2015 SS/L99 DD questions

[roundtracker]

Hi there, I'm new to Camaros but not new to cars and hot rodding. I read and hear about AFM problems on otherwise bulletproof LS engines.....so....



I have a few questions about my latest purchase. The '15 2SS A6 will be a family member's daily driver. 31K miles. It has sat most of the time over the last 2 years. It's at the body shop getting small things repaired right now, I'll get it back this week.



On my list right now are changing all possible fluids, new tires, new battery, check brakes, purge old brake fluid, etc. I'm taking it to get a tune also.....but it will most likely be a de-tune and turning the 4 cylinder mode off in the process. I may dig into a LS2 conversion at some point, but not right now.



What are the warning signs on any AFM and lifter/cam problems?


Are there any other known issues I should address before I hand the car over to a new driver that won't have an ear for said "issues"?



I have a '24 Suburban also and hate the autostop/AFM....but I don't want to kill the warranty. I've seen the modules that deactivate that.....I'm trying to confirm whether those will trigger warranty probs.


Any input will be appreciated!

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

You can disable the afm by using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel with the transmission shifter in M mode. Failures seem to be mostly on engines that don’t maintain clean oil but are certainly not limited to this. It’ll sound like a collapsed lifter if you have a failure. It’s normally for them to rattle for a second or two is normal.

[myold88]

Never a problem or negative sound out of my early '10 L99 SS. The ones who bad mouth that engine are usually the ones that don't own one. The week I got my Camaro I replaced the exhaust with the Solo Axle Back Exhaust. No drone ever. Keep the oil changed and you will be fine imo.

[roundtracker]

Thanks for the input! I'm doing some research on oil now. Wide and varied opinions on that, I'll be reading for a while.

[TheBrightSide]

I know for GMC Sierra's and Chevy Silverado's (and maybe other GM vehicles), I saw an OBD II device by Range Technology, which electronically disables the AFM/DFM (DOD) system. Apparently, it's a device that you can pull and plug whenever, but it doesn't leave a trace, since you're not technically flashing/re-tuning the ECM whatsoever. It's basically like an electronic specific mod, while still running the stock tune, although you've adjusted some "particular" settings.

People say their vehicles all run better, although you might have to pull the device out early, if you have emissions/smog testing. Sometimes, it will cause some of the emissions parameters to not be complete (you won't pass a smog due to this). People pull it out a few days before getting their car smogged, and then drive it 200+ miles to reset the emissions parameters.

Besides that, some people say that it causes the automatic transmission to shift hard or erratically and unpredictably; but this is a hit and miss. Gas mileage wise, you will probably lose 1-2 MPG at the most, but it wouldn't be anything terrible and out of typical expected range. It'd be like comparing an automatic L99 Camaro SS to a manual LS3 Camaro SS.

The only other thing I wanted to address, is that Range Technology also has their 'Pulsar LT' device for the 2019+ GM vehicles (ex: Silverado, etc.). This is more of a handheld device, but not necessarily a "tuning" one, in a sense that is.. It basically allows you adjust all the basic calibrations, like your gear ratio for the speedometer. You can also disable stop-start features, remove the speed limiter, and also program your TPMS'.

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

I’ve been driving l99 Camaros (I’ve had 2. One had 70,000 on it when I traded and the current car has 10,000) for getting close to 10 years now and have never run anything but Mobil 1 full synthetic 5/30. Never had a problem and usually I change it before 5,000 miles. I get better mileage with AFM disabled by 1-2 mpg. AFM is an issue but I don’t believe it’s to the extent that sometimes it’s portrayed. I’ve got a 2011 Yukon Denali 6.2 awd, with 135,000 on it that my wife daily drives. Same Mobil 1 oil and knock on wood it no issues with it either. I should clarify anytime my Camaro makes noise it’s when it’s been sitting for a month or more which is pretty normal. It’s not uncommon for it to sit 2-3 months or more at a time.

[roundtracker]

Originally Posted by Aqua Blue RS/SS

You can disable the afm by using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel with the transmission shifter in M mode. Failures seem to be mostly on engines that don’t maintain clean oil but are certainly not limited to this. It’ll sound like a collapsed lifter if you have a failure. It’s normally for them to rattle for a second or two is normal.

Originally Posted by myold88

Never a problem or negative sound out of my early '10 L99 SS. The ones who bad mouth that engine are usually the ones that don't own one. The week I got my Camaro I replaced the exhaust with the Solo Axle Back Exhaust. No drone ever. Keep the oil changed and you will be fine imo.

Originally Posted by Aqua Blue RS/SS

I’ve been driving l99 Camaros (I’ve had 2. One had 70,000 on it when I traded and the current car has 10,000) for getting close to 10 years now and have never run anything but Mobil 1 full synthetic 5/30. Never had a problem and usually I change it before 5,000 miles. I get better mileage with AFM disabled by 1-2 mpg. AFM is an issue but I don’t believe it’s to the extent that sometimes it’s portrayed. I’ve got a 2011 Yukon Denali 6.2 awd, with 135,000 on it that my wife daily drives. Same Mobil 1 oil and knock on wood it no issues with it either. I should clarify anytime my Camaro makes noise it’s when it’s been sitting for a month or more which is pretty normal. It’s not uncommon for it to sit 2-3 months or more at a time.

Great info!

[roundtracker]

Originally Posted by TheBrightSide

I know for GMC Sierra's and Chevy Silverado's (and maybe other GM vehicles), I saw an OBD II device by Range Technology, which electronically disables the AFM/DFM (DOD) system. Apparently, it's a device that you can pull and plug whenever, but it doesn't leave a trace, since you're not technically flashing/re-tuning the ECM whatsoever. It's basically like an electronic specific mod, while still running the stock tune, although you've adjusted some "particular" settings.

People say their vehicles all run better, although you might have to pull the device out early, if you have emissions/smog testing. Sometimes, it will cause some of the emissions parameters to not be complete (you won't pass a smog due to this). People pull it out a few days before getting their car smogged, and then drive it 200+ miles to reset the emissions parameters.

Besides that, some people say that it causes the automatic transmission to shift hard or erratically and unpredictably; but this is a hit and miss. Gas mileage wise, you will probably lose 1-2 MPG at the most, but it wouldn't be anything terrible and out of typical expected range. It'd be like comparing an automatic L99 Camaro SS to a manual LS3 Camaro SS.

The only other thing I wanted to address, is that Range Technology also has their 'Pulsar LT' device for the 2019+ GM vehicles (ex: Silverado, etc.). This is more of a handheld device, but not necessarily a "tuning" one, in a sense that is.. It basically allows you adjust all the basic calibrations, like your gear ratio for the speedometer. You can also disable stop-start features, remove the speed limiter, and also program your TPMS'.

Since the car is for one of my kids, I planned on having it de-tuned slightly. My tuner says we'll be able to address it mostly in the tune, we'll see.



I looked at a Range DFM module for the Suburban....that supposedly did what I wanted. Still suspicious on the warranty aspect of it.

[myold88]

Originally Posted by roundtracker

Since the car is for one of my kids, I planned on having it de-tuned slightly. My tuner says we'll be able to address it mostly in the tune, we'll see.



I looked at a Range DFM module for the Suburban....that supposedly did what I wanted. Still suspicious on the warranty aspect of it.

.

Why not just use the lower grade gas instead of 93 in the kid's SS ?
Won't that slow it down a bit?

[Wizard1183]

Originally Posted by roundtracker

Hi there, I'm new to Camaros but not new to cars and hot rodding. I read and hear about AFM problems on otherwise bulletproof LS engines.....so....



I have a few questions about my latest purchase. The '15 2SS A6 will be a family member's daily driver. 31K miles. It has sat most of the time over the last 2 years. It's at the body shop getting small things repaired right now, I'll get it back this week.



On my list right now are changing all possible fluids, new tires, new battery, check brakes, purge old brake fluid, etc. I'm taking it to get a tune also.....but it will most likely be a de-tune and turning the 4 cylinder mode off in the process. I may dig into a LS2 conversion at some point, but not right now.



What are the warning signs on any AFM and lifter/cam problems?


Are there any other known issues I should address before I hand the car over to a new driver that won't have an ear for said "issues"?



I have a '24 Suburban also and hate the autostop/AFM....but I don't want to kill the warranty. I've seen the modules that deactivate that.....I'm trying to confirm whether those will trigger warranty probs.


Any input will be appreciated!

That ‘24 Suburban will definitely have issues. The transmission after 100k get ready for a rebuild. And instead of half the cylinders with deactivation you have 7 of them that can deactivate. New Gm IS junk. Period

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Originally Posted by myold88

.

Why not just use the lower grade gas instead of 93 in the kid's SS ?
Won't that slow it down a bit?

That will surely slow it down a bit, but in the same token cause engine damage in the long run due detonation and spark knock. It states in the owners manual, do NOT use any lower octane fuel other than premium except in emergencies as engine damage could occur. Just a note. These SS's are designed to run on premium only.

[TheBrightSide]

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

That will surely slow it down a bit, but in the same token cause engine damage in the long run due detonation and spark knock. It states in the owners manual, do NOT use any lower octane fuel other than premium except in emergencies as engine damage could occur. Just a note. These SS's are designed to run on premium only.

This. I never even bothered to use the preset “eco” 87 octane tunes, that came with some of my handheld tuners a few years ago. I recall one of my Diablosport i3 intune tuning devices actually coming with one of those 87 octane tunes…

As much as I wanted to save on gas and was curious, since I rarely drove the car hard, I was fairly hesitant to run it on a daily driver. If I ever get the chance, I may try it out in the future, while logging data through my HP Tuners MPVI 3. Side note, that i3 intune device was terrible with updates and wi-fi connection…

[myold88]

[QUOTE=1JEWLDSSRS;11497467]That will surely slow it down a bit, but in the same token cause engine damage in the long run due detonation and spark knock. It states in the owners manual, do NOT use any lower octane fuel other than premium except in emergencies as engine damage could occur. Just a note. These SS's are designed to run on premium only.

[/QUOT. Thanks for that info. I've never used anything but 93 octane in
my SS for 15 years, except once in Canada where only 91 was available.

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

91 is fine in higher elevation areas. It’s all we can get here at 6,000 ft.