Need advice for my LS3 build
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Need advice for my LS3 build I am new to the LS world and new to this forum (I am coming from the Porsche-BMW world) so please forgive my ignorance. I am building a track car, a Super Light coupe. It is a fiberglass bodied, aluminum chassis, mid engine partially built car from RCR in Michigan (think kit car). The big selling point for me is mid engine and it is light (weight really depends on engine/transaxle choice). My car will weigh about 2600lbs and is going to be primarily a track car (think open track days/not racing). My choice of motor was a base 430 hp LS3.
I intended to just put a cam and new valve springs in the motor and be done with it, but after reading a bit in this forum as well as others I am now wondering if I should replace the rods and pistons with forged gear. The motor is going to spend most of its life between 3800 and 6800 rpm. How stout is the bottom end in these motors? I know this is a very subjective question so am hoping to hear from folks that have had real world track experience.
My bonus question, can I get by with a wet sump and an accumulator or will I need a dry sump. Any responses will be appreciated.
I intended to just put a cam and new valve springs in the motor and be done with it, but after reading a bit in this forum as well as others I am now wondering if I should replace the rods and pistons with forged gear. The motor is going to spend most of its life between 3800 and 6800 rpm. How stout is the bottom end in these motors? I know this is a very subjective question so am hoping to hear from folks that have had real world track experience.
My bonus question, can I get by with a wet sump and an accumulator or will I need a dry sump. Any responses will be appreciated.
All depends on mileage on the motor if high miles i would change the oil pump timing chain and sprockets other than valve springs, valve seals, cam would check the rod bearings change if necessary.
Rods, pistons, push rods are plenty strung no need to worry.
Rods, pistons, push rods are plenty strung no need to worry.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
thanks Camster for the advice. I actually have a new 430 hp crate motor. I wanted to install a longer duration cam but read somewhere that with the stock pistons you may have piston valve interference if you go above 230 234 at .050. I am not sure that both stock pistons have valve recesses and how deep? I also wanted to mill the heads to bring up CR which also will reduce my Valve piston clearance which is one reason why I was wondering if I should go to aftermarket pistons. I guess i could have my stock pistons flycut a bit deeper.
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 182
Likes: 3
From: Portland OR
There is a different GM version of the LS3 that only has a different cam with a higher power rating I believe.
Yes 525hp Part # 19301360
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Valve Lift: .525'' intake / .525'' exhaust<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Camshaft Duration (@.050 in.): 226° intake / 236° exhaust<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Maximum Recommended rpm:6600
Yes 525hp Part # 19301360
<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Valve Lift: .525'' intake / .525'' exhaust<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Camshaft Duration (@.050 in.): 226° intake / 236° exhaust<li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Maximum Recommended rpm:6600
Last edited by RixTrix; Dec 8, 2015 at 08:00 PM.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 255
From: Coast of San Mateo County Between Pacifica & HMB
I would consider a Quality Dry-Sump Oil System Mandatory
Above 1.1G (pretty easy to reach with light-weight,mid-engine
Chassis with sticky tires not even necessarily track tires) Accusump
might work as a Band-Aid but stock LS3 Corvettes have Oiling ISSUES
With Coil-Overs and Track Tires with sustained G Loads ~1.05+.
Above 1.1G (pretty easy to reach with light-weight,mid-engine
Chassis with sticky tires not even necessarily track tires) Accusump
might work as a Band-Aid but stock LS3 Corvettes have Oiling ISSUES
With Coil-Overs and Track Tires with sustained G Loads ~1.05+.
