Hey guys, still contemplating Auto vs 5 Speed for the future HHR SS id like to own. Wife will drive it alot with 2 infant children, but she can drive standard just not sure if its practical.

Im curious about the transmission though. If I were to do simple bolt on's, (intake, catless dp, ect) with a HP tune say in the 21-25 lbs, how will the Auto's hold that power? I have seen numerous guys needing clutches with just bolt ons and an aggressive tune. While this tune wont be insane, im just looking for the most realiable power.

And also, im my 2.2 Cobalt, I have a HP tune not sure what perameter changed but I can down shift and rev match very nice with a blip of the throttle into the 2 lower gears (auto). It actually makes the car a blast especially with the B&M shift + on top of that, actually like having an auto, will the HHR SS auto transmission do anything like that with a tune?

 

Well, i can see things from your point of view...I had a 2006 cobalt with the 2.2l. it was a fun car, but by no means was it fast compared to my auto SS. stock the auto SS will do 0-60 around 7 or so seconds...with the tune you want it would be 5.8-6.0 seconds. the 2.2l cobalt is in the 9-10 second range. my auto SS has beaten the times of a 5 speed SS at our local track(I ran a best of 9.56, vs 9.69 for the 5 spd without lsd)... he has a trifecta tune, i have a superchips programmer. IMO the auto vs manual is very debatable, but the fact is, the fastest ones at the track are auto...there is not a big whp difference once you tune the auto. for example the GMTU puts both the 5spd and auto at 290 hpat the crank...at the wheels its probably only 10-15 hp difference.

Im sure some 5 spd guys will chime in though

OH and the auto comes with armrests...5 speed doesn't

 

And from a realiability stand point? which will hold up longer with torque in the mid 300's?

 

Personally, automatic all the way. Unless you plan on taking her to the track.

 

Both will have issues if you go too far with these.

GM limits the GMPD Turbo Upgrade to 315 FL LBS for the auto and 5 speed. the same kit in a stronger 5 speed in the Solstice is 340 FT LBS.

If you plan to go big on power you can get away with it if you are careful but the life of either tranny will fade the higher HP and torque you go. Both are old and both were at their limits with the SS.

You can improve both with aftermarket parts and make them more durable.

I have not seen any Auto failures in the SS auto but in the GTP guys would see them fail around 320 HP or more if they drove them hard for any period of time. I have seen many stock clutch failures and a couple cracked cases on the 5 speed.

This is not unlike many cars today where you if you improve the engne you will need to improve the rest of the drive line as they are not over built like in the old days.

I make a living off of Mustang guys on clutches and rear ends because they will not take the long term beatings. They work for a while but in time they will break.

 

Can you get rotated mounts for the auto trans to help with torque steer and wheel hop?

 

No, only motor mounts. TTR manufacture them. The mount will help with wheel hop.

 

Did any auto trans come with LSD? Ive seen a few videos of them online, but I think someone told me you cant get lsd in auto, not sure. I really dont want to be struggling with one stupid tire spinning while trying to accelerate.

 

Auto rocks...
Excellent DD , all year round.
I either got a good automatic, or maybe I've helped it last,
By reducing shift time, with HPTuners, + I use Castrol synthetic,
fluid.

 

No LSD, I can lay down a pair of black marks, big time...
See pic below.