Stroked LS2 vs. Stroked LS3.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
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.
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; Jul 7, 2014 at 08:01 PM.
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.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
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.
TECH Junkie
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,092
Likes: 11
"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.
Trending Topics
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,032
Likes: 661
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.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
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 [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; Jul 8, 2014 at 12:59 PM.
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.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
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.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,032
Likes: 661
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.
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.
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.
This. LS2's have thicker sleeves than the rest of the LS blocks (except maybe the LS9). Did not know that about 5.3's though.
