Hello everyone. I am going to build a stroker motor on a budget and I am trying to decide what to go with. I want to build the bottom end now and then upgrade the top end later when my son gets older and we can do it together. I have a 4.0 stroker crank and I will have to buy rods and pistons for either engine so that part makes it a wash. I currently have a set of 243 heads, a torquer v2 cam (3 bolt), ls6 intake, new LS7 trays and lifters. My question is...will the 243 heads work on the LS3? If so I could use all the top end stuff on the LS3 and then upgrade later. I would have to use a 3 bolt cam sprocket with the torquer v2 cam however it would work correct? As I said before I am trying to do this on a budget. As information...I can get a used LS2 short block with all the sensors and covers and everything for $500.00 (crank is bad but I don't need that part). The cheapest LS3 block I've found is about $1,000 bare. Any help is appreciated. I guess my main questions are can I use the current items I have on both the LS2 and LS3 and is the small amount of extra displacement worth the extra money since I can upgrade to LS3 heads and all on the LS2 block in the future for more power.

 

I would just go with whichever one is cheaper...

You can score an iron 6.0 block for a few hundred bucks.

 

Thanks. I kept thinking it over and just went ahead and bit the bullet on the LS2. It has all the covers and sensors and I figure it will make a good base for my build. The cheaper price will allow funds to go towards other things like an upgraded clutch.

 

Okay...so I have the LS2 block and all but I am still torn on going with it or buying an LS3 block and stroking it. All-in-all the LS3 will cost me $500.00 more. So my question is back to...Is the LS3 block and extra 12 cubic inches (414 LS3 vs. 404 LS2) worth the extra $500.00 dollars. Either way I have decided I will be using LS3 heads and intake and selling my 243 heads and LS6 intake.


I have the $500.00 but if it isn't worth it then that money could be used elsewhere (like finishing my suspension). Any input you can give is appreciated. Please give me the pros or cons of your recommendation.

 

Unless I missed it somewhere, you debated between the LS2 and LS3 block, went ahead and got the LS2, but now wonder again if you should do the LS3....am I getting that right lol?

 

Yep...you got it right. LOL I keep going back and forth. Maybe I read too many posts. I can sell the LS2 for what I paid for and the difference would be about $500.00 total between the LS2 build and LS3 build. Since I will starting from scratch with either block all the machine work cost, pistons, rods, crank, etc. will be the same. The only difference is the $500 difference in cost of the LS3 block.

 

Well I guess if you can truly sell the LS2 for what you paid, and the LS3 is only 500 more, then I'd say go for it if that's what you truly want. But if it were me I'd just save the hassle of trying to sell the LS2, so I could start my build now vs waiting. There really is no wrong answer here

 

just confirm your crank and pcm compatibility. 24x vs 58x
so no additional cost pops up on you

 

Start making notes of all the money you spend, and at the end of it all tally up how much
it cost you to change your mind so many times. Get a plan together stick with it, changing
your mind gets expensive. Go with what you have and move forward.