Generation IV Internal Engine 2005-2014 LS2 | LS3 | LS7 | L92 | LS9

ls3 vs ls7

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 20, 2014 | 07:27 PM
  #1  
massconfusion's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: the chi/ addison Il
Default ls3 vs ls7

So this winter I plan on upgrading from my turbo Camaro to a vette. Originally I thought I was definitely going with a c6z. A few guys suggested I consider a grandsport and top it with a blower. I thought the ls7 were capable of boost and were as stout as other ls motors. More than a few people said not to go beyond H/C if I went with the c6z. So I guess what I m asking is which route woud you go. If I got the c6z I wouldn't go beyond H/C (I ve overdone cars before and don't need a an all out street car). If I went with GS, I would def. go FI. Ive never had a big cube motor before and would love an ls7 but I also don't need a 13k motor to grenade bc I was romping on it ( I m aware of the head shortcoming and would upgrade that right away). would love to hear from you guys that have these motors and how far you re pushing them.
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2014 | 07:40 PM
  #2  
HCI2000SS's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,137
Likes: 20
From: Howell & Fenton MI
Default

Well I obviously so not have either motors but I've seen several LS7 vettes put down 700-800 hp on the the stock motor
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2014 | 08:02 PM
  #3  
KCS's Avatar
KCS
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,859
Likes: 323
From: Conroe, TX
Default

I'd prefer the Grandsport with a blower. I'm not a fan of dropping valves or cracked sleeves, plus a blown LS3 will be able to make more power than a heads/cam ZO6.
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2014 | 09:25 PM
  #4  
massconfusion's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: the chi/ addison Il
Default

Its not about what makes more power though. Its about good driveability and reliability while making good power. I m not sure if the ls7 will do that, I m not super familiar which why I ask. I wanted to get away from FI bc its easy to go overboard
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2014 | 09:27 PM
  #5  
Rise of the Phoenix's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (27)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,728
Likes: 13
From: Jefferson City, MO
Default

WCCH can take care of the LS7 heads for regarding the valves.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2014 | 05:44 AM
  #6  
BODUKE's Avatar
11 Second Club
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 545
Likes: 2
Default

Ls3 all the way.They can be made mild or wild.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2014 | 02:47 PM
  #7  
MuhThugga's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
Photogenic
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 332
From: Wilmington, De
Default

Originally Posted by KCS
I'd prefer the Grandsport with a blower. I'm not a fan of dropping valves or cracked sleeves, plus a blown LS3 will be able to make more power than a heads/cam ZO6.
This.

Even a heads/cam LS3 Grand Sport will be a hell of a car.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2014 | 12:38 PM
  #8  
massconfusion's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: the chi/ addison Il
Default

I guess i shouldve stated my goals. Want a car that can handle a little road racing, perform well at the strip and be fairly reliable. 550rwhp as far power levels. I'd prefer not to go FI but would have to with the ls3. I don't know how well ls7 hold up. If all I have to do is the heads, I can live with that. Wasn't aware of the sleeves cracking until I started researching them. I don't know how big of an issue that is, which why I m asking
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-6

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
Old Oct 22, 2014 | 12:46 PM
  #9  
KCS's Avatar
KCS
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,859
Likes: 323
From: Conroe, TX
Default

Originally Posted by massconfusion
I guess i shouldve stated my goals. Want a car that can handle a little road racing, perform well at the strip and be fairly reliable. 550rwhp as far power levels. I'd prefer not to go FI but would have to with the ls3. I don't know how well ls7 hold up. If all I have to do is the heads, I can live with that. Wasn't aware of the sleeves cracking until I started researching them. I don't know how big of an issue that is, which why I m asking
I feel like a Grandsport with a blower is more reliable than a heads/cam LS7. GM uses a blower on several factory cars, including the ZR1 corvette. A blower setup from one of those cars wouldn't be difficult to preice together for pretty cheap, or an aftermarket kit like a Kenne Bell or Whipple would leave more room for improvement later on down the road.

I've had experiences with both, which is why I prefer what I prefer.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2014 | 03:34 PM
  #10  
massconfusion's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: the chi/ addison Il
Default

[QUOTE=KCS;18489205]I feel like a Grandsport with a blower is more reliable than a heads/cam LS7. GM uses a blower on several factory cars, including the ZR1 corvette. A blower setup from one of those cars wouldn't be difficult to preice together for pretty cheap, or an aftermarket kit like a Kenne Bell or Whipple would leave more room for improvement later on down the road.

I've had experiences with both, which is why I prefer what I prefer.[/QUOTE


Thanks, these are the responses I m looking for. Hopefully a few more people will chime in
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2014 | 08:13 PM
  #11  
Youngblood16's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA
Default

LS7s are great, and so are LS3s. But who doesn't want a blower?

(In your case)
GS w/ blower>Zo6
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2014 | 04:27 PM
  #12  
Unreal's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, AZ
Default

I've had a ls7 with a blower, and a heads/cam/blower ls7.

Get the ls3. If you do the blower on ls7, you need to do the heads anyway to be reliable at all. You can make just as much or more on the ls3. Plus it will drive better, better gas mileage, and just a more fun car.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2014 | 08:54 PM
  #13  
98z8uup's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
From: Covington ,GA
Default

I don't think he really wants to go the blower route. A heads and cam lS7 should give him the hp numbers he's looking for. At least I hope a heads and cam Z06 will give you close to 550 at the wheels.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2014 | 09:18 PM
  #14  
Unreal's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, AZ
Default

It will, but a 550-560rwhp n/a ls7 won't drive as nice as a 600-1100rwhp blower car. My car makes 1100rwhp with a blower, and drives MUCH nicer than any cam car, and gets better gasmileage.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2014 | 12:20 AM
  #15  
98z8uup's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
From: Covington ,GA
Default

Unreal what blower setup do you have? Also maybe he doesn't want to pay the cost of a blower setup.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2014 | 04:00 AM
  #16  
Unreal's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, AZ
Default

ECS Ysi kit

$5500 blower kit will be no more than a heads/cam/headers/intake/tb/etc. Or at least it will be very close in cost.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2014 | 09:00 AM
  #17  
massconfusion's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: the chi/ addison Il
Default

Originally Posted by 98z8uup
Unreal what blower setup do you have? Also maybe he doesn't want to pay the cost of a blower setup.
X2 what set up do you have? Also its not just the cost of the setup its the fact that with a blower I can easily over do it. Like 550rwhp eventually becomes 700rwhp which then becomes 800rwhp and so on. Also I can't believe your car drives that much better than mild h/c, mainly bc your injectors have to be enormous, clutch is probably a bear to push and you still need a good nice cam to hit anything beyond 700ish to the tire. These all complaints I have with my car, monster stage 3 clutch, Siemens 80lb injectors (I know not the best to tune). I merely want a low 11-high10 car that can handle, if that's a gs with a blower than I guess that's what i be doing. Seems that's the concensus. Or I may reconsider a cts v since that comes with a blower to begin with...
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2014 | 09:02 AM
  #18  
massconfusion's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: the chi/ addison Il
Default

Originally Posted by Unreal
ECS Ysi kit

$5500 blower kit will be no more than a heads/cam/headers/intake/tb/etc. Or at least it will be very close in cost.
Only kit I ve considered since I ve started looking at GS's.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2014 | 09:08 AM
  #19  
Unreal's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, AZ
Default

ID1000s, idles like stock.
Mantic 9000, same clutch I would run in a heads/cam car. Drives like stock, no issues. Heads/cam or blower you will need a nice clutch.
Cam is 230/242 116. Idles at 750, no surge, no issues, drives like stock. Yes the car, even at 1100rwhp, is much better. Keep the cam selection to <5 degrees of overlap and it won't be an issue.

You do no need a big cam to make big power with FI. Made 1100rwhp and recently over 1400rwhp on ls9 cams, which are tiny.

Had two cams in the car and tuned 60+ with big cams in ls7s. One was a 240/250 110. Made good power 580rwhp, but of course had the normal big cam hiccups. Other was a 232/250 113. Runs good, but not as well as the low overlap cam.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2014 | 09:36 AM
  #20  
98z8uup's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
From: Covington ,GA
Default

I ask my self these same question about all these cars a few months ago. First it started with the V or C6. The I decided to go with the C6. From there it went from the GS or Z06. I knew I wanted to do just a heads and cam car, and still haven't made up my mind. I do know what you mean about going over board with FI. I have a friend with a supercharger and keeps wants more and more.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:26 PM.

story-0
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-1
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-3
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-6
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-7
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-8
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE