LS3 performance?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,709
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From: Midwest
Why not buy the car with launch control and a wide-body option? I'll go LS3 if I have to choose between the two.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Boca Raton Inlet, Atlantic Ocean (Floridas east coast)
In terms of vettes, stock for stock, and LS3 C6 will have no problem beating a stock C5 LS1. Look at just the stock HP for an LS3.. 430, vs 350 on a stock C5LS1. Stock C5 will put down about 300-310RWHP vs the LS3's that are putting in the neighborhood of 380-390RWHP (give or take).
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Race Director
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From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Team Owner
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From: San Francisco CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: West Coast
GM stated that the 2009+ LS3 block is 40% stronger than the LS2. The 2008 LS3 is 20% stronger than the 2005-2007 LS2 block.
GM redesigned the LS3 to be stronger then the LS2. The LS3 is a stronger block than the LS1.
GM redesigned the LS3 to be stronger then the LS2. The LS3 is a stronger block than the LS1.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Ft. Myers FL
I would chime in to say the obvious...the LS3, being a newer design than the LS1, LS2 and the LS6 , should be a superior engine. 
Having driven a stock LS3 and owning a LS2 I can honestly say there wasn't a "seat in the pants" difference feeling to me. However, the question is, how will it compare with the new 5.5 liter that will be in the C7 ??? Will this be the first time since the 70's that Corvette engines "degressed" ?? 
Having driven a stock LS3 and owning a LS2 I can honestly say there wasn't a "seat in the pants" difference feeling to me. However, the question is, how will it compare with the new 5.5 liter that will be in the C7 ??? Will this be the first time since the 70's that Corvette engines "degressed" ??
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
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From: Lake Norman NC
I would chime in to say the obvious...the LS3, being a newer design than the LS1, LS2 and the LS6 , should be a superior engine. Having driven a stock LS3 and owning a LS2 I can honestly say there wasn't a "seat in the pants" difference feeling to me. However, the question is, how will it compare with the new 5.5 liter that will be in the C7 ??? Will this be the first time since the 70's that Corvette engines "degressed" ??
Having driven a stock LS3 and owning a LS2 I can honestly say there wasn't a "seat in the pants" difference feeling to me. However, the question is, how will it compare with the new 5.5 liter that will be in the C7 ??? Will this be the first time since the 70's that Corvette engines "degressed" ?? 
I know this is an apples to oranges comparison, but after driving a DI CTS with degressed 3.0 from the 3.6 non DI. It felt considerably slower SOP. The lack of torque plays a huge role in SOP feeling and that's where the difference lies between LS2 to LS3 to LS7.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: San Francisco CA
I would chime in to say the obvious...the LS3, being a newer design than the LS1, LS2 and the LS6 , should be a superior engine. Having driven a stock LS3 and owning a LS2 I can honestly say there wasn't a "seat in the pants" difference feeling to me. However, the question is, how will it compare with the new 5.5 liter that will be in the C7 ??? Will this be the first time since the 70's that Corvette engines "degressed" ??
Having driven a stock LS3 and owning a LS2 I can honestly say there wasn't a "seat in the pants" difference feeling to me. However, the question is, how will it compare with the new 5.5 liter that will be in the C7 ??? Will this be the first time since the 70's that Corvette engines "degressed" ?? 
Race Director
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From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I sure hope if/when Corvettes go 5.5 that it's DI to offset the torque drop.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Lake Norman NC
Yes output is nearly the same, HP for the 3.0 DI tops out at a higher RPM and torque is considerably lower IMO compared to the 3.6 non-DI. The lowend torque made the car feel like a slug compared to the 3.6 non-DI was my point; as well as 5.5 DI engines for the C7 will probably have the same affect when compared to the current LS motors. SOP feel will be decreased unless you keep the RPMs up in that high powerband. (I was basically comparing DI vs. non-DI)
Team Owner
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
We had a 2006 A6 and now a 2009 A6 w/ perf axle (not avialable on LS2 cars).
The difference in power is surprising, I expected very little difference but it's big. No actual numbers from my cars but my butt-o-meter is very impressed.
From what i hear from other club members, the guys with LS3 are averaging about .7 sec & 8 mph better in the quarter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,578
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From: Austin TX
Sooo..
There was just a thread where many non LS7 owners claimed that there wasn't much of a SOTP "feel" between the LS3 and LS7.
Now, we have a thread where there isn't much of a difference between the LS1 and LS3, SOTP and actual race.
And let's not forget the "there's no performance difference between the LS2 and LS3, therefore don't waste your money" threads.
So, in conclusion: LS1 = LS2 = LS3 = LS7. Don't waste your money, folks, there is no real difference in performance (SOTP or othewise) between these engines. You heard it here, so it must be accurate.
There was just a thread where many non LS7 owners claimed that there wasn't much of a SOTP "feel" between the LS3 and LS7.
Now, we have a thread where there isn't much of a difference between the LS1 and LS3, SOTP and actual race.
And let's not forget the "there's no performance difference between the LS2 and LS3, therefore don't waste your money" threads.
So, in conclusion: LS1 = LS2 = LS3 = LS7. Don't waste your money, folks, there is no real difference in performance (SOTP or othewise) between these engines. You heard it here, so it must be accurate.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 473
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
Sooo..
There was just a thread where many non LS7 owners claimed that there wasn't much of a SOTP "feel" between the LS3 and LS7.
Now, we have a thread where there isn't much of a difference between the LS1 and LS3, SOTP and actual race.
And let's not forget the "there's no performance difference between the LS2 and LS3, therefore don't waste your money" threads.
So, in conclusion: LS1 = LS2 = LS3 = LS7. Don't waste your money, folks, there is no real difference in performance (SOTP or othewise) between these engines. You heard it here, so it must be accurate.
There was just a thread where many non LS7 owners claimed that there wasn't much of a SOTP "feel" between the LS3 and LS7.
Now, we have a thread where there isn't much of a difference between the LS1 and LS3, SOTP and actual race.
And let's not forget the "there's no performance difference between the LS2 and LS3, therefore don't waste your money" threads.
So, in conclusion: LS1 = LS2 = LS3 = LS7. Don't waste your money, folks, there is no real difference in performance (SOTP or othewise) between these engines. You heard it here, so it must be accurate.
Theres a huge difference from stock ls1 to stock ls3, more difference than that of a stock ls3 to a stock ls7. This is from personal experience. My 2011 Vette GS is quite a bit more powerful than my complete bolt on 02 trans am ws6.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
Sooo..
There was just a thread where many non LS7 owners claimed that there wasn't much of a SOTP "feel" between the LS3 and LS7.
Now, we have a thread where there isn't much of a difference between the LS1 and LS3, SOTP and actual race.
And let's not forget the "there's no performance difference between the LS2 and LS3, therefore don't waste your money" threads.
So, in conclusion: LS1 = LS2 = LS3 = LS7. Don't waste your money, folks, there is no real difference in performance (SOTP or othewise) between these engines. You heard it here, so it must be accurate.
There was just a thread where many non LS7 owners claimed that there wasn't much of a SOTP "feel" between the LS3 and LS7.
Now, we have a thread where there isn't much of a difference between the LS1 and LS3, SOTP and actual race.
And let's not forget the "there's no performance difference between the LS2 and LS3, therefore don't waste your money" threads.
So, in conclusion: LS1 = LS2 = LS3 = LS7. Don't waste your money, folks, there is no real difference in performance (SOTP or othewise) between these engines. You heard it here, so it must be accurate.
Everyones butt meter may be different, but numbers don't lie...the ls7 is considerably faster than the ls3, and that's factual unlike the variety of SOP feelings.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,709
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
I would chime in to say the obvious...the LS3, being a newer design than the LS1, LS2 and the LS6 , should be a superior engine. Having driven a stock LS3 and owning a LS2 I can honestly say there wasn't a "seat in the pants" difference feeling to me. However, the question is, how will it compare with the new 5.5 liter that will be in the C7 ??? Will this be the first time since the 70's that Corvette engines "degressed" ??
Having driven a stock LS3 and owning a LS2 I can honestly say there wasn't a "seat in the pants" difference feeling to me. However, the question is, how will it compare with the new 5.5 liter that will be in the C7 ??? Will this be the first time since the 70's that Corvette engines "degressed" ?? Also, remember. It doesn't matter. Honda/Acura and their NSX's stillborn rebirth is a classic example. When it happens--it happens. Until then it's just hearsay.
If GM officially announced it, though, I would be interested in knowing as that does carry a bit of weight.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Sooo..
There was just a thread where many non LS7 owners claimed that there wasn't much of a SOTP "feel" between the LS3 and LS7.
Now, we have a thread where there isn't much of a difference between the LS1 and LS3, SOTP and actual race.
And let's not forget the "there's no performance difference between the LS2 and LS3, therefore don't waste your money" threads.
So, in conclusion: LS1 = LS2 = LS3 = LS7. Don't waste your money, folks, there is no real difference in performance (SOTP or othewise) between these engines. You heard it here, so it must be accurate.
There was just a thread where many non LS7 owners claimed that there wasn't much of a SOTP "feel" between the LS3 and LS7.
Now, we have a thread where there isn't much of a difference between the LS1 and LS3, SOTP and actual race.
And let's not forget the "there's no performance difference between the LS2 and LS3, therefore don't waste your money" threads.
So, in conclusion: LS1 = LS2 = LS3 = LS7. Don't waste your money, folks, there is no real difference in performance (SOTP or othewise) between these engines. You heard it here, so it must be accurate.
Yeap, let's not look at track times and trap speeds that have already been posted by dozens of LSX folks who have tracked their cars...that means nothing.. SOTP is where it's at
I knew it was only a matter of time before this crap creeped into another thread. For whatever reason people just have a hard time facing reality, and consider it offensive if someone else posts that their STOCK car is faster... people try and justify it by saying its not worth it, there is not much difference between the two..next week I bet ya those same people are on the phone ordering headers or a CAI praying they get 30RWHP LOL. I don't see LS7 folks doing that with LS9 folks? Funny indeed
Last edited by FrankTank; Jul 21, 2010 at 07:02 PM.