If you really want to, try the MT from a 2012 Regal GS. It's FWD, and mated with a 2.0T Ecotec. Count me in the "too much work for the payback" camp, BUT that's where you could get one that should work.

 

ok it is just not all about saving gas but if my calcs are right( probably not) if you increase 5mpg and drive 100k @ $4.00 gallon it roughly $2700. savings. its more about lowering rpm's. Why you ask? wear. All driven components and internals will last longer @ lower rpm's... having said that do I shift @ 6300 rpm sure.. would I rather shift @ 7000 rpms Hell yeh. but i dont commute to work @ 7000rpms I think 3k @ 80 mph is to high.

 

They make conversion kit for the f35 tranny but it's 3k and that's in parts alone. Then you have fine someone to install it and that just more of a pian then anything esle.

 

But would the 6 speed automatic bolt up? Can it take the torque?

 

The new GM 6 speed auto will bolt up and take the torque but it will not fit in the HHR Delta1 platform with out cutting the body up. That is why you could get it in the Malibu but no the same year HHR.

 

How long does it take to get to 100K? How long do you intend to have your HHR? We've had our 06 since new and we're at 63K. The conversion would cost well over that $2700 savings. Even if it does prolong the life of the vehicle, what does that really matter? How long? 5 more years? A 10+ year old HHR would still be a 10+ year old HHR with 10+ years worth of miles...regardless of what transmission is in it.

 

who gives a crap about an auto...(sorry) 6 spped manual only and some of us need to keep our cars past 100k... and I'll have that before it is paid off. the days of hitting 100k and dumping due to reliability issues are long over. I've seen alot of cars on local craigslist with 200k+ miles and people still want decent cash for them. Not that I would ever buy one and I'm talking about domestic cars... I dont give a crap about imports, the only one I ever owned was a free toyota corolla with 135k on its 2nd engine which was replaced for the third time @ 150k buy it's new owner(my misinformed brother).

ps steve if I had 5 or 6 cars to spread the milage on.... maybe it would take me longer to hit 100k

 

I'm just guessing at this BUT, with a significant reduction in RPM's, wouldn't you need to change other rpm driven items in the engine compartment....A/C, generator (?) ouput, for example? Of course, that could be just pulley size.

But a second thought, maybe not. It would only be a reduction of about 500-600 RPM, at highway speeds.

 

no does your ac work in traffic at an idle? yeah not as good as when your cruising but well enough @ 2000 rpm's . I am not asking for a drastic reduction, most 4 cylinder cars i have been in and owned fuel economy heads south fast after 3000 rpm's so really what i am saying is there is nothing wrong with the way my 5 speed is geared..... it just needs one mor overdrive when i'm cruising @ 80... and if I'm by some odd reason i find myself doing 55mph's I'll keep it in 5th....

 

The juice just would not be worth the squeeze....