GTO LS2 vs. Corvette LS2
GTO LS2 vs. Corvette LS2 Hi, I'm looking into bastardizing an RX-7 with an LS2, and I found something like 8 GTO LS2s on eBay and only 1 from a Corvette. I did a little research to find out if they were any different, and here's what I found from reading the LS2GTO boards and general performance info:
I also heard the Vettes generally dyno about 10-15HP higher. While some claim the rear-mounted transaxle in the Corvette is much less restrictive, I'd say the exhaust and intake changes would permit enough extra flow for that much more power, and as for making it in a higher rev range, a shorter manifold would make a bit of a difference there, as would intake design, but I doubt they would change that.
Just hoping to see if anyone can negate, backup, or supplement any part of this list for me. Thanks!
- 400 HP (advertised) @ 6000 RPMs (Corvette) vs. 5200 RPMs (GTO)
- 400 lb-ft (advertised) @ 4400 RPMs (Corvette) vs. 4000 RPMs (GTO)
- Less restrictive intake manifold on the Corvette (doubt this is true), probably confused with the...
- Superior intake design. Corvette uses the same short-tubed, front-mounted intake as C5s used, with a "ram air" sort of effect
- The GTO uses a tube which wraps around to the driver's side, with an airbox sitting near the exhaust manifolds, which leads to...
- Heat soak issues in the GTO intake, leading to the PCM reportedly pulling timing on the GTO only
- Exhaust manifold design: The Corvette supposedly uses redesigned manifolds while the GTO retains the LS1 exhaust manifolds
- Less restrictive exhaust on the Corvette. I assume this is more for audible aesthetics, as GM would want their flagship to be heard before thier budget muscle.
- Oil pans: frontward sump on the GTO vs. the Corvette's sump being nearer to the flywheel. There may be other design differences in them too. For what it's worth, I've heard the GTOs have had sparse issues of oil surge, while the Corvette's don't.
I also heard the Vettes generally dyno about 10-15HP higher. While some claim the rear-mounted transaxle in the Corvette is much less restrictive, I'd say the exhaust and intake changes would permit enough extra flow for that much more power, and as for making it in a higher rev range, a shorter manifold would make a bit of a difference there, as would intake design, but I doubt they would change that.
Just hoping to see if anyone can negate, backup, or supplement any part of this list for me. Thanks!
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 689
Likes: 0
From: Perth, Australia
Intake manifolds and throttle bodies are the same.
Intake tubing and filter setup is different.
Advertised power is just marketted differently and understated for both. (440 @ 6000 is probably closer to the truth.)
Engines identical internally.
Oil pans are different.
Also belt driven accessories are different, water pump pulley, balancer, brackets all different. Corvette alternator mounted high...GTO mounted low.
Corvette P/S pump mounted low...GTO mounted high. Both GTO belts run 3/4"
further away from the block.
If indeed you are bastardizing an LS2 into an RX7 all the stuff you talk about with exhaust systems, tranaxles, intake piping, oil surge, heat soak, exhaust manifolds etc is irrelevant.
Pretty sure you should be more concerned about which version of anything actually fits in the car. Then go from there.
Intake tubing and filter setup is different.
Advertised power is just marketted differently and understated for both. (440 @ 6000 is probably closer to the truth.)
Engines identical internally.
Oil pans are different.
Also belt driven accessories are different, water pump pulley, balancer, brackets all different. Corvette alternator mounted high...GTO mounted low.
Corvette P/S pump mounted low...GTO mounted high. Both GTO belts run 3/4"
further away from the block.
If indeed you are bastardizing an LS2 into an RX7 all the stuff you talk about with exhaust systems, tranaxles, intake piping, oil surge, heat soak, exhaust manifolds etc is irrelevant.
Pretty sure you should be more concerned about which version of anything actually fits in the car. Then go from there.
Originally Posted by HSV-GTS-300
If indeed you are bastardizing an LS2 into an RX7 all the stuff you talk about with exhaust systems, tranaxles, intake piping, oil surge, heat soak, exhaust manifolds etc is irrelevant.
Pretty sure you should be more concerned about which version of anything actually fits in the car. Then go from there.
Pretty sure you should be more concerned about which version of anything actually fits in the car. Then go from there.
Originally Posted by flyin red TA
The engines are identical other than accessories and oil pans. Don't pay the vette tax by getting one out of a C6.
I agree with flyin red TA. All the external issues you mention are non-issues with your swap.
Bob K.
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I'm with the others. Keep in mind if your putting an LS2 in your rx7, you will need custom headers and exhuast anywho, so take that out of the equation. Same goes for the intake. Only thing to consider is the exterior differences in the oil pan. Do your research, see which oil pan fits better (or neither) then equait that into your budget. -Jim
Originally Posted by ThaBirdMan
Exactly
something i would look into while swaping the engine into a smaller car is the pulley arangement like hsv-gts-300 stated. the vettes system is closer to the block, this may not be an issue because of the long nose on the rx7s. but it might help later on when it comes to performing maintenance down the road.
brody
brody
Sorry to bring this back from the dead but does anyone have a picture of both the GTO and Vette LS2 view from the pullies and accessories perspective? I picked up a Vette LS2and will probably need GTO accessories.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 689
Likes: 0
From: Perth, Australia
Corvette WP
GTO WP
Corvette LS2
If you wanted to keep your Corvette balancer and thin nosed water pump pulley.....yet have GTO style placement of accessories then there is a new option.
G8-GT L76
Good thread. 
I have an LS2 out of a trailblazer SS and just got an LS2 water pump which looks just like the corvette style. I already bought a tensioner(which I think is for an Fbody) and I just have to bolt the parts to the block to see what clearances I am running.
I have an LS2 out of a trailblazer SS and just got an LS2 water pump which looks just like the corvette style. I already bought a tensioner(which I think is for an Fbody) and I just have to bolt the parts to the block to see what clearances I am running. 
Damn I guess I should have read up before I dove in and bought the Vette engine. That's my engine up there with the Vette accessories.... Does that mean I will have to sell all the accessories and buy all new GTO parts?