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

C6 Corvette. LS2 or LS3?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 16, 2015 | 03:00 PM
  #1  
farmington's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 13
From: Little River SC
Default C6 Corvette. LS2 or LS3?

Considering getting a C6 and was wondering which engine is best for modifying. Will probably just be doing a heads, cam, FAST 102 on a factory motor (or possibly using the LS3 heads if I buy one). Wondering about the DOD, and other issues that will make modifying more difficult. Opinions?
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2015 | 03:06 PM
  #2  
Burken01's Avatar
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
iTrader: (88)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,925
Likes: 14
From: Anaheim, Ca
Default

Depends on budget. You'll save quite a bit getting a c6 ls2 over the ls3 depending mileage

Stock for stock they are close with the edge going to the ls3 obviously

But on all out H/C/I builds they are pretty close actually

Maybe 10-20 hp difference from my research when I had my c6 ls2

You can also throw some ls3 heads on the ls2 for a more budget head choice
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2015 | 03:31 PM
  #3  
redtan's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,764
Likes: 17
From: Belmont, MA
Default

Obviously the LS3 has a lot more potential with the bigger bore and already good heads.

The good thing about the more expensive LS3 cars is that it will take less money to make the same kind of numbers as an LS2 car.

However as mentioned, LS2 cars are cheaper overall and that money could easily be spent on more power. Son in the end, an LS2 car will probably be cheaper to get to X amount of HP when you consider the base price of the car + modifications.
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2015 | 03:51 PM
  #4  
HCI2000SS's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,137
Likes: 20
From: Howell & Fenton MI
Default

Really going to depend on your budget, but either one will fly with a good HCI
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2015 | 10:00 PM
  #5  
BODUKE's Avatar
11 Second Club
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 545
Likes: 2
Default

Ls3 all the way.
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2015 | 07:14 AM
  #6  
farmington's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 13
From: Little River SC
Default

What ls3 motors came with dod? I'm open to an auto or manual trans
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2015 | 07:36 AM
  #7  
scotty2000ss's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 3
From: Roseville, CA
Default

Save for LS3. Just my .02
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2015 | 11:24 AM
  #8  
MuhThugga's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
Photogenic
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 332
From: Wilmington, De
Default

None of the C6s came with DOD.

Since the LS3 came out, people have been ******* the LS2 even though it is just as capable of a motor as the LS3. Other improvements to the C6 chassis were made in the 08-13 Corvettes, but if you are just looking to make power, then either engine will work for you. The LS3 is a cam swap, headers, and a tune away from hitting close to 500 at the wheels, but if you put LS3 heads and the same components on the LS2, it is not too far behind it.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

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

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 20, 2015 | 09:40 PM
  #9  
IRONFIST's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 622
Likes: 2
From: Calgary Alberta
Default

If you're 100% sure you're going to do a head swap then go with the LS2, if you're going to modify slowly and maybe do heads some day then go with an LS3. Yes the LS3 does have many small advantages over the LS2 but the big one is the better flowing heads. So how sure are you that you'll be swapping out heads?
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2015 | 09:46 AM
  #10  
Dark SS's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
Default

I put LS3 heads and intake on my LS2 and made 440 rwhp with a GT-11 cam through an A6. Best of both worlds IMO. Cheap initial purchase and LS3 heads and intake are under $1,000. Just mill the heads and make sure you choose a cam with amble PTV clearance.
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2015 | 10:36 AM
  #11  
MonmouthCtyLS7's Avatar
TECH Junkie
15 Year Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,954
Likes: 34
From: Rotonda West Florida
Default

LS3 if you can swing it.
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2015 | 10:49 AM
  #12  
blueracer15's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 302
Likes: 3
Default

LS3 FTW everyone says that in all my research that i have done
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2015 | 03:32 PM
  #13  
Burken01's Avatar
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
iTrader: (88)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,925
Likes: 14
From: Anaheim, Ca
Default

If you do enough research you'll find the ls7 is better than both!

Once again it comes down to budget!
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2015 | 04:23 PM
  #14  
JakeFusion's Avatar
Super Hulk Smash
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 11,258
Likes: 146
From: Pace, FL
Default

LS3... you get a newer OS for tuning... a better platform to work with in the 6.2L block, and a revised steering pump setup that provides better feedback.
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2015 | 07:28 PM
  #15  
scotty2000ss's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 3
From: Roseville, CA
Default

http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...uild-wise.html
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:04 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE