ls1 - gen3 block confusion.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
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From: a Twin Cities suburb in Minnesota
ls1 - gen3 block confusion. Ok. So I get my car tuned. That went well. Actually, it's awesome. He actually rewrote some lookup tables with HP Tuner software...but save that for another thread. The guy told me it was tuned for a 160F thermostat, which we had mutually decided I'd put in at a later time. So, naturally, he sent me home with a print of this. So I ordered this one. Yeah, well, I though I'd save some money cuz Jegs only wanted 0$ for shipping whereas TS wanted 14.30$...anyhow....jegs added 9.9 handling and 2.50 for some delivery surcharge...but whatever. 
So, I take it to get installed and they tell me that it's the wrong part. They then call Hypertech and they say they don't make one for my engine.
Apparently, I have a gen3 not and ls1. again i'm confused They told me its a 346cu in., 5.7L, Vin Code G, Gen3 block. HHHmmm.
Go easy on me. Now, I'm not a car guy, so that's why I'm writing this. I saw some stickey somewhere how to tell what engine block a person has in their car. (I think)....but couldn't find it.
How can I tell, undeniably, what engine I have in my car?? Therefore, I can get the correct part(s).
What is difference between a gen3 and ls1?
Thanks for your time and tolerating my naivete.
So, I take it to get installed and they tell me that it's the wrong part. They then call Hypertech and they say they don't make one for my engine.
Apparently, I have a gen3 not and ls1. again i'm confused
They told me its a 346cu in., 5.7L, Vin Code G, Gen3 block. HHHmmm. Go easy on me. Now, I'm not a car guy, so that's why I'm writing this. I saw some stickey somewhere how to tell what engine block a person has in their car. (I think)....but couldn't find it.
How can I tell, undeniably, what engine I have in my car?? Therefore, I can get the correct part(s).
What is difference between a gen3 and ls1?
Thanks for your time and tolerating my naivete.
the 1st gen Small block came out in 1955, gen2 aka LT1 came out in 1992, the 3rd Gen aka LS1 came out in 1997, the 4th gen came out in 2005 and is the LS2
your 2002 TA came from the factory wht the 3rd gen LS1 in it.
your 2002 TA came from the factory wht the 3rd gen LS1 in it.
It's not necessarily the "block", it's more dependent on the pump. If you still have the factory water pump, you'll need the early style one-piece thermostat that comes with the housing. If the pump has been changed, it could possibly take the later two-piece style (separate t'stat) depending on what pump was installed.
Besides all that, you can add shims (pop rivet washers) under your factory t'stat to make it operate at a lower temp. Do a search...
Besides all that, you can add shims (pop rivet washers) under your factory t'stat to make it operate at a lower temp. Do a search...
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
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From: a Twin Cities suburb in Minnesota
It's not necessarily the "block", it's more dependent on the pump. If you still have the factory water pump, you'll need the early style one-piece thermostat that comes with the housing. If the pump has been changed, it could possibly take the later two-piece style (separate t'stat) depending on what pump was installed.
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
A Gen 3 is not an engine, its a series of engines. They made Gen 3s in 4.8, 5.3, and 6.0s for the trucks, most were cast iron but there was a High Output 5.3 that was aluminum. The f-bodies, vettes, and GTOs got the Gen 3 5.7. It was code named the LS1. All other engines had 3 letter names as well but most just know LS1 because its the "high performance" Gen 3 I suppose. Basically all parts interchange between the 4 engines.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,373
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From: Auckland, Nth Is, New Zealand.
Whoever is working on your car, re: water pump, 'SHOULDN'T BE' if they don't know the difference between pumps, thermostat included (one piece) & pump with separate thermostat i would be taking my car else where.
For them to phone Hypertech then relay to you that information about not making one is just utter crap, they need a bloody good
For them to phone Hypertech then relay to you that information about not making one is just utter crap, they need a bloody good
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On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 190
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From: Woodinville, WA
Whoever is working on your car, re: water pump, 'SHOULDN'T BE' if they don't know the difference between pumps, thermostat included (one piece) & pump with separate thermostat i would be taking my car else where.
For them to phone Hypertech then relay to you that information about not making one is just utter crap, they need a bloody good
For them to phone Hypertech then relay to you that information about not making one is just utter crap, they need a bloody good
but yeah gen III ls1 5.7
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
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From: a Twin Cities suburb in Minnesota
A Gen 3 is not an engine, its a series of engines. They made Gen 3s in 4.8, 5.3, and 6.0s for the trucks, most were cast iron but there was a High Output 5.3 that was aluminum. The f-bodies, vettes, and GTOs got the Gen 3 5.7. It was code named the LS1. All other engines had 3 letter names as well but most just know LS1 because its the "high performance" Gen 3 I suppose. Basically all parts interchange between the 4 engines.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: a Twin Cities suburb in Minnesota
Whoever is working on your car, re: water pump, 'SHOULDN'T BE' if they don't know the difference between pumps, thermostat included (one piece) & pump with separate thermostat i would be taking my car else where.
For them to phone Hypertech then relay to you that information about not making one is just utter crap, they need a bloody good
For them to phone Hypertech then relay to you that information about not making one is just utter crap, they need a bloody good
I've been taking it to a guy I've known for over ten years. He's been working with cars for probably 30. So, I'm pretty sure he knows of what he speaks.
He just gave me a printout using my vin. It states it's a 5.7 L 346 CID V8. The LS1's are 350's right?
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2007
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He just gave me a printout using my vin. It states it's a 5.7 L 346 CID V8. The LS1's are 350's right?
yes if you have a trans am 98-02 it is going to say you have a 346 cid 5.7 (ls1), But that may not matter in your case since you do not know if your engine is the factory engine that came in your car. Can you get the numbers on the rear of your block??
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
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From: a Twin Cities suburb in Minnesota
Yep. That's what I was planning on doing. I'll get at it tonite and see what I can read.
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 81
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From: Perkins, OK
i've read through both of your threads. 5 pages. please just crawl under there and get us some numbers 
edit: i'm not really mad just curious. and btw my guess is its a stock ls1 block. 5k or whatever into the engine and you would see much more going on than is there. dealer was just conveying bad info.
edit: i'm not really mad just curious. and btw my guess is its a stock ls1 block. 5k or whatever into the engine and you would see much more going on than is there. dealer was just conveying bad info.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: a Twin Cities suburb in Minnesota
i've read through both of your threads. 5 pages. please just crawl under there and get us some numbers
edit: i'm not really mad just curious. and btw my guess is its a stock ls1 block. 5k or whatever into the engine and you would see much more going on than is there. dealer was just conveying bad info.
edit: i'm not really mad just curious. and btw my guess is its a stock ls1 block. 5k or whatever into the engine and you would see much more going on than is there. dealer was just conveying bad info.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: a Twin Cities suburb in Minnesota
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: a Twin Cities suburb in Minnesota
crapcrapcrap.
I tried to feel/find it but could barely fit my had on back side of block.
Anyone have any luck getting the block casting number w/out lifting the car up?
If so, how'd you do it?
I tried to feel/find it but could barely fit my had on back side of block.
Anyone have any luck getting the block casting number w/out lifting the car up?
If so, how'd you do it?
Last edited by Exitstageleft; Aug 12, 2011 at 09:21 AM. Reason: added more detail
