Flagship Camaro & Active Fuel Management

Where do you stand?

AFM shouldn't plague all editions of Camaro. I think an AFM equipped "for the masses" base model V8 is a good move but not on the top-of-the-line, brute horsepower, white knuckle Camaro.

No valid reason not to have it. I'm not agianst a switch to turn it on/off/auto though.

yeah i think their should be a switch so you could turn it on when you need it

i really don't see a downside to AFM as it is implemented now.. so i wouldn't have a problem with it being in every engine GM offers, if that were the case

i really don't see a downside to AFM as it is implemented now.. so i wouldn't have a problem with it being in every engine GM offers, if that were the case

Then why doesnt Corvette have AFM?

Is Plague a valid word here?????

Then why doesnt Corvette have AFM?
The LS2 wasn't designed with it in mind. They started the AFM stuff in 2004 with the 5.3L right? The next Vette will have it I'm sure. I hope for AFM, since I have never heard a complaint and the gas mileage will be helpful.

Wow, this really is a big deal for some people, eh? ;)

I think that all of the people who are against it have probably not driven an AFM-equipped car. :)

Wow, this really is a big deal for some people, eh? ;)Only for people that buy gas.

Then why doesnt Corvette have AFM?

It doesn't need it. The Vette already gets 28 mpg on the highway.

It doesn't need it. The Vette already gets 28 mpg on the highway.

Doesn't need it? How marketable would a 'vette be with 30mpg? Granted, a LOT of people who buy the car wouldn't care, but it builds credibility with the people who TALK to the person who bought the car. People can't believe I average 22mpg (city/highway mix) in my '99 T/A WS6 - they think I'm lying through my teeth - those same people won't believe a 30mpg 'vette initially, but if it's around long enough - people will believe.

I want AFM and big HP. And as the size of the engine increases so do the fuel savings due to AFM become more significant.

Doesn't need it? How marketable would a 'vette be with 30mpg? Granted, a LOT of people who buy the car wouldn't care, but it builds credibility with the people who TALK to the person who bought the car. People can't believe I average 22mpg (city/highway mix) in my '99 T/A WS6 - they think I'm lying through my teeth - those same people won't believe a 30mpg 'vette initially, but if it's around long enough - people will believe. QFT

If it helps sell more Camaros to the masses you better believe it. We don't want Camaro to be killed off again due to lagging sales.

Something else to consider for those wanting a big cubic inch monster motor, is that it would probably keep you from having to pay a "gas guzzler" tax like the $1,300 extra Shelby GT500 buyers have to pay.

Hello all. I have never actually posted on here although I have been reading posts on here since GM announced they were going to throw the Camaro into production.

In response to this thread, i was wondering if anyone knew how the currend AFM system works. I guess I was under the assumption that there is a switch that turns it on/off. Is this incorrect? Is it all automated?

My next question would be why would you not want AFM on a car?

Hello all. I have never actually posted on here although I have been reading posts on here since GM announced they were going to throw the Camaro into production.
Welcome! Glad to have you here. :)

In response to this thread, i was wondering if anyone knew how the currend AFM system works. I guess I was under the assumption that there is a switch that turns it on/off. Is this incorrect? Is it all automated?
So far, none of the AFM cars have switches. The engine computer recognizes that power is needed based on driver input (throttle position) and current engine conditions, and it switches to full V8 mode. When power is no longer needed, it switches back.

A lot of us here would like to have a switch that lets us decide. On/Off/Auto would be nice, Off/Auto would be good too.

My next question would be why would you not want AFM on a car?
There are a few reasons floating around:

1. Don't want to have to wait for the engine to switch to full V8 mode when I want power.

-- This is a myth -- the engine can switch over pretty much instantaneously.

2. I want that V8 exhaust sound all the time. I don't want to sound like a Honda!

-- This has some truth in it, especially with an aftermarket catback exhaust installed. I have a friend that works at Corsa, and he says they had to work hard to tune their catback to sound good in both 4-cyl and 8-cyl modes on the Hemi-powered Chrysler cars.

3. It overcomplicates the engine hardware, which will make modding the car difficult.

-- This is a sound prediction, but nobody really knows for sure yet. Many people in the know say that the hardware is not much more complicated than it is now, but we have yet to see what the aftermarket will be able to provide.

Thank you for the information....

In its current configuration does the engine operate in 4-cylinder mode at low speeds/ in lower gears, or just at higher speeds where it would take less power to sustain the current speed like at highway speeds?

I agree with the switch option. I think that would be the best of both worlds; an on/off/auto switch would be great.

A lot of us here would like to have a switch that lets us decide. On/Off/Auto would be nice, Off/Auto would be good too.


Excellent idea. That way everyones happy. Im sold.

Should AFM plague the top-of-the-line Camaro?


Plague? Biasing the poll to help slant it in the direction you want it do go does nothing to legitimize the results.

AFM is not a plague. AFM is the future. The sooner you leave the dark ages, the sooner you'll understand that fuel efficency and emissions controls are the path we must take if you want to see performance numbers continue to rise. Choose the dark path and we're surely bound to see a decline in performance just like we did in the mid 1970's during the energy crisis.

I don't want to re-live the mid 1970's... bell bottoms, disco, anemic engine peformance... No thank you!

:rolleyes:

A lot of us here would like to have a switch that lets us decide. On/Off/Auto would be nice, Off/Auto would be good too.

It'll never happen. :no:

It'll never happen. :no:
It might via the aftermarket, but I agree -- a switch as a factory option is extremely unlikely.

It might via the aftermarket, but I agree -- a switch as a factory option is extremely unlikely.

It does come from the factory with a switch. It's called the throttle. Want to deactivate AFM? Plant your right foot on the floor. You want to turn it back on? Remove right foot from throttle. :D

Seriously though. Any aftermarket switch that deactivates AFM would (a) void your 100k mile warranty and (b) probably be illegal in most states. AFM helps GM meet CAFE standards and avoid the gas guzzler tax. It is a positive advancement in automotive design that you guys should be embracing, not cursing... unless you want to go back to the days of 175 hp flagship V8-Camaros. :p

The point of the switch is to prevent it from activating in the first place. Doing that with the throttle for more than a few seconds would quickly lead to speeding. :)

The Magnusson-Moss act says that modifications to the car can't automatically void the warranty (hope I spelled it right).

It shouldn't be illegal in any states, except maybe California. :p

Something else to consider for those wanting a big cubic inch monster motor, is that it would probably keep you from having to pay a "gas guzzler" tax like the $1,300 extra Shelby GT500 buyers have to pay.

$1,300 gas guzzler tax...how much will AFM add to the sticker price of the Camaro?

Plague? Biasing the poll to help slant it in the direction you want it do go does nothing to legitimize the results.

AFM is not a plague. AFM is the future. The sooner you leave the dark ages, the sooner you'll understand that fuel efficency and emissions controls are the path we must take if you want to see performance numbers continue to rise. Choose the dark path and we're surely bound to see a decline in performance just like we did in the mid 1970's during the energy crisis.

I don't want to re-live the mid 1970's... bell bottoms, disco, anemic engine peformance... No thank you!

:rolleyes:

I could not have said it better myself!! :bow: It's like we're seeing echoes the fear of Fuel Injection and engine Electronics when it first appeared in the 70s. Only this time the fears are unfounded because today's engine technology is far in advance of the barely exploratory technology that was available back then which led to crippled HP numbers. That won't happen this time around.

Bell bottoms and disco... <shudder> :D

$1,300 gas guzzler tax...how much will AFM add to the sticker price of the Camaro?
It wont be a guzzler either way.

AFM switchs DO exist. It's called a "tow" button on most trucks. I'm sure the same thing could be done to cars, although it might seem a bit strange. However if it allows it to do what i want, i don't care what they call it.

AFM switchs DO exist. It's called a "tow" button on most trucks. I'm sure the same thing could be done to cars, although it might seem a bit strange. However if it allows it to do what i want, i don't care what they call it.Tow modes don't do anything for gas they hold the gear longer. No cylinder deactivation is starting/stopping when you push tow haul mode.

Tow modes don't do anything for gas they hold the gear longer. No cylinder deactivation is starting/stopping when you push tow haul mode.
i thought i had read it allowed 8 cylinder mode operation at all times. i may have been mistaken.

A vehicle with AFM is going to stay in 8 cyl. mode most of the time. All the right criteria has to be met bfore cylinders shut down. Most likely won't shut down during city stop and go driving, but at highway speeds with very light throttle the system with go 4 cyl. mode. Any sudden throttle position changes will kick it out. The system uses oil pressure and solenoids controlling oil to lifters of 4 cylinders. The lifters collapse and prevent the valves from opening thus killing 4 cylinders. System reactivates to 8 cyl. mode after 10 min. then back to 4 cyl mode after 1 min. if criteria is still met.

Maybe instead of the much wanted ON/AUTO/OFF switch, call it something better. "Economy" mode for AFM (4 cylinders) on all the time. "Normal" for auto like it is now. And "Sport" or "Performance" mode to totally shut off AFM (8 cylinders all the time.) That might be easier to sell to the general public :D

Maybe instead of the much wanted ON/AUTO/OFF switch, call it something better. "Economy" mode for AFM (4 cylinders) on all the time. "Normal" for auto like it is now. And "Sport" or "Performance" mode to totally shut off AFM (8 cylinders all the time.) That might be easier to sell to the general public :D
I like that idea, I'd love to have the option of holding either 4 or 8 cyl mode if I wanted to.

I voted 'No' on this b/c the poll asked about the top of the line motor. If we are hoping for an LS7 (or similar) motor for the baddest camaro, won't the heavier lifters hurt high rpm capabilities?? The LS7 goes to 7k now, it may go higher in the future, will the AFM components be able to endure that kind of rpm??

As far as the 'regular' motors, absolutly this is somthing that should be across the board, even in the v6 if possible.

A vehicle with AFM is going to stay in 8 cyl. mode most of the time. All the right criteria has to be met bfore cylinders shut down. Most likely won't shut down during city stop and go driving, but at highway speeds with very light throttle the system with go 4 cyl. mode. Any sudden throttle position changes will kick it out.

The conspiracy theory is that GM programmed it so that it only kicks in if you drive exactly like an EPA tester. Real world freeway driving around here looks very little like the EPA test:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fe_test_schedules.shtml

AFM *should* kick in when the load on the engine is constant and less than 45% (i'm just guessing, i don't know exact numbers). This would put the engine close to having 100% load, which would be the most efficent. aka, you want to have the highest percentage load load possible because that means that extra power being made is not being just wasted.