Road Racing an LS3 SS
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Teching In
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Plano TX
Road Racing an LS3 SS Has anyone run a stock 2010 SS HARD on a road course? With sticky tires like Hoosier A6s or R6s.
Oiling issues? I have read the LS3 Corvettes have issues and really need a dry sump or accusump to be run hard on the track.
Oiling issues? I have read the LS3 Corvettes have issues and really need a dry sump or accusump to be run hard on the track.
Accusump doesn't keep the LS3 together, 3 stage dry-sump at the minimum. I can't see there being a difference Camaro vs. Corvette. The oiling issue is an internal motor issue, not the way it sits between the frame rail issue 
Try talking to Pfadt. Those guys have done a lot of R&D on the new Camaro's. They will probably know the best (and they are racers, so you can bet they push the cars hard in testing).
Try talking to Pfadt. Those guys have done a lot of R&D on the new Camaro's. They will probably know the best (and they are racers, so you can bet they push the cars hard in testing).
Sounds like you have some seat time?
LS1/6 it works, but the LS2/3/7's get oil starvation in sustained high G corners (left handers in particular) when on stickier tires (Hoosier A6/R6) and being pushed hard. It's some how related to the head design..i think. Even running a 3qt Accusump, the motors tend to not make it to the 1/2 way point of the race; and if they do, not much past it. Out here at Willow Springs where there aren't any "sustained left handers" I've watched an LS3 corvette (fresh motor) let go just a few laps into the race.
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Teching In
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From: Plano TX
Yes, about 20 years. Club Racing: 2 years in an SCCA A/S Camaro and 11 in a C5 both SCCA T1 and NASA (several classes.) Prior to that several years in DE with a Porsche and two C4s and prior to that a 69 BB Corvette for autocross.
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Teching In
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From: Plano TX
I have raced the C5s with both LS1s and LS6s for over a decade with the same accusump. With no oil starvation issues. Even on the big time sweepers like Road America.
I am a little stupefied GM would send their performance flagships out with such a fragile block.
I am a little stupefied GM would send their performance flagships out with such a fragile block.
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So you experienced racers are telling me (the unexperienced racer) that if I am planning on doing track days with my LS1 Camaro that I had better invest in an accusump system or else i may kiss my $13k 383 good bye?
Would the oil pan baffle ive seen going around the site work well enough? I always run a half quart over in my car too. 180 thermostat as well. Thanks guys
Would the oil pan baffle ive seen going around the site work well enough? I always run a half quart over in my car too. 180 thermostat as well. Thanks guys
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Plano TX
So you experienced racers are telling me (the unexperienced racer) that if I am planning on doing track days with my LS1 Camaro that I had better invest in an accusump system or else i may kiss my $13k 383 good bye?
Would the oil pan baffle ive seen going around the site work well enough? I always run a half quart over in my car too. 180 thermostat as well. Thanks guys
Would the oil pan baffle ive seen going around the site work well enough? I always run a half quart over in my car too. 180 thermostat as well. Thanks guys
I have heard bad things about tracking an LS3 hard. That is why I asked.
TWS can take out and LS engine on the back half.
So you experienced racers are telling me (the unexperienced racer) that if I am planning on doing track days with my LS1 Camaro that I had better invest in an accusump system or else i may kiss my $13k 383 good bye?
Would the oil pan baffle ive seen going around the site work well enough? I always run a half quart over in my car too. 180 thermostat as well. Thanks guys
Would the oil pan baffle ive seen going around the site work well enough? I always run a half quart over in my car too. 180 thermostat as well. Thanks guys
If the answers are: I think hard, yes, no, and no...you'll be fine with a Melling oil pump and oil pan baffle. Fill 1 quart extra.
Like TXST-1 said, accusumps can be had for cheap (relatively speaking). Joe Aquilante (a prominent Corvette builder for SCCA T-1 among other cars/classes) has said openly he doesn't think the LS6 needs an accusump at all, even at tracks like Road America. I'm keeping mine, but a guy I race against has removed his.
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From: Plano TX
Joe and I don't agree on that. I started using mine in 2000 and have never looked back. Cheap Insurance.
The other thing I would recommend is switching to a high quality racing synthetic oil. Not Mobil 1.
I have been running Torco SR-5 for several years now. It has greatly reduced on track oil consumption and is your best shot of keeping oil on the bearings when there may not actually be enough pressure. It has all of the off road additives that have been removed from modern street oil.
What is letting go on the LS3? Does anyone know?
The other thing I would recommend is switching to a high quality racing synthetic oil. Not Mobil 1.
I have been running Torco SR-5 for several years now. It has greatly reduced on track oil consumption and is your best shot of keeping oil on the bearings when there may not actually be enough pressure. It has all of the off road additives that have been removed from modern street oil.
What is letting go on the LS3? Does anyone know?
Joe and I don't agree on that. I started using mine in 2000 and have never looked back. Cheap Insurance.
The other thing I would recommend is switching to a high quality racing synthetic oil. Not Mobil 1.
I have been running Torco SR-5 for several years now. It has greatly reduced on track oil consumption and is your best shot of keeping oil on the bearings when there may not actually be enough pressure. It has all of the off road additives that have been removed from modern street oil.
What is letting go on the LS3? Does anyone know?
The other thing I would recommend is switching to a high quality racing synthetic oil. Not Mobil 1.
I have been running Torco SR-5 for several years now. It has greatly reduced on track oil consumption and is your best shot of keeping oil on the bearings when there may not actually be enough pressure. It has all of the off road additives that have been removed from modern street oil.
What is letting go on the LS3? Does anyone know?
I forget (haven't had the need to remember, although I'm building an LS3 for my 02 Camaro now..) but here's a couple good reads; I think they address the issue (maybe not)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-z...hard-data.html
Here's a great thread, Chris I. hits the nail on the head with his post:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...l-in-scca.html
Let me ask you two guys about the extra quart practice. Is that a good idea for all LS1-LS6's or is it just a Corvette thing. I've always wondered if going to an extra quart on my V would be beneficial. The pan is unique to the V I think, but since it's a low production car, there isn't much info on oiling issues.
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From: Plano TX
I personally am not a big fan of that because of the potential for the crank to slap the oil and create an oil foaming situation. But if you are running low oil pressure then you have to save the motor.
LS1/6s use oil. I would check it every time out on the track. Especially if you are running Mobil 1. I would use about a 1/2 quart every 20 minutes when I ran that. Switch to a quality racing oil.
LS1/6s use oil. I would check it every time out on the track. Especially if you are running Mobil 1. I would use about a 1/2 quart every 20 minutes when I ran that. Switch to a quality racing oil.
I ran my LS2 V at Harris Hill this past weekend. I put in 7qts with a filter. An extra quart is a lot cheaper than a ventilated block.
Jack Farr had a small fleet of SLP Camaros at Morosport Ranch years ago and he was popping motors regularly on the back side of the track (three left-hand corners taken as one big sweeping turn and in the top of 3rd gear in a 3.42 geared car).
GM engineers suggested he add a extra quart of oil and the problem went away.
Add the oil ...
With the pan sitting level on the floor, filling it with 7qts didn't come up to the relief cast into the oil pan for #6 rod cap. Once you factor in the capacity of a filter and what is chanelling through the motor, there is plenty of clearance.
Done it for years ... never a problem.
Edit:
I have pics somewhere of where the 5, 6 and 7 qts are at in relation to the pan level. 6 qts isn't even to the top of the bosses where the factory windage tray bolts.
Jack Farr had a small fleet of SLP Camaros at Morosport Ranch years ago and he was popping motors regularly on the back side of the track (three left-hand corners taken as one big sweeping turn and in the top of 3rd gear in a 3.42 geared car).
GM engineers suggested he add a extra quart of oil and the problem went away.
Add the oil ...
With the pan sitting level on the floor, filling it with 7qts didn't come up to the relief cast into the oil pan for #6 rod cap. Once you factor in the capacity of a filter and what is chanelling through the motor, there is plenty of clearance.
Done it for years ... never a problem.
Edit:
I have pics somewhere of where the 5, 6 and 7 qts are at in relation to the pan level. 6 qts isn't even to the top of the bosses where the factory windage tray bolts.
Last edited by mitchntx; Jun 30, 2010 at 07:42 PM. Reason: Added data
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Plano TX
I ran my LS2 V at Harris Hill this past weekend. I put in 7qts with a filter. An extra quart is a lot cheaper than a ventilated block.
Jack Farr had a small fleet of SLP Camaros at Morosport Ranch years ago and he was popping motors regularly on the back side of the track (three left-hand corners taken as one big sweeping turn and in the top of 3rd gear in a 3.42 geared car).
GM engineers suggested he add a extra quart of oil and the problem went away.
Add the oil ...
With the pan sitting level on the floor, filling it with 7qts didn't come up to the relief cast into the oil pan for #6 rod cap. Once you factor in the capacity of a filter and what is chanelling through the motor, there is plenty of clearance.
Done it for years ... never a problem.
Jack Farr had a small fleet of SLP Camaros at Morosport Ranch years ago and he was popping motors regularly on the back side of the track (three left-hand corners taken as one big sweeping turn and in the top of 3rd gear in a 3.42 geared car).
GM engineers suggested he add a extra quart of oil and the problem went away.
Add the oil ...
With the pan sitting level on the floor, filling it with 7qts didn't come up to the relief cast into the oil pan for #6 rod cap. Once you factor in the capacity of a filter and what is chanelling through the motor, there is plenty of clearance.
Done it for years ... never a problem.
I ran Road America on Monday and used 1/2 quart after 5-25 min sessions. Motor is still pretty fresh though. I'm going to take your advice. I'm running Mobil1 15w-50w. I noticed the oil temp was peaking to 280-occasionally until I started short shifting. The high temps combined with wringing out the motor in 3rd in the short sections have me concerned about eating oil.
Also pull your intake and look in both your intake lines/tubes (whatever) as well as your manifold, look for puddles of oil. If there are puddles, look to get a Rev Extreme oil catch can and then check it regularly for when it fills up.