LS3 dipstick?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
LS3 dipstick? Sorry if this has been asked, did a search and nothing came up. Anyone know what the distance is from where the dipstick tube seats on the block to the "full" mark on the stick?
Is this the same for LS1, 2 and 3? It seems to me they would all be the same, maybe each series is different, regardless of the pan as it measures the full level which shouldn't matter how deep or wide the pan is.
I ask because I acquired a crate LS3 engine (born in 2014) after someone had removed the original dipstick and tube and replaced it with one from Lokar. Lokar says there are too many pans on the LS3 engines and do not sell one specifically for it, from measurements of the dipstick they think the one I have is for a LS1 f-body.
I found the paperwork for this motor (GM part# 19301326) says its full with 5.5 quarts (with filter). However, from physical observation and measurements the oil pan is a GM #12640748 (can't find a part # on the pan), know where they stamped it? GM wasn't any help with finding out what pan they originally put on and it is unknown if it was ever changed. From what I have found searching for this pan, it holds 8 quarts. It takes about 7 quarts to reach the Lokar stick and don't want to run it with either too little or too much oil.
Hope you all can help, TIA Jack
Is this the same for LS1, 2 and 3? It seems to me they would all be the same, maybe each series is different, regardless of the pan as it measures the full level which shouldn't matter how deep or wide the pan is.
I ask because I acquired a crate LS3 engine (born in 2014) after someone had removed the original dipstick and tube and replaced it with one from Lokar. Lokar says there are too many pans on the LS3 engines and do not sell one specifically for it, from measurements of the dipstick they think the one I have is for a LS1 f-body.
I found the paperwork for this motor (GM part# 19301326) says its full with 5.5 quarts (with filter). However, from physical observation and measurements the oil pan is a GM #12640748 (can't find a part # on the pan), know where they stamped it? GM wasn't any help with finding out what pan they originally put on and it is unknown if it was ever changed. From what I have found searching for this pan, it holds 8 quarts. It takes about 7 quarts to reach the Lokar stick and don't want to run it with either too little or too much oil.
Hope you all can help, TIA Jack
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,289
Likes: 3,615
From: Central Cal.
It isn't rocket science. Use the Lokar dipstick which is meant to be marked by the buyer. Make sure the pickup is at the proper distance from the bottom of the pan. Put about 5 qts in it, put the dipstick in its tube as far as it goes, pull it out, and see where the top of the oil hits it. Mark that spot with the edge of a file. It will be the "Add" mark. Put another quart in it and mark where it is as the "Full" mark. Done.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 519
I've run the Lokar LS oil dip stick on a few of my LS1/LS6 swaps. Part Number ED-5008.
I have brand new one on my work bench still in the shrink wrap. From the nut that bottoms against the block to the end of the dip stick is 5.5 inches.
I have the same dip stick in my LS6 swapped 98 Wrangler. I change the oil every fall. 2002 Camaro oil pan. 5.5 quarts with a filter change. 15 years on the swap.
I checked it today and the oil is right up to the top of cross hatched area of the alum piece on the end of the dip stick wire.
I have brand new one on my work bench still in the shrink wrap. From the nut that bottoms against the block to the end of the dip stick is 5.5 inches.
I have the same dip stick in my LS6 swapped 98 Wrangler. I change the oil every fall. 2002 Camaro oil pan. 5.5 quarts with a filter change. 15 years on the swap.
I checked it today and the oil is right up to the top of cross hatched area of the alum piece on the end of the dip stick wire.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Thanks for responding. In talking to Lokar, we think the dipstick is their ED-5008 which is 4-1/8" from the block nut to the "full" mark, this lines up real well with what LS1TJ said above.
From physical measurements I believe this pan is from a 2010-2015 Camaro SS, which from everything I can find is an 8 quart pan, but still trying to prove this. Putting in 5 quarts to "set" the low mark doesn't work as this amount of oil doesn't even reach the stick, 6 doesn't either, takes 7.
What I would like to confirm is that all LS3 have 4-1/8" of stick inside the block (to the full mark), regardless of what pan they have. Because isn't the "full" mark really just a measurement of the oil below the crank shaft and that isn't determined by pan size? Maybe GM used different sized counter weights in some engines (like trucks, LS6, etc) which would mean different levels of oil in those engines.
Is there a way to know where the pickup is, like suggested by GAtsma, without dropping the pan? I don't know of one.
I know, not an easy question for a newbie, but like my dad used to say, if it was easy they would have women and children doing it!
Thanks for your help
From physical measurements I believe this pan is from a 2010-2015 Camaro SS, which from everything I can find is an 8 quart pan, but still trying to prove this. Putting in 5 quarts to "set" the low mark doesn't work as this amount of oil doesn't even reach the stick, 6 doesn't either, takes 7.
What I would like to confirm is that all LS3 have 4-1/8" of stick inside the block (to the full mark), regardless of what pan they have. Because isn't the "full" mark really just a measurement of the oil below the crank shaft and that isn't determined by pan size? Maybe GM used different sized counter weights in some engines (like trucks, LS6, etc) which would mean different levels of oil in those engines.
Is there a way to know where the pickup is, like suggested by GAtsma, without dropping the pan? I don't know of one.
I know, not an easy question for a newbie, but like my dad used to say, if it was easy they would have women and children doing it!
Thanks for your help
