Difference on LS2 vs LS3 blocks?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 10,230
Likes: 885
From: Alexandria, Virginia, USA VA
I want an LS9 block! the oil squirters to keep the pistons cool sounds like it would be great and the billet main caps
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,480
Likes: 62
From: Middletown DE
I also read an article that stated the LS3 block would be "updated" with the ls9 revisions (they supposively use the same block).
Not sure the timing of the update (mid 08?), but i would certainly research that out to get the updated casting.
Not sure the timing of the update (mid 08?), but i would certainly research that out to get the updated casting.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 78
From: Forney Texas
Spoke with Scoggin Dickey just now and was advised that the LS9 and LS3 still have some structural differences, but he wasn't able to elaborate. He only said that was what he was told by some GM engineers. LS9 is still unavailable with no ETA.
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,586
Likes: 1,697
From: Converse TX
My 09 LS3 is not the same as the LS9, no oil cooling the underside of my pistons and the block is not as strong, however the LS3 looks like to be my next boost platform when my LS6 is ready for replacement
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 904
Likes: 36
From: Santa Cruz CA
More than the basics.
Yeah, I remember reading one of those bazillion articles on the LS9 when the ZR1 came out that the LS9 block has some differences they were going to move to the LS3. Like the stronger rear block face for more stability of the rear cylinders and less distortion from the bellhousing attachement points. There were a few others like that they were going to move over to the LS3 when the time came.
The stuff they didn't say they where going to do was something concerning the actual metallurgy of the LS9 blocks and how they are cast and prepared. Apparently its more time consuming and not particularly feasible for the much higher production LS3 blocks. What exactly it was has totally slipped my mind though. Sorry about that, but it was stuff they said they just couldn't justify spending the time/money to do to standard LS3 because it just wasn't necessary.
Might be a maincap thing too. I am font of forgetfullness, sorry about that. Maybe it will steer your searches a bit though. Sorry I couldn't be more specific. I must be getting old.
The stuff they didn't say they where going to do was something concerning the actual metallurgy of the LS9 blocks and how they are cast and prepared. Apparently its more time consuming and not particularly feasible for the much higher production LS3 blocks. What exactly it was has totally slipped my mind though. Sorry about that, but it was stuff they said they just couldn't justify spending the time/money to do to standard LS3 because it just wasn't necessary.
Might be a maincap thing too. I am font of forgetfullness, sorry about that. Maybe it will steer your searches a bit though. Sorry I couldn't be more specific. I must be getting old.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: CA
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