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Old 04-11-2012, 08:06 PM   #1
FaytalsCamaro
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I need a some outside advice!

So I currently own a 2011 Camaro RS LT, and soon may be given the opportunity to upgrade to an SS. My current Camaro is an automatic and im SERIOUSLY contemplating going with a LS3 instead of the L99. Reasons being the urge for modding and the "belief" that i would have fun driving a manual.

By modding i mean light mods, like CAI, and exhaust stuff. I know i could mod a L99 but the thought of having to get a Tune just to get rid of the annoying AFM discourages me because i don't want to kill the warranty right away. Problem is i've never owned a manual car. And Im wondering if my first manual should be one of my dream cars. I was taught mildly for a couple of days by a good friend but that was almost 7-8 years ago.

Where I live I wouldn't really call heavy with stop and go traffic. We have stoplights each a mile away from another. I say this bc i hear thats one of the downsides to a manual. So i guess what im trying to get to is; Is if you were in my position would you take the dive and get the LS3 and learn (or relearn) on it how to drive stick? OR be safe and go with the L99
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Old 04-11-2012, 08:09 PM   #2
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You can drive a stick. The directions are right on the console or the knob...millions of people do it successfully on a daily basis!!...lol
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Old 04-11-2012, 08:27 PM   #3
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Great choice on going with the LS3. However I would recommend you to rent a car with a manual transmission or borrow a friends car and "train" a little to get the flow going again.
It can't hurt and at least you will regain your confidence in driving a manual
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Old 04-11-2012, 08:29 PM   #4
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Since u dont have alot of traffic get the manual and these cars arent that hard to learn to drive in and have a soft clutch.
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Old 04-11-2012, 08:31 PM   #5
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Get the M6 and don't look back. They are alot of fun to drive.

Just budget for a shifter replacement. I couldn't stand the factory shifter knob. Felt like I was shifting with a softball.
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Old 04-11-2012, 08:33 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FaytalsCamaro View Post
So I currently own a 2011 Camaro RS LT, and soon may be given the opportunity to upgrade to an SS. My current Camaro is an automatic and im SERIOUSLY contemplating going with a LS3 instead of the L99. Reasons being the urge for modding and the "belief" that i would have fun driving a manual.

By modding i mean light mods, like CAI, and exhaust stuff. I know i could mod a L99 but the thought of having to get a Tune just to get rid of the annoying AFM discourages me because i don't want to kill the warranty right away. Problem is i've never owned a manual car. And Im wondering if my first manual should be one of my dream cars. I was taught mildly for a couple of days by a good friend but that was almost 7-8 years ago.

Where I live I wouldn't really call heavy with stop and go traffic. We have stoplights each a mile away from another. I say this bc i hear thats one of the downsides to a manual. So i guess what im trying to get to is; Is if you were in my position would you take the dive and get the LS3 and learn (or relearn) on it how to drive stick? OR be safe and go with the L99
Test drive a stick. Ask to take it on a route you're worried about...See for yourself.
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Old 04-11-2012, 09:00 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FaytalsCamaro View Post
So I currently own a 2011 Camaro RS LT, and soon may be given the opportunity to upgrade to an SS. My current Camaro is an automatic and im SERIOUSLY contemplating going with a LS3 instead of the L99. Reasons being the urge for modding and the "belief" that i would have fun driving a manual.

By modding i mean light mods, like CAI, and exhaust stuff. I know i could mod a L99 but the thought of having to get a Tune just to get rid of the annoying AFM discourages me because i don't want to kill the warranty right away. Problem is i've never owned a manual car. And Im wondering if my first manual should be one of my dream cars. I was taught mildly for a couple of days by a good friend but that was almost 7-8 years ago.

Where I live I wouldn't really call heavy with stop and go traffic. We have stoplights each a mile away from another. I say this bc i hear thats one of the downsides to a manual. So i guess what im trying to get to is; Is if you were in my position would you take the dive and get the LS3 and learn (or relearn) on it how to drive stick? OR be safe and go with the L99
Based soley on the assumption......that safety come's first and you seem unsure............the L99 should do it.
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Old 04-11-2012, 09:04 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FaytalsCamaro View Post
So I currently own a 2011 Camaro RS LT, and soon may be given the opportunity to upgrade to an SS. My current Camaro is an automatic and im SERIOUSLY contemplating going with a LS3 instead of the L99. Reasons being the urge for modding and the "belief" that i would have fun driving a manual.

By modding i mean light mods, like CAI, and exhaust stuff. I know i could mod a L99 but the thought of having to get a Tune just to get rid of the annoying AFM discourages me because i don't want to kill the warranty right away. Problem is i've never owned a manual car. And Im wondering if my first manual should be one of my dream cars. I was taught mildly for a couple of days by a good friend but that was almost 7-8 years ago.

Where I live I wouldn't really call heavy with stop and go traffic. We have stoplights each a mile away from another. I say this bc i hear thats one of the downsides to a manual. So i guess what im trying to get to is; Is if you were in my position would you take the dive and get the LS3 and learn (or relearn) on it how to drive stick? OR be safe and go with the L99
Driving a stick is like riding a bike - easy to remember. Get the stick.
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Old 04-11-2012, 09:12 PM   #9
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i was in the exact same mind set. haven't driven stick but really wanted to upgrade from LT to SS but due to the crappy trade-in value of these cars i would've been upside down so no go :( maybe in a couple years
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Old 04-11-2012, 09:23 PM   #10
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I have a lt m6 and I wouldn't have it any other way. Even if I had an SS I would still get a M6. Where I live I don't start and stop much and perfer driving a manual over an automatic.
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Old 04-11-2012, 11:11 PM   #11
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I used to drive a '56 Chevy BelAir, 300hp/327, with standard trans in San Francisco. Hills and traffic kept you busy, but I wouldn't have traded to an auto for anything. Older now and I've gotten lazy, but the most fun is doing it yourself.
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Old 04-11-2012, 11:50 PM   #12
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If your planning on serious mods, the LS3 is the "Easiest" place to start. I say that because if you get really serious with the L99, you really need to do the valvetrain conversion which is a decent expense just to get to the level of reliability of the LS3.

The LS3 is supposed to be a bit stouter on the bottom end. I think this would only come into play if you plan on racing your car hard. For a street car, I think both cracks are more then up to the challange.

Personally, I think it comes down to if you want to shift all the time or not. I did not want to have to shift all the time and love the choice I made with the L99.

The L99 is also more efficent putting the power to the ground and is much more forgiving to the drivetrain behind the engine, especially axles then the LS3 but if your modding heavy, you will probably upgrade these anyway.

Simply put, both engines can be modded to produce scary power, it really comes down to personal preference about the manual shifting or just sitting back and enjoying the ride.
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Old 04-12-2012, 12:05 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fiftydriver View Post
If your planning on serious mods, the LS3 is the "Easiest" place to start. I say that because if you get really serious with the L99, you really need to do the valvetrain conversion which is a decent expense just to get to the level of reliability of the LS3.

The LS3 is supposed to be a bit stouter on the bottom end. I think this would only come into play if you plan on racing your car hard. For a street car, I think both cracks are more then up to the challange.

Personally, I think it comes down to if you want to shift all the time or not. I did not want to have to shift all the time and love the choice I made with the L99.

The L99 is also more efficent putting the power to the ground and is much more forgiving to the drivetrain behind the engine, especially axles then the LS3 but if your modding heavy, you will probably upgrade these anyway.

Simply put, both engines can be modded to produce scary power, it really comes down to personal preference about the manual shifting or just sitting back and enjoying the ride.
All very good points you should consider, OP.

Shifting your own gears is enormous fun....when you're in the mood for it and traffic doesn't get in your way.

That said, I love to be able to just sit back, relax, and cruise. Then, simply mash the gas and I'm gone
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Old 04-12-2012, 12:14 AM   #14
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Get the M6. They are easy to learn on and not as bad as they are made out to be in daily traffic. Been driving a manual camaro daily for 11 years and would never go back. They are LOTS of fun!
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