hawssie

I was looking at the specs on the various fuel injected LS3 style crate engines offered by Gm and as they step up in power from 430 to 480 to 525 it appears that the only difference at least listed from the part numbers is the cam, (and I am assuming the valve springs?). Is that true? If so why spend so much more for a LS376/525 over a 430hp when GM sells the cam for $450?. The price for the cam in the 480hp version is about the same as the price difference between it and the 430 hp one, which makes sense. But I was expecting the 525hp to at least have the CNC heads or something else but they seem to have the same heads as well.

KW Baraka

iTrader: (7)

ONLY differences are the cams...........PERIOD!

KW

joyridin'

iTrader: (1)

Yep. Spend the extra money and get a good cam, pushrods, and trunion kit. You would need a tune for the new cam also. In the end, it is about the same money as the 525hp engine, but you'll have a fair amount more hp depending on the cam you choose.

hawssie

Thanks! But if I was going to use a Gm controller for either engine, the 430 or 525hp, that would keep the price the same as far as the tuning goes, right? Not the case if your updating from an already running 430hp system.

slogo

Looks like there is about $1400.00 difference between 430 hp and 525 hp
if you get the 430 and try to upgrade yourself to the 525 by getting a cam, springs, gaskets,
and on top of that loosing warranty, and the hassle of setting it all up. it's not worth it
to me. just my .02

joyridin'

iTrader: (1)

If you are using the GM controller and an aftermarket cam, you will still need it tunes
D, so no difference there. I have a GMPP controller on mine. Pretty easy to tune for somebody that knows how. A tune is about $450 with a cam only change.

Joeking1025

iTrader: (1)

So has anyone driven both the 525 and the 480 for. A real camparison of the two motors?

big hammer

There's not really nearly that hp spread either

joyridin'

iTrader: (1)

I haven’t. I bought the 430 hp version, a BTR cam, pushrods, trunion kit, and now have 570 hp for about $1000 over the price of the 430 crate engine.

big hammer

The 430hp crate engine is really closer to 470

Joeking1025

iTrader: (1)

It looks like both the 480 and the 525 would be a good choice for Simone looking for something they can put a lot of miles on with good reliability and good power at the same time... maybe not for someone looking for a max effort set up

big hammer

The 525 also comes sealed for class racing in Chevy performance stock

Joeking1025

iTrader: (1)

Yep, I think it’s the ls3 525 ct.. I also think they have a version with the muscle Cat oil pan as well

MuhThugga

Which is just an H3 oil pan and may not fit depending on the application.

joyridin'

iTrader: (1)

If you do buy a new engine, double check the warranty. They say it has a 2 year warranty, but unless you have a GM dealer install the engine in your vehicle, it is only 30 days from time of purchase. Mine stated that clearly on the paperwork, so unless they changed it, that is how the warranty works. The 525 was about $1500 more than the 430 and the camshaft for the 525 is about $400 if I recall, so you are paying the extra for a non-existent warranty.

Joeking1025

iTrader: (1)

I had the muscle car oil pan on my 67 camaro with an ls2 and it fit but was almost 2@ below the crossmember.

Joeking1025

iTrader: (1)

Are there certified installers (not the dealership)where the warranty would still be 2 years?

joyridin'

iTrader: (1)

They say a dealer or "qualified installing Independent Service Center".

https://www.chevrolet.com/content/da...ranty-card.pdf

Joeking1025

iTrader: (1)

That’s defiantly something to look into if it’s an independent shop