Swapping LS3 Crate into 02 Camaro, worth it?
Swapping LS3 Crate into 02 Camaro, worth it? I am considering all motor options to be the new heartbeat in my 02 Z. I like the power potential out of the LS3 but was wondering what you guys thought.
I think it would come down to the price. There are several aftermarket companies that can offer a motor with better internals than a stock crate motor for the same or less money. Also, don't forget that the reluctor on the crank and cam will need to be matched to work with your computer. An '02 car would have a 24x reluctor on the crank where the LS3 will come with a 58x. There are some other misc. needed for the swap but nothing too crazy. What are you looking to do with the car? What kind of budget are you on? Let me know if we can help point you in the right direction with your build.
Jon
Jon
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 707
Likes: 1
From: Right across the river from Huntington, WV
I would do traditional mods for right now. The L92 and LS3 are great, I myself had everything to put an L92 into my WS6 and had plans to do the LG G6x3 cam and send the heads off to TEA, but I decided against it. If GM stays afloat (which is very likely) they will be adding direct injection to the L92, LS3, L99, and L76 motors. I can only imagine the possibilities of an L99 (which is an LS3 with VVT and AFM) once the tuners and cam companies have caught up with these in say a years time from now. Controllers will become cheaper and more readily available and GM already has test mules of 6.2 motors with direct injection. Look at what the V6 with direct injection does in the new Camaro, so imagine it on a 6.2 combined with the benefits of AFM and especially VVT. In my opinion that is worth waiting for.
I'm focusing on other mods to my WS6 and waiting for to see what happens. Why spend the money now, only to have to redo it again in a year or 2 because I can't hang with modded new Camaro's or Vettes that will be reaping the benefits of this new tech.
If you need to go fast for now, there's always nitrous!
I'm focusing on other mods to my WS6 and waiting for to see what happens. Why spend the money now, only to have to redo it again in a year or 2 because I can't hang with modded new Camaro's or Vettes that will be reaping the benefits of this new tech.
If you need to go fast for now, there's always nitrous!
Speaking from experience the LS3 engine is amazing and responds very well to mods but if I hadn't gotten my engine in a trade I would have probably went with some that was stronger and cheaper like something from Texas Speed. Why not go with a LS2 shortblock with the L92 heads and LS3 intake setup or FAST 102/102. That way you can avoid the crank and cam signal issues, not that they are a big deal but it's money you can put elsewhere in a build besides a converter box.
It's only .2 liters smaller and I saw a guy in the dyno section put out almost 460rwhp with the setup I mentioned above with only boltons and a cam. Here is a link: Click Me
It's only .2 liters smaller and I saw a guy in the dyno section put out almost 460rwhp with the setup I mentioned above with only boltons and a cam. Here is a link: Click Me
My car is putting down about 455rwhp and about 425rwtq cam only with boltons. I am going to the track this Friday so we will see what I get without blowing up the 10 bolt that I have in there for now.
I think it would come down to the price. There are several aftermarket companies that can offer a motor with better internals than a stock crate motor for the same or less money. Also, don't forget that the reluctor on the crank and cam will need to be matched to work with your computer. An '02 car would have a 24x reluctor on the crank where the LS3 will come with a 58x. There are some other misc. needed for the swap but nothing too crazy. What are you looking to do with the car? What kind of budget are you on? Let me know if we can help point you in the right direction with your build.
Jon
Jon
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I think a ls3 with bolt ons would be an awsome sleeper in a f body with full boltons and a tune would prob make atleast 400 to 430rwhp and sound like a 350hp bolt on ls1 that would be badass and if your not a gm guy when you pop the hood no one would know the difference!!
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Verdad Gallardo I think a ls3 with bolt ons would be an awsome sleeper in a f body with full boltons and a tune would prob make atleast 400 to 430rwhp and sound like a 350hp bolt on ls1 that would be badass and if your not a gm guy when you pop the hood no one would know the difference!!
Thats more or less what I've got in mine (https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ant-death.html ) , and its a blast. Got the wiring issue fixed that was causing the driver's side bank to lean out, and its unreal how much more fun this thing is. Looks like a V6 and is fairly quiet due to the SLP dual / dual exhaust.
Yeah I haven't gotten into an big races with it but nobody expects it when I am at a street light and it goes green. I love reving it at people with loud exhausts and then completely blowing them away, haha! I'll try to get a video up of how it sounds.
yea i am buying a ls3 brand new motor out of a 2010 camaro ss. i was wondering how hard is it to change to the 24x reluctor. what do i need to buy and where do i get it? thanks also what do i have to do with the cam sensor anything or what!?!?!?!
Lol awsome i would love to hear it!!
there is a reluctor box put out by lingenfelter i believe...makes a 58x reluctor run just fine as 24x. dont know exactly how it works but its easier than pulling the crank thats for sure
sounds good yea i have to get that box! so what are the best mods i can do to this ls3 before she goes in the z!!!???? ALSO WILL MY HOOKER HEADERS BOLT RIGHT UP? THANKS
Last edited by ajw2500hd; Jun 7, 2009 at 05:44 PM.
They should bolt right up. I did a cam swap on mine - mostly to eliminate the VVT mine came with (mine started out as an L92 truck motor).