robertbartsch

...thinking about buying a new 2011 Camaro w/6 speed automatic.

This has a L99 engine w/400 HP and the 6/speed manual has the LS3 w/425 HP.

The auto is a tick quicker....


Question: Is the difference between these engines principlly a different cam shaft? You can still swap cams without removing the heads; right?

Thx...

robertbartsch

So you can't add a cam on a L99 engine without notching pistons as a result of the VVT?

That blows!

Why doesn't GM offer the LS3 engine on the auto?

Beau@SDPC

iTrader: (14)

You are def wrong on that.

You can put a good cam in an L99 without notching pistons. You cannot cam them over 550 lift with the dod lifters/system in place.

People do the "LS3" swap on the L99 cars all the time. The L99 also has the VVT, which would have to be addressed as well.

If you are looking at doing a cam, you might as well save the money on the dod delete and possibly the vvt delete and buy the LS3 stick car.

There are so many vendors including us that offer the delete kits plus cams, heads, etc.

robertbartsch

Thanks for the response.

So putting a cam in an L99 is really converting it to an LS3 because you replace the factory AFM lifters, remove the VVT cam?

So a cam swap for an L99 involves removing the heads..... Hmm.

Yikes - I can't imagine why GM did this.

Beau@SDPC

iTrader: (14)

You do not have to remove the VVT nor the AFM. It is a normal practice though. Comp does have single bolt cams for the VVT engines now, but you have to have someone that can take the time to tune them correctly. They are a different animal to tune.

Just a cam swap is not too much $$$ but going all out with the vvt delete and dod delete can get up there in price.

The reason the L99 conversion includes removing the heads is because the lifters are under the head deck surface.

bozzhawg

If you can afford it, for the sake of resale and value down the line, buy the SS2 LS3 vs the L99 package....do not waste your money....

robertbartsch

I've always owned manuals but now I want an auto.

Resale value? This is a Camaro made by GM who just emerged from bankruptcy and who is owned 60% by Uncle Sam and the most of the remainder by the UAW. If I wanted resale value I would consider Honda.

Ok - so the auto seems like a dumb choice. What independent rear is in this car; is this a 7" gear like the 10-bolt predessor?

Thanks for your reply.

Beau@SDPC

iTrader: (14)

No. It carries nothing in common with the previous gen camaro at all in driveline aspect besides a manual transmission and the LS style engine.

rsz288

Good question...

renzos23

iTrader: (17)

Cause that would be really boring...

Wnts2Go10O

iTrader: (12)

actually, itd be awesome if they built the ls3 with the VVT system. you can do a lot with that stuff

RedHotG8

iTrader: (1)

The G8 GXP gets the LS3 with the auto trans, but I don't know why the Camaro gets the L99. It must have something to do with gas mileage since the L99 has DOD and the LS3 doesn't.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

Huge error on their part, IMO. I lost almost all interest in the new Camaro when it was released than the auto trans cars would get the DoD engine.

Manual trans cars have no place in my life. I really wanted an LS3 + A6 for my next car; since Camaro won't give me that it looks like a C6 is in my future.

Jason 98 TA

iTrader: (4)

Checkout some of my ls3 vs l99 threads. We've engine dyno tested and developed combos side by side. The vvt is a huge bonus. I hate to see l99 guys giving up vvt for a ls3 conversion kit. It's just simply giving up power just because most vendors don't have the ability to properly develop these camshafts.

This is exactly the reason we invested $100,000 in a engine dyno facility with all these stock engines to develop off of.

SweetS10V8

iTrader: (4)

Ive been saying the same thing for a few years now. VVT is awesome technology!!!! Its having you cake and eating it too!!

No more give and take, you get the best low end torque, the best midrange, and the best high end HP. Its a hot rodders dream, yet people chuck it in the trash because they are still very ignorant and reluctant/scared of new technology.

Wnts2Go10O

iTrader: (12)

to bad theres no way to do an inexpensive swap.

robertbartsch

I've done a lot of internal engine mods in my day and the bigger cam is the heart of more power.

So the L99 can have a much flatter power curve than a non VVT engine but you can't easily increase maximum power using a big cam; right?

This doesn't seem to be ANY advantage to me.

SweetS10V8

iTrader: (4)

VVT can run ANY camshaft, the limitation is when your running stock pistons. Installing aftermarket pistons will clear up the PTV isssues when using VVT & large cams

nodrok

Have you seen the new mast motor sports l99 package. They claim up to 630 fwhp with headers and CAI (stage lll package). I think it may delete DOD. There is a thead for it.

Beau@SDPC

iTrader: (14)

VVT can only run single bolts cams. They can be made with any lobe now, but not just any lobe will help them produce power. Esp when they are not setup correctly.