ernieduba

Why does the 2010 Camaro SS Automatic transmission car have 25 less horsepower than a manual transmission car? I was told by a GM mechanic the automatic couldnt handle the torque. Makes me think the automatic may be weak??

JasonD

I don't know about that one. The engine is different, and there is potentially more driveline loss with the A6 as well.

The 600hp going into my transmission hasn't hurt it yet.

JakeRobb

First of all, the GM mechanic you spoke to made that up. Even if GM did feel that the 6L80E automatic (found in the Camaro SS) couldn't handle the power, the beefier 6L90E (from the 556hp CTS-V) certainly can.

The L99 has a couple of neat features that the LS3 doesn't: variable valve timing (VVT) and active fuel management (AFM). AFM is the system that disables four of the cylinders to save fuel when the extra power isn't being used.

When AFM switches between 4-cylinder and 8-cylinder mode, there's a little shock that goes through the drivetrain. GM finds this shock unacceptably harsh on manual transmission models, so AFM is only available on automatic cars. Other manufacturers that have similar technology have the same standards -- there are no manual transmission cars on the market that offer cylinder deactivation.

The AFM system imposes some limitations on the agressiveness of the cam lobe profile. Since the LS3 doesn't have AFM, GM was able to put in a more agressive camshaft. The more agressive camshaft is the reason for the 26 extra horsepower.

I'd love for you to go back to that GM mechanic and make him feel stupid. The days when mechanics make **** up when you ask them questions need to come to an end.