What Is the Difference in an L99 & a LS3?

The Camaro was Chevrolet's answer to the Ford Mustang for the 1968 model year. Over the last four decades, as of 2011, the Camaro received many different engines for several different consumer markets. Production was halted after 2002, but eight years later the Camaro received a radical redesign and branding for its fifth generation. The L99 and LS3 engines are both 6.2L V8 engines available in the 2010 Camaro SS. Although these powerhouses share similar block designs and layouts, there are a few differences between these motors.

Layout

The L99 and LS3 engines are both built on the same platform, featuring 6.2L of displacement and eight cylinders. The camshaft of the L99 engine has slightly less duration than the one found in the LS3, giving the Camaro SS paired with this motor a smoother ride. The compression ratio of the L99 motor is 10.4:1, as the pistons have valve reliefs machined in the top halves of the pieces. The LS3's compression ratio is 10.7:1.

Performance

Consumers might favor the slight power increase in the LS3 over the L99, even though both engines demonstrate high performance values. The LS3 engine is rated and advertised with 422 brake horsepower and 408 lbs/ft of torque. The L99 engine has a slightly less horsepower output rating, as the vehicle is advertised with 400 brake horsepower and 410 lbs/ft of torque.

Transmission

The basic difference between the L99 and LS3 motors is that each one was built for a specific type of transmission. The more powerful LS3 engine is paired with 2010 Camaro SS models that feature the manual transmission. Likewise, the L99 comes from the factory in automatic Camaro SS automobiles from the same year.

Fuel Efficiency

Fuel consumption has become an important aspect to modern consumers when buying vehicles. Automobile companies had to completely redesign engines in order to maximize energy yet maintain performance values. Because both the L99 and LS3 engines share the same layout and many of the same parts, the fuel efficiency does not differ greatly between the two. However, the LS3 engine is advertised with an average of 16 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon on the highway. The L99 is rated at 16 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway.