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LS3 valves really that bad?

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Old 05-23-2011, 03:35 PM
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Default LS3 valves really that bad?

I have heard a lot of people telling me to change the stock LS3 valves to something aftermarket to keep from breaking them. i just bought a set of brand new LS3 heads, fullly assembled. is it really neccessary to change from the stock hollow/sodium filled valves to something different? they are going on a 370 with an MS4 cam.
Old 05-23-2011, 05:10 PM
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I thought the LS3 valves were pretty robust. They are very light and that's a big bonus for such a large valve. I swap heavy L92 valves for the LS3 valves all the time. The early L92 valves were the ones with all the failures.

Oh and by the way, the MS4 is not going to fit in a 370 without some big valve reliefs. Also, it's going to have more overlap than is ideal for that combo.
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Old 05-23-2011, 05:16 PM
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Agreed, we've had alot of success with the hollow-stem LS3 valves!
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Old 05-23-2011, 05:36 PM
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the pistons i have, have 3.2 cc valve releifs for a 2.165 intake.

i know the MS4 isint "ideal" but is it really going to hurt me that bad? just trying to keep from buying another cam as this engine is just a...temporary untill i can afford the stroker kit and a solid roller setup.
Old 05-23-2011, 09:10 PM
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what about the exhaust valves

I have a set that are trying to pop the tips off

Had a intake valve break in the middle of the radius.

150-400 springs

Tim
Old 05-23-2011, 09:22 PM
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Ls3 valves are great. I had three pistons break and bust awhole in my block and bang up the combustion chambers up on my heads leaving chunks of piston in my intake manifold long story short not one valve broke!
Old 05-23-2011, 10:31 PM
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Agreed, it was the L92's that were the problematic ones.

My Ls3 heads from LPE came with inconel exhaust valves, ive heard nothing but good things about them.
Old 05-24-2011, 04:25 PM
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i think i changed my cam choice. after talking to Jon@Texas-Speed, i decided on the 231/236 .641 .615 111LSA cam. going to be a much better choice.

now my next question is should i opt for a FAST 102/102 or would it hurt to run a stock LS3 intake with 90MM TB and 85MM MAF?
Old 05-24-2011, 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by bww3588
i think i changed my cam choice. after talking to Jon@Texas-Speed, i decided on the 231/236 .641 .615 111LSA cam. going to be a much better choice.

now my next question is should i opt for a FAST 102/102 or would it hurt to run a stock LS3 intake with 90MM TB and 85MM MAF?
Much better cam choice. The stock LS3 intake should be up to task. The 85mm MAF will be the choke in the system, but not a terribly bad one.
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Old 05-24-2011, 04:38 PM
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any other MAF options that wont break the bank?
Old 05-24-2011, 06:43 PM
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Yea boo there is!!

SD!!!! FTMFW!!

I'll be doing it within 4 weeks!
Old 05-24-2011, 06:53 PM
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thanks dude...BTW, im definately making a trip to Illinois when i get this bitch done...you better have yours done.

and no on the SD. i gotta make a trip cross country in this and i dont want to have to re tune it every 500 miles.
Old 05-24-2011, 08:40 PM
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Lol, sounds good bud, I'm close to it!
When are you coming?

I'd try that Ls3 cartridge style mafs. But that 85mm mafs will choke your air up.
Old 05-24-2011, 08:47 PM
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Hell I don't know. At the rate my build is coming along, probably next summer.

What's the LS3 maf? I've never seen it.
Old 05-24-2011, 09:31 PM
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Originally Posted by bww3588
Hell I don't know. At the rate my build is coming along, probably next summer.

What's the LS3 maf? I've never seen it.
It's a cartridge that slips into a tube, the tune changes a LOT when the size of the tube changes, or when it's closer to or further from a bend...but it's a great sensor, and very little restriction.

http://www.google.com/search?q=LS3+M...w=1366&bih=643
Old 05-25-2011, 06:53 AM
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Does it require a special tube to put in a 4th gen intake tract?
Old 05-25-2011, 08:22 AM
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It does bud...if you get a good tuner you won't need to get retunes. The Chrysler srt8's all are on SD tunes. I'm sure a good tuner has some files that can be uploaded to your PCM. My buddy chris1313 is on SD on a stock bottom end making 522rwhp on speedinc's dyno and he drives his car everywhere no problem. Call some tuners up and ask.

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Old 05-25-2011, 12:20 PM
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Yea but the srt8's run in SDCL. Id have to find a good enough tuner to do that with o2's to adjust for fuel.
Old 05-25-2011, 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by bww3588
Yea but the srt8's run in SDCL. Id have to find a good enough tuner to do that with o2's to adjust for fuel.
lol why cant you run closed loop in SD?? i keep hearing this over and over, people seem to think you can run SD in closed loop.... i do it all the time, and i quite prefer it that way... the mostly the only time i dont run closed loop is if the car runs leaded race gas, or its a turbo deal and retard who designed the kit put the o2's before the turbo
Old 05-25-2011, 02:47 PM
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Thanks for chiming in Ryne!!

I told you bud, SD is the way to go. Your acceleration response time will be faster too!
And no obstructions in the airway.


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