Ls2 or Ls3?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10
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Ls2 or Ls3?
I recently posted questions about a c5 that I was planning to buy. That deal fell through due to the owner backing out. Now I've decided in buying a c6. I've seen several articles about the two engines. I'd like to get some input from people who actually have the ls2 and ls3.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,655
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From: Jeffersonville In
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Ls2
Bought my LS2 06 Vert , 6 spd Z51,in 2009 with 24000 miles. Now has 46000 miles and has been faultless.
Either is a good choice. LS3 has about 30 more HP. Unless you are
planning on drag racing you will not be able to tell the difference.
Either is a good choice. LS3 has about 30 more HP. Unless you are
planning on drag racing you will not be able to tell the difference.
Last edited by whiteboy; Apr 12, 2017 at 08:34 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 293
Likes: 55
From: Dallas-Ft Worth Texas
Personally, I'd worry more about your overall budget and look for a car that meets your requirements for mileage and accessory loadout. The 30hp difference is at the motor. It's about 25 at the wheels. It's enough difference to win/lose a race between a stock LS3 and a stock LS2, but the cost difference very well may end up being enough to mod the LS2 to LS3 levels and maybe even a bit beyond.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 108
From: Arlington Texas
Buy the best deal you can find. Seat of the pants it's hard to tell the difference between the two. If you get a great deal on the LS2 all you need is an intake manifold, cold air intake and exhaust and a tune to get where the LS3 is. $4000.00 dollars extra if you think it's worth it. C6 Vettes are not a good investment unless you can pass a pristine one to a young relative who might make a little on it 20 to 30 years later.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,139
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From: Arlington Texas
I understand. I loved my last Mustang and would still have it if it didn't catch fire and burn up on me. A Vette is the next level up. After all the real definition of a sports car is a two seater, two door high performance rear wheel drive coupe or convertible. At 8 years old the depreciation curve is leveling out too! Bang for the buck it's hard to beat a C6 Vette.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10
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That's the plan. I'm looking for a clean c6 around $25,000 with low miles. I'd like to find one with the exhaust and chrome wheels already on. I plan to add cold air, 390 gears and a custom tune. Later on I'll add the supercharger
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 108
From: Arlington Texas
If you supercharge it keep the boost low. Any more boost than 6 PSI may expand and bind the rings too much and then things may get more expensive. Any more boost you may need to gap the rings and while they are out of there you might as well put in forged pistons and rods. Get your Vette first. Then drive it for a bit. You may find that it is so easy to spin the tires you that a 390 gear rear end is not what you need. Then the stickier tire thing comes in. They don't last long. Drive it first then make a plan.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,187
Likes: 1,216
From: Las Vegas Nevada
If you are going to add an S/C, put your money into making sure the engine is able to handle the stress. It won't do any good to have 390 gears if you blow the engine. And, no, that does not mean they are weak engines...only that adding the stress of a supercharger is something to plan ahead for, on any engine.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 537
Likes: 44
From: San Diego/Pacific Beach CA
Everyone else is right, the engine I believe was basically ported out from 6.0L(400hp) to 6.2L (430hp)
The LS3 came in all non-Z06/ZR1's 2008-2013- but not only the engine, you get some serious suspension upgrades as well.
The LS3 came in all non-Z06/ZR1's 2008-2013- but not only the engine, you get some serious suspension upgrades as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,435
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From: Bay Area CA
Edit: Just to add the dry sump LS3's have a forged steel crank because of the extended crank snout that drives the sump pump. That's all good, however an engine is as strong as it's weakest link. In a boosted application, that would be the cast pistons and rods before cast or forged crank.
Last edited by Mike's LS3; Apr 14, 2017 at 10:52 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: When all is said and done... there is a hell of a lot more said than done. Riverside,Texas
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
LS3 is a much better choice if FI is in the plan.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: birmingham Alabama
St. Jude Donor '09 and '13
The LS2 has a flatter torque curve than the LS3. So if it's just a daily driver, save the money, and go with the LS2. You won't tell any seat of the pants difference. Both are super reliable.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 306
Likes: 48
From: Twain Harte CA
We bought our first C6 (a 2007 base coupe with the Z51 suspension and A6 trans) in October. This was the last year with the LS2 engine and it's just fine. Plenty of power and decent fuel economy also.
For $25,000, you will possibly be able to get into a 2008 LS3, but choose you car wisely. As one poster said, C6s are not a good investment right now - - they are holding their value. Try to find one with low miles that has all the service records, regardless of which one you end up with.
Best of Luck!
Steve
For $25,000, you will possibly be able to get into a 2008 LS3, but choose you car wisely. As one poster said, C6s are not a good investment right now - - they are holding their value. Try to find one with low miles that has all the service records, regardless of which one you end up with.
Best of Luck!
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,232
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From: Bridgewater New Jersey
I would re-consider the gear change and focus on a MN6 Z51, as the gearing is the plus here, 1, 2, 3 are lower than the non Z51, and the final ratio, 6th, is lower still. As a example, my Z51 cruise engine rpm is at 2k @ 80 mph, where the non-Z51 should be about 1800 rpm.
CF Community Team
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From: Pittsburgh
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I recently posted questions about a c5 that I was planning to buy. That deal fell through due to the owner backing out. Now I've decided in buying a c6. I've seen several articles about the two engines. I'd like to get some input from people who actually have the ls2 and ls3.