I have seen a few here in Ohio that were pretty good but not cheap. I also have seen some that were rode hard and put away wet that also were not cheap. It is amazing some of the trashed out cars people will buy and not take the time to find a clean one.

Finding an SS in the future all stock will be more and more difficult. And to tell what the condition of the mods are will also be difficult to find out unless they are well documented.

 

I've never had a "motor" problem other than the fuel pump. I lost the transmission and had a load of problems with the crimped then soldered connectors, but replaced the complete wiring harness and the new crate engine depot connectors.

In fact I think the motor is the strongest part of this car.

The original poster was inquiring about a ss auto and everyone chimed in to get the upgrade.

All I was saying was to be careful, because another 60 hp isn't worth some of the problems that came with it.

Now with CED's connectors the upgrade is better with a lot less hassle, but raising the hp on this car does some strange stuff without a custom tune.

I've never owned a car that you couldn't go from a standing stop and floor it and not take off, tire spin or not.

The HHR SS with it's "torque management" turns the thing off then slams it back on, then off then on.

It's abrupt and not good for the driveline.

The only way I've found to get around it is to manually short shift before the torque management kicks in and then the car goes pretty good.

I did a lot of research before buying my ss, it was used but the carfax was clean, the previous owner took amazing care of it, even had two sets of floor matts to keep it clean. It looked like new, it even smelled new, so it was a good car and fun until I started messing with it.

But I'm not alone on the gmpd upgrade. These pages are full of issues and it's not just the connectors.

Chevrolet built this SS and the Cobalt to go after the pocket rockets of Mazda, Mitsubishi and Subaru and I also own an evo 8 with only 19,000 on the clock, but I can drive that car as hard as I want. It always starts, always runs always goes faster than stink. It's listed as only 275 hp but is geared low.

The real difference between it and the HHR SS is every part on the Evo 8 that matters is metal. intercooler, all the pipes, everything and it's built strong.

Now as a disclaimer I do love the HHR SS. I think it's kind of cool and with a few more upgrades I think will be stable. The used buy in cost is good because chevy cars don't hold their resale value that well and if apply that savings to a few upgrades you'll be good to go.

IMO

P.S. Mine is a 2008 and I believe the sweet spot of these cars is the 2009, cause they come with comp seats on both sides and I think GM did some different code for the transmission on the 09's.

 

Well...among all the people who have done the upgrade..very few have complained...law of averages...other then a known clearance problem with wiring mine has been trouble free
for over 3 years...highly doubtful if GM would offer an upgrade that would cost them money in warrenty work...so...with that said, there will always be a few that have problems..no matter what the make model or mod.....but the vast majority are happily enjoying the mod and wouldnr have it any other way......just saying..

 

That is my point too. There are a few who had issues but for the most the majority have been trouble free.

The real issues are normally traced back to the tech who installed it. It seems some can crimp and some can't. Just think about that the next time they have to replace an air bag and the same guy is using the crimps and did not bother to get the correct tool to do it.

I agree as a whole the factory delivered SS has been as trouble free as most cars. I have seen as many issues with other makes and models too.

As for the first gear issues my only issue is the lack of traction. FWD sucks for traction from a powerful engine.

 

Yup..sure wish it were RWD!! Sure do miss sliding around corners...

 

Thanks again for all the info
It seems like the majority of the ss's I found for sale where manuals
Probably 75 percent that's why I was assuming that there more of them made.

 

Andy
I just noticed that in an earlier post you said you went a best of 15.1 stock with the auto
And you said you ran a 14.1 with the GMTU Gm turbo Upgrade?
Any other mods or did that mod pick you up a whole second?
How much did the boost go up

 

OK
anyone run there auto ss in the quarter or 1/8 with just the gmtu?

I am thinking low 14's??

 

Me, but I got a few bolt ons too.

8.84 for the 1/8 I think that puts it in the high 13's

 

My first SS was an 09 auto. GMTU only. Best time I could get was 9.34 in the 1/8 with no tire spin. That is all it had.