Ls3 versus ls2 question.
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
It's not that simple.. The power delivery, the gearing, etc all make a difference in how the power "feels". The Z06 does 0-60 in 1st gear..
That is certainly going to feel different to 60 than the coupe. The
torque curve and peak power are different between engines..
The simple HP number don't tell the whole story..
That is certainly going to feel different to 60 than the coupe. The
torque curve and peak power are different between engines..
The simple HP number don't tell the whole story..
Look, I don't want to turn this into ANOTHER model bashing frenzy, I'll just say this..
The LS7 has more torque, and the Z06 is lighter than the base coupes with the LS2 and LS3...yet people dismiss the difference in HP between the LS3 and LS7 and say you really don't notice it that much... then we have this thread.. nuff said
Sorry for the hijak.. back to LS2 vs. LS3..
Last edited by FrankTank; Jan 24, 2011 at 03:07 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,027
Likes: 0
From: The Lost Borough, NYC
It's not that simple.. The power delivery, the gearing, etc all make a difference in how the power "feels". The Z06 does 0-60 in 1st gear..
That is certainly going to feel different to 60 than the coupe. The
torque curve and peak power are different between engines..
The simple HP number don't tell the whole story..
That is certainly going to feel different to 60 than the coupe. The
torque curve and peak power are different between engines..
The simple HP number don't tell the whole story..
You can have a car with only 300rwhp rape a car with 400rwhp depending on the other factors... weight, aerodynamics and most importantly the gearing in the tranny and rear.
e.g.
The 430 hp C6 beats the 500+ hp M5 (I rest my case)
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,254
Likes: 5
From: Anaheim Hills, Ca
I know, the peak HP is just the tip of the iceburg..there are plenty of other things, I just did not list them. The point I am making is simple..we see thread after thread of people that dismss the 70HP or so difference between the LS3 and LS7...yet we see this thread where people are talking about the "big" difference between 30-36 HP between an LS2 and LS3.
Look, I don't want to turn this into ANOTHER model bashing frenzy, I'll just say this..
The LS7 has more torque, and the Z06 is lighter than the base coupes with the LS2 and LS3...yet people dismiss the difference in HP between the LS3 and LS7 and say you really don't notice it that much... then we have this thread.. nuff said
Sorry for the hijak.. back to LS2 vs. LS3..
Look, I don't want to turn this into ANOTHER model bashing frenzy, I'll just say this..
The LS7 has more torque, and the Z06 is lighter than the base coupes with the LS2 and LS3...yet people dismiss the difference in HP between the LS3 and LS7 and say you really don't notice it that much... then we have this thread.. nuff said
Sorry for the hijak.. back to LS2 vs. LS3..
I ran into a guy at Starbucks the other day who had just taken delivery on his GS M6 coupe. My Z06 was parked around the corner so he didn't know I had a Vette (still doesn't!). I told him it I thought it was a beautiful car and then he went on to tell me that the GS had a hand built ZR1 engine in it without the blower, and because of no blower, it will last longer. Also, he said that it had a steel frame "INSTEAD" of the aluminum one so it's stronger than a Z06 for racing. He said it's the best of both worlds. Now is it him or is it the salesman that sold it to him? I never let on that I knew anything about Corvette's....just couldn't.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 6
From: San Jose, CA, USA
I find the LS2 steering to be very precise with no slop, but the effort is way too light and there is just not enough road feedback. My sedan (E38 740i sport) steering is worlds better in every way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 1,200
From: Ft. Myers FL
Tomorrow my C6 will be 5 years old! Yep, I have a LS2.
Car still looks good, runs good and still has that new car smell. Do I wish I had a LS3...yep. Why? Because it's a newer design, breaths better and has to be a better engine. I run plenty of them. Plus, the 08's on up all have 100K warrenty. I don't think the difference is as noticible right off the bat, but, if I could afford a new one, I'd get it in a heartbeat!
On the downside...they don't make Monterey Red anymore, so, that helps me cope a little.
Car still looks good, runs good and still has that new car smell. Do I wish I had a LS3...yep. Why? Because it's a newer design, breaths better and has to be a better engine. I run plenty of them. Plus, the 08's on up all have 100K warrenty. I don't think the difference is as noticible right off the bat, but, if I could afford a new one, I'd get it in a heartbeat! On the downside...they don't make Monterey Red anymore, so, that helps me cope a little.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,411
Likes: 2
From: N Carolina 08 Z51 Coupe
Tomorrow my C6 will be 5 years old! Yep, I have a LS2. Car still looks good, runs good and still has that new car smell. Do I wish I had a LS3...yep. Why? Because it's a newer design, breaths better and has to be a better engine. I run plenty of them. Plus, the 08's on up all have 100K warrenty. I don't think the difference is as noticible right off the bat, but, if I could afford a new one, I'd get it in a heartbeat!
On the downside...they don't make Monterey Red anymore, so, that helps me cope a little.
Car still looks good, runs good and still has that new car smell. Do I wish I had a LS3...yep. Why? Because it's a newer design, breaths better and has to be a better engine. I run plenty of them. Plus, the 08's on up all have 100K warrenty. I don't think the difference is as noticible right off the bat, but, if I could afford a new one, I'd get it in a heartbeat! On the downside...they don't make Monterey Red anymore, so, that helps me cope a little.
Congrats on the 5 years.. and the Monterey Red.. Great color.. love the tint coat.. everything doesn't have to be new and improved to be enjoyed..
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 430
Likes: 10
From: Angier, NC
Tomorrow my C6 will be 5 years old! Yep, I have a LS2. Car still looks good, runs good and still has that new car smell. Do I wish I had a LS3...yep. Why? Because it's a newer design, breaths better and has to be a better engine. I run plenty of them. Plus, the 08's on up all have 100K warrenty. I don't think the difference is as noticible right off the bat, but, if I could afford a new one, I'd get it in a heartbeat!
On the downside...they don't make Monterey Red anymore, so, that helps me cope a little.
Car still looks good, runs good and still has that new car smell. Do I wish I had a LS3...yep. Why? Because it's a newer design, breaths better and has to be a better engine. I run plenty of them. Plus, the 08's on up all have 100K warrenty. I don't think the difference is as noticible right off the bat, but, if I could afford a new one, I'd get it in a heartbeat! On the downside...they don't make Monterey Red anymore, so, that helps me cope a little.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,566
Likes: 6
From: Land of 10,000 taxes
depends why you want the car:
stoplight & drag racing=LS3
my ***** is bigger than yours=LS3
anybody else= find one in great shape at a great price and enjoy
the individual vehicle not year, it's more important when buying used since condition and price can vary widely
stoplight & drag racing=LS3
my ***** is bigger than yours=LS3
anybody else= find one in great shape at a great price and enjoy
the individual vehicle not year, it's more important when buying used since condition and price can vary widely
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 263
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix Arizona
Interesting thread, and having spent several hours driving a 2008 LS3 A6 coupe and a 2006 LS2 A6 coupe back to back here’s my two cents.
The 2008 was subjectively more powerful off the line and felt both quicker and faster at full throttle.
However the 2006 engine acceleration was more linear and tractable than the 2008 at all speeds. It didn’t give up a whole lot in acceleration but overall felt much more satisfying to drive than the 2008.
I’m dating myself here but having drag raced Kawasaki triples I can tell you that a Kawasaki 750cc triple will always be quicker through the quarter mile, but the 500cc will feel quicker and is the more exciting ride.
I could easily live with either year, but for me the 2006 was the more satisfying ride and the LeMans blue color is the icing on the cake.
The 2008 was subjectively more powerful off the line and felt both quicker and faster at full throttle.
However the 2006 engine acceleration was more linear and tractable than the 2008 at all speeds. It didn’t give up a whole lot in acceleration but overall felt much more satisfying to drive than the 2008.
I’m dating myself here but having drag raced Kawasaki triples I can tell you that a Kawasaki 750cc triple will always be quicker through the quarter mile, but the 500cc will feel quicker and is the more exciting ride.
I could easily live with either year, but for me the 2006 was the more satisfying ride and the LeMans blue color is the icing on the cake.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 5
From: Schererville Indiana
depends why you want the car:
stoplight & drag racing=LS3
my ***** is bigger than yours=LS3
anybody else= find one in great shape at a great price and enjoy
the individual vehicle not year, it's more important when buying used since condition and price can vary widely
stoplight & drag racing=LS3
my ***** is bigger than yours=LS3
anybody else= find one in great shape at a great price and enjoy
the individual vehicle not year, it's more important when buying used since condition and price can vary widely
100% The LS3 maybe the edge you're looking for at the track or drag strip but on public highways driving in reasonably sane fashon... The LS2 is already MORE than enough fun.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
I had two LS2s, then a LS3. The difference was very noticeable. And after I had it several months, I drove a friends LS2 and it really felt "flat". That is the only way I can describe it. The LS2 hits hard, but the curve keeps building.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
I ran into a guy at Starbucks the other day who had just taken delivery on his GS M6 coupe. My Z06 was parked around the corner so he didn't know I had a Vette (still doesn't!). I told him it I thought it was a beautiful car and then he went on to tell me that the GS had a hand built ZR1 engine in it without the blower, and because of no blower, it will last longer. Also, he said that it had a steel frame "INSTEAD" of the aluminum one so it's stronger than a Z06 for racing. He said it's the best of both worlds. Now is it him or is it the salesman that sold it to him? I never let on that I knew anything about Corvette's....just couldn't.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 51,040
Likes: 1,160
From: S/W ,Fla-Ohio State Football isn't a matter of life or death,Its Much More serious than that
Acct suspended by request 21 Sept 2011
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