Where to buy an LS3?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 26
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Where to buy an LS3? Hello all,
I have been saving and planning for a LS376-480 for my 1970 Camaro, and was wondering if anyone would share opinions/experiences good or bad regarding crate motor dealers.
It is not entirely about the price, but of course that is a consideration.
Thanks!
I have been saving and planning for a LS376-480 for my 1970 Camaro, and was wondering if anyone would share opinions/experiences good or bad regarding crate motor dealers.
It is not entirely about the price, but of course that is a consideration.
Thanks!
If you are buying new it is hard to beat your local GM dealer. My neighbor was a car salesman so I got his employee discount. No shipping costs and I got it within a week of ordering. The loaded into the back of my pickup truck cost was a little less than the list price of on line catalogs.
I also bought an the LS7 clutch, flywheel and pilot bearing at the same time. The salesperson was very knowledgable and helped out getting the right parts.
Buying from a local dealer should give you more return options if there are difficulties.
I also bought an the LS7 clutch, flywheel and pilot bearing at the same time. The salesperson was very knowledgable and helped out getting the right parts.
Buying from a local dealer should give you more return options if there are difficulties.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Thanks for the replies.
To clarify, yes I am looking for new. I don't have the knowledge or desire to resurrect a salvage engine. It will no doubt cost more to go new, but at my skill level, it is probably worth it to go with something predictable.
I haven't asked at the local dealership. I sort of "assumed" their price would be high, but I guess there is no harm in asking. It WOULD be nice to buy locally, for the reasons mentioned. I'll also check out Regal.
To clarify, yes I am looking for new. I don't have the knowledge or desire to resurrect a salvage engine. It will no doubt cost more to go new, but at my skill level, it is probably worth it to go with something predictable.
I haven't asked at the local dealership. I sort of "assumed" their price would be high, but I guess there is no harm in asking. It WOULD be nice to buy locally, for the reasons mentioned. I'll also check out Regal.
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http://www.gmperformancemotor.com/parts/19244097.html
this place has it for $6,156.00. i think that is where i am going to buy mine, i havent found it cheaper anywhere else yet.
this place has it for $6,156.00. i think that is where i am going to buy mine, i havent found it cheaper anywhere else yet.
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I got curious and looked up LS3 on ebay, some of them want $13k?
Yeah avoiding ebay would be a good idea in this case I guess.
Average seemed around $8-10k on there, ridiculous.
Yeah avoiding ebay would be a good idea in this case I guess. Average seemed around $8-10k on there, ridiculous. Ya ebay seems to be a rip off for an ls3. Some of the guys list truck pull out motors as ls3's and then try sell it for 7k. Theses ls3's are nice but on average for a used one I think they are only worth like like 3500 for a low mile motor. I have seen quite a few ls3's with lows miles complete without harness for 3k. Those motors I have seen all had less than 6k miles on them too. Just don't have they money for one otherwise I would of already bought one.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 578
Likes: 4
From: REALITY
Well unfortunately Car-parts or most salvage yards will not be the cheapest route for a LS3.... most salvage yards will tact on that great Vette tax..lol
I have seen LS3's on car-parts and other salvage yards but hell, they want $6000+ for the motor..screw they add the ecm, you can get a ecm for $75-$100... Most people don't realize that most ECMs are not 6.0 or 5.7 specific... They use the same ECM's for more than one engine usually. My ECM I got for my LS2 is actually out of a 2006 4.8 monte carlo, when the ECM out of the GTO donor was fried by a certain mail order tuner.. I just got the monte ecm flashed for a 6.0 ....
Knapp Cheverlot in Houston was selling the LS3's for $5300.. don t know if its still that price but most are $6000+ new
Your other cheapest route maybe to buy a new L92 $3000-$3500, and convert it,remove VVt, LS2 timing set,cover, LS3 intake, valves if you want, cam it with a cam you want, springs etc...
Its up to you.......
I have seen LS3's on car-parts and other salvage yards but hell, they want $6000+ for the motor..screw they add the ecm, you can get a ecm for $75-$100... Most people don't realize that most ECMs are not 6.0 or 5.7 specific... They use the same ECM's for more than one engine usually. My ECM I got for my LS2 is actually out of a 2006 4.8 monte carlo, when the ECM out of the GTO donor was fried by a certain mail order tuner.. I just got the monte ecm flashed for a 6.0 ....
Knapp Cheverlot in Houston was selling the LS3's for $5300.. don t know if its still that price but most are $6000+ new
Your other cheapest route maybe to buy a new L92 $3000-$3500, and convert it,remove VVt, LS2 timing set,cover, LS3 intake, valves if you want, cam it with a cam you want, springs etc...
Its up to you.......
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
That's kind of what I would expect (the "Vette tax", that is). If I saw a decent used LS3for $3000-3500, I would go for it for sure. All I have seen for sale around here though is 5.3's. I'm just not sure where else to look...
I thought about an L92, but when I looked, they were just about as much as an LS3, plus then it would require a bunch of other parts for my application.
I thought about an L92, but when I looked, they were just about as much as an LS3, plus then it would require a bunch of other parts for my application.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 578
Likes: 4
From: REALITY
I know the last time I checked they had it..... They don't charge the extra tax on top that most dealers charge....
Goodluck, good people at Knapp, been around for a long time......
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 578
Likes: 4
From: REALITY