LS3 for ESP?
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Launching!
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From: Calumet Region (Chicagoland)
LS3 for ESP? For Street Prepared in our F bodies, I was just thinking since we can update and backdate features from the same model as long as they were offered in our model to everyone in a production year, what's to stop someone from dropping an LS3 and 6 spd from a 2010 into an older year like a 98-02? (it could be a crate motor or maybe picked up from a wreck) I've seen guys using LT4's in a 97' and it's completely legit.
I was just thinking about that update/backdate option for ESP and figured someone with more money than they need would probably do it just because they could, and of course for all the extra power right out of the box. Now the only thing I can think of to stop them is I think it needs to be drivetrain specific, like the whole drive train possible. Since the 2010 is independant rear suspension and not live axle, would that stop them? It has a 3.45 rear gear, but we already have the option of a 3.42 from the 6spd SS''s so that isn't something to pursue. But, what about those big 14" Brembo brakes? You'd have to run at least an 18" or something to get them to fit but they would make a nice addition.
Anyways, just thinking about it and looking for others opinions.
Post up if you agree,
or if you think I'm full of ****! 
Just curious if anyone else has given this any thought or if this is completely off the radar for some reason based on some rules I'm not aware of. I think if it's possible, some guy will be doing it .
I was just thinking about that update/backdate option for ESP and figured someone with more money than they need would probably do it just because they could, and of course for all the extra power right out of the box. Now the only thing I can think of to stop them is I think it needs to be drivetrain specific, like the whole drive train possible. Since the 2010 is independant rear suspension and not live axle, would that stop them? It has a 3.45 rear gear, but we already have the option of a 3.42 from the 6spd SS''s so that isn't something to pursue. But, what about those big 14" Brembo brakes? You'd have to run at least an 18" or something to get them to fit but they would make a nice addition.
Anyways, just thinking about it and looking for others opinions.
Post up if you agree,
or if you think I'm full of ****! Just curious if anyone else has given this any thought or if this is completely off the radar for some reason based on some rules I'm not aware of. I think if it's possible, some guy will be doing it .
Thread Starter
Launching!
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From: Calumet Region (Chicagoland)
Just kidding. Thanks for clarifying that. I guess no LS3's in my ol' 98 anytime soon.
(Not that I could afford it anyways) Thanks!
Thread Starter
Launching!
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From: Calumet Region (Chicagoland)
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I'll chime in since I'm probably the only person (or one of the very few) that is autocrossing an LS3 4th gen. AFAIK this swap is illegal in ESP, but SM and CP legal. Having said that this is what my engine bay looks like. Unless you really know what you are looking at (the fuel rails and the intake runners are a dead give away) you wouldn't know it was swapped:
My autocross goals are fairly modest - I enjoy having fun in local competition and don't have my sights set on nationals dominance.
How does it compare to an LS1 car?
The biggest advantage of the LS3 is that it has a lot more low end torque. It gets out of the corners a lot faster than a stock LS1 or my experiences with a cammed LS1 (ASA cam) - if you can put the power down. I have no problems blowing off 275 Kumho R compounds and the stock diff can't keep up. I'm swapping diffs this season and going over to 315 R compounds to see if I can take better advantage of the motor.
At the end of the day, it made the car more difficult to drive (you really have to be sensitive with your throttle input or you will be sideways or spinning), but its a lot more fun.
Having said that, I still think a stock(ish) LS1 car could be competitive and it would mostly come down to driver skill.
My autocross goals are fairly modest - I enjoy having fun in local competition and don't have my sights set on nationals dominance.
How does it compare to an LS1 car?
The biggest advantage of the LS3 is that it has a lot more low end torque. It gets out of the corners a lot faster than a stock LS1 or my experiences with a cammed LS1 (ASA cam) - if you can put the power down. I have no problems blowing off 275 Kumho R compounds and the stock diff can't keep up. I'm swapping diffs this season and going over to 315 R compounds to see if I can take better advantage of the motor.
At the end of the day, it made the car more difficult to drive (you really have to be sensitive with your throttle input or you will be sideways or spinning), but its a lot more fun.
Having said that, I still think a stock(ish) LS1 car could be competitive and it would mostly come down to driver skill.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 179
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The drive by wire throttle is a dead giveaway that it's not an LS1. But with that said, that looks like a hell of a fun car.
1BadZ, are you going to be at the ETR autocross this weekend? I run with Chattanooga region and I'll probably be making my first trip to an ETR event this Sunday. I'll be in the NBM 99Z in ESP.
1BadZ, are you going to be at the ETR autocross this weekend? I run with Chattanooga region and I'll probably be making my first trip to an ETR event this Sunday. I'll be in the NBM 99Z in ESP.
Mine is actually a DBW converted to cable but yeah it looks weird.
I will be running this weekend. Run in SM no one runs ESP locally.
I will be running this weekend. Run in SM no one runs ESP locally.
The drive by wire throttle is a dead giveaway that it's not an LS1. But with that said, that looks like a hell of a fun car.
1BadZ, are you going to be at the ETR autocross this weekend? I run with Chattanooga region and I'll probably be making my first trip to an ETR event this Sunday. I'll be in the NBM 99Z in ESP.
1BadZ, are you going to be at the ETR autocross this weekend? I run with Chattanooga region and I'll probably be making my first trip to an ETR event this Sunday. I'll be in the NBM 99Z in ESP.
a stock or bolt on LS1, LT1, TPI or 350 carb has more then enough power for any autox. only when you get onto a real track does the increase of power make itself known.
also, the vast majority of people hosting/teching an autox are either rice or kraut runners. once in a while you get a gearhead, but most wouldnt know an LS1 from a TBI.
also, the vast majority of people hosting/teching an autox are either rice or kraut runners. once in a while you get a gearhead, but most wouldnt know an LS1 from a TBI.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 179
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I'll probably run in Pro, but we'll see. I'm running at the Dixie Tour next weekend, so I want to see how I can do on PAX against some of the really fast guys.
My engine bay will look similar soon. My previous motor was only CP/SM/SSM legal so it won't matter to me.... I only do it for fun locally also. I plan to keep the LS1 injectors & fuel rails, & keep my 4-bolt 90mm LS1 TB. The injector adapters and intake runners will look different.
What rear gears do you have? 1st gear w/ 3.73's was useless except at the start with the LS1. I figure coming out of slow corners in 2nd will offer better acceleration with better torque down low.
What rear gears do you have? 1st gear w/ 3.73's was useless except at the start with the LS1. I figure coming out of slow corners in 2nd will offer better acceleration with better torque down low.
My engine bay will look similar soon. My previous motor was only CP/SM/SSM legal so it won't matter to me.... I only do it for fun locally also. I plan to keep the LS1 injectors & fuel rails, & keep my 4-bolt 90mm LS1 TB. The injector adapters and intake runners will look different.
What rear gears do you have? 1st gear w/ 3.73's was useless except at the start with the LS1. I figure coming out of slow corners in 2nd will offer better acceleration with better torque down low.
What rear gears do you have? 1st gear w/ 3.73's was useless except at the start with the LS1. I figure coming out of slow corners in 2nd will offer better acceleration with better torque down low.
I have some very dead (2+ year old) Hoosiers I'm using right now, so the whole thing is traction deprived.
Condoning cheating? That's not cool.
If you are competing, I'd hope you'd want to win by doing a better job driving or setting up the car... At least that's how I feel. Not everyone agrees.
If you are competing, I'd hope you'd want to win by doing a better job driving or setting up the car... At least that's how I feel. Not everyone agrees.
__________________
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
