works. They play the money game, not what is best for your wallet or performance, but what is best for them. Sorry situation at times.

 

Agree with you Joe.

Also would agree with your analysis of aftermarket and custom work.....if it's free they will take it. But also, with the CGS, Godfather probably went for appearance, not performance. Remember, it's a SHOW CAR....NOT A GO CAR.

And I have also seen dynos (real conditions dynos, NOT BUTT or ideal conditions) for several air intakes......some are contradictory to what the manufacturer, of said device, states.

 

Am about to put a CGS on my car. Could any of you explain about the calibration - what is it and is it always necessary? Am a little sick of "codes" popping up on my Aurora and am not looking for any more problems.

 

AJ, the "calibration" is the data file written to the ECM.

Codes are triggered when feedback from any number of sources indicate that "something is not right". The ECM is coded with allowable tolerances, that when exceeded, trigger a DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code).

In the case of intakes: The MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor is calibrated from the factory where the data output (signal in Hz in recent GM) corresponds to an actual air flow mass at any point in the programmed data table(s). This is one of the key parameters for determining the correct amount of fuel for the engine at any load. If anything happens, such as a different size I.D. pipe where the MAF is located, the signal will not correctly report the air mass, fueling will not be correct and, if beyond a given amount of error, will trigger a DTC. If the error is within a certain range (usually 18- 20% max. error), all is not ideal, but nothing will show up. I believe that some of the aftermarket intakes (hey, none of them will exactly mirror the OEM characteristics) sometimes get "near" that edge of triggering the codes. Some will; others will not.

 

The thing that is a mystery to me is why only some of us with aftermarket intakes get the code and not everybody.