LS3 Question
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
LS3 Question Im looking at an LS3 right now that i am considering buying. Im new to the ls series engines. The guy says its from an chevy ssr, did they come with ls3's. And is there a forsure way to tell if its an Ls3
you can check the cast numbers in a bunch of places, but i dont know the numbers.
that said i dont think ls3s even came close to coming to an ssr, they got the axe in 06 i thought
that said i dont think ls3s even came close to coming to an ssr, they got the axe in 06 i thought
if its aluminum, says 6.2 on the front of the block and has the "car" intake on it, yes.
pretty sure the ssr's got the LS2. that will say 6.0 on the front of the block.
pretty sure the ssr's got the LS2. that will say 6.0 on the front of the block.
Last edited by IHEARTLS1; Jun 30, 2010 at 01:51 AM.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
If its the 6.0 ls2, is there much of a difference in power pontential vs. the ls3's 6.2, i cant see the .2 liters making that much of a difference.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
It is not just .2L of displacement that make the difference. It is the head design, camshaft profile, intake manifold design, as well as the large bore size.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0
Brett Foote
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever
Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
So just an updated design of the older ones?. Also would there be much of a difference in power potential in an ls2 vs an ls3 with regards to the $ factor
There is alot of difference in the power output of the 2 really. Go on to the GMPP website and compare the graphs. There is alot of untapped power in the LS3 stock head. One of the reasons the LS3 has a better potential is the larger bore size to start out with. That will be one of the better contributing factors to power output and cyl head flow numbers, not just runner size and style. Those do help as well though.
The LS3 head is not an updated design. It is completely different. Trying to compare them spec for spec will really get you nowhere. Also the larger valve size of the LS3 head helps tremendously. I am not sure how well the "small bore" LS3 head will work, but my guess is not as good as the standard heads will.
In peak HP difference, the nod would prob go to a very well ported LS2 style (cathedral) head, but for overall power, I see the LS3 style head winning out. That is just based on the head design. Fitted with the larger bore that the LS3 engines have, it is a very killer combo.
The LS3 head is not an updated design. It is completely different. Trying to compare them spec for spec will really get you nowhere. Also the larger valve size of the LS3 head helps tremendously. I am not sure how well the "small bore" LS3 head will work, but my guess is not as good as the standard heads will.
In peak HP difference, the nod would prob go to a very well ported LS2 style (cathedral) head, but for overall power, I see the LS3 style head winning out. That is just based on the head design. Fitted with the larger bore that the LS3 engines have, it is a very killer combo.
LS3 Question for JOHN@SCOGGIN Hello John (JOHN@SCOGGINS), are you inferring that there are 2 different Heads for LS3, or were you referring to LS2 Heads having smaller valves in your statement. Not trying to be a smart-***, I am getting ready to buy a set of LS3 Heads and would like to know as much as possible about the LS3 Head. thx
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Hello John (JOHN@SCOGGINS), are you inferring that there are 2 different Heads for LS3, or were you referring to LS2 Heads having smaller valves in your statement. Not trying to be a smart-***, I am getting ready to buy a set of LS3 Heads and would like to know as much as possible about the LS3 Head. thx
Thanks fro pointing out the differences. Also are the blocks different in any way compared to an ls1.
Thanks Mike
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Another question
I found an engine close by for a good price, its a 5.3 from an ssr. How do these compare to lets say an ls1, i know it already has less cubes, bur is there any major difference in the block, and would it be alluminun
Thanks Mike
I found an engine close by for a good price, its a 5.3 from an ssr. How do these compare to lets say an ls1, i know it already has less cubes, bur is there any major difference in the block, and would it be alluminun
Thanks Mike
Yes, they use a different style sleeve as well. I forget how it goes really. I would have to refresh my memory on that one. There are quite a few differences that make the LS2 block resleeved more desirable than the LS1 resleeved. I would talk to VA Speed about some of that to get more clarification.
All this is aside from standard bore size of course. GM did alot of redesigning during the infancy of the LS engine, including the head bolts and the head design itself, head material, intake design, cam bearing design, and the "bay to bay" windows implored in the LS6 blocks. Just a few of the differences.
All this is aside from standard bore size of course. GM did alot of redesigning during the infancy of the LS engine, including the head bolts and the head design itself, head material, intake design, cam bearing design, and the "bay to bay" windows implored in the LS6 blocks. Just a few of the differences.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Yes, they use a different style sleeve as well. I forget how it goes really. I would have to refresh my memory on that one. There are quite a few differences that make the LS2 block resleeved more desirable than the LS1 resleeved. I would talk to VA Speed about some of that to get more clarification.
All this is aside from standard bore size of course. GM did alot of redesigning during the infancy of the LS engine, including the head bolts and the head design itself, head material, intake design, cam bearing design, and the "bay to bay" windows implored in the LS6 blocks. Just a few of the differences.
All this is aside from standard bore size of course. GM did alot of redesigning during the infancy of the LS engine, including the head bolts and the head design itself, head material, intake design, cam bearing design, and the "bay to bay" windows implored in the LS6 blocks. Just a few of the differences.
I found an engine close by for a good price, its a 5.3 from an ssr. How do these compare to lets say an ls1, i know it already has less cubes, but is there any major difference in the block and can the same n/a power be had for relatively the same price, and would it be alluminun
Thanks Mike
Ok, first off. The 5.3 out of that SSR should have an alum block. They are just as reliable as the LS1 for the most part. The power level is down because of the smaller bore. Wiseco does make pistons for the 5.3s though. I have not been able to use them yet, but have been looking forward to an opportunity to do so. That is for both std stroke and a 4.00 stroke, making a little more cubic inches avail in a "budget block".
On the engine side, we sell GMPP crate engines that come complete, or we sell the GM Goodwrench engines that come with heads, pan, front cover, rear cover. GM does not make an LS shortblock anymore, but we can make accomodations for one as well as building forged short/long blocks in anything from stock CI to over 500 CI now with the GM blocks and the same with the aftermarket blocks.
In fact, we have a KILLER deal running on the 04 LS6 CTS-V (400HP) engines. They are 3245 shipped to a business or hold on the freight dock. They come less intake/waterpump and come with the CTS-V/Vette balalncer, but that can be changed rather easy. With the right cam, a customer dynod 430 with a stall through an auto here is the link https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...k-results.html
Pretty impressive. We have camshafts spec'd very close to that that we can install for the cost of parts and small install fee and have you on your merry way!
On the engine side, we sell GMPP crate engines that come complete, or we sell the GM Goodwrench engines that come with heads, pan, front cover, rear cover. GM does not make an LS shortblock anymore, but we can make accomodations for one as well as building forged short/long blocks in anything from stock CI to over 500 CI now with the GM blocks and the same with the aftermarket blocks.
In fact, we have a KILLER deal running on the 04 LS6 CTS-V (400HP) engines. They are 3245 shipped to a business or hold on the freight dock. They come less intake/waterpump and come with the CTS-V/Vette balalncer, but that can be changed rather easy. With the right cam, a customer dynod 430 with a stall through an auto here is the link https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...k-results.html
Pretty impressive. We have camshafts spec'd very close to that that we can install for the cost of parts and small install fee and have you on your merry way!