V1 Jim McDonald // Extended Track // '09 HHR SS/TC Automatic

[Torchandregdoc]

 

[Lonny]

We install that bracket in the opposite direction but it may not help on an HHR power steering unit. There is quite a bit of room to angle it up and may also be able to aim the drive motor toward the passenger side.

 

[Torchandregdoc]

Can I cut this off?

 

[Ark :D]

You're going to be cutting off the ring around it, anyway. Its only function is to lock the steering wheel while the key is not in the ignition, and the steering shaft won't be going through that hole anymore. I say, "cut 'er off".

 

[Torchandregdoc]

It looks like the PS Assy needs to rotate 48 degrees to put the motor horizontal. Would there be a benefit to having the motor clocked a little higher to give more leg room. The HHR PS motor is larger than that of the cobalt.

 

[Waterdriver]

You might be able to get away with it.
But it may be in the way getting in and out of the car.

 

[Torchandregdoc]

Thanks for the pics. Good info. The HHR PS motor is substantially larger than yours. Do you know if anything besides the ignition switch goes above the motor portion of the steering? Your motor sits horizontal, but I'm wondering if I can clock it 10 more degrees to clockwise and free up a little bit more leg room.

 

[Waterdriver]

Here's an early assembly pic showing the PS motor and ignition. If needed, it might be possible to move the ignition switch towards the driver some to help clear the PS motor.

 

[Torchandregdoc]

Are these for the engine hood?

 

[Karter2026]

Are these for the engine hood?View attachment 12263

Yes

 

[Torchandregdoc]

Got the motor back in today for, hopefully, the last test fit. Solid motor mounts installed and all fit with very little prying. There is an issue with the front solid mount that prevents the tank from being centered in the car. I hoped to put a fan cooled trany cooler off the left end of the fuel tank, but with this conflict there isn't enough room. Do you think I could cut the front edge of the solid motor mount off 1/2" to clear the tank and allow it to move to the center of the car? Strength wise.

 

[Lonny]

Yes, that could that boss could have been significantly shorter. I didn't consider the tank when I test fitted it.

Make sure when it is all finished and tightened up that you have at least 1/4 of an inch between the head of the bolt and the tank.

I will need to make that adjustment on the following ones.

 

[Torchandregdoc]

Quick fix. 3/8" off.

 

[Torchandregdoc]

Is there a reason why I shouldn't put my fuel tank as far right as possible? It will free up space on the left for a cooler and the fill neck and tank bung will line up better. Only downside I can see is that the turbo charge piping will just barely miss the tank.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Jim, far right or far left doesn't matter as the intake pipe will be close no matter where you position the tank - the 'notch' is straight across. Test fitting seems this space is equal no matter where the tank is positioned.

I plan on positioning my tank as far left as possible to take advantage of the space freed up on the far right for another fluid tank (heat exchanger spray).

BTW, make sure to clean out the inside of the fuel tank inlet hose. Mine has some kind of dried black substance in it that was coming off and would end up in the fuel tank and probably cause filter plugging problems later on.

 

[Lonny]

I think your tank will need to be modified to allow clearance for the silicone "U" bend. So depending on where you place your tank it will likely need to be modified where the boot lines up. The silicone boot was already close on the manual transmission goblins, but the automatics move it farther forward.

Also if you ever plan on running stock seat belts the tank will need to be centered. The belt retract mechanisms mount down low near the ends of the tank.

 

[Torchandregdoc]

View attachment 12279

I think your tank will need to be modified to allow clearance for the silicone "U" bend. So depending on where you place your tank it will likely need to be modified where the boot lines up. The silicone boot was already close on the manual transmission goblins, but the automatics move it farther forward.

Also if you ever plan on running stock seat belts the tank will need to be centered. The belt retract mechanisms mount down low near the ends of the tank.

Lonny, you and I talked about this tank notch even before I bought the car, but now that I finally have things sitting in place, it looks like the plumbing might work like this.

It will be close. I need to get a 180 and do a test fit before I decide on the tank position.

 

[Torchandregdoc]

Jim, far right or far left doesn't matter as the intake pipe will be close no matter where you position the tank - the 'notch' is straight across. Test fitting seems this space is equal no matter where the tank is positioned.

I plan on positioning my tank as far left as possible to take advantage of the space freed up on the far right for another fluid tank (heat exchanger spray).

BTW, make sure to clean out the inside of the fuel tank inlet hose. Mine has some kind of dried black substance in it that was coming off and would end up in the fuel tank and probably cause filter plugging problems later on.

Trying to find the space for all of the goodies is a problem in these things. Just did a search of spray systems and found "killer chiller". Now that is an incredible idea. I'm not sure an A/C compressor will fit though.

Right now, I'm just doing a very basic, "get it running" build, while trying to look ahead to the future. The future is hard to see right now. Pure craziness here in Vegas. Good news is, I've got a lot more time to work on the car.

 

[Torchandregdoc]

Well, it's been a while since I've posted in this thread so figured I should probably catch up a bit.

We are slowly knocking things off the list.

We mounted the seats. Corbeau LG1
We sqoze (is that a word? ) every bit of head room out of the mounting as we could. Still feel like you sit a little high in the car.

 

[JBINTX]

a little sound bite needs to accompany the first pic.........vrooom vrooom