Stroked LS2 vs. Stroked LS3.
07-07-2014, 07:39 PM
#1
Stroked LS2 vs. Stroked LS3. Hi folks,
I got a new project and my plan for it is to build a stroked LS3 using a new block, but today I got the chance to buy a LS2 engine for a very good price, now if I want to stroke it (using a 4.005 bore and a 4 in. or a 4.1 in stroke) and a CNCed L92 heads and LS3 intake, will I be missing a lot of ponys compared to a similarly stroked LS3?, I dont mind losing 20-30 hp if I can save 5-6$K.
I got a new project and my plan for it is to build a stroked LS3 using a new block, but today I got the chance to buy a LS2 engine for a very good price, now if I want to stroke it (using a 4.005 bore and a 4 in. or a 4.1 in stroke) and a CNCed L92 heads and LS3 intake, will I be missing a lot of ponys compared to a similarly stroked LS3?, I dont mind losing 20-30 hp if I can save 5-6$K.
07-07-2014, 07:50 PM
#2
TECH Regular
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Rockwall, TX
Posts: 406
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I doubt you would lose 20rwhp with the same stroke, but I can't see how you would save $5-6K even if the LS2 block was free?
I was faced with the exact same scenario and ended up going LS3 because the cost was only $300 different (new blocks).
Per Martin @ Tick, he felt the power difference from 404 (LS2) vs 416 (LS3) might be 10 - 15rwhp with everything else being equal. 10rwhp/tq across the powerband for $300 sounded cheap so I went that route.
I was faced with the exact same scenario and ended up going LS3 because the cost was only $300 different (new blocks).
Per Martin @ Tick, he felt the power difference from 404 (LS2) vs 416 (LS3) might be 10 - 15rwhp with everything else being equal. 10rwhp/tq across the powerband for $300 sounded cheap so I went that route.
Last edited by 74u; 07-07-2014 at 08:01 PM.
07-07-2014, 08:47 PM
#3
If you have a shot at a cheap LS2, get it! I seriously doubt you'd be able to tell the difference between the two. I got a great deal on an LS2 block and jumped on it immediately.
I'm not sure what your goals are, but the L92 heads are pretty good as-cast. CNC'd ones might not be worth the money if you're doing a budget-ish build. I used stock L92 heads, an LS3 intake, a 4" stroke crank and 4.030 pistons and everything went together great. I hope to start it up in a week or two. The build was a great value - I got a whole lot of bang for the buck.
I'm not sure what your goals are, but the L92 heads are pretty good as-cast. CNC'd ones might not be worth the money if you're doing a budget-ish build. I used stock L92 heads, an LS3 intake, a 4" stroke crank and 4.030 pistons and everything went together great. I hope to start it up in a week or two. The build was a great value - I got a whole lot of bang for the buck.
07-07-2014, 09:06 PM
#4
If you have a shot at a cheap LS2, get it! I seriously doubt you'd be able to tell the difference between the two. I got a great deal on an LS2 block and jumped on it immediately.
I'm not sure what your goals are, but the L92 heads are pretty good as-cast. CNC'd ones might not be worth the money if you're doing a budget-ish build. I used stock L92 heads, an LS3 intake, a 4" stroke crank and 4.030 pistons and everything went together great. I hope to start it up in a week or two. The build was a great value - I got a whole lot of bang for the buck.
I'm not sure what your goals are, but the L92 heads are pretty good as-cast. CNC'd ones might not be worth the money if you're doing a budget-ish build. I used stock L92 heads, an LS3 intake, a 4" stroke crank and 4.030 pistons and everything went together great. I hope to start it up in a week or two. The build was a great value - I got a whole lot of bang for the buck.
07-07-2014, 11:06 PM
#6
"Per Martin @ Tick, he felt the power difference from 404 (LS2) vs 416 (LS3) might be 10 - 15rwhp with everything else being equal. 10rwhp/tq across the powerband for $300 sounded cheap so I went that route."
There was no price difference from a 416 (LS3) to a 427 (LS3) so I went the 427 route. The down side is they do not recommend power adders. I won't be using any anyways. I have to get a new short block for my L92.
There was no price difference from a 416 (LS3) to a 427 (LS3) so I went the 427 route. The down side is they do not recommend power adders. I won't be using any anyways. I have to get a new short block for my L92.
07-08-2014, 05:51 AM
#7
I also got the chance to get a used pair of TrickFlow 255 LS3 heads for a good price, do you think they will be a good top end to a 402 LS2 motor?, will they work well for a 4.005 bore?
Trending Topics
07-08-2014, 08:24 AM
#8
I'd guess they'd be better than ported LS3s as they have relocated the intake valve to unshroud it. Both heads will breath better with the increased bore of the LS3. I'd personally run TEA TF235s on what ever short block you decide to run.
07-08-2014, 12:51 PM
#9
TECH Regular
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Rockwall, TX
Posts: 406
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
[QUOTE=1989GTA;18309172There was no price difference from a 416 (LS3) to a 427 (LS3) so I went the 427 route. The down side is they do not recommend power adders. I won't be using any anyways. I have to get a new short block for my L92.[/QUOTE]
I already had a 4" crank harvested from my last stroker. I just needed a block.
I already had a 4" crank harvested from my last stroker. I just needed a block.
Last edited by 74u; 07-08-2014 at 12:59 PM.
07-08-2014, 02:34 PM
#10
I think the LS3 block will work work better than the LS2 when using LS3 heads... but the TFS 235 will work well on either and the difference would be probably about 10-15hp/tq as stated (just going by the difference in cubic inches). I think the difference would be more pronounced with the LS3 heads due to the valve shrouding.
07-08-2014, 08:06 PM
#11
Thanks guys for all the valuable info 
.
How much HP I would expect from such a setup?, is it possible to get a 500 RWHP from a 402 and yet get it street firendly?, my goal is having a street driven car with A/C and yet can achieve low 11s on the 1/4 mile.
.How much HP I would expect from such a setup?, is it possible to get a 500 RWHP from a 402 and yet get it street firendly?, my goal is having a street driven car with A/C and yet can achieve low 11s on the 1/4 mile.
07-08-2014, 08:58 PM
#13
500 rwhp and street friendly will require careful selection of parts regardless of which block you use. It will be even harder with a ls2 block and ls3 heads.
Patrick G or Martin Smallwood @ www.tickperformance.com would be the ones to call when you are ready to spec aa cam.
Patrick G or Martin Smallwood @ www.tickperformance.com would be the ones to call when you are ready to spec aa cam.
07-09-2014, 07:33 AM
#14
That's what I read on the forums. Then I saw that ERL offers LS2 blocks .030" over. They make some nice stuff and have a great reputation. If they can do it, I think you and I can too! I think it's fine... at least for an NA car.
Also, my machinist said he would get a better rounder hole if I took it out more than .005" so I said let's do it.
Also, my machinist said he would get a better rounder hole if I took it out more than .005" so I said let's do it.
07-09-2014, 07:58 AM
#15
That's what I read on the forums. Then I saw that ERL offers LS2 blocks .030" over. They make some nice stuff and have a great reputation. If they can do it, I think you and I can too! I think it's fine... at least for an NA car.
Also, my machinist said he would get a better rounder hole if I took it out more than .005" so I said let's do it.
Also, my machinist said he would get a better rounder hole if I took it out more than .005" so I said let's do it.
