Hey guys. Thought I would share my current LS3 build with you guys. Back in May I lost a couple main bearings in my LS6 to a damaged lifter and a eatened up cam lobe. Instead of tearing through the block again, I rebuilt it 3yrs ago, I decided to upgrade. Thing is I was on a budget so I decided to go with a LS3 build since parts are cheap and these motors are beast with little mods.

I was able to land a super low mileage L92 short block (same block casting and internals as an LS3 with the exception that the pistons have 2cc valve reliefs). I then got hold of a new LS3 top end, new intake from a friend and new heads from GMPP. A Ligenfelter converter box should allow me to run the LS3 without swapping the cam sensors and crank reluctor wheel.

Here's a list of whats going into this motor so far:
GMPP LS3 heads
LS3 intake w/90mm throttle body
PRC .675 valve springs
Stock rockers
L92 block, DOD delete
Ported and shimmed GM LS6 oil pump
TSP 231/236 .641"/.615" 114lsa cam
TSP 1 3/4 headers
Short x-pipe with two Dynomax bullet mufflers dumping under car
3600 SS Yank
Built 4L65E w/3.42's
LPE 24x58 tooth converter box
Knock sensor extension
MAP sensor extension

Getting started


Clean bottom end. Really low miles


Cam is in. New timing set and oil pump too


New GMPP LS3 heads. Love the huge intake valves.


Installing PRC EHT .675 valve springs


She's ready for the transplant


A little preview. I'll bolt the heads on once the motor is in the car. (yes the vlv cover is backwards. Lol)

 

Hope the pictures come through.

 

I can only see a Red X but im also on a goverment computer.

 

Your pics are linked from a login required message board. Try using flickr or photobucket or something to host the pics.

 

Thnx guys. I'll try to clear it up in a bit

 

Be sure to use your ls6 oil pan. Way better than the ls3.

 

So all you need is the LPE box and you can drop a LS3 in? Nothing with knock sensors?

Looking forward to the results

 

Yes sir I am. Bolted it on yesterday. Better for oil control. Drilled holes in the lifter trays as well to help that oil get back down. Its known for pooling up on LS3 heads.

 

Pretty much. Only two things needed, one, an extension for the map sensor because it moves to the front of the intake, and two, knock sensor extensions but you keep the LS1/6 style sensors.

 

Hey guys, I'll try posting this thread on LS1tech today so the pictures can come through.

 

The oil pooling is discouraging me from the LS3 swap. Do you have pics on the drilling of the lifter trays? Are they different than the LS6 lifter trays? Could you just use the LS6 lifter trays instead? Are the lifter trays the only place that the oil pools up? Sorry for the barrage. . .

 

What did you do about cam and crank sensors?

 

...

 

Subscribed. Looking forward to hearing the idle with this cam. I am looking at similar specs for a LS3 (maybe stroker) swap in my C5. Would like to hear about any issues you find along the way. Good luck with the project.

 

I totally FAIL at reading.

 

You get points for acknowledging it. Happens to the best of us.

 

No problem. LS2/3 lifter trays look almost identical to LS1/6 trays but they are idented on one side to go on only one way. Due to the angle of the cylinders, you drill on the side of the lifter tray that faces the outside of the block. This means that tray will leak out that oil before it fills the whole tray. This can be helpful for high rpm oil control especially when high rpms are sustained for higher periods of time like road racing. This mod is found in the LS1 build book "How to Build High Performance Chevy LS1/6 V-8's". This easy mod along with a standard volume oil pump and in some cases oil restricted pushrods, help with the oil pooling issue.

Pics of the holes in lifter trays.
http://media.photobucket.com/image/l...d/P1020753.jpg

 

Groovy. Due to the lack of horror stories on the LS1/6 cars, I hadn't really considered this stuff much, but now the gears are turning. . .

 

Small update: It seems some modification to the motor mount brackets are needed to clear the knock sensors. One of the pictures you can see where I rounded off one of the corners of the bracket. On the passenger side I will have to notch the bracket to clear a boss on the block for one of the ac bolts.



Headers got a new coat of high heat ceramic paint. Rustoleum 2000, great stuff.

 

The only stories Ive read of LS3's letting go were with guys that were really pushing these motors hard. Mostly hardcore road racers, full aero with slicks type of cars. But if youre racing at that level you really should be running a dry sump setup or at minimum an accusump. Other then that, the LS3 is a really solid motor with a very strong bottom end.


Just wanted to share this..I dont know if this guy is here on CorvetteForum but this is a great example of the potential for an LS3. Cam only with bolt-ons, 517rwhp/462rwtq! 10.76@129. His cam is very close to mine. This got me really excited and looking forward to some 1/4mi times.

http://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomete...24-timing.html