What is the hp and torque rating of the
HHR SS M/T
and the HHR A/T
I have read the auto is less
why is that
different flash on computer or actual
different heads or cam or turbo etc
I am in the market for an HHR SS but it
has to be an auto for the wife to drive at times.

 

Different flash, get stg1 295 on the auto.

 

Its a bit old, but here's a FAQ on the SS, some of the figures changed over the 2008-2010 model years but it'll give you a lot of info.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/hhr-ss-45/2008-hhr-ss-frequently-asked-questions-9989/

The engines in the SS models outfitted with the 4T-45E Hydramatic are slightly de-tuned through the engine management system to allow the transmission to "live" longer.

**And as Sam has already pointed out, they can be tweaked up to an equal or better horsepower rating than the stock manual units, of course the same power adding goodies work on the 5-Speeds too.

 

thanks
I checked the link and it shows
Auto = 235 in 1st & 2nd 250 in 3rd &4th
Manual = 260
seems the computer brings in more hp in higher gears
at partial throttle in lower gears my 2.4 seems to be the same
when I bought it and got on the thruway for the first time I said uh oh am I going to be able to go fast enough but it seems to give more power in higher gears at partial throttle
accelerating from 60-whatever comes pretty quick partial throttle I was surprised

 

i've heard it dynos around 210-215 hp in 1st. but i am looking to get dyno'd one of these days to see what it is with and without my superchips cortex in all gears

 

For me, I love the auto. Has lots of power.

 

If your used to the 2,4 then the SS will feel like a Vette...

 

It is power managment systems in the car that limit the power.

Just get the GM Turbo Upgrade and it will not hurt your warranty and give you near 300 HP with the automatic and the 5 speed.

It is the best thing you can buy for the SS if it is under warranty.

The only real issue with it is to find a tech at the dealer that can properly install it. A few do no know how to crimp the wire connectors properly. There is a special Kent Moore tool to do it and I suspect some are not using it.

 

sub'd.

 

Well, there are a few more issues.

Take this with a grain of salt or a lump of coal, but if you want a nice driving fairly quick and sporty vehicle with decent utility the SS will work for you.

Just don't change a thing.

Once you get into more boost, especially at 290 hp whether it's with the gm upgrade or any tune, you start putting stress on some parts that really aren't meant to have that amount of stress.

Then you open a big door. First the GM upgrade. If you don't have problems with it today your either lucky, or the clock is ticking. With crate engine depots connectors you can get past the soldered wiring and crimping issues, but your still stressing out the parts.

The bottom sensor will hit the ac compressor which means you gotta either move the position of the sensor or move the intercooler up a few inches.

Then there is always the risk of a broken nipple, or cracks around the plastic intercooler connectors or the plastic piping itself.

To stop stuff moving around you'll need a turbotech top motor mount which isn't that expensive, but it's another cost.

From there it's specialty hardware like ZZP or Hahn, and if everything goes to plan and you constantly pull 22 to 24 lbs of boost then the auto trans or the 5 speed clutch start giving out, which means a rebuild trans and don't forget adding better half shafts that won't break.

Once you do all these parts your going to need some kind of custom tune so it doesn't throw a cel every ten minutes and the funny thing is you buy the gm upgrade to keep your warranty, but everything it takes to really make it right can end your warranty.

Now you can get by without doing any of these hardware/software changes but you'll spend a lot of time getting to know your gm repair dealer and on some things, like my new trans and the fuel pump GM was very good on, on other things like the bazillion little items I've replaced all came out of pocket.

So there you go, from a 14.9 second car that is reliable, to a mid 13 second car that requires about 5 grand to really do it right (5 grand is the minimum).

Then the area of customizing the car for looks come into play. They don't make many wheels for this car and the way the rear end box hangs down it's not easy to find big fat tires that will fit the car, especially with the 5 110 lug pattern.

Personally, I'm at a crossroads with this little car. It's a great driving car and a hoot to haul around in when it works, but it's also fragile if hustled hard and I'm never sure how long it's going to last. I've taken three short road trips with the hhr and twice had big mechanical failures.

I have a Trailblazer SS and you could probably drive that car to the moon and back without a problem. The HHR SS, once you start the mods, you better have your mechanic on speed dial.

IMO

BC


P.S. GM will always claim that the problem is the actuator or the turbo, but 9 times out of 10 it's something else. Read these pages and you'll see.