Fed up with the L99 and AFM

[2010 Bumblebee]

Originally Posted by YOOG

Try using the tap shift. I never use anything else. (I know I don't have the V8 but I figure trying the tap shift would be a lot cheaper than the ding you're going to get on trade)

Cheers!

Originally Posted by wullger

Have you tried driving around in S mode all the time? It doesn't eliminate the noise, but I -seem- to experience AFM kicking in less based on the areas/speeds that I usually drive.

At first when I bought my camaro it used to bother me just because it was there so I used tap shift to bring up the RPMs

I went to the dealer they wouldn't turn it off. I asked them about the Warranty. I asked them if I turned it off will that void my Warranty. They said only of it could be proven that that is what caused the problem. However, I never did turn it off, because what if.

The car would be slightly better if AFM was turned off. It would have a little more throttle response I think. There wouldn't be that little surge when it kicks into v-8 mode. Also you wouldn't hear the difference in the sound of the engine when it is in V-4 mode as compared with V-8 mode. Of course a V-4 lugging under a tiny bit of pressure at low RPMs sounds different than a V-8 at higher RPMs. Once you realize that then it is what it is.

Over time I learned to accept it or appreciate it for what it is. You can feel and hear the different sounds of the motor, but that's what a V-4 would sound like lugging it a little.

All of this is really no big deal at all on a stock camaro ss like mine. It is what it is, a little sound difference, and a little power difference.

I heard there was a software update for this if your car was produced before last Sept 2009 (???). I don't know if this is true..

Now if you start changing the exhaust, and you remove that big heavy thing in the middle, Well, now you have different sounds. The big heavy middle muffler/resinator, whatever it is, was probably designed to dampen that drone.

So if you are going to put headers and exhaust on you car you might just as well go a little further and just turn the AFM off or get it turned off. Problem solved. You don't have to go buy a whole new car.

It all comes down to if you want to drive an auto or a manual but AFM isn't that bad. When my car is paid for and out of warranty, or when I don't care any more, I'll just get a tuner and shut it off, until then it's really no big deal. Accept it and get over it.

You say you are going in with $2000 cash and losing two options. So you are at a $4700 loss. If you turn AFM with a tuner you could save $2000 and keep your two options. Maybe, just maybe, if your car did break, which it might not, then maybe they won't cover something, but you don't lose your whole warranty. So your $4700 savings could help pay for another whole crate L99 or even a crate LS3 that comes with a new warranty !

How about changing the rear end gears to the ones that come with the M6 (3.45;1 factory GM?) or even down to 3.73s ?? Then you will get more RWHP and maybe move that MPH when AFM kicks in down to 25 and 50 MPH instead of that 30MPH and 60MPH where you are experiencing it. You will still have AFM but if may not be operating at the speeds you normally drive. You can keep you warranty on most of your car, if not all of your car and make it quicker !

[mlee]

Originally Posted by ravensjeff

I think I'll take Lingenfelter's word that their warranty is not worthless. And they would be doing all the mods so everything they use is covered. Are you saying that you have an example of them not covering anything they install? I somehow doubt it.

My reply Quoted Axis, who was talking about the SC warranty, not the installer. No issues with warranties through shops like Lingenfelter or Hennessey. Just not worth it to pay the extra 2 or 3 hundred bucks to an installer who is selling a warranty from the part manufacturer. The good installers will advise you not to buy it.

It's like trying to collect from UPS for goods damaged in transit. Know anyone who has ever collected? Now, if you use say "The Box Store" to package and send your item, you stand a better chance of collecting from them on insurance.

[Black Friday]

I actually rented an L99 from Budget before I purchased and after 4 days of the AFM kicking on and off I told myself I would never get an automatic. Needless to say, I went LS3 and couldn't be happier. Sorry to hear you found out the hard way.:( Hope it works out for you.

[GRSCAMARO]

I guess I better pay more attention to the car. I have not noticed the AFM kicking on or off. Passengers have not noticed either.

[caddycruiser]

AFM + exhaust mods, beyond just something like a Corsa (one of the few that avoids noise issues with it) = problems, every time. There's a reason why it is the way it is stock, and things like a Corsa system are made the way they are.

Comes up on the trucks a lot too since so many want to jump right in & make the exhaust louder, only to forget why it is the way it is--tuned to silence out the AFM buzzes & rumbles. Of course the debate over AFM in the first place is a whole other issue.

Just have to know this going in. It's AFM & minor intake/exhaust mods, unless you can stand the extra noises, or it's tune the AFM off and have at it however you want.

[Ralph2u2]

I don't hear it. All I hear is something "lopey" when I start my camaro. Very happy with the how the tune, tuned out all the crap that comes stock on the car.

[5thGenOwner]

Originally Posted by trudawg660

without AFM you still are no where close to getting the gas guzzler tax. i dont know why gm put it there in the first place. i guess it looked good on paper and to the people that think they are saying gas. the people that tuned it out say they lost 1 mpg

Right and wrong... It probably was done all on paper, but it IS why the Camaro didn't get the gas guzzler tax, period. Look at the Challenger, it got socked with the GGT but makes 21+ combined mpg. Read the law, anything under 22.5 mpg combined is slapped with a GGT.

http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/guzzler/420f06042.htm

In fact, if your 2006 Charger is a 6.1L, it was subject to the GGT.

http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/guzzler/420b06009a.pdf

Originally Posted by The_Blur

This is the worst reason to take multiple thousands of dollars in loss I've ever heard. For the same loss of money, you could replace your entire exhaust again, tune out AFM, and be happy in your automatic. If you don't like a feature, it can be removed.

[wullger]

Originally Posted by mlee

Also if you tune out AFM you can do it gear by gear. I turned mine off in all gears except when in "D" 5th & 6th gear only. That way I get the best of both worlds....

I know what I'm getting next!

[songsj]

I am not a fan of paying extra taxes but it sounds like the gas guzzler tax may have been less than it is costing some people to get around the AFM. Maybe would have been better and easier to pay the tax and be done with it

[Revo1]

I'm thinking when the time comes, a tune is in order...

[SScattergunSS]

Originally Posted by songsj

I am not a fan of paying extra taxes but it sounds like the gas guzzler tax may have been less than it is costing some people to get around the AFM. Maybe would have been better and easier to pay the tax and be done with it

This is a very good point!

[Xander]

Get it tuned.

[spyderbuddy]

BUY A V6 NO AFM

[reefdiver]

That's funny!!!