LS3 vs LS2
LS3 vs LS2 If you were going to swap an engine in an F-body(98-02), would you do a LS2 or LS3?
I honestly don't know a lot about the LS2 or the LS3 (or most engines in particular) but I do plan to swap engines when I have the money. And I'm not doing it myself, lol, I'm paying someone to do it.
But what would be capable of better track times? Like for instance, the LS3 is getting a crate that has 515 stock(http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/Pa...l.jsp?engine=2) and I'm... going to assume naturally aspirated so you can supercharge/turbocharge? The LS2 is only at 400 HP/TQ. But I see the LS3 as being a lot more expensive but does the additional HP and TQ make up for it?
Anyone mind filling me in? and before I get any "search!"'s, I did. I also browsed quite a few pages in this section and couldn't find anything answering my question. If I missed it, sorry.
I honestly don't know a lot about the LS2 or the LS3 (or most engines in particular) but I do plan to swap engines when I have the money. And I'm not doing it myself, lol, I'm paying someone to do it.
But what would be capable of better track times? Like for instance, the LS3 is getting a crate that has 515 stock(http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/Pa...l.jsp?engine=2) and I'm... going to assume naturally aspirated so you can supercharge/turbocharge? The LS2 is only at 400 HP/TQ. But I see the LS3 as being a lot more expensive but does the additional HP and TQ make up for it?
Anyone mind filling me in? and before I get any "search!"'s, I did. I also browsed quite a few pages in this section and couldn't find anything answering my question. If I missed it, sorry.
and I'm... going to assume naturally aspirated so you can supercharge/turbocharge?
If you are going to supercharge or turbo it, I'd buy a built motor from a sponsor. If you are staying naturally aspirated, the question is the price difference. The LS3 has better heads and more cubes, but everything has a price.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 0
From: Tuscaloosa, AL.
Dude, call a sponser =================>
Dont waste money on a stock ls2/ls3 when you can have one custom built for your application. FI (i.e. forced induction which = turbo/super-charger) require forged internals and lower compression to reach optimal HP. Any shop will tell you this.
Dont waste money on a stock ls2/ls3 when you can have one custom built for your application. FI (i.e. forced induction which = turbo/super-charger) require forged internals and lower compression to reach optimal HP. Any shop will tell you this.
Problem with that is, I don't have the money to buy it custom built with everything at once.
As easy and as much as I'd like to, I don't have 10-25k to spend at once (I'm only 18).
As easy and as much as I'd like to, I don't have 10-25k to spend at once (I'm only 18).
well,the ls3 in a better engine,but neither of these is a drop in for an f body,there are lots of things that need changed in order to make it work,your best bet and cheapest is to buy a nice shortblock or longblock ls1
i have forged shortblocks starting at $2750, and longblocks at $5750.00
i have forged shortblocks starting at $2750, and longblocks at $5750.00
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
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
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0
Brett Foote
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever
Verdad Gallardo
LS3. If you look at the corvette forum, the 2008s are getting 385-390 rwhp stock and 430-440 w/ bolt ons. With just a cam (w/ bolt ons) they are getting over 500 rwhp. They have a little more CI than an LS2 and have L92 heads. On top of that, in stock form they run regular gas.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 0
From: Tuscaloosa, AL.
TECH Resident
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 844
Likes: 0
From: Florida
If you were going to swap an engine in an F-body(98-02), would you do a LS2 or LS3?
I honestly don't know a lot about the LS2 or the LS3 (or most engines in particular) but I do plan to swap engines when I have the money. And I'm not doing it myself, lol, I'm paying someone to do it.
But what would be capable of better track times? Like for instance, the LS3 is getting a crate that has 515 stock(http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/Pa...l.jsp?engine=2) and I'm... going to assume naturally aspirated so you can supercharge/turbocharge? The LS2 is only at 400 HP/TQ. But I see the LS3 as being a lot more expensive but does the additional HP and TQ make up for it?
Anyone mind filling me in? and before I get any "search!"'s, I did. I also browsed quite a few pages in this section and couldn't find anything answering my question. If I missed it, sorry.
I honestly don't know a lot about the LS2 or the LS3 (or most engines in particular) but I do plan to swap engines when I have the money. And I'm not doing it myself, lol, I'm paying someone to do it.
But what would be capable of better track times? Like for instance, the LS3 is getting a crate that has 515 stock(http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/Pa...l.jsp?engine=2) and I'm... going to assume naturally aspirated so you can supercharge/turbocharge? The LS2 is only at 400 HP/TQ. But I see the LS3 as being a lot more expensive but does the additional HP and TQ make up for it?
Anyone mind filling me in? and before I get any "search!"'s, I did. I also browsed quite a few pages in this section and couldn't find anything answering my question. If I missed it, sorry.
Instead of ordering a gm crate, why dont u check out some of the engines available from the sponsors?
They have 450,500,600 etc rwhp motors of many different types including Ls1,ls2,lsx, forged internals, etc for good prices. I have seen motors with 500hp for 5k or so. Check it out.
TECH Resident
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 844
Likes: 0
From: Florida
I nearly fell into that. I am a student on a budget, so i have to think of my goals and how to reach them in an affordable way. However, it is easy to limit your growth if u dont think long term. I nearly pulled the trigger on 3 or 4 different ideas already. I pulled my head out of my rectum just in time and gathered myself. As hard as it is to resist the roaring motor and smell of smoking tires, i have to go into this with a clear plan and stick to it.
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Westmont
If you really want something for the long term, and do decide you still want to deal with all that's involved in an LS2/LS3 swap, I'd go LS3 by far. It's got a much bigger bore from the factory (4.06" vs 4.00"), so if you build a stroker out of it, you'll get more ci ultimately. Not to mention much better heads too. You have to be more careful selecting a good cam for these motors, but with the right one, you'll be making BIG power. As it was stated above, these motors make awesome power stock and only get better. Keep in mind FAST is supposed to making an intake for the L92/L76 setup (which the LS3 has), so when you get bored with the power it makes in stock/near-stock form, there's definitely going to be some options.
LS3. If you look at the corvette forum, the 2008s are getting 385-390 rwhp stock and 430-440 w/ bolt ons. With just a cam (w/ bolt ons) they are getting over 500 rwhp. They have a little more CI than an LS2 and have L92 heads. On top of that, in stock form they run regular gas.
Great motor!
And thanks for the replies and not bashing me on this. I'm trying to learn as much as I can about engines before I get the car and do whatever I'm going to do to it.
I'm planning to save around 5-10k for a new engine (I'm going to buy a high mile LS1 Camaro).
I think I'll look for a pre-built (long block, I reckon) Stroker LS3. How much will that *most likely* run? (Since they aren't for sale yet, as far as I know) From what I know, a Stroker will spoil turbos faster, correct?
And also, is it really true that Nitrous will blow an engine really quick, regardless of the amount used (100, 150 200 shot) or the time (5 secs, 10 secs, 15 secs)? Because I keep getting told it will and I want to add a system (not really for use but just to have one =P)
And I already know this car will be raced. And yeah, I know I'm 18, but I've raced before, I used to race Motorcross and my dad raced in IHRA. So I'm going to be looking to shave my 1/4 time down. I've already got a list of mods and the priority, unfortunately it changes daily.
It's about 2 fingers worth of pot as measured in a sandwich bag. 
In this case, it refers to an air lid.
You need to hop back into the Gen III internal engine and external engine sections and start reading. Start with the FAQ stickies. Then pop over into the nitrous forum and repeat.
Also, do you plan to pump 500+ HP through a drivetrain with 100,000+ miles?
Slow down your plans, and be realistic.
In this case, it refers to an air lid.
You need to hop back into the Gen III internal engine and external engine sections and start reading. Start with the FAQ stickies. Then pop over into the nitrous forum and repeat.
Also, do you plan to pump 500+ HP through a drivetrain with 100,000+ miles?
Slow down your plans, and be realistic.
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Westmont
Some people are just convinced that nitrous is always bad. You can spray safely. Just make sure it is installed properly with enough fuel to support it, make sure you only spray what your motor can handle (in this case, 100 - 150 MAX), and get the necessary safety parts, like the window switch, which will allow you to control where it kicks in and shuts off in terms of RPM, so that way you won't spray through shifts, messing up your tranny, or spray into redline.
i have an 02 ss and I've looked into an engine swap a little bit over the past year. Going from an LS1 to an LS2 or LS3 should drop right in physically. I am pretty sure the external dimensions and bolt holes are all the same, least that's what I've read. I don't know though if the intake height dimension and larger throttle body would cause a clearance problem with the hood.
All the work seems to be in
- getting the original (or new) computer to run the engine.
- getting the gas pedal to throttle body connected; the ls1 has a cable, the LS2 and LS3 are electronic throttle by wire. I think there are some vendors selling a installation kit for this, but I haven't looked in a while.
last i checked an LS2 crate was around $7k.
anybody know the current crate price of an LS3, if it is available?
All the work seems to be in
- getting the original (or new) computer to run the engine.
- getting the gas pedal to throttle body connected; the ls1 has a cable, the LS2 and LS3 are electronic throttle by wire. I think there are some vendors selling a installation kit for this, but I haven't looked in a while.
last i checked an LS2 crate was around $7k.
anybody know the current crate price of an LS3, if it is available?
LS3's come out this spring... at least thats what I could find. Check GMPP for updates.
But I heard there's a few parts different between the LS1 Camaro and the LS2 GTO, like some kind of "pan" and a few minor parts.
But I have another question. When you drop in a new engine, is it possible to swap the speedo for a new one so you can restart at 0 miles? Or do you have to constantly add?
But I heard there's a few parts different between the LS1 Camaro and the LS2 GTO, like some kind of "pan" and a few minor parts.
But I have another question. When you drop in a new engine, is it possible to swap the speedo for a new one so you can restart at 0 miles? Or do you have to constantly add?