Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
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LS3 525 HP or LS3 480 HP Crate Engine Street Manners

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Old 05-12-2014 | 10:18 PM
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Default LS3 525 HP or LS3 480 HP Crate Engine Street Manners

Anyone know what kind of manners the 525 HP engine has over the 480 HP engine? I am looking for a streetable engine with some attitude.

Thanks.
Old 05-12-2014 | 10:35 PM
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The only major difference I see is a 219/228 vs. a 226/236 cam. The 525 will lope a little harder at idle with the tight LSA but should be just as easy to drive.
Old 05-12-2014 | 10:45 PM
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I would opt for the 525 version. I think it will be plenty streetable for you.
Old 05-13-2014 | 08:10 AM
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We'll know, soon. We are installing a 525 in a 62 Stude.
The recommended converter, [from PTC], is a 3200 stall.

We'll see.
Old 05-13-2014 | 11:14 AM
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Seems like the heads and cam are different. It doesn't list the LSA but I'd imagine it's pretty narrow and will have a nice chop to it but won't be unstreetable. GM wouldn't sell a motor like that. If I were choosing between the two I'd go for the 525 hands down.
Old 05-14-2014 | 03:11 PM
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Just put the LS3 525 in my 71 Vette. It idles nice and smooth and driveability is fantastic (my other toy is also a 496 big block Chevelle that makes 580 to the tire NA so....)

No regrets here other than I tried to use an old converter that just isn't going to work (too much of a turd down low.) That's okay, a new Circle D is on the way! I'll do an idle and driving video this weekend if the weather is nice.

Also the GMPP LS3-525 has the GM ASA cam which is on a 110 LSA.


Last edited by fleming23; 05-14-2014 at 03:17 PM.
Old 05-14-2014 | 03:19 PM
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I agree that anything GM is going to sell is going to be nothing but streetable to 99% of this population.
Old 05-14-2014 | 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by fleming23
Just put the LS3 525 in my 71 Vette. It idles nice and smooth and driveability is fantastic (my other toy is also a 496 big block Chevelle that makes 580 to the tire NA so....)

No regrets here other than I tried to use an old converter that just isn't going to work (too much of a turd down low.) That's okay, a new Circle D is on the way! I'll do an idle and driving video this weekend if the weather is nice.

Also the GMPP LS3-525 has the GM ASA cam which is on a 110 LSA.

1971 Corvette LS3 525 GMPP crate motor - YouTube
cool project! I liked the video, even the led zepelin in the background.
What trans are you running?
Would that be normal to lose 20% to driveline?
If the 6L80, how did you keep it in fourth?

Doug
Old 05-14-2014 | 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by DW SD
cool project! I liked the video, even the led zepelin in the background.
What trans are you running?
Would that be normal to lose 20% to driveline?
If the 6L80, how did you keep it in fourth?

Doug
I'm not one to normally include music in a car video because it ruins the point of the video, but in this case, with it nearly muting it during the pulls, I felt it worked.

Trans is a 4L80E. Pulls were made in 3rd gear and were done at a speed to keep the car from down shifting. When I had this trans in my Chevelle I just changed the shift points to keep it from downshifting. In a C3 I would say 20% is probably likely if not conservative as it has so many u-joints & half shafts, etc not to mention the big 4L80. If you look at the comments in the video on YouTube the car actually ended up making 437hp & 416tq after getting the tune more dialed in.
Old 05-14-2014 | 11:58 PM
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"If the 6L80, how did you keep it in fourth?"

If you have HP Tuners you can command it to be in 4th gear.
Old 05-28-2014 | 11:01 PM
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I looked at the power and torque curves for both engines and the 480 LS3 made more HP and TQ up to 4500 RPM and then the 525 LS3 started to make a bit more. It would be safe to say that most people are operating their engines at 4500 RPM or less 95% of the time.




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