SS Camaro LS3 or L99? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

shortstop4 · 02-07-2016, 12:44 PM

I am in the market for a weekend toy and will be purchasing an SS within the next 60 days. I am debating heavily on whether to go with the LS3 manual or L99 automatic. I had a 2011 Synergy Green L99 SS several years ago and I loved it, but I was thinking about changing to the LS3 manual since I will only be driving the SS on weekends (my daily driver is an automatic sedan).

I love the look of the Summit White 1LE's which push me towards the manual tranny, but I could always get the automatic and wrap the hood and change the wheels.

I have never owned a stick shift, but I have driven one a long time ago. I just think it might be more fun. What say the folks who have driven both the LS3 and L99?

scott's45 · 02-07-2016, 12:48 PM

For me, there was never a question. I had to have the LS3, nothing like a v-8 and manual transmission. Mine is also a weekend toy, not a daily driver.

justjoshin · 02-07-2016, 12:50 PM

Drove a lot of manuals when I was younger and they can be fun to drive. I like my L99 and have no desire to have to shift thru the gears anymore. I'm only home 2 weeks each month and only take it out on nice days but I still like the auto trans.

Lndryguru · 02-07-2016, 12:52 PM

I like L99 no shifting if you want to play you have the paddle shifters, I installed cold airtake-shorty headers-diablo tuner-deleted the rear mufflers-installed strut tower brace the car runs strong and handles well i am satisfied with it.

mustang50lx · 02-07-2016, 01:15 PM

Manual trans. is my vote, and with that you get a few more horsepower too.

The Dutchman · 02-07-2016, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortstop4

I am in the market for a weekend toy and will be purchasing an SS within the next 60 days. I am debating heavily on whether to go with the LS3 manual or L99 automatic. I had a 2011 Synergy Green L99 SS several years ago and I loved it, but I was thinking about changing to the LS3 manual since I will only be driving the SS on weekends (my daily driver is an automatic sedan).

I love the look of the Summit White 1LE's which push me towards the manual tranny, but I could always get the automatic and wrap the hood and change the wheels.

I have never owned a stick shift, but I have driven one a long time ago. I just think it might be more fun. What say the folks who have driven both the LS3 and L99?

Without a doubt. And way cooler.

NC_SS · 02-07-2016, 01:22 PM

The first SS I drove was an L99, and honestly stock for stock the LS3 feels like a different kind of monster

I was immediately head over heels for how much the LS3 could sit you back in your seat. I DD my LS3 so that should give you an idea at how easy it is to use this car on a daily basis.

WeflyhereSS · 02-07-2016, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lndryguru

I like L99 no shifting if you want to play you have the paddle shifters, I installed cold airtake-shorty headers-diablo tuner-deleted the rear mufflers-installed strut tower brace the car runs strong and handles well i am satisfied with it.

what he said !

justjoshin · 02-07-2016, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC_SS

The first SS I drove was an L99, and honestly stock for stock the LS3 feels like a different kind of monster

I was immediately head over heels for how much the LS3 could sit you back in your seat. I DD my LS3 so that should give you an idea at how easy it is to use this car on a daily basis.

Very true, but a good tune on the L99 makes a world of difference. Either way you go, it's a win cause it is a Camaro

ron123 · 02-07-2016, 01:50 PM

Another angle ... if there is a louder exhaust on the car it sounds much better with a manual trans in my opinion. I've got the Dual-Mode NPP factory option and sounds real nice shifting up and down through the gears with the manual.
Although in most situations I accelerate faster in an automatic compared to when I do the shifting.

If you get the manual it is a good idea to install separate clutch master reservoir for about $40 and keep the fluid fresh if you plan on having the car for a long while.
Ron

Spec · 02-07-2016, 02:01 PM

Stick, these cars are so much fun. There was never any question in my mind. I've owned auto V8's... I've owned manual V8's. I decided never to go auto V8 again. Glad I did.

I don't race my car often. I bought the car partly because I wanted a fun ride. Stick vs. Auto - no question...

And don't let those auto guys tell you that you'll suffer through traffic and/or any bs like that. Complete nonsense - take it from a Socal native... you can actually make those commutes lots of fun as well, lol.

Time for it all to come back to you - get a manual V8 Camaro.

rontammy0 · 02-07-2016, 02:08 PM

Once the l99 has a good trans tune its a beast....ive driven everything over the years....manual...auto. Dont listen top those that have no idea about the l99 with a trans tune. This aint your grandads automatic anymore junior. 2 different opinions are going to generate some good posts.

krisprz2010camaross · 02-07-2016, 02:11 PM

If I could go back I probably would have gotten a manual tbh. When I first got my L99 I wasn't interested in stick, but after modding my car I feel like I wish I had more control sometimes. Even though paddle shifting is fun. Still got a ton of mods to do on my car. My dad just got a 2015 z/28 so I can at drive that sometimes lol

Yellow 1 · 02-07-2016, 02:11 PM

LS3; +26 more horses and you actually feel a part of the car when changing up and down the gears, for heel and toe and a blip on the throttle when changing down for a tight bend it just feels 'right' - though if I did a lot of city driving I could see the attraction of an auto box.... Decisions, decisions......

View Poll Results: Which transmission should I choose?
LS3 Manual	62	53.45%
L99 Automatic	54	46.55%
Voters: 116. You may not vote on this poll

02-07-2016, 12:44 PM	#1
shortstop4 Drives: '13 Summit White ZL1 M6 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 235 View My Garage	SS Camaro LS3 or L99? I am in the market for a weekend toy and will be purchasing an SS within the next 60 days. I am debating heavily on whether to go with the LS3 manual or L99 automatic. I had a 2011 Synergy Green L99 SS several years ago and I loved it, but I was thinking about changing to the LS3 manual since I will only be driving the SS on weekends (my daily driver is an automatic sedan). I love the look of the Summit White 1LE's which push me towards the manual tranny, but I could always get the automatic and wrap the hood and change the wheels. I have never owned a stick shift, but I have driven one a long time ago. I just think it might be more fun. What say the folks who have driven both the LS3 and L99? __________________ Cold Air Inductions Intake

02-07-2016, 12:48 PM	#2
scott's45 Scott's45 Drives: 2012 2SS 45th Anniversary Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 557 View My Garage	For me, there was never a question. I had to have the LS3, nothing like a v-8 and manual transmission. Mine is also a weekend toy, not a daily driver. __________________ 2012 2SS 45th Anniversary, Hurst short throw shifter, Stainless Power LT headers, high flow cats, SW Retro Chambered 3" cat back, CAI, Heritage grill, tinted windows, red/silver hash stripes, AAC LED sidemarkers, blacked out turn signals/tail lights, splash guards. 402RWHP

02-07-2016, 12:50 PM	#3
justjoshin Drives: 2010 SW 1SS L99 Camaro Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Louisiana Posts: 2,085 View My Garage	Drove a lot of manuals when I was younger and they can be fun to drive. I like my L99 and have no desire to have to shift thru the gears anymore. I'm only home 2 weeks each month and only take it out on nice days but I still like the auto trans. __________________

02-07-2016, 12:52 PM	#4
Lndryguru Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 226	I like L99 no shifting if you want to play you have the paddle shifters, I installed cold airtake-shorty headers-diablo tuner-deleted the rear mufflers-installed strut tower brace the car runs strong and handles well i am satisfied with it. __________________ 2013 Camaro SS Victory Red/Black Stripes

02-07-2016, 01:15 PM	#5
mustang50lx Drives: 2015 SS Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Plum, PA Posts: 94	Manual trans. is my vote, and with that you get a few more horsepower too.

02-07-2016, 01:22 PM	#7
NC_SS Drives: 2012 M6 Camaro SS (RIP) Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,684	The first SS I drove was an L99, and honestly stock for stock the LS3 feels like a different kind of monster I was immediately head over heels for how much the LS3 could sit you back in your seat. I DD my LS3 so that should give you an idea at how easy it is to use this car on a daily basis.

02-07-2016, 01:50 PM	#10
ron123 Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,053	Another angle ... if there is a louder exhaust on the car it sounds much better with a manual trans in my opinion. I've got the Dual-Mode NPP factory option and sounds real nice shifting up and down through the gears with the manual. Although in most situations I accelerate faster in an automatic compared to when I do the shifting. If you get the manual it is a good idea to install separate clutch master reservoir for about $40 and keep the fluid fresh if you plan on having the car for a long while. Ron __________________ 2014 2SS/RS, Z28 CAI and High Wing Spoiler, ZL1 5.1:1 Ratio Short-Throw Shifter, ZL1 Pedals, ZL1 splash guards, NPP Dual-mode quad tip exhaust, Z28 strut tower brace, Camaro LED Cup-holders with footwell Lighting option, Leather visors, and Leather E-brake boot. Chevy dealer sponsored 67 retro SS nose stripe package.

02-07-2016, 02:01 PM	#11
Spec Account Suspended Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS LS3 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 4,018	Stick, these cars are so much fun. There was never any question in my mind. I've owned auto V8's... I've owned manual V8's. I decided never to go auto V8 again. Glad I did. I don't race my car often. I bought the car partly because I wanted a fun ride. Stick vs. Auto - no question... And don't let those auto guys tell you that you'll suffer through traffic and/or any bs like that. Complete nonsense - take it from a Socal native... you can actually make those commutes lots of fun as well, lol. Time for it all to come back to you - get a manual V8 Camaro.

02-07-2016, 02:08 PM	#12
rontammy0 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 2SS/ RS INFERNO ORANGE L99 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Alliston Ontario Canada Posts: 9,057 View My Garage	Once the l99 has a good trans tune its a beast....ive driven everything over the years....manual...auto. Dont listen top those that have no idea about the l99 with a trans tune. This aint your grandads automatic anymore junior. 2 different opinions are going to generate some good posts.

02-07-2016, 02:11 PM	#13
krisprz2010camaross Drives: 2010 Camaro 2ss/Rs Transformers Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Yorba Linda, California Posts: 1,564	If I could go back I probably would have gotten a manual tbh. When I first got my L99 I wasn't interested in stick, but after modding my car I feel like I wish I had more control sometimes. Even though paddle shifting is fun. Still got a ton of mods to do on my car. My dad just got a 2015 z/28 so I can at drive that sometimes lol __________________ YouTube:Krisprz garage Insta:kris__perez & krisprz_garage LS3 conversion Vararam intake(tune model) Kooks LT headers & cats delete Corsa ZL1 3" exhaust RedBarn Racing Tune CMS Stage 3 Cam AFR CNC ported heads MSD Spark plug wires LNC-2000 Launch controller NGK TR6 Spark Plugs 1le strut tower brace-TPIS spacers Nick Williams 102mm throttle body Fast lsxr 102 intake manifold Slp 25% UDP Katech Tensioner Pulley Circle D 3600-3700 multi disk Stall GM 3.91 gears DDS carbon fiber driveshaft ZL1 fuel pump & injectors Flex fuel sensor(91/E85) https://wheelwell.com/kris-perez

02-07-2016, 02:11 PM	#14
Yellow 1 Grumpy Grey-haired Guy Drives: Camaro, Corvette & Merc C300(daily) Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: South Warwickshire, UK. Posts: 806 View My Garage	LS3; +26 more horses and you actually feel a part of the car when changing up and down the gears, for heel and toe and a blip on the throttle when changing down for a tight bend it just feels 'right' - though if I did a lot of city driving I could see the attraction of an auto box.... Decisions, decisions...... __________________ ---------------------------------------------------------