Ls2 vs ls3
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 11
From: Virginia
If there were no difference a person could save lots of money.
But there's a lot more of a difference between an LS3 and an LS7 than heated seats and a garage door opener.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,514
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Just posted this in another thread:
Did my homework and went with the 2007.
................
I also knew this was a car I was planning to keep for a few years.. before trading it in on a used '08+ Z06 or maybe even going for 1 year old next generation C7. If you were planning on keeping your C6 for quite a few years (or looking to hit the track).. then I'd agree the LS3 car is the better way to go. If you just want the Corvette looks/ride/performance (or dont plan to keep the car long
.
Did my homework and went with the 2007.
................
I also knew this was a car I was planning to keep for a few years.. before trading it in on a used '08+ Z06 or maybe even going for 1 year old next generation C7. If you were planning on keeping your C6 for quite a few years (or looking to hit the track).. then I'd agree the LS3 car is the better way to go. If you just want the Corvette looks/ride/performance (or dont plan to keep the car long
.
However, buying a used C6 Z06 is also a great way to go and if I were only going to keep my C6 coupe for a couple of years, I could see spending less on the LS2 car.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,514
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
not even a question the LS3 and yes you will kick your self in the head for not spending the extra money on the LS3 . Any mod you do the the LS2 you can do to the LS3 , and the LS3 would still net you more power.
If your looking to get Pu**y than a 2005 will do just fine , but if your a performance guy first , you will get the LS3 . No questions asked.
Last. I have a buddy who has a bone stock LS2 2006 C6 and another buddy who has a 2009 LS3 C6. They have never ran them from a dig but I can tell you from 40-120 mph the LS3 cars puts a good 2-3 cars on the LS2 car
If your looking to get Pu**y than a 2005 will do just fine , but if your a performance guy first , you will get the LS3 . No questions asked.
Last. I have a buddy who has a bone stock LS2 2006 C6 and another buddy who has a 2009 LS3 C6. They have never ran them from a dig but I can tell you from 40-120 mph the LS3 cars puts a good 2-3 cars on the LS2 car
and that is a better measure than from a standing start because starting from a roll like that takes driver launch skill (which is a big thing) out of the equation.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,514
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
My friend Mike is setting me up, but what the hey! I've not only owned both, but I've owned two LS1s (C5), two LS2s, one LS3 and one LS7. Today the closest I come is my new BMW 550i with 400hp and 450 lb ft or torque (just had to throw that in 
)
I've said it many times, including during the three and a half years I had the Z06. The LS3 is the best bang for the buck Corvette ever made. I was truly amazed and surprised when I traded my second LS2 for the 08 LS3. And just for good measure, I had a friend with an LS2 who was complaining about his car feeling slow, so he asked me to drive it. This was maybe six months after I got my LS3. I drove his car and promptly advised him NOT to drive mine unless he was ready to buy one.
That's not to say the LS2 is bad. But the OP asked the question and I'm answering it. The LS3 is worth the money if the money is not a problem.
)I've said it many times, including during the three and a half years I had the Z06. The LS3 is the best bang for the buck Corvette ever made. I was truly amazed and surprised when I traded my second LS2 for the 08 LS3. And just for good measure, I had a friend with an LS2 who was complaining about his car feeling slow, so he asked me to drive it. This was maybe six months after I got my LS3. I drove his car and promptly advised him NOT to drive mine unless he was ready to buy one.
That's not to say the LS2 is bad. But the OP asked the question and I'm answering it. The LS3 is worth the money if the money is not a problem.
Which is why I never took you up on your offer of driving your Z06 Jim !
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 15,319
Likes: 2,268
From: NorCal
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,394
Likes: 281
From: cumming ga
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
z51vett
And they were all 6 speeds bought and 09 finally trade for 09z06 really happy bought 2012 z06 now I'm all well again.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 959
Likes: 3
From: Hartford CT
Now this I'm curious about, I have an LS2 and was told by a local Vette shop that a tune would add 5%-7% more HP. I know this HP increase has been discussed before so I'm only quoting the shop, the tune can be had for a little under $500, a fairly cheap way to go to get another 20-30 more HP......BTW, this local shop has a very good reputation in my local area so I don't think he'd be BS'ing me!
My tuner is a very honest guy. He said if you optimize the base line runs (get the oil hot, IAT cool) before the tune, after the tune you may see an actual peak dyno gain of 5hp. But agian he said I would be shocked at how much faster it felt and would make more average power.
A tune is money well spent on an LS2.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,514
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Fast102 is a great bolt on for an LS2. Its widely accepted the factory LS2 intake is even worse than the late LS1 intake manifolds. Also the factory air intake sucks.
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.
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 959
Likes: 3
From: Hartford CT
LS3>LS2
200cc displacement
L92 heads
Higher flow regtancle port intake
Larger Cam
Card style MAF
LS7 style air intake
LS7 offset rocker geometry
All that and it only makes 30 more hp????
The LS2 was screwed from the begining with the worst factory air intake and manifold on a LS motor. It has the screened MAF from the LS6, why would GM use a larger TB, but a MAF that flows less than the LS6???
Even if GM just made the LS6 intake with a 90mm TB opening and used the LS7 style MAF and air intake the LS2 power could have been bumped 15-20hp, IMO.
All that extra hardware on the LS3 doesn't start paying the bills until you mod it. I guess thats my point, in stock form the LS3 is an underperformer, but once you start modding it all the above listed hardware starts to really pay off.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,860
Likes: 3
From: 96598
I'd get something used with a warranty. You could get killed
in repair cost. I would not want my 06 used even with 9K, too
many little gm nickel and dime cheapynest items on the car.
OK with me since seldom drive it and not very far. But is some
really drove it hard, be a pile of gm plastic crap.
in repair cost. I would not want my 06 used even with 9K, too
many little gm nickel and dime cheapynest items on the car.
OK with me since seldom drive it and not very far. But is some
really drove it hard, be a pile of gm plastic crap.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 48
From: San Marcos CA
The first time I had a good chance to rev out my 08 coupe, I was surprised by the punch in the midrange.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,514
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Actually thats my point. If you factor what an LS3 has over an LS2, something doesn't add up.
LS3>LS2
200cc displacement
L92 heads
Higher flow regtancle port intake
Larger Cam
Card style MAF
LS7 style air intake
LS7 offset rocker geometry
All that and it only makes 30 more hp????
The LS2 was screwed from the begining with the worst factory air intake and manifold on a LS motor. It has the screened MAF from the LS6, why would GM use a larger TB, but a MAF that flows less than the LS6???
Even if GM just made the LS6 intake with a 90mm TB opening and used the LS7 style MAF and air intake the LS2 power could have been bumped 15-20hp, IMO.
All that extra hardware on the LS3 doesn't start paying the bills until you mod it. I guess thats my point, in stock form the LS3 is an underperformer, but once you start modding it all the above listed hardware starts to really pay off.
LS3>LS2
200cc displacement
L92 heads
Higher flow regtancle port intake
Larger Cam
Card style MAF
LS7 style air intake
LS7 offset rocker geometry
All that and it only makes 30 more hp????
The LS2 was screwed from the begining with the worst factory air intake and manifold on a LS motor. It has the screened MAF from the LS6, why would GM use a larger TB, but a MAF that flows less than the LS6???
Even if GM just made the LS6 intake with a 90mm TB opening and used the LS7 style MAF and air intake the LS2 power could have been bumped 15-20hp, IMO.
All that extra hardware on the LS3 doesn't start paying the bills until you mod it. I guess thats my point, in stock form the LS3 is an underperformer, but once you start modding it all the above listed hardware starts to really pay off.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
Actually thats my point. If you factor what an LS3 has over an LS2, something doesn't add up.
LS3>LS2
200cc displacement
L92 heads
Higher flow regtancle port intake
Larger Cam
Card style MAF
LS7 style air intake
LS7 offset rocker geometry
All that and it only makes 30 more hp????
The LS2 was screwed from the begining with the worst factory air intake and manifold on a LS motor. It has the screened MAF from the LS6, why would GM use a larger TB, but a MAF that flows less than the LS6???
Even if GM just made the LS6 intake with a 90mm TB opening and used the LS7 style MAF and air intake the LS2 power could have been bumped 15-20hp, IMO.
All that extra hardware on the LS3 doesn't start paying the bills until you mod it. I guess thats my point, in stock form the LS3 is an underperformer, but once you start modding it all the above listed hardware starts to really pay off.
LS3>LS2
200cc displacement
L92 heads
Higher flow regtancle port intake
Larger Cam
Card style MAF
LS7 style air intake
LS7 offset rocker geometry
All that and it only makes 30 more hp????
The LS2 was screwed from the begining with the worst factory air intake and manifold on a LS motor. It has the screened MAF from the LS6, why would GM use a larger TB, but a MAF that flows less than the LS6???
Even if GM just made the LS6 intake with a 90mm TB opening and used the LS7 style MAF and air intake the LS2 power could have been bumped 15-20hp, IMO.
All that extra hardware on the LS3 doesn't start paying the bills until you mod it. I guess thats my point, in stock form the LS3 is an underperformer, but once you start modding it all the above listed hardware starts to really pay off.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,514
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Other than the 3 mph delta in the 1/4 mile
