Long Time L99 Owners...Chime In, Plz

[Moto-Mojo]

2015 SS RS: Ok, after 43K miles, a mysterious noise and with the specter of AFM failure looming, I'm taking it to a speed shop in Vegas. About an AFM lifter-hardware dump. I like 'dump' better than delete.

So my question is, how many did this and had regrets due 'other' failures - cam, trunnions, etc? Or does all that just (potentially) come with the territory?

Who had no regrets and never looked back?

[JamesMyBoy]

Just to balance the responses you'll get on this...
I started using a Range Device within a couple months of taking delivery of my '14 2SS RS. I'm at 38,000 mi or so @11 years with no issues at all (knocking on wood).
I can't remember the last time I started the engine without having the Range plugged in, which may or may not have anything to do with this. Then again, it could be dumb luck!
Just my two cents.

[Moto-Mojo]

Originally Posted by JamesMyBoy

Just to balance the responses you'll get on this...
I started using a Range Device within a couple months of taking delivery of my '14 2SS RS. I'm at 38,000 mi or so @11 years with no issues at all (knocking on wood).
I can't remember the last time I started the engine without having the Range plugged in, which may or may not have anything to do with this. Then again, it could be dumb luck!
Just my two cents.

I bought a used Range here. It kept throwing codes. Had AFM tuned out about 5 years ago. So the majority of its miles have been in the 8-cyl mode. But that doesn't do much to mitigate a crappy design. We are driving ticking time bombs. That's the reality.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Well when I had my LT's installed at 19k miles, and tuned out the AFM, I ran the car like it should have been run, after all it is a muscle car, lots of red line hits, by accident, all the way up to 98k miles where we did the cam swap and everything else. Never had a problem. Did the AFM delete, LS3 conversion, and Smith Brothers trunnion upgrade with the cam swap, and never looked back! 24k miles later, did the valve spring refresh, and changed the trunnions to the CHE's, and so far so good. Thank the Lord. Lovin every minute of it.

[Moto-Mojo]

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

Well when I had my LT's installed at 19k miles, and tuned out the AFM, I ran the car like it should have been run, after all it is a muscle car, lots of red line hits, by accident, all the way up to 98k miles where we did the cam swap and everything else. Never had a problem. Did the AFM delete, LS3 conversion, and Smith Brothers trunnion upgrade with the cam swap, and never looked back! 24k miles later, did the valve spring refresh, and changed the trunnions to the CHE's, and so far so good. Thank the Lord. Lovin every minute of it.

Good to know! I'm not totally convinced I hear anything and I've changed the oil more times than I can remember. I should've written it down but I didn't. I too drive it 'spiritedly' a lot of the time. I've read that keeping the oil pressure up helps AFM lifters live. Who knows? It's a long drive for me so I'm starting to slow leak on that idea. It would be a bummer to have it break down on my way home.

[kevint]

I've had my AFM tuned out for greater than 130,000 miles, and at 180,000-ish miles, I still have no issue. I changed my oil fairly religiously when the oil life monitor read ~20%. Keep in mind as well that these cars and LS motors are generally pretty noisy.

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

Let it sit for a week or two and then pay attention to how it sounds for the first second or two on startup as the lifters re prime. That’s the sound you don’t want to hear under normal running. If it’s not making those sounds and oil pressure is good than you’re likely fine.

[pyroguy]

I deleted AFM/DOD years ago and did the VVT delete at the same time so there's less questions about additional parts failing. The VVT delete is a hotly debated path, but I'm not aware of anyone who has regretted deleting their AFM/DOD.

[Eddymel1998]

Havent had the car that long but I have put maybe 20-30k miles in over the last 2 to 3 years with a ton of long distance driving, with pretty much all of it with AFM disabled through tune, won't lie I do miss it every now and then but if I had to it would do it same way, it's nice knowing that if lifters blow I can just slap some good name brand ones in. Also as others have mentioned these engines are pretty noisy, especially once you start removing insulation on top like engine cover or that plenum cover, one time I thought I had lifter tick and it turned out to be exhaust burning through the header gasket.

[myold88]

My stock '10 SS L99 has been trouble free since mid 2009 and 73,000 miles.
Never a sound from the lifters. The 20 oil changes may have had a lot to do with it.

[11/SS/RS]

Ive had mine (11 SS) since 11/2023. Ive had the Range device on it since I took ownership from my Uncle.... He had the car for 5 years or so without the Range device on it. Has 57,000 ish on it now and so far so good.

[Moto-Mojo]

Wow, some sage members chiming in. Thanks! I have to admit, the internet / YouTube, has probably spooked me more than anything here (ok, mostly) or my own experience. I'm going to continue driving it how most of us think it should be driven and damn the torpedoes!

[Aqua Blue RS/SS]

I’ve beat on both of mine, red line pulls daily when driving it and never had any problems. The problem is real but sometimes I think it’s slightly exaggerated on the net.

[morepowerjoe]

DM sent.