Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

LS3 - Picture reference for connections

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-31-2009, 03:52 AM
  #1  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
MCMLXIX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default LS3 - Picture reference for connections

I searched the FAQ's and other threads. I just got my LS3 and I need some help identifing the connections:
Sensors and Fittings - where do they go, what can be plugged or capped off, etc.

I dont have any pics yet but I will try and get a pic of each connection. If somone can help me ID each one and give and idea of what is it, what purpose it serves and what to do with it. I know the wiring harness I got (GMPP) has each connector labled, so I can probably figure those out.

For example:
The steam vent tube.
Allows steam pockets in the head to escape back in to the cooling sysytem.
Eliminates hot spots.
I got the idea it should probably be run into the thermostat housing.


Driver Side:
Back of valve cover



Back of engine:
White Cap:

Red Cap: Vacuum port for brakes

Name:  DSC07533.jpg
Views: 22631
Size:  89.2 KB



Name:  DSC07534.jpg
Views: 21672
Size:  124.8 KB



Name:  DSC07536.jpg
Views: 29671
Size:  135.9 KB



Name:  DSC07537.jpg
Views: 21072
Size:  108.3 KB



Name:  DSC07544.jpg
Views: 18728
Size:  186.8 KB



Name:  DSC07539.jpg
Views: 19774
Size:  141.1 KB


Passenger Side Block
Grey Connector:
Black Connector:
Name:  DSC07540.jpg
Views: 25310
Size:  120.6 KB



Passenger side - Front of valve cover
Connect to breather?
Name:  DSC07547.jpg
Views: 23630
Size:  125.3 KB



I figured this would be a great thread for poeple, like me, who have never dealt with LS motors before. Pictures help 1000x more then a description. I will also need help when there is something on my LS3 that was changed from the LS1 or LS2. I know knock sensors on the LS1 are in a different location then the LS3.

Last edited by MCMLXIX; 04-09-2009 at 12:33 AM.
Old 04-09-2009, 12:10 AM
  #2  
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
 
MCMLXIX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

OK. I finally added all the pics I took...
Now help me ID each connection....
Old 04-09-2009, 02:51 AM
  #3  
TECH Resident
 
rsz288's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Right here, right now!
Posts: 794
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by MCMLXIX
I searched the FAQ's and other threads. I just got my LS3 and I need some help identifing the connections:
Sensors and Fittings - where do they go, what can be plugged or capped off, etc.

I dont have any pics yet but I will try and get a pic of each connection. If somone can help me ID each one and give and idea of what is it, what purpose it serves and what to do with it. I know the wiring harness I got (GMPP) has each connector labled, so I can probably figure those out.

For example:
The steam vent tube.
Allows steam pockets in the head to escape back in to the cooling sysytem.
Eliminates hot spots.
I got the idea it should probably be run into the thermostat housing.


RSZ: Factory location is to the top of the radiator. As you saw on PT, the merits of where have been well argued.

Driver Side:
Back of valve cover

RSZ: Optional Crank Case Ventilation take off. Blocked on this one. DOD/AFM cars/trucks (L76) use this vent port to feed to the intake manifold behind the throttle body.



Back of engine:
White Cap: RSZ: Oil Pressure Sensor.

Red Cap: Vacuum port for brakes




RSZ: Evap Emission Purge Solenoid. Evap Charcoal Canister vents through here.



RSZ: Coolant Temp Sensor.




RSZ: Knock Sensor.



RSZ: MAP Sensor. The short hose with two connectors is the PCV link from the crankcase via Valley Cover, and feeds into the intake behind the throttle body.



RSZ: Oil Temp Sensor and Oil Level Switch.




Passenger Side Block
Grey Connector: Crank Position Sensor
Black Connector: Knock Sensor




Passenger side - Front of valve cover
Connect to breather?
RSZ: Connects to Intake pre Throttle Body and supplies MAF measured clean air to the feed side of the PCV system.




I figured this would be a great thread for poeple, like me, who have never dealt with LS motors before. Pictures help 1000x more then a description. I will also need help when there is something on my LS3 that was changed from the LS1 or LS2. I know knock sensors on the LS1 are in a different location then the LS3.
Added the notes in. Hope this helps!
Old 09-10-2010, 03:33 PM
  #4  
Teching In
iTrader: (3)
 
Mkelcy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Great thread!

Is there an external connection for the "dirty" side of the PCV system, or is it all internal on the LS3?
Old 09-10-2010, 05:57 PM
  #5  
TECH Senior Member
 
Jimbo1367's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,816
Received 583 Likes on 461 Posts

Default

Thanks guys. I needed this info too !
Old 09-18-2010, 06:16 AM
  #6  
Teching In
iTrader: (4)
 
lscorvet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SC 29069 Lamar and CA Mission Viejo 92691
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Very good info. Thanks
Old 09-18-2010, 08:10 AM
  #7  
TECH Senior Member
 
Jimbo1367's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,816
Received 583 Likes on 461 Posts

Default

Can somone show me a pic showing this routing? I am uncertian still.Passenger side - Front of valve cover
Connect to breather?
RSZ: Connects to Intake pre Throttle Body and supplies MAF measured clean air to the feed side of the PCV system.


thanks
Old 03-11-2011, 01:40 PM
  #8  
Teching In
 
daniel76309's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

First of all, thanks to the original poster and to RSZ for the input. I am mostly a "reader" as I am new to this and don't have much to contribute (yet). This thread and the pictures have been very helpful to me as I am installing my LS3 crate engine.

I have a question that hopefully someone can answer. I have done a search and can't find exactly what I am looking for...

I see where the fresh inlet air goes into the PCV system--to the port on the front of the passenger side valve cover.

But where does the "foul" air go--i.e. how do the crankcase fumes get to the intake in order to be burned with air/fuel? It would seem that I would need to run a vacuum line from a port somewhere to the intake manifold. There is a port on the back of the drivers side valve cover...is that the source for the crankase fumes? Or, is this done "internally" somehow?
Old 03-12-2011, 12:21 PM
  #9  
Staging Lane
 
02NavyBlueZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Perry Hall, MD USA
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Here are the GM Exploded Views of the LS3 engine with descriptions of each item ;-) Enjoy!
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
LS3UpperIntake.pdf (67.2 KB, 12513 views)
File Type: pdf
UpperEngine.pdf (78.4 KB, 3974 views)
File Type: pdf
FrontEngine.pdf (77.3 KB, 3113 views)
File Type: pdf
RearEngine.pdf (77.7 KB, 2475 views)
File Type: pdf
EngineBlockSensors.pdf (83.3 KB, 3054 views)
File Type: pdf
LowerEngine.pdf (69.6 KB, 2381 views)
File Type: pdf
OilPumpAssembly.pdf (49.3 KB, 2206 views)
Old 03-12-2011, 12:39 PM
  #10  
Teching In
 
daniel76309's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thank you!

It looks as if the hose #716 in the first diagram is the piece of the puzzle I was not seeing. It is already on the engine, so I should be able to just connect a tube with MAF-metered air to the other port and should be good to go.
Old 03-14-2011, 09:40 PM
  #11  
Registered User
 
RumRunnerGTM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks everyone for a great thread. I'm curious what the plug is on the LS3 just above the crank sensor on the engine's rear passenger side?

I'm trying to find a location for a third coolant temp sensor and hoping i can put it there. I have one in the driver's side head for my engine computer, one in the passenger's side head for a dash temp gauge, and I need a third for an aftermarket PWM fan controller. I know I can use an in-line fitting in my rad or heater hoses but would prefer not to go that route.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

-Michael
Old 03-15-2011, 06:00 AM
  #12  
Teching In
 
daniel76309's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

What you are describing may be a knock sensor... I believe there is one on each side of the block.

You can hook two wires to your additional temp sensor (one for gauge, one for PWM controller). That is what I am doing anyway... It worked ok like that with my old engine.

Last edited by daniel76309; 04-02-2011 at 06:52 AM.
Old 03-15-2011, 10:10 PM
  #13  
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
tommycomfort's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mooresville, Indiana
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Very helpful! I am plumbing my engine right now and was looking for a good source of this exact information.
Tom
Old 03-15-2011, 10:37 PM
  #14  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (55)
 
Rick Speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Cleveland, Oh
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by RumRunnerGTM
Thanks everyone for a great thread. I'm curious what the plug is on the LS3 just above the crank sensor on the engine's rear passenger side?

I'm trying to find a location for a third coolant temp sensor and hoping i can put it there. I have one in the driver's side head for my engine computer, one in the passenger's side head for a dash temp gauge, and I need a third for an aftermarket PWM fan controller. I know I can use an in-line fitting in my rad or heater hoses but would prefer not to go that route.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

-Michael
If you are talking about the plug in the head that is a coolant passage. Due to the heads being universal one gets a sensor and one gets a plug.
Old 04-01-2011, 07:06 PM
  #15  
Staging Lane
 
ModMuscle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by daniel76309
Thank you!

It looks as if the hose #716 in the first diagram is the piece of the puzzle I was not seeing. It is already on the engine, so I should be able to just connect a tube with MAF-metered air to the other port and should be good to go.

I'm trying to figure this out also. I have a truck engine which has no provision to connect the #716 hose to, which my car intake has. So...what can I do? Went to dealer and they want $150+ for the valley cover. I'm not sure its worth that. Found one on ebay but he wants over a 100 for it with shipping. Are these things the missing link or something?

And the port on the driver side valve cover. Does it just get capped?

Thanks!
Old 04-02-2011, 07:10 AM
  #16  
Teching In
 
daniel76309's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

When I was originally searching for info, I found this:
http://www.camarohomepage.com/ls3/index.htm
It mentions how they made several improvements to the LS3 regarding oil control, etc.--the point being that the PCV system in the exploded diagram above may be unique to the LS3. That doesn't answer your questions, but I think you need to ask specific to whatever engine you have--it may be totally different for an LQ4 or LY6 for example.
Old 04-02-2011, 08:04 AM
  #17  
Staging Lane
 
GTMLS3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

This thread is great, because we buy an LS376 and you get an engine with very little "hook up" information. Thsi thread has answered some questions I could not find answers to. If someone else has further inputs, step in as you can see some of us have had problems with the swaps.
Old 04-13-2011, 12:33 PM
  #18  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (66)
 
LT1Formula007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Very Nice Info!
Old 04-19-2011, 02:31 AM
  #19  
Staging Lane
iTrader: (3)
 
colorado808's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Was just about to do a search on knock sensors, answered my questions and more. Thanks for the info.
Old 08-06-2011, 06:11 PM
  #20  
Teching In
 
ModernMuseum's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I found this thread searching for some knock sensor stuff. Great thread.

I'm also trying to mate an LS3 to a T-56 magnum and can't determine where the following connection goes. It's labeled "VEH SPD" and has a 2-pin connection. Any ideas? The gauges that I"m using are Dakota Digital (69 firebird) in case it some how integrates to the vehicle speed.


Quick Reply: LS3 - Picture reference for connections



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:39 PM.