2013 Ls3 looking for build help
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
2013 Ls3 looking for build help Hey guys
Trying to figure out how to build my motor to get the most out of it i possibly can in NA form..
I know a lot of you guys have spent countless hrs and $ on parts only to find something else worked better or gave you more bang for your $ and lasted longer.
Im looking for reliability as its a racing motor that lives in mid to top end, so wisdom is key here I want to make my races. Thats why Im putting it out there for all you pros to lend some advice
Ideally Id like to be around 550-600whp on E85.
In a perfect world depending on cost Id like to build it able to rev 7200k all day long.
What Cams produce great off throttle and pull all the way up into 7k?
What intake manifold is worth the $ or is the LS3 just as good if i send it out to get ported?
Heads? stock ported or aftermarket
valve train upgrades and what all do i need to handle the higher rpms AND LAST!
I've been told to do the trunnion rocker upgrade.. but don't know what other valve train i need to handle the higher abuse..
Bottom end? what needs to be done here? can i just upgrade to better parts or do i need to stroke it etc?
Will going with Higher compression help if so whats a good number 13 or 13.5?
higher?
Current setup
2013 camaro ss ls3
headers into x pipe with full 3 1/2'' straight pipes
4'' CAI
fast 95mm DBC TB
Holley EFI stand alone ecu
ATI harmonic balancer
Stock internals
running e85
id say I'm somewhere between 430-450whp maybe more or less
Cant say thanks enough for those that take to the time to share and pass on there knowledge.
Trying to figure out how to build my motor to get the most out of it i possibly can in NA form..
I know a lot of you guys have spent countless hrs and $ on parts only to find something else worked better or gave you more bang for your $ and lasted longer.
Im looking for reliability as its a racing motor that lives in mid to top end, so wisdom is key here I want to make my races. Thats why Im putting it out there for all you pros to lend some advice
Ideally Id like to be around 550-600whp on E85.
In a perfect world depending on cost Id like to build it able to rev 7200k all day long.
What Cams produce great off throttle and pull all the way up into 7k?
What intake manifold is worth the $ or is the LS3 just as good if i send it out to get ported?
Heads? stock ported or aftermarket
valve train upgrades and what all do i need to handle the higher rpms AND LAST!
I've been told to do the trunnion rocker upgrade.. but don't know what other valve train i need to handle the higher abuse..
Bottom end? what needs to be done here? can i just upgrade to better parts or do i need to stroke it etc?
Will going with Higher compression help if so whats a good number 13 or 13.5?
higher?
Current setup
2013 camaro ss ls3
headers into x pipe with full 3 1/2'' straight pipes
4'' CAI
fast 95mm DBC TB
Holley EFI stand alone ecu
ATI harmonic balancer
Stock internals
running e85
id say I'm somewhere between 430-450whp maybe more or less
Cant say thanks enough for those that take to the time to share and pass on there knowledge.
You're going to have trouble getting to your power goals on the stock cubes. So really you have to stroke it and get some sick heads for you to hit that sort of power. And even then, the cam required will be pretty far from producing power off throttle so you might have to give that idea up if you're building a racing motor that live in the mid-top end range.
I'm in the same boat as you. Speed Inc is doing a 416 LS3 shortblock for me and I have been talking to Brian Tooley @BrianTooleyRacing for a killer top end combo. There are others that will help you on your way for your particular build.
If you are willing to sell some of your parts like pistons rods intake manifold and heads and make sure your headers primary pipes are 1.7/8 into 3 inch collector and use dual 3" exhaust buy aftermarket heads cam piston rods intake manifold and a good set of adjustable rocker arms, with a solid lifter cam you can get 580 whp out of a ls3 with stock crank that will get the job for years using E85 and a over the radiator cold air intake with 13 to one or better yet 13.5 to one compression provide is going to be an N-A motor and no nitrous.
I would not be surprised to see 600 whp with an auto transmission and the rite torq converter with a few other pointers and a custom cam.
Contrary to what must will think after reading these post, this combination can be quite tame and absolutely nothing wild about it.
I would not be surprised to see 600 whp with an auto transmission and the rite torq converter with a few other pointers and a custom cam.
Contrary to what must will think after reading these post, this combination can be quite tame and absolutely nothing wild about it.
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 177
From: ELSA, South TEXAS (956) 802-7700
Depends if youre referring to hp at the crank or rear wheel. For rear wheel, youll need stroker, aftermarket heads and 2 inch headers. Its all in the combo, tune and goal. Rhino has fastest ls3 camaro with oem ls3 heads and motor good for 10.45...
I built my LS3 to a 431cid. 4.100" stroke X 4.090" bore on stock sleeves. Im now building a LS3 442cid.with aftermarket sleeves from Livernois The 431 run great and I cranked it to 7400 rpm and never had any problem with it at all .
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Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
its a pro drift car that lives mostly in the mid to top.. so i try to buy a cam and valve train that will handle 7400 if it can make power to 7200-74 id be pumped... and whatever whp i get I'm happy will... just want it to last.. it will be on e85 and i have a accusump for safety.
I'm new to LS so i need help with a cam that will make more power 3500-7200 and all the valve train to support that..
all help is greatly appreciated thanks
I'm new to LS so i need help with a cam that will make more power 3500-7200 and all the valve train to support that..
all help is greatly appreciated thanks
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Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Miami Fla.
Don't see why you would need aftermarket heads for those power goals, especially since you have light LS3 valves. It's been done before.
With the cable TB and aftermarket ecu you can switch to a 4 holer and single plane intake.
With the cable TB and aftermarket ecu you can switch to a 4 holer and single plane intake.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
my shop guy told me I have sodium filled valves that is a weak point.. so what valves should i look into that are durable. Im looking to do the trunion upgrade and change the valves and springs and whatever else while I'm in there maybe even put a cam in so.. guys what parts should i get or who should i talk with. emailed Brain tooley never replied back. Im new to LS motors and just want it to survive the rest of the season. thanks
Banned
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Studewood/Acres-Homes TX.
well I am King of cheap HP
Get a good short block 408... anything stock size will be RPM happy so $4500 add more 4 the LS3 block and add more as the engine GROWS.
Heads R your choice... RHS LS7 small bore- bare unported heads R dirt cheap but LS3 heads are just as good and cheap also ( look @ Frankenstein stage 1 thru 3 the LS3 is damn good 4 the coin although the LS7 has the most up side.. LS3 688 cfm vs RHS LS7small bore 390 cfm both stage 1. Cathedral style heads work 2 but all will need a Good CnC program or..... your off 2 the aftermarket 4 heads. Stock valve-train with some cheap upgrades. $8000 to 10,000 for a long block built 4 the long haul.
GOOD HEADS MAKE OR BREAK A BUILD..
Camster & Boss know the rest of the E85 setup better than myself.
Get a good short block 408... anything stock size will be RPM happy so $4500 add more 4 the LS3 block and add more as the engine GROWS.
Heads R your choice... RHS LS7 small bore- bare unported heads R dirt cheap but LS3 heads are just as good and cheap also ( look @ Frankenstein stage 1 thru 3 the LS3 is damn good 4 the coin although the LS7 has the most up side.. LS3 688 cfm vs RHS LS7small bore 390 cfm both stage 1. Cathedral style heads work 2 but all will need a Good CnC program or..... your off 2 the aftermarket 4 heads. Stock valve-train with some cheap upgrades. $8000 to 10,000 for a long block built 4 the long haul.
GOOD HEADS MAKE OR BREAK A BUILD..
Camster & Boss know the rest of the E85 setup better than myself.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Studewood/Acres-Homes TX.
Also 600 RWHP= to 700 FWHP with a auto.. I just wanted 700 FWHP myself rear didn't matter 2 me as this is a pure street car just with some Charlie Sheen *****.
Your heads will determine if you get there also intake.. Frankenstein did a 408 FAST intake LS3 stage1 head engine that did 690+ with a hyd roller... stage2 solid roller 414 did 757hp with Vic JR intake...I got the 2nd setup but with stage1 heads for more low end GRUNT where a street car lives.
I don't show pics... but ask some of the vendors on here do I buy parts as I got my own Personal vendor I just out source certain parts....aka cam & head work.
Your heads will determine if you get there also intake.. Frankenstein did a 408 FAST intake LS3 stage1 head engine that did 690+ with a hyd roller... stage2 solid roller 414 did 757hp with Vic JR intake...I got the 2nd setup but with stage1 heads for more low end GRUNT where a street car lives.
I don't show pics... but ask some of the vendors on here do I buy parts as I got my own Personal vendor I just out source certain parts....aka cam & head work.
Last edited by lil john; Jul 3, 2014 at 09:19 PM.