Ls2 vs ls3?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,386
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Hey Joe, those people are FOS and you probably remember as I do:
1997 LT1 as fast as LS1
LT4 has more HP than LS1; (GM conspiracy to sell more C5s)
LS1 w/ CAI faster than LS6, why waste money on a Z06, my LS1 is as fast, blah blah blah
LS1 as fast as LS2
LS2 as fast as LS3, NPP is a gimmick
LS3 as fast as LS7 "with the right driver, look at all the money I saved blah blah blah "
1997 LT1 as fast as LS1
LT4 has more HP than LS1; (GM conspiracy to sell more C5s)
LS1 w/ CAI faster than LS6, why waste money on a Z06, my LS1 is as fast, blah blah blah
LS1 as fast as LS2
LS2 as fast as LS3, NPP is a gimmick
LS3 as fast as LS7 "with the right driver, look at all the money I saved blah blah blah "
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
Hey Joe, those people are FOS and you probably remember as I do:
1997 LT1 as fast as LS1
LT4 has more HP than LS1; (GM conspiracy to sell more C5s)
LS1 w/ CAI faster than LS6, why waste money on a Z06, my LS1 is as fast, blah blah blah
LS1 as fast as LS2
LS2 as fast as LS3, NPP is a gimmick
LS3 as fast as LS7 "with the right driver, look at all the money I saved blah blah blah "
1997 LT1 as fast as LS1
LT4 has more HP than LS1; (GM conspiracy to sell more C5s)
LS1 w/ CAI faster than LS6, why waste money on a Z06, my LS1 is as fast, blah blah blah
LS1 as fast as LS2
LS2 as fast as LS3, NPP is a gimmick
LS3 as fast as LS7 "with the right driver, look at all the money I saved blah blah blah "
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 52
From: Salt Lake City, UT
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I have an '07 LS2 converted to Grand Sport, and I've driven a '10 LS3 Grand Sport. To me they felt exactly the same. Now, when I get into my dad's '06 Z06, THAT is a difference.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: swedeboro new jersey
I think a lot of LS3 drivers judge the Z06 based on 1/4 times. Some seem to think because they throw bolt-ons and a cam on the LS3, then it is faster. Yes, but that is against a stock Z. Throw bolt-ons onto a LS7 and its bye bye. Then, many forget that the Z06 is a different animal. Brakes, carbon fiber, etc. The bottom line, from C5 thru C6, I don't think anyone can go wrong. If I'm at a store and see a brother Vette owner, we already have something in common and that measuring stick goes out the door. The LS2 is a powerfull engine in stock form that will out perform many newer sports cars. I'm just blessed and humbled to be able to own such beautiful automobile.
Last edited by phatman; Aug 31, 2011 at 09:43 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 3
From: Arlington VA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 3
From: Arlington VA
Examples from the 1/4 Mile Performance Sticky:
Showroom Stock LS2 (2005 -2007)
12.21 @ 115.45 - LS1LT1 - 06 A6 - (1282)
12.23 @ 115.58 - 06C6FVR - 06 M6 Z51 - (337)
12.29 @ 114.29 - Proney - 07 M6 - (4504)
12.31 @ 114.82 - CYA Vett - 05 M6 F55 - (679)
12.42 @ 113.90 - DrRichie - 05 M6 Z51
Showroom Stock LS3 (2008 - ????)
11.71 @ 119.94 - AndrewZPSU - 08 M6 - (2590)
11.80 @ 118.82 - Gmrulz - 08 A6 Z51, NPP - (3482)
11.97 @ 116.98 - Proney - 08 M6 Z51, NPP - (4656)
12.05 @ 122.05 - AndrewZPSU - 10 A6 NPP - (5055)
12.10 @ 117.60 - Dingrao - 08 A6 - (3567)
Showroom Stock LS2 (2005 -2007)
12.21 @ 115.45 - LS1LT1 - 06 A6 - (1282)
12.23 @ 115.58 - 06C6FVR - 06 M6 Z51 - (337)
12.29 @ 114.29 - Proney - 07 M6 - (4504)
12.31 @ 114.82 - CYA Vett - 05 M6 F55 - (679)
12.42 @ 113.90 - DrRichie - 05 M6 Z51
Showroom Stock LS3 (2008 - ????)
11.71 @ 119.94 - AndrewZPSU - 08 M6 - (2590)
11.80 @ 118.82 - Gmrulz - 08 A6 Z51, NPP - (3482)
11.97 @ 116.98 - Proney - 08 M6 Z51, NPP - (4656)
12.05 @ 122.05 - AndrewZPSU - 10 A6 NPP - (5055)
12.10 @ 117.60 - Dingrao - 08 A6 - (3567)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 959
Likes: 3
From: Hartford CT
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 1,200
From: Ft. Myers FL
phatman :I agree that LS2s get the step child treatment. I had a LS2 GTO with headers and cam that was a beast. Last month I traded my 06 M6 3lt in on an 08 2lt A6 LS3, because of a bad shoulder. Bolt-ons and 102 intake it put down 391/383rwhp and I ran 12.2 @118. My LS3 A6 ran 12.0 @120.84 headers and tune on run flats, with a 2.0 60. ANDREW is my tuner and I will tell u that his car and my car put down simular numbers (his 2010 A6) and there is know funny business. He has run 11.7s @122 with headers and tune and I'm sure if I used a drag radial, my times would duplicate his. He now has a cam is is working on his car in steps.
I don't think anyone really thinks a LS2 is as good as a LS3. And, certainly anyone who thinks either can run with a LS7 is nuts! But, I know add-ons and cams, etc...equalize the field. My point is when someone calls one a "slug" so don't buy one...well, that just gets me tooled up. They do and they can run in the 10's . I have buddies that do.
I agree with Phatman...the LS2's get treated like an ugly sister. By the way, my 06 A6 , with a Vararam and a 160 deg stat, no headers, no ported or special intake, and a borrowed set of DR's ran 12.2 @ 116. I turn 12.3's & 12.4's all on a cool day on my stock tires. Would I like a
LS3 in a newer Corvette? You bet your *** I would!
And like I told Andrew when I was with him at Atco after he got his first LS3.... when that wears out, get an A6. You won't regret it!!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: swedeboro new jersey
I don't think anyone really thinks a LS2 is as good as a LS3. And, certainly anyone who thinks either can run with a LS7 is nuts! But, I know add-ons and cams, etc...equalize the field. My point is when someone calls one a "slug" so don't buy one...well, that just gets me tooled up. They do and they can run in the 10's . I have buddies that do.
I agree with Phatman...the LS2's get treated like an ugly sister. By the way, my 06 A6 , with a Vararam and a 160 deg stat, no headers, no ported or special intake, and a borrowed set of DR's ran 12.2 @ 116. I turn 12.3's & 12.4's all on a cool day on my stock tires. Would I like a
LS3 in a newer Corvette? You bet your *** I would! And like I told Andrew when I was with him at Atco after he got his first LS3.... when that wears out, get an A6. You won't regret it!!
I agree with Phatman...the LS2's get treated like an ugly sister. By the way, my 06 A6 , with a Vararam and a 160 deg stat, no headers, no ported or special intake, and a borrowed set of DR's ran 12.2 @ 116. I turn 12.3's & 12.4's all on a cool day on my stock tires. Would I like a
LS3 in a newer Corvette? You bet your *** I would!
And like I told Andrew when I was with him at Atco after he got his first LS3.... when that wears out, get an A6. You won't regret it!! At the end of the day, we are all car guys with different opinions. but we all agree, a Vette is a fantastic automoble and any model when modified can be a beast. Just buy what your wallet can afford.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
Let me clarify my opinion, and I have posted this before. I've owned two LS2s, one LS3 and an LS7. Of all of them the LS3 impressed me the most. Sure, it's not as fast as my Z06, but it surpassed my expectations more than the others did, and bang for the buck is no contest.
If I had to go back to an LS3 today I would take it with no regrets.
If I had to go back to an LS3 today I would take it with no regrets.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,386
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Let me clarify my opinion, and I have posted this before. I've owned two LS2s, one LS3 and an LS7. Of all of them the LS3 impressed me the most. Sure, it's not as fast as my Z06, but it surpassed my expectations more than the others did, and bang for the buck is no contest.
If I had to go back to an LS3 today I would take it with no regrets.
If I had to go back to an LS3 today I would take it with no regrets.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 959
Likes: 3
From: Hartford CT
I've owned my C6 (LS2) for three months now and bone stock is still impresses me with the power and acceleration. Would i prefer a LS3, who wouldn't? But my budget put me square in LS2 territory.
One thing I will say is the LS3 was the only difference I noticed in the 08 I drove. I know there are other upgrades but to me the car felt the same as my 05 except more power, and better sound (NPP). 08 cars of similar mileage to my 05 were going for about 10k more. Just was not worth it to me.
One thing I will say is the LS3 was the only difference I noticed in the 08 I drove. I know there are other upgrades but to me the car felt the same as my 05 except more power, and better sound (NPP). 08 cars of similar mileage to my 05 were going for about 10k more. Just was not worth it to me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento California
Reasons why a LS2 is much better than an LS3:
The LS3 is shared with the Camaro. This just makes it worth less. (the GTO doesn't count because nobody bought them or has ever heard of them)
The LS3 is not as rare as the LS2. The LS2 only had three years of production in the Vette, less of them makes them more valubale!
The LS2 has nice even, whole numbers: 6.0L 400hp / 400tq!
Ok this was the best I could do...
The LS3 is shared with the Camaro. This just makes it worth less. (the GTO doesn't count because nobody bought them or has ever heard of them)
The LS3 is not as rare as the LS2. The LS2 only had three years of production in the Vette, less of them makes them more valubale!
The LS2 has nice even, whole numbers: 6.0L 400hp / 400tq!
Ok this was the best I could do...
a valiant effort still, now you need to move on to cheer up GS owners regarding their cars superiority over Z06
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento California
Switching from 07 LS2 Z51 6sp to 09 LS3 Z51 NPP 6sp was not difficult to tell. Quite a difference as matter of fact, rougher idling motor, more brutish feel to the car and super cool exhaust sound. Faster car and with more pulling power at any speed and gear than LS2. LS2 felt way more civilized, kinda lame actually because so smooth. I would say LS3 is the ultimate sleeper, especially with suspension and exhaust packages, wakes up the neighbours though since I start it up about 5:20 each morning and my garage amplifies sound rather nicely
Oh and I do have a matching 09 Z06 for comparissons, LS3 seems more than adequate for DD and any other time.
Oh and I do have a matching 09 Z06 for comparissons, LS3 seems more than adequate for DD and any other time.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 2
From: Westlake Village, Ca
no comparison , i have 2 buddies , one with a 07 and the other a 09 ..both intake and tune and the LS3 car wins everytime by atleast 3 cars ...
By the way the LS6 CTSV's were quicker than the LS2 CTSV's
I really feel like the LS2 was over rated .
By the way the LS6 CTSV's were quicker than the LS2 CTSV's
I really feel like the LS2 was over rated .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento California
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,386
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
The LS3 HP (as well as the LS7) was rated under a new spec (someone else can name the spec, I can't). And supposedly, there is absolutely no way they can under rate the LS3.
All I can say is that after reading dozens of "look at my dyno" posts, the LS3 cars seem to dyno about 50 RWHP higher than the LS2 cars.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento California
This is the lead in I was looking for.
The LS3 HP (as well as the LS7) was rated under a new spec (someone else can name the spec, I can't). And supposedly, there is absolutely no way they can under rate the LS3.
All I can say is that after reading dozens of "look at my dyno" posts, the LS3 cars seem to dyno about 50 RWHP higher than the LS2 cars.
The LS3 HP (as well as the LS7) was rated under a new spec (someone else can name the spec, I can't). And supposedly, there is absolutely no way they can under rate the LS3.
All I can say is that after reading dozens of "look at my dyno" posts, the LS3 cars seem to dyno about 50 RWHP higher than the LS2 cars.
Really too bad 2009 was the last year you could get this package. A real shame as a matter of fact.