Team Whale + Parts Panda

Team Whale + Parts Panda A "Fast Car" does not make a "Fast Driver!" I have been autocrossing with the Delta Region of the SCCA since 2000 in my 1997 Camaro Z-28. Toe set to zero.

I became a board member of the Delta Region in 2011/12 and was trying to come up with a way to motivate drivers. I decided to compete in my daily driver 2006 HHR LS. The twist was I was going to keep score of every car that was slower than me on one of the windows, like a WWII fighter pilot score. After the first 2 events it kinda snowballed the HHR got the nickname "The Blue Whale" and the score/

kills became known as the "window of slow drivers"

The Blue Whale "WAS" a 2006 Chevrolet HHR LS 2.2 w/ auto trans. Engine:
ALL STOCK with 5w -40 Amsoil

Suspension:
shocks Koni yellow frt and rr, springs front HHR SS (FE5) springs, added a poly bushing to the front bar lined with UHMW to keep the bar from squeaking, OTTP 1.25" rear bar, OTTP spherical and delrin front control arm bushings, 1 set of camber bolts set full -1.75 camber. Brakes:
Front brakes: upgraded to SS Brembo caliper and rotors

Rear brakes: converted from Drum to SS rear disc

Wheels and Tires:

Daily
18x7.5 SS wheels with Continental extremecontact Sports 225/45-18

RACE -
16x6.5 Steel wheel w/ Hankook RS2 V1 225/50-16

I picked up a 2011 Panel in 2018 to become the new Daily. Sadly the Blue Whale was decommissioned and Sold. All the parts were removed and put onto the Panel.

Picked up a hood for the Parts Panda. Big THANKS goes to Minh Trinh aka son for helping me.
09/05/2025

Picked up a hood for the Parts Panda. Big THANKS goes to Minh Trinh aka son for helping me.

Finally found a 2011 ice white rear bumper cover. I had a friend (Gerry) repaint it for me.
09/10/2023

Finally found a 2011 ice white rear bumper cover. I had a friend (Gerry) repaint it for me.

Added to Team Whale today.Cousin Oliver aka Parts Panda was at Gunn Chevrolet in Selma, TX. I found it online and the ca...
04/15/2022

Added to Team Whale today.
Cousin Oliver aka Parts Panda was at Gunn Chevrolet in Selma, TX. I found it online and the carfax showed 1 owner (Texas Motor Vehicle Dept.) 2011 HHR LS Panel with only 15143 miles. About a month ago, I picked up a 85% complete supercharger off a 2006 Cobalt at my local pull-a-part. The original plan was to put it on the Blue Whale. But in 2006 the computer can only be tuned by Trifecta. Looking at a bunch of reviews online. I have not heard very positive things about them. Mostly Hit and Miss. The more popular HPtuners can tune 2007 to 2011 computers. Also the Whale has 121K+ on the engine and transmission. These were the main factors of me making the purchase.

ZZP didn't have instruction for the install. But it's pretty Easy. You are disconnecting the stock fuel line and adding ...
04/10/2022

ZZP didn't have instruction for the install. But it's pretty Easy. You are disconnecting the stock fuel line and adding in the ZZP fuel filter. Her's my install

03/27/2022
All the modifications that are on Cindy my 2008 SS auto.3M Clear Bra, Gutted 2nd cat, K&N Cold air intake, ZZP increased...
12/02/2021

All the modifications that are on Cindy my 2008 SS auto.

3M Clear Bra, Gutted 2nd cat, K&N Cold air intake, ZZP increased clearance intercooler, Clear Image charge pipes, GM Performance front seats, Brembo front brakes, SS wheels powdered coated gloss black w/ Bridgestone RE71 (25/45-18), Koni Yellow front and rear socks, Front HHR FE5 spring w/ 1/2 turn cut off, Rear Cobalt FE5 spring, 25mm front GM bar, 32mm OTTP rear bar, Powell v3 oil separator & Mad Scientist Performance (Kendall Kovatch) Tune. AND b/c I'm a "belt and suspenders" kinda guy. I also picked up a Colgan Custom front bra & mirror covers for the long road trips. The original motor developed a porous block. LNF motor was swapped for LDK, OTTP engine and transmission mounts, ZZP external fuel filter.

That's All folks.

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Metairie, LA

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