Supercharging a 2.4L Ecotec Chevy HHR

In this video info through what it took to put a complete LSJ Eaton M62 supercharger and belt drive setup on a 2.4L HHR.

[@Corinator]

Just wanted to extend a sincere thank you for making this video. I just got done supercharging my 2008 HHR LT and your video definitely made things a lot easier. I probably added 30+ views because of how many times I would reference the way you did certain things.

[@josephcarlson1774]

I'm glad I could be of help! That's exactly why I made this video, I couldn't find any real info on doing the swap and figured I might as well record it if I'm going to do it.

[@drkeIpo]

Hey did you ever put a special tune on your car? I’m doing the same thing lol

[@josephcarlson1774]

@@drkeIpo yes I did. I used HP tuners to tune the ECM with some help from ZZP

[@kevinmartin5120]

Automatic or manual?

[@josephcarlson1774]

@@kevinmartin5120 manual

[@Fenrirsen]

Glad you are doing this now rather than 8-10 years ago, hard to find modern HHR modification videos/forums. Are you able to make a list of all the parts and kits used?

[@josephcarlson1774]

I kind of touched on most of it in the video, but Im going to make a video just going through all the specific parts I used in the swap.

[@br9760]

Go on Facebook for groups.

[@kylekearns4052]

@@josephcarlson1774 Did you have any codes after the install? I've just finished my 2.4L cobalt and throwing a p0122, p0222, p0223 codes and don't know where to go next pretty much all the parts put on are new, Did the LSJ LS4 Throttle body and adapter you mentioned.(ported S/C and ZZP tuned PCM/ECM) The adapter does not clip to the LS4 Throttle body, do you think that could be the issue? Also with the I/C pump i have it wired to the fuel pump fuse as per becks guide(Seems to be working but I will flow test next)

[@josephcarlson1774]

@@kylekearns4052 all of those codes are for the throttle body. Did you use the ZZP adapter harness for the LE5 harness to the LSJ/LS4 throttle body? If you don't run the adapter harness you'll have to get the correct plug and rewire your harness. But the adapter harness is pretty cheap.

[@kylekearns8048]

@@josephcarlson1774 Thanks for the quick reply(faster than zzp hah) yes I bought the 8pin to 8 pin throttle body adapter and a brand new LS4 throttle body from rock auto (the pin adapter won’t click fully onto the throttle body unless I’m not pushing hard enough, will try to make it so it can go fully on, about 1/8” of space in between.

[@ExtraFungus]

A good watch, I enjoyed it and I'm jealous of your shop. You need to stop using worm drive clamps for your radiator hoses though. Go back to the OEM constant pressure clamps and buy the pliers for them.

[@VencedorGamer]

Most of the people I know putting in an intercooler, went with a HHR SS front bumper, because it's made to fit the stock intercooler.

[@trickheaddd]

It’s funny I’ve had my hhr for over 10 years I just hit 124k and I bought a brand new 2020 grand Cherokee altitude in Dec of 20 but I started driving the hhr back n forth from NY to SC and I’ve been wanting to do something like this for my HHR because it’s been really good to me for all of these years . So now I’m starting to return the favor I’ve fixed a few things and cleaned everything up took the valve cover off replaced gaskets cleaned motor did a tuneup and fluids . I know what I have and I’m getting more comfortable working on it so I’m trying to make it fun to drive now . I was going to buy a 2009 SS before I bought mine but it had a leaking sunroof and the dealership would not put in writing that they would fix it if I bought the car and take responsibility . This was back in 2011 they wanted $13500 and I walked in with cash ready to buy it but. I wasn’t going to deal with a leaking sunroof . So I bought my 2006 LT that had 50k on it at the time for $9000 and it seemed like a lot but almost 13 years later the thing is still running like a champ back and forth to NY to SC every other week and just hit 124k on my last trip up north . This video is def inspiration . Thanks

[@projectjwoo]

Hey its J Woo your matching wheel twin from HHR group.. enjoyed the video man! love it

[@oldblueshhrchannel1847]

Nice work! Thanks for sharing your time!

[@ezraredgwell]

I’ve got a 2012 Chevy equinox with the 2.4 I’m planing on doing this since it’s the same engine

[@modoc2002]

Hey could you do a full tutorial install on what parts to buy and how to install for beginners?

[@jamesdunne2862]

i want my hhr to look like yours....looks great...if i dont fix my car i will wind up taking the bus

[@KrOnIc343]

It's funny I have an hhr I wanna supercharge & I will also be wearing OCPs after air force bmt. I found that a pretty cool coincidence!

[@chadoliver2966]

Joseph you should get the zzp stage 1 intercooler pump. I guess it flows more coolant and gives you lower Iat"s especially since you are going to drop to the 2.6 pulley.

[@mistardoyle3042]

I had a 2014 equinox with the 2.4 I wanted to supercharge but got a tacoma instead

[@joshwebb3436]

I have been driving my HHR for 400,000 miles. I'm curious how much did you spend on parts to do the supercharger?

[@josephcarlson1774]

I need to do a cost break down video, but since I bought a complete car to part out, I actually made money on the whole deal while supercharging my car.

[@jared5021]

So you installed this on an engine that has 215K on it? I've been considering this type of project and have been looking for a low mileage car to start with. Maybe I don't have to be so picky? The 2.4L stick cars seem to be pretty rare.

[@orangecrushz28]

Wish i could do this love my hhr

[@cliffweatherbee6914]

1st! Lol Great work! How does your mileage differ? Is it a good daily still?

[@josephcarlson1774]

When driving it normal, it feels like a completely stock car. If I would keep my foot out of it, I think it would get the same MPG's as before, but even driving it hard I've only seen a 2mpg drop.

[@jurkjaredgamez8392]

How reliable had yours been, I have the 4 speed so I don't get great acceleration, but it's fast enough. A super charger would be sick. If you could get back to me that would be great.

[@josephcarlson1774]

@@jurkjaredgamez8392 it's been very reliable so far. It drives like it stock when not in the throttle, and the mid range torque is awesome. Being it's all GM parts I really don't foresee any issues down the road.

[@jurkjaredgamez8392]

@@josephcarlson1774 thanks

[@chaosangelx13]

I wanna supercharge my 2009 chevy malibu 2.4 ecotec, I already have longtube manifolds, would this year and model need forged internals?

[@josephcarlson1774]

Not if you keep the boost fairly conservative. A stock or slightly smaller than stock pulley and it'll be fine.

[@chaosangelx13]

Did you have yours tuned at the time in the video?

[@josephcarlson1774]

@@chaosangelx13 Yes I did. It won't run if it is not calibrated for the new Map sensor to read positive pressure(boost).

[@trickheaddd]

I see a cobalt supercharger on eBay for a good price I have a 2006 hhr 2.4 so that will work it doesn’t need to be the 2.0L and full motor swap ?

[@OGSHAKER2020]

Hey bud... Joe you been? Just wondering why you didn't swap the whole LSJ parts car into your HHR.. only askn cuz I came up with a complete LSJ ..not sure if I'm do this conversion that I love the way you covered it ...or if imma swap the whole block ... (would I have any issues doing so? If you know, & I can still use my PCM?? Thanks again buddy 👍👍

[@irvingcorona562]

I'm curious did you get a tune first or did you install all the parts and run the car that way with out a tune

[@josephcarlson1774]

Have to get a tune before first start up. The ecu cannot control the bigger injectors and MAP sensor on the stock tune.

[@andrewandrewski943]

What's the exhaust you got on it? Sounds really nice i like the rasp on startup xD i have a Pontiac g5 with the 2.4 but its an 06 with forged rods and i happen to have a full lsj car to part out so im supercharging after winter :)

[@amydaudier3327]

Question on this video 11:00 mins ur explaining the 4pins now on the original harness the map sensors wires u added to the pigtail which colors correspond with the colors of the pigtail??

[@OGSHAKER2020]

New sub & what bad ass video you made.. I mean you broke it down to all you could... just got my hhr. But she's a manual.. id love to do this swap sounds awesome... will you be around lol .. if end up with some questions 🤔 during the swap. ? ALSO like I said just got her but how hard would it be to convert her to manual.. is it even possible.. I also have the 2.4 2LT 06 fully loaded ... auto though fuuukkkk! Any thoughts much appreciated bud... but either way that was & is a bad ass swap you did.. you still have her.. I gotta check your other vidz ✊

[@josephcarlson1774]

I don't have any knowledge on manual swapping these cars, but the auto should hold all the power the supercharger can throw at it. It's the same auto trans they used in the turbocharged SS HHR's.

[@OGSHAKER2020]

@@josephcarlson1774 yessir thats good to know .. I definitely need to do more research but thats good to know for sure.. does the 2.2 have same trans that you are aware of.. ? HOW MUCH DID YOU PURCHASE YOUR DONOR CAR FOR? THINK IT WAS YOUR VID TOO , DID YOU SWAP YOUR REAR AXLE FOR THE DISC BREAK SET UP .. THATS THE VIDEO I FIRST STARTED ON THE OTHER DAY LOL 😆.. done got me started 🤣 now haaaaa. Thx bud much appreciate your swap vid million times over 👍 👌 👏 ✊

[@ryob3254]

Not to take Jospeh’s glory or any thing but I supercharged my 2.4l auto hhr around the same time as he did coincidentally lol. @joseph you know I’m not about gate keeping lol. 2.8” pulley, 80# injectors, 75 shot of nitrous, stage 3 hey exchange and all sorts of misc stuff on mine.

[@jamesdunne2862]

went to chevy and they scolded mwe ..i shouldnt ever fix my own car i need a person like yourself to help me fix it

[@aljohame]

What I know about 2.4l it's has too weak timing chain guides .. how did you make them hold that ?

[@josephcarlson1774]

The 06 and early 07 2.4L's don't have the timing chain issue, mine are all original with 216k miles on it. Also the timing chain doesn't take any more added stress with boost.

[@aljohame]

@@josephcarlson1774 thank you pro🙋🏻‍♂️

[@FortyTwoAnswerToEverything]

do the automatics hold up well to the supercharger? Thinking of getting an auto HHR.

[@josephcarlson1774]

The factory automatic SS HHR's have the same transmission, so it shouldn't be an issue.

[@jamesdunne2862]

do live near staten island..wondering if you can look at my hhr...

[@josephcarlson1774]

I do not, I live in Arkansas

[@braydenlemley8020]

So I’ve got a 2.4L lancer could I use the is supercharger on my car?

[@josephcarlson1774]

No. It's GM Ecotec specific.

[@amenokansai1697]

will this supercharger also work woth the 2008 hhr 2.2L?

[@josephcarlson1774]

Yes

[@amenokansai1697]

@@josephcarlson1774. before u put the whipple in there was the engine all stock? just curious coz i dont wan a blow my motor lol and is the same stock auto transmission gonna do just fine if i were to put the whipple?

[@josephcarlson1774]

@@amenokansai1697 my engine is all stock, but the early 2.4L like mine, have factory forged internals. But your stock 2.2 will be fine on a stock pulley.

[@OGSHAKER2020]

Dang so you have 215k & she can still handle it..like a champ 🏆 💪 😎?

[@VencedorGamer]

Joseph Carlson, did you have to do anything to the ECU and TCM (transmission control), after adding the supercharger?

[@josephcarlson1774]

Yes. I used HPtuners to tune the ECM, but I have a 5spd manual, so I don't have a TCM.

[@VencedorGamer]

@@josephcarlson1774 ahh okay, I didn't know.

[@chadoliver2966]

Joseph how do you find the ls4 tb and did you have any issues getting the scalers correct?

[@josephcarlson1774]

Salvage yards are full of 4.2L 6cyl trailblazers, and ZZP actually tells you what to change in the tune if you look up the LS4 TB on their website.

[@chadoliver2966]

Awesome! Tks Man. Yeah I actually picked up a used ls4 tb off of a H3 Hummer aka same as the 4.2 trail blazer. I also picked up a ported stage 2 supercharger and I'm going to get a 3 inch zzp cold air intake

[@michaelmilligan7291]

Im looking do this to mine how much did you put into it

[@Lucky_Logan]

I actually just wanna buy another HHR and drop the LS4 and slap a big turbski on it

[@josephcarlson1774]

I have the same plan. I have a panel I picked up for $400 with a bad timing chain, just waiting for a decent deal on an LS4 setup.

[@RC_BASSBOY]

I have the complete setup from a 06 Chevy Cobalt SS and wanting to install it on my 2011 Chevy Malibu 2.4l ecotec would it work fine ?? I heard the 2.4's have higher compression than the 2.0l would I have any issues if I install the supercharger ?? And can I run it with out a tune for a while ?? THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

[@josephcarlson1774]

It should work fine, it has the same LE5 2.4L my HHR has, but you can't run it without a tune.

[@RC_BASSBOY]

Ok I have a extra ECU that I can probably get re-programmed and have a tune on it and not mess with my stock ECU for smogging purposes (The life of California)🤦‍♂️ lol

[@josephcarlson1774]

@@RC_BASSBOY I would talk with ZZPerformance, they've helped with all of my tuning.

[@OGSHAKER2020]

@@josephcarlson1774 hey the 2006 HHR we have , have the forged internals . Like you said .. does the 2011 have the same .. or just our years correct ? 🤔but they can still handle? Thx bud

[@josephcarlson1774]

@@OGSHAKER2020 only the 06 and very early 07's had the forged internals. They over built them for the 2.4's debut in 06, then made them cheaper like the 2.2 Ecotec after that.

[@cameronalford4506]

Can I do this for a ‘12 Malibu flex-fuel?

[@josephcarlson1774]

I don't see why not, if it's the same LE5 2.4L it should all work the same as long as there is room in the engine bay.

[@sunnyallen3587]

I need your help I think the map sensor on mine is messing up should watch this first I brought the whole zzp setup from the tune to the supercharger kit and my car won't stay running saying engine power reduced

[@josephcarlson1774]

Is it throwing any codes?

[@sunnyallen3587]

@@josephcarlson1774 I will let you know today

[@bjdizz1667]

What was the tuning process like?

[@josephcarlson1774]

I have HP tuners, so it was a simple as emailing a tune file back and forth with ZZP, and loading it the computer.

[@3dcave692]

Are you running the f23 Trans? Or f35

[@josephcarlson1774]

The factory F23

[@3dcave692]

@@josephcarlson1774 that's what I assumed. I'm picking up a 06 hhr tomorrow and already doing research. Found a set of wiseco turbo pistons 8.8 and lsj cobalt for parts to get started

[@alexmiller774]

I need help with my car hhr 2008

[@josephcarlson1774]

What do you have going on?

[@Alexthekiller39]

what clutch are you running?

[@josephcarlson1774]

Stock 216k mile clutch but I have a new flywheel and Excedy clutch to put in it soon.

[@jtmlucas]

still, running stock internals?

[@josephcarlson1774]

Yes. Stock internals with 216k on the clock. The '06 and early '07 2.4L engines were built very robust with factory forged internals.

[@jtmlucas]

@@josephcarlson1774 awesome been told there crap by some people and others say there good but none have done it

[@evilbassist]

Does this need a tune

[@josephcarlson1774]

Yes it needs a custom tune. I have HP tuners but I also used ZZP to help with mine.

[@gabrielwalker7361]

did u even tune it

[@josephcarlson1774]

Yes it needs a custom tune. I have HP tuners but I also used ZZP to help with mine

[@davidleister6050]

put the damned cat back on