Quote:
Originally Posted by 2KZ28_For_Now
Soooo....with the L99 we get an "Eco" engine thats only rated about -20 HP over the regular LS3. And, we get an auto with "optimized" shift points that BEATS that same engine by a 10/th or so in 1/4 mile times. And, we will get BETTER economy for those that will drive it daily, and not look for the next "Stang to beat." : -p
For those that ALREADY drive an auto --- would you be willing to learn a manual, and get that extra 20 HP, and be more open to the modifications that can take it to 500+ HP?
Yes, the manual is more "fun," and it takes a steady discipline to get the rev-matches and "short-shifting" right. And, the manual LS3 WILL eventually beat the "projected" automatic times in the end, with a great driver.
But until then, if the PRICE is equal, or LESS than the LS3 manual, is it worth getting the "guzzler" over the "green V8?"
I am sincerely torn over the options Chevy have given me.
I guess it boils down to: Can the L99 be modified, while retaining the AFM features, to meet the LS3 mods?
I've been saying for a long time - that while I'd prefer to finally own and learn a stick - if the auto can hang with the "mods," why bother with a stick???????
Please, let's not get into a "automatic is for poozies" discussion -- I've been there. Let's discuss the fuel savings, the performance, and the "mod-friendly" factors.
I'm still leaning towards the manual LS3. But, I need some discussion that legitimately talks me OUT of the L99 Auto.
What do you die-hard gear-heads have to say? :seesaw:
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2KZ28_For_Now,
Thankyou for starting this thread, it’s been one of my favorites as I too go back and forth over the choice of Auto vs. Manual.
I am not a frequent poster unlike most of you, but I see a lot of good discussion has been had, including how to have your cake and eat it too (ie. Have the benefits of the Auto, and the fun shifting it, the improved mileage of AFM and perhaps the ability to add some useable modifications.
Although my previous Camaro was a manual, as was both of my corvettes, for this time around, I’m leaning towards the Auto. Call me old, but I drive 35 miles highway to work, built in the DC area, itsoften with traffic, plus the wife wants to drive it as well, and makes buying it an easier sell if she can take it for a spin once and a while.
I encourage more people to discuss what they have seen in emerging performance parts and tips for the L99 as well as tweaking the paddle shifting auto trans. With the AFM impact on making this a freer revving motor, there may be limits on extending the Power band beyond say 500 rpms (talking power band here, not necessarily redline), so I’d also like to hear which aftermarket forced induction makers are experimenting with force feeding this motor. I saw a lot of good discussion of the possibility of the motor reverting to economy 4 cylinder mode while still in boost, which I see as a valid concern, but I also see that with computer programming this might be avoidable. Also, is the stock compression usable for say 5 - 8lbs boost?
Although outside the scope of this thread, I am surprised that the G8 seems to get slightly better EPA on the highway with its version of the AFM motor and Automatic despite having an approximate 200 lb weight penalty...go figure.
I notice the manual version has slightly taller gears (1.96/1 overall vs. 2.19/1) which should help its highway mileage. I would have liked the Auto to have similar taller gearing, built I suspect that turning the engine that slow while in 4 cylinder mode might create a drivability issue (who knows).
Anyone care to weigh in on what aftermarket providers are likely to be working on components for the Camaro?
Especially those that would help the Auto version with AFM to be more of a all around winner?