Mike Campbell

I think you've got some bum numbers there. A stock A4 LS1 C5 turned about 13.5 @ 106. An A6 LS2 turned an average around 12.8 @ 108 and an A6 LS3 turns around 12.6 @ 110.

Now I've seen stock LS3 A6's turn in the very low 12's right out of the box. What I'm talking about is average and in most cases "advertised" speeds. The M6's usually all are advertised to turn .2 secs. faster. Real numbers at the track vary all over the place, but, LS3's usually on average turn at least .2 seconds fasters than LS2. I know, I have a fairly good running LS2.

Jet Streaming

The LS3 also has different heads, intake manifold, cam and higher pressure fuel injectors. The LS2s are also prone to oil leaks this was fixed with a more robust gasket package in the LS3. A swap could be done but the whole computer would also have to be replaced as well.

TheRadioFlyer

Are we talking oil leaking out of the motor or a blow by (oil consumption) issue?

coolcat

First of all the 05 doesn't have the LS3 engine.

The 08 model was the 1st year for the LS3 V8.
I traded an 05 for an 08 and yes the 08 does
feel more powerful than the advertised 36hp.

Especially if you pull the fuse.

Jet Streaming

Well 2001 and some early 02s had a ring oil blow by issue. In general however the LS2 has some known rear seal oil leak issues as well as around the heads, the upper head leaks are an easy fix however and quite common even on the LS1s due to the gasket material that was used at the time.

TheRadioFlyer

are these things that can be corrected with say an aftermarket seal or is it inherent with the design?

Vette_Jay

Bit of a newbie here, but, I am looking to get a 2010/2011 Grand Sport with the manual tranny and dry sump set up. What differences does the LS3 that are hand built have with the regular LS3 and LS2's?

I know the 08+ base coupes and GS's have the Tremec 6060 for the manuals... what did the base Vette's have before for the manual transmission?

xBrahmaBullx

Forgive my ignorance but what are "nannies"?

redzone

There was no LS2 or LS3 in 2001. You are thinking of the LS6 in the C5 Z06,where some had to be reringed due to blow by. And it was corrected in the 02-04 Z06.

The standard motor in '01 was the LS1,which had no oil issues.

Cybernetic Medic

Traction control system - limits rear wheel spin by limiting the power to them.

Active handling system - Attempts to keep the car from getting sideways by limiting power and applying brakes to individual wheels as necessary.

They are controlled by the button on the center console. See your owners manual for details.

gsx1300r

More info on the Manual Trannies please.....

LS2 has T56?????
LS3 has TR6060 and substantially smoother linkage! Love to LS3 trannie/ linkage combo!

I actually had a long post to share but hit a bad key and lost all of it!!! Maybe I will recreate some at a later date?

UmX

I been looking for a c6 for some time 05-08. Im coming from a TBSS with the ls2. It seems to be hard to find a 08 for under 30. Should i hold off and try to wait to get a ls3 or a ls2 one should be fine. I plan on doing full bolts over time with either one.

Blackeyes88

Funny topic... Broke the number 5 piston on my 2007 C6 LS2 the other day after running 530 rwhp via an e-force 599 kit. Had plenty more HP but ran the injectors to 101 duty cycle. Nonetheless, no stroker, simply building the LS2 with top of the line everything, and dropping the compassion to 9.5 as thats better for boost. So if you plan to add horsepower I would suggest LS3 as the LS2 has had problems with the number 5 and 7 piston breaking...

OnPoint

Stock injectors?

N8sFavToy

It's more than the engine differences. They made significant changes to the entire car when they changed to the LS3.

rayk

New GS owner here. I took my GS to BIR a week ago after doing the breakin and what I like about the LS3 is no heat soak. I had a 4.6 mustang with Kenne Bell that put down 390 rwhp on a dynojet. It's nice not to have to run a power adder to run fast. Plus the GS handles better, tranny's better, whole car is better.

I was looking at the E-Force blower, but think I'll wait for awhile.

Blackeyes88

The injectors are 52lbs ones which came with the kit. We are installing 60lbs ones now. Also had a mustang with the TR6060 transmission and cant say I was impressed as they have serious second gear synco issues. I believe there was also a recall?

gsx1300r

IMO - pay what you need to get the LS3 Corvette over the LS2 especially if you will be making Power Modifications. The $$$ outlay will be well worth it. Winter and the C7's are coming SOON. Depending on your driving desires - LS7's start getting somewhat close to your price range in in the next 12 months too. (MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!)

GreyDog72

The LS2 produces 400 bhp@6000rpm and 400 lbf·ft@4400rpm from a slightly larger displacement of 5,967 cc (5.967 L; 364.1 cu in). The LS2 uses the "243" casting heads used on the LS6 (although without the sodium filled valves), a smaller camshaft, and an additional 18 cubic inches. The compression of the LS2 was also raised to 10.9:1 compared to the LS1s 10.25:1 and the LS6s 10.5:1

the LS3 was introduced as the Corvette's new base engine for the 2008 model year. It produces 430bhp (321Kw)@5900rpm and 424lb-ft (575Nm)@4600rpm without the optional Corvette exhaust and is SAE certified. The block is an updated version of the LS2 casting featuring a larger bore of 4.06 in (103 mm) creating a displacement of 6,162 cc (6.162 L; 376.0 cu in). It also features higher flowing cylinder heads sourced from the L92, a more aggressive camshaft with 0.551" lift, a 10.7:1 compression ratio, a revised valvetrain with 6 mm (0.24 in) offset intake rocker arms, a high-flow intake manifold and 47 lb/hr fuel injectors from the LS7 engine.

The L76/L92/LS3 cylinder heads use 2.165 in (55.0 mm) intake valves, and 1.59 in (40 mm) exhaust valves. The large valves, however, limit maximum rpm - 6000 in the L76 (with AFM), and 6600 in the LS3 (with hollow stem valves).

Hope this answers the questions u guys had.

Tommy D

If you are looking to modify your Corvette it may not make sense to go for the LS3 even with the extra horse power. I record the 1/4 times for the C6 generation and have attended many track rentals. The largest difference between the LS2 & LS3 with similar modifications at the same track side by side is approximately two tenths and more often than not the elapsed times are very close.

For discussion sake, make the difference 3 tenths is that difference in performance worth the difference in price.

Please note: the 05 has the weakest rear of all C6s and a few other problems. If you are considering a blower then you should also be thinking of other upgrades that may be necessary with the addition of the blower.

I would suggest that you make a list, check the cost and then add the price of each car. Good luck