LS6 or LS3
Thread Starter
XX
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 859
Likes: 40
From: Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '12
LS6 or LS3
Guys I would like some opinions , tomorrow I would like to make my mind up on the direction I would like to go. I can get either a new LS6 or LS3 for around the same cost except the added cost as listed below on the LS3. I know I would have to change the reluctor the 54x to a 24x wheel on the LS3 ,the 4x single bolt cam gear to a 1X , a few wire adapters and moving the sensors, not going the adapter module route. My plans are CAI/Lt/Cam and tune for a daily driver. Maybe a cam on the LS3 like a SpinMonster grind nothing to wild. Give me some opinions, back to a LS6 or move on to a LS3.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
My opinion would be to ask the question....Which would be "easier" to install? Both are gonna have the same comparable Horsepower after the mods you pull. Which is going to be more expensive in regards to total costs?
If you are prepared to spend a little more and more time installing the LS3 and end up with about the same HP as your modded LS6 would have been......well that's food for thought!
Stock LS6 405hp
Stock LS3 436hp
That 30 hp diff goes away depending on the Mods you install on both.
Just thinking out loud.
If you are prepared to spend a little more and more time installing the LS3 and end up with about the same HP as your modded LS6 would have been......well that's food for thought!
Stock LS6 405hp
Stock LS3 436hp
That 30 hp diff goes away depending on the Mods you install on both.
Just thinking out loud.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 8
From: 972 and 405
The torque will of course be more noticeable with the LS3 with the greater displacement. The power may only be slightly better on with equal mods as stated above so, for a street car you will never notice the slight difference. Your best bet is to contact a tuner to see exactly what can be fished out of both with those mods. Also see if you can source some dyno graphs from both engines with those mods and compare power delivery as well.
-Alex
-Alex
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
You've made a pretty good list of adaptations needed for the LS3, but don't forget the PCM recalibration that will be needed. More cylinder volume, bigger injectors, etc. all will need to be reconfigured via tuning before the key is turned.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
I assume that the current motor is dead and buried which is why you are getting a brand new one. If you have to go completely new, then the LS3 will be superior because of the extra cubic inches.
Thread Starter
XX
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 859
Likes: 40
From: Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '12
One day I will have to change my nick here. I have been an old school guy until 05 with a long list of of having 60's-70's corvettes , 67-69 camaro's either running sb or bb . I got tired of going to the track pulling my car hauler with my last 68ss running race and all you guys most of the guys moved to driving the cars to the track running on pump fuel. The reason i am considering the LS3 is more torque in the lower rpm/extra cubic inches. If I go with the LS3 I also will have the LS3 Intake Manifold w/ Fuel Rails & Injectors setup. My current LS6 is still running strong and may keep it as a backup or sell it not sure at this time. I know I need the pcm tuned and will have to check who can take of that for me, will call Ragin Racin or Thunder Racing. It looks like most of you guys say go for the LS3 , getting close on pulling the trigger on the LS3. I will add I may a go SC one day but then I will have the bug to bad and have to upgrade the rest of the drivetrain.
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Thread Starter
XX
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 859
Likes: 40
From: Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '12
Will be a wet sump LS3, right now I can have either for about the same cost. Come on guys talk me into buying the LS3 or out of it as that's what I am leaning to doing. Let me add if I get the LS6 it would just sit there as a backup for now. 
Last edited by XX; Jul 20, 2011 at 07:25 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Thread Starter
XX
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 859
Likes: 40
From: Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '12
There are a number of added cost going to the LS3, but that said, it would be my 1st choice. If you get the true dry sump version, it's 436 HP and has a steel in place of cast crankshaft. You will also need 24x to 58x converter, rework harness for knock and cam sensor location changes, also you will need to modifiy engine mounts or buy late model engine mount brackets. There are other things, but those are the bigger ones.
Thread Starter
XX
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 859
Likes: 40
From: Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '12
