Camaro struggling at low rpm - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

VoodooVyper · 08-18-2012, 12:35 AM

I have somewhat of a difficult to explain problem with my LFX. I first noticed this on a long road I travel frequently and ranging between 35-50 mph. When I reach about 38-40 mph, the engine at about 1000-1500 rpms just coasting. If I hit the gas slightly, the car will have difficulty accelerating and putters (for a lack of a better term). The car somewhat "shakes" and its very noticeable. This also happens around 22-25 mph. If I accelerate harder, it's fine, it always always happens when I accelerate slightly going on flat or uphill road from 38-42 mph.

The dealership said it was probably the way the v6 handles it. I have about 5k miles on the car now and have just started noticing this at about 4500 miles, and I've traveled these same scenarios when I first had the car. I added a CAI at about 500 miles and that's been fine (no catch can). Other than that, no other engine modifications have been installed (just an axle-back exhaust).

I ordered myself a ported throttle body in hopes that alleviates the problem. A friend of mine who is a mechanic said it could be a torque converter issue. Basically, I'm wondering if anyone with the LFX also experiences this issue?

11 Camaro IBM · 08-18-2012, 12:49 AM

It's the nature of the v6 it will be sluggish at low rpms and yes the portted throttle body will kill those dead spots I have my v6 with potted throttle body, potted intake manifold, obx headers, magnaflow red x pipe, vararam intake, rx manifold spacer, flowmaster axle back and trifecta tune. I have no dead spots and can easily spin in 1st or 2nd gear. Mod that baby up and the v6 won't even feel the same as boring stock.

SoCalCamaro93 · 08-18-2012, 12:55 AM

Yes, have the same problem

VoodooVyper · 08-18-2012, 01:05 AM

Thanks for the responses guys. The ported intake manifold was the next thing on my list, just wanted to make sure it was for the 2012. Can't get headers since the '12 doesn't have them. Do you have more info on the trifecta tune?

11 Camaro IBM · 08-18-2012, 01:34 AM

The tune was great made it much more smoother throughout the rpms increased throttle response got mind through bad news racing also the main issue is you need more low end torque. Also the tune is undetectable by the dealership it has been proven.

yoomoogoo · 08-18-2012, 09:16 AM

You may want to check out the "torque converter thread(s)" in the warranty forum. Sounds like this may be your issue. A number of owners have had the torque converter replaced with good results.

BrooklynBoy · 08-18-2012, 10:52 AM

This sound like a torque converter issue... My wife's LS had the same issues and FINALLY the dealer followed their Tech Bulletin, test drove it and disabled the lock-up feature of the converter (per there bulletin) during the test drive and the problem went away... Oh, by the way, it also happened around 5,000 miles... Replaced the converter and the car drove fine...

VoodooVyper · 08-18-2012, 02:50 PM

Thanks for the info about the torque converter. I will schedule an appointment for it this week before I put the PTB in.

Chevrolet Customer Svc · 08-22-2012, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VoodooVyper

I have somewhat of a difficult to explain problem with my LFX. I first noticed this on a long road I travel frequently and ranging between 35-50 mph. When I reach about 38-40 mph, the engine at about 1000-1500 rpms just coasting. If I hit the gas slightly, the car will have difficulty accelerating and putters (for a lack of a better term). The car somewhat "shakes" and its very noticeable. This also happens around 22-25 mph. If I accelerate harder, it's fine, it always always happens when I accelerate slightly going on flat or uphill road from 38-42 mph.

The dealership said it was probably the way the v6 handles it. I have about 5k miles on the car now and have just started noticing this at about 4500 miles, and I've traveled these same scenarios when I first had the car. I added a CAI at about 500 miles and that's been fine (no catch can). Other than that, no other engine modifications have been installed (just an axle-back exhaust).

I ordered myself a ported throttle body in hopes that alleviates the problem. A friend of mine who is a mechanic said it could be a torque converter issue. Basically, I'm wondering if anyone with the LFX also experiences this issue?

Please let us know how your appointment goes at the dealership.

Hoping for the best!

Brandon
Chevrolet Customer Service

mel0629 · 08-22-2012, 09:08 AM

My first camaro 2LS around 4500 miles started to do exactly what you described brought to the dealer couldn't figure it out brought to another dealer nothing wrong brought back to my dealer I drove with a tech and Bam Torque Converter, had the car for over a week. To me the car never felt the same.

08-18-2012, 12:35 AM	#1
VoodooVyper Drives: 2012 IBM Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: MA Posts: 275 View My Garage	Camaro struggling at low rpm I have somewhat of a difficult to explain problem with my LFX. I first noticed this on a long road I travel frequently and ranging between 35-50 mph. When I reach about 38-40 mph, the engine at about 1000-1500 rpms just coasting. If I hit the gas slightly, the car will have difficulty accelerating and putters (for a lack of a better term). The car somewhat "shakes" and its very noticeable. This also happens around 22-25 mph. If I accelerate harder, it's fine, it always always happens when I accelerate slightly going on flat or uphill road from 38-42 mph. The dealership said it was probably the way the v6 handles it. I have about 5k miles on the car now and have just started noticing this at about 4500 miles, and I've traveled these same scenarios when I first had the car. I added a CAI at about 500 miles and that's been fine (no catch can). Other than that, no other engine modifications have been installed (just an axle-back exhaust). I ordered myself a ported throttle body in hopes that alleviates the problem. A friend of mine who is a mechanic said it could be a torque converter issue. Basically, I'm wondering if anyone with the LFX also experiences this issue? __________________ 2012 Camaro IBM 1LT RS Auto 10/11/2011 (1102) 10/11/2011 (1100) 10/18/2011 (2000) 10/18/2011 (2500) 10/18/2011 (3000) TPW 11/7 10/29/2011 (3100,3300) 11/01/2011 (3400) 11/08/2011 (3800) 11/09/2011 (4B00) 11/14/2011 (4200) 11/18/2011 (4800) 11/21/2011 (5000)

08-18-2012, 12:55 AM	#3
SoCalCamaro93 Drives: 2016 2SS, 2011 RS (past) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: The Central Coast Posts: 909 View My Garage	Yes, have the same problem __________________ Past: 2011 RS, 2013 ZL1 Current: 2016 2SS

08-18-2012, 01:05 AM	#4
VoodooVyper Drives: 2012 IBM Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: MA Posts: 275 View My Garage	Thanks for the responses guys. The ported intake manifold was the next thing on my list, just wanted to make sure it was for the 2012. Can't get headers since the '12 doesn't have them. Do you have more info on the trifecta tune? __________________ 2012 Camaro IBM 1LT RS Auto 10/11/2011 (1102) 10/11/2011 (1100) 10/18/2011 (2000) 10/18/2011 (2500) 10/18/2011 (3000) TPW 11/7 10/29/2011 (3100,3300) 11/01/2011 (3400) 11/08/2011 (3800) 11/09/2011 (4B00) 11/14/2011 (4200) 11/18/2011 (4800) 11/21/2011 (5000)

08-18-2012, 02:50 PM	#8
VoodooVyper Drives: 2012 IBM Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: MA Posts: 275 View My Garage	Thanks for the info about the torque converter. I will schedule an appointment for it this week before I put the PTB in. __________________ 2012 Camaro IBM 1LT RS Auto 10/11/2011 (1102) 10/11/2011 (1100) 10/18/2011 (2000) 10/18/2011 (2500) 10/18/2011 (3000) TPW 11/7 10/29/2011 (3100,3300) 11/01/2011 (3400) 11/08/2011 (3800) 11/09/2011 (4B00) 11/14/2011 (4200) 11/18/2011 (4800) 11/21/2011 (5000)

08-18-2012, 12:49 AM	#2
11 Camaro IBM Drives: Camaro IBM Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tx Posts: 1,007 View My Garage	It's the nature of the v6 it will be sluggish at low rpms and yes the portted throttle body will kill those dead spots I have my v6 with potted throttle body, potted intake manifold, obx headers, magnaflow red x pipe, vararam intake, rx manifold spacer, flowmaster axle back and trifecta tune. I have no dead spots and can easily spin in 1st or 2nd gear. Mod that baby up and the v6 won't even feel the same as boring stock.

08-18-2012, 01:34 AM	#5
11 Camaro IBM Drives: Camaro IBM Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tx Posts: 1,007 View My Garage	The tune was great made it much more smoother throughout the rpms increased throttle response got mind through bad news racing also the main issue is you need more low end torque. Also the tune is undetectable by the dealership it has been proven.

08-18-2012, 09:16 AM	#6
yoomoogoo Drives: 2012 Summit White 2LT/RS Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 20	You may want to check out the "torque converter thread(s)" in the warranty forum. Sounds like this may be your issue. A number of owners have had the torque converter replaced with good results.

08-18-2012, 10:52 AM	#7
BrooklynBoy Drives: Victory Red LS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Senoia Georgia Posts: 6	This sound like a torque converter issue... My wife's LS had the same issues and FINALLY the dealer followed their Tech Bulletin, test drove it and disabled the lock-up feature of the converter (per there bulletin) during the test drive and the problem went away... Oh, by the way, it also happened around 5,000 miles... Replaced the converter and the car drove fine...

08-22-2012, 09:08 AM	#10
mel0629 Black Madness Drives: Black 2012 1LT/RS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Downingtown,Pa Posts: 116 View My Garage	My first camaro 2LS around 4500 miles started to do exactly what you described brought to the dealer couldn't figure it out brought to another dealer nothing wrong brought back to my dealer I drove with a tech and Bam Torque Converter, had the car for over a week. To me the car never felt the same.