CWerner

I've found a 2010 LS3 for $4k (no ecu) with 13k miles + Shipping Cost

OR

NEW LS3/480 Hot Cam from GM for $6,360. (no ecu)

I'm buying my ECU and custom accessories from Josh @ Custom Image Corvettes.

I can't decide if the $2400 upcharge is worth the additional 50 HP and GM warranty. Primary purpose is street driving.....

Which way should I go?

Eddie 70

Personally I would go with the used motor for $2400 less. Use the money to pay Josh for the computer and accessories.

Sunstroked

A warranty would be nice. If it were me I'd probably pick up the used 1 if the miles were true. Buy the hot cam and install it. Save some $$ for the rest of the parts you'll need.

Gordonm

I bought a used 09 LS3 and put in a much better cam than stock.
Have the computer tuned and with good exhaust I should be over 500 HP easily. The cam swaps are stupid easy on an LS motor. I'd stick with the used one. 4K for a 2010 LS3 with few miles on it is a steal.

htown81vette

If you were looking for bang for your buck the 5.3L are dirt cheap, and the bottom end is nearly bullet proof. FWIW. I've been buying used/new parts for about 10 years, and decided for engine components there is only one way to buy: NEW. I've been burned so many times its not funny. Pay now or pay later (twice), its up to you.

Vette5.5

Josh runs a good shop, and help you with anything needed for an LS conversion. Also, keep in mind GM performance sells an aftermarket ECU/wiring harness for these conversions, for about $1K. Surely places like Culleys GM parts house, can help you on prices here. 5.3 cast iron truck engines are ok, but nothing like an alumunum LS3.

sperkins

LS3 oiling issues would keep me away from either one.
Crate LS1 or LS6 would be a good choice. Either are super easy to mod.

3JsVette

If the motor really has 13K that's a great price.
The $2000 savings will go long way towards your finances in finishing the project.

htown81vette

Really? You know you have to pull the heads off an LS motor if you want to swap the lifters which is highly recommended on a cam swap. Been there, done that...

You don't have to pull the heads on a Gen 1 motor to get to the lifters (as everyone probably knows)..

htown81vette

All LS motors have oiling issues because the oil pump is a piece of ****. Except for the LS6 which has a superior oil pump. I bought a blueprinted LS6 oil pump for my LQ9 blocked 408 (Firebird).

Corey_68

This is incorrect. ..we did a cam and lifter swap on a '06 LS2 GTO and did not pull the heads.

htown81vette

You can do a cam swap without pulling the heads (if you leave the lifters in place). Otherwise you have to pull the heads to get to the lifters. There is no way around it. I have been through my LQ9 motor more than once, and know it inside and out, upside and down.

Take a look at this thread:

http://ls1tech.com/forums/generation...e-lifters.html

qwank

you absolutely have to pull the heads to swap the lifters. Done it a ton of times at work. I wish there was a way around it.

Corey_68

Sorry, I had a brain fart ...we did not swap lifters rather we used a magnet to hold the lifters in place.

CWerner

I think the real question is.....

is 430 HP enough, or is it worth spending $2360 to get 50 more horses with warranty?

htown81vette

Brain farts just happen (to all of us). No worries. Lets just be glad our brains don't fall out! Mine would have been gone a long time ago! LOL

htown81vette

I'd go with the new motor and warranty.

sperkins

LS1 and LS6 oil pumps are exactly the same. Also, LS1 crate engines use the LS6 shortblock anyway. The only difference between LS1 and LS6 crate engines are the heads and cam.
And for what it's worth, I put 3 hard years of real road racing on my 135k mile stock '99 LS1 with no issues at all.

htown81vette

No. They are not.

Just the '01 and '02 oil pumps are the same as the LS6.

This is a well known fact.

This guy says it best:

http://ls1tech.com/forums/13512615-post4.html

sperkins

Which backs up what I said since LS1 crate engines use the '01 & later block.