Ls2 vs ls3
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
So if greater than 75% of the time in the car will be top down cruising, then the base suspension is good enough?
Building on that question, how many people on here who bought corvettes with the same intent of usage, found themselves wishing they had the z51 or F55 suspension because they were driving the car harder than they imagined they would?
Building on that question, how many people on here who bought corvettes with the same intent of usage, found themselves wishing they had the z51 or F55 suspension because they were driving the car harder than they imagined they would?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,113
Likes: 8
From: Pottsboro; Sometimes Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '12
I bought my used '05 not knowing about Z51 or F55, I basically looked at condition, mileage, maintenance upkeep and general options (navi, 2 tops, HUD, etc.). I don't track the car although sometime in the future I will go to Pocono Motor Speedway just once to feel the thrill of going 150-175 MPH. Only after buying the car did I realize it had the Z51 option. For me, the Z51 ride is choppy and a bit harsh although I drive mostly on NYC and Nassau County roads which generally SUCK big time. When I've gone to Pennsylvania, upstate or even out to eastern Long Island where the roads are better, the ride is very acceptable and even fun. And there's nothing like taking a tight turn, an exit or entrance ramp or decreasing radius turn at high speed and feeling the car firmly planted beneath you, no side slide or sway at all, exhilarating! And this is on original, 7 year old Goodyear run flats which I'll be changing out soon. That being said, when, sometime in the future, I do order a new Vette, I'll get the F55 option just to get a little better ride without (I assume) sacrificing too much of the "fun" factor, I'm sure the F55 will be a friend to my aging body. Good Luck.....
JMO, but I would not be driving on ANY Speedway @ 150-175mph with 7 year old tires....again, JMO. Some clubs check tire age "before" they let you on the track anyway....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 46
From: va
So as I continue my hunt for a c6 I keep finding some pretty nice deals on the 2005-2007 models with the ls2. Basically what I'm wondering is, will I kick myself for not spending extra bucks and going with a model that has the ls3, I'm really thinking that I'll be purchasing a six speed so I'm not concerned about an auto trans. Stock for stock does anyone know/ feel the difference?
Thanks for the help guys!
-will
Thanks for the help guys!
-will
If you can afford a used gs coupe do that so you get the sportier suspension, extra cooling, better gearing, and the hand assembled dry sump engine.
Z51 base model would be the next option down (no special hand assembled dry sump engine though)
If you get lucky and find a decent deal on a z06 then definitely go for that. My main regret would have to be not waiting to get a z06...
Last edited by el es tu; Apr 12, 2012 at 08:35 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 959
Likes: 3
From: Hartford CT
Thanks for all the great responses. So let me add a little more information for my criteria
1. Im really not concerned with color. Im not a big fan of yellow so thats the only color I'm willing to exclude.
2. After building and tuning cars for so long, I am really only interested in a CAI and a nice sounding exhaust.
3. Price is a factor for me because I MUST have the brand new Taurus SHO as my DD
4. My last car before my son was born was a 1995 MKIV toyota supra that I had a few years ago. I really loved the Targa and the great performance it offered (even though I ripped the stock turbos out and put a turbo in so big you'd think it was a damn watermelon)
5. I don't think I need to blast around town with my foot to the floor, but I still like the IDEA of having more power in the LS3. Which is why I cannot make up my mind
Can someone please explain to me what the Z51 and F55 options are?
1. Im really not concerned with color. Im not a big fan of yellow so thats the only color I'm willing to exclude.
2. After building and tuning cars for so long, I am really only interested in a CAI and a nice sounding exhaust.
3. Price is a factor for me because I MUST have the brand new Taurus SHO as my DD
4. My last car before my son was born was a 1995 MKIV toyota supra that I had a few years ago. I really loved the Targa and the great performance it offered (even though I ripped the stock turbos out and put a turbo in so big you'd think it was a damn watermelon)
5. I don't think I need to blast around town with my foot to the floor, but I still like the IDEA of having more power in the LS3. Which is why I cannot make up my mind
Can someone please explain to me what the Z51 and F55 options are?
When I looked the average difference between LS2 and similar LS3 cars was $5k. Regardless of what anyone says, to you and 99.9% of the rest of the world an 07 and 08 are the same car. Is the LS3 faster, a little yes. But 400hp/400ftlbs in a 3200lb car is no joke, you will not be disapointed in the LS2. Plus you want to add a CAI, on a LS2 you will actually see a gain, the air intake in the LS3 is tough to improve on.
You should know by now, there will always be something faster. You have to just deal with it.
Save the money, buy the LS2, it is very fast.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 2
From: Danielsville Georgia
I've had a 2006 automatic. Sold it for a 2008 automatic. Anyone in my book that says can't feel the difference must drink and drive. That 30 plus horse difference I could feel from off idle to what ever. My 2008 is a beast compared to the 2006. Gas mileage not quite as good but seat of the paints difference in performance sure is. Both cars geared the same. Yea steering and interior a little better in the 2008 but the power to me was really noticable. 36 horse more is a lot of difference in 3200lbs. You'd have spend fair amount of $ to get that difference back in a LS2. That's my take on it.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
I really appreciate all of the opinions, one thing that is huge for me is the handling and suspension, I visit good friends in Vermont and new hampshire where the drive is unbeatable, so many twisties and brilliant curves on which handling is king and you can only go so fast.
If I may ask one more question, how will I know if the models I'm looking at will have either the Z51 or f55 options?
Btw this most certainly may not be my last vette...only the first
If I may ask one more question, how will I know if the models I'm looking at will have either the Z51 or f55 options?
Btw this most certainly may not be my last vette...only the first
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
I really appreciate all of the opinions, one thing that is huge for me is the handling and suspension, I visit good friends in Vermont and new hampshire where the drive is unbeatable, so many twisties and brilliant curves on which handling is king and you can only go so fast.
If I may ask one more question, how will I know if the models I'm looking at will have either the Z51 or f55 options?
Btw this most certainly may not be my last vette...only the first
If I may ask one more question, how will I know if the models I'm looking at will have either the Z51 or f55 options?
Btw this most certainly may not be my last vette...only the first
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 24,129
Likes: 1,038
From: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento California
I bought my used '05 not knowing about Z51 or F55, I basically looked at condition, mileage, maintenance upkeep and general options (navi, 2 tops, HUD, etc.). I don't track the car although sometime in the future I will go to Pocono Motor Speedway just once to feel the thrill of going 150-175 MPH. Only after buying the car did I realize it had the Z51 option. For me, the Z51 ride is choppy and a bit harsh although I drive mostly on NYC and Nassau County roads which generally SUCK big time. When I've gone to Pennsylvania, upstate or even out to eastern Long Island where the roads are better, the ride is very acceptable and even fun. And there's nothing like taking a tight turn, an exit or entrance ramp or decreasing radius turn at high speed and feeling the car firmly planted beneath you, no side slide or sway at all, exhilarating! And this is on original, 7 year old Goodyear run flats which I'll be changing out soon. That being said, when, sometime in the future, I do order a new Vette, I'll get the F55 option just to get a little better ride without (I assume) sacrificing too much of the "fun" factor, I'm sure the F55 will be a friend to my aging body. Good Luck.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento California
I've had a 2006 automatic. Sold it for a 2008 automatic. Anyone in my book that says can't feel the difference must drink and drive. That 30 plus horse difference I could feel from off idle to what ever. My 2008 is a beast compared to the 2006. Gas mileage not quite as good but seat of the paints difference in performance sure is. Both cars geared the same. Yea steering and interior a little better in the 2008 but the power to me was really noticable. 36 horse more is a lot of difference in 3200lbs. You'd have spend fair amount of $ to get that difference back in a LS2. That's my take on it.
I switched from Z51 3LT 07 6sp to 09 Z51 1LT 6sp. The most noticable difference is a pretty rough idle The car feels a bit more nimble due to being lighter from downgrading in trim level but otherwise, the extra power is not very easy to notice in daily driving, NPP is pretty cool though.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 11
From: Virginia
Your car weighs more than 3200 lbs, check again I switched from Z51 3LT 07 6sp to 09 Z51 1LT 6sp. The most noticable difference is a pretty rough idle The car feels a bit more nimble due to being lighter from downgrading in trim level but otherwise, the extra power is not very easy to notice in daily driving, NPP is pretty cool though.
I switched from Z51 3LT 07 6sp to 09 Z51 1LT 6sp. The most noticable difference is a pretty rough idle The car feels a bit more nimble due to being lighter from downgrading in trim level but otherwise, the extra power is not very easy to notice in daily driving, NPP is pretty cool though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
I'll let both you and petermj know after I change the tires, I agree though, crappy roads and 7 year old rubber (lots of tread still showing, kills me to buy new tires with that much tread still on them, necessary I know) make for a very rough ride....
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
This forum always amuses me... to see people debate over the difference between an LS2 (400HP) vs. an LS3 (430HP) , and a majority say go with the LS3 which is fine I tend to lean that direction.... now start the same thread but compare the LS3 to the LS7, and many say they can't justify the price difference (which is more ) , however now we are comparing 505 HP vs. 430 HP. Bigger price difference, but bigger power difference
Sorry, I digress... as you were gentelmen
Sorry, I digress... as you were gentelmen
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
I read a thread about someone with an ls2 adding a fast 102 intake manifold, something like this sounds like it would be fun for me to do and give me some extra power if I had an ls2, this might be the way to for me, that way I can afford both cars and some fun mods for the vette
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento California
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento California
The roads around me are pretty rough but I treat harsh ride as a valuable part of the driving experience by being connected to the road. And no, even though I pass by the local cadillac dealer, I never get tempted.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 959
Likes: 3
From: Hartford CT
I read a thread about someone with an ls2 adding a fast 102 intake manifold, something like this sounds like it would be fun for me to do and give me some extra power if I had an ls2, this might be the way to for me, that way I can afford both cars and some fun mods for the vette
Replacing both of those with a tune will likley put you even with an LS3. Plus now the car is unique to you, which is cool.