Hi, im wondering if there is a good guide somewhere as well. To check which engines are cross compatible? I have a 09 2.2 l parts car. W/ good engine. And a 08 has come up, with a blown 2.2l engine, at a auction site.
i checked part numbers on a gm website. They are not the same, it seem the 09' have flex fuel. Is there a digit i can check in the vin? Do all 09's have flex fuel? Thanks

 

Yes and Yes to VIN and Flex Fuel questions. In short, they are not compatible without a bit of work. Not exactly plug and play. You have an "L61 I4" eninge, which was used in many GM vehicles, but they may have different pluming for hoses and such.

 

Here is the VIN decoder: https://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vincards/

Note that in most years the HHR is a "light truck".

Aradmahogany needs a bit of clarification: L61 is the non VVT/non flex 2008. LE8 is the 2009 VVT/Flex engine.
If you really want to argue semantics it is an L4 not an I4 (really the same thing).
Eight digit "B" is for LE8

 

Thanks. I will steer away then. At my skill level. Im just looking for a plug and play. I would like to tackle an easy engine swap. As it would be my first time

 

Oppsie I misread and thought he had already owned the 08. My bad.

 

That's what I figured, just got it bassackward.