Well, it looks like I'm getting an LS3.

I've posted before about the '97 I bought with an LQ9 in it. From the moment I got the car it was nothing but trouble. From the crank bolt backing out, to vacuum leaks, burnt wires, mis-fit headers, and front suspension issues that could've killed me, and of course torque tube couplers shot. Got most of all that fixed, except for the cheap e-bay injectors. Then a backfire that split the intake manifold. So, back to shop it went. It's been there longer than I should probably tolerate, however, this place is more than fair in pricing and are experts in Corvette and LS engines.

Fast forward, he tells me that he got the block back and said he highly recommends that I don't use it. He thinks that a cylinder got hydrolocked, bent a couple of rods, caused damage to the block. Not quite sure on specifics yet, but I'll get more details tomorrow. However, he said he does have an LS3 he can put in. More details to come on that as well, but he said he estimates about 500 whp out of it.

I have a couple of questions, though. The LQ9 had 243 heads, which are good as far as I know. He did say the block was repairable, and I'm sure there are some other usable parts. I know the 243 heads won't work on an LS3, and i really don't have the time or desire to try and sell them myself, but I know they have a pretty good value. Any tips on how to negotiate that deal towards the cost of the LS3?

The other part, and I suppose I can google it, but I would rather just hear it from those that have been there, done that. What do I need to ask about and look for on the LS3 to make certain I'm getting my money's worth? Not that I don't have a reasonable amount of trust here, I've talked to several people that have work done here and each one had nothing but good things to say, but I don't want the make that same mistake that I did buying this car in the first place. LOL.

 

I'm sorry I'm not answering your question but in effect I am. I was thinking of going this route instead of building up the LS1 I have in my car, why not have a really nice LS3 built and install it? Probably same money but way less down time and more power.

 

What's he asking for the LS3, and how many miles are on it? I'm not going to research this, but if you don't already have a converter for the lq9 for 58 to 24x reluctor then you will need one for the ls3. Any work done on the ls3?

 

First, every sensor in the ls3 is located in a different spot, and will also require adapters.

Second, in order to generate 500 rwhp, the engine needs to produce roughly 550hp. You might want to ask what modifications have been made.

Third, used 243 heads bring about $600/pr on EBay.

Best of luck!

 

Moved to C5 Tech.

 

What it sounds like is that whomever put the LQ9 in it did a poor job reassembling the car and probably didn't know what they were doing. They then dumped the car.

Get whatever you want since that engine is junk, but there is no benefit of any one over any other which is a used product in terms of guarantees it will work. Also, depending on what an "LS3" costs you, you might still be better off building or rebuilding another LS. In my mind I see HP / $, not model names or displacements. So LS1 / 2 / 3 / 6 / 7 / 9 doesn't matter to me as much if a 500hp LS3 costs $9k but a 500hp LS-whatever costs half and leaves you with money to invest elsewhere as needed.

Tough spot.

Good luck.

 

I agree with you. It doesn't really matter what LS it is. The 500 number is what he said. This shop has a pretty good reputation, at least the several people I've talked to had nothing but good stuff to say about him. The LS3 is an engine that he has available in hand. The nice thing about the LS3 is that it doesn't really take a whole lot to get the 500 number out of them, and maintain good reliability and streetability.

Hindsight being 20/20, this is that car I should,ve walked away from. But I didn't, and now it's mine. Once the powertrain is done, I already have most of what I need to make a respectable driver car out of it. This is why I call it "rescue Vette", it's like one of those great dogs that got abused by the original owner.

 

That's a story I've been living. I do absolutely love my Z06. It's clean, mean and a color I think looks awesome. Absolutely a keeper. But for the money I have invested now I would have spent that uo front and bought my dream 2001 Deep Sapphire Blue Viper GTS.

 

And if you bought the GTS you'd be saying I spent so much money I could have had my dream Lamborghini by now.

 

U have the meat and bones already that iron block can withstand 12 1300 hp easy. Ur crank is probably good. All new stock internals well handle easy 500HP. Like what was said u will be back going down and rabbit hole. The sensors like said are a huge part and i believe u have to get pcm change. remember tuning changeding to ls3 is easy 1k for tuning. Keep it simple. Buddy just went through this shope rebuild lq9 for 3500 with machine work. Hess going to upgrade later but since it took forever to get it done hes going to enjoy the car for a while then upgrade later, He didnt care keeping it stock .03 over bore or .060 i forget which most will say. do this and do that while its apart. Up to u. People like spending other peoples money on here. hes still enjoying it couple years later and didn't even upgrade yet because the memory of all the bull he went through is still burned in his brain. And his peanut brain doesnt have that much memory capacity. Food for though do what u want. But he driver as long there is no snow on the car. Money went to 3000watt stero system.

 

Man, sorry to hear about all the trouble, brutha. No fun.

That's been my year as well. Not with the Vette, as it never came out of storage this year . But every other car in the fleet has decided this was the year to break.

Keep us posted on what you decide.

 

Except I have no ambitions whatsoever towards such cars.

The only other more expensive car I like are the Ford GTs. But I still just love the clownshoe Gen 2 Vipers... The bodywork design is sex on wheels and the interior is no frills, just wraps you into it. I'd be psyched. But I guess I have to still have goals, eh? ✌️😁

 

I completely agree with what you're saying. The issue, apparently is the LQ9 block is damaged. I believe that because the LQ9 was bored out to 6.2, and set up, allegedly, for a twin turbo, nitrous build. But this thing had major issues from the get go. Honestly, if I can get a solid LS3 build, a little quicker, I'm down for spending a little extra cash. This shop has done countless LS3 swaps in C5's and everything else. He even did a GenV LT4 swap in an old Chevy C10. The PCM in the car will work with the LS3. As for as the harness, it needed a new harness anyway. The LS3 has everything it needs.

 

Oh. I'm going with the LS3. The way I see it, once I get it back and get all the the little stuff, which parts are in the garage and paid for, I can daily drive this one and keep miles off the New Scat Pack Widebody, or, if I need cash, I feel a true LS3 build on a decent driver will draw more cash. Not nearly what I have into it, but more is more.

 

LS-3 is a great engine. It's the one thing that seriously tempts me to move into a C6, Grand Sport of course.

Best of luck with the build!

 

243 heads WILL work on an LS3, with a cathedral intake. But nobody I know does this. The LS3 heads are a huge upgrade, and likely cheaper than reworked 243 heads. Time marches on. 243 heads were once the best head to use on the LS1/LS6/LS2. But that ended over15 years ago, when the L92 heads became available. Kind of like the fuelie heads of the Gen1 SBC. Great in their day, but that was over 50 years ago. If I were you, Id sell everything engine wise, and go with an LS3 short block, and build as desired......

 

I agree, the 243 heads are better left for the LS1/LS6 they were designed for. I had a bone stock LS3 in my 2011 Camaro, and even that heavy car, it pulled like a freight train.

 

I love what Bob Lutz once said about the Vipers traction control system. When asked if it had one, he replied 'It has two. Your left foot, and your right foot!!!' Lutz is a true car guy. He went to GM in the mid 2005(?). Anyway, I'm a big fan of Lutz. IMHO-He's a modern day William C Durant. Even in retirement at 90 years old, he is still active in the auto industry.....

 

Visited my Corvette guy today. He's charging $15K for the fully built, fully tuned, LS3 set up to put 500+ to the wheels. Sounds a little high to me, but the devil is the details. Unfortunately, it looks like I'll be dealing with treatment for throat cancer. If not for that, i could work something out, but I'll be missing some work at some point, and might need that $15K.

So now the plan is to find something significantly cheaper to get it rolling. I plan on keeping it, but if I have to sell it, I'd like it to be running. Pretty worthless otherwise.