LS2 vs LS3 throttle response
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 100
From: Nova Scotia
LS2 vs LS3 throttle response
I'm currently in the market for a C6 corvette, and I'm doing some research. I know what the dyno numbers say power wise, but I'm wondering what one, if either is snappier. It makes sense to me that the cathedral port LS2 heads would have better throttle response than the square port LS3 heads. But on the other hand the LS3 has more cubes, and I can see the different intake maybe helping. So I'm hoping someone who's driven both a fair bit can tell me what one feels snappier at low to mid rpm. Thanks
Pro
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 547
Likes: 27
I'm currently in the market for a C6 corvette, and I'm doing some research. I know what the dyno numbers say power wise, but I'm wondering what one, if either is snappier. It makes sense to me that the cathedral port LS2 heads would have better throttle response than the square port LS3 heads. But on the other hand the LS3 has more cubes, and I can see the different intake maybe helping. So I'm hoping someone who's driven both a fair bit can tell me what one feels snappier at low to mid rpm. Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 699
From: Covington KY
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I have a '05 LS2 w/ Z51 and manual trans. My wife has a '13 Camaro SS with LS3. I don't think you would be disappointed with either one and probably not a huge noticeable difference on the butt dyno. Don't rule out a '05 if you come across the right one. No complaints about my LS2 so far but the LS3 has proven to be a solid choice.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 16,912
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From: T-Town WA
2016 C6 of Year Finalist
Politely, anyone saying "avoid the '05s" has probly never owned one.
I had an '05 with the Z51 package which has a little shorter gearing, hence snappier. Automatic cars were also offered with a "performance" rear-end ratio.
The last year I had my '05 I also had my '11 GS and, jumping out of one and into the other, it was hard to tell the difference in normal to peppy driving.
Buy the newest, lowest mileage car you can afford...that checks all the boxes on your wish list. LS2 or LS3.
BTW...I put 50k miles on my '05. Trouble free.
I had an '05 with the Z51 package which has a little shorter gearing, hence snappier. Automatic cars were also offered with a "performance" rear-end ratio.
The last year I had my '05 I also had my '11 GS and, jumping out of one and into the other, it was hard to tell the difference in normal to peppy driving.
Buy the newest, lowest mileage car you can afford...that checks all the boxes on your wish list. LS2 or LS3.
BTW...I put 50k miles on my '05. Trouble free.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 100
From: Nova Scotia
I definitely want a manual Z51, so really I'm looking at 06-09. I don't mind paying a bit more for a newer one if it's worth it, but 07's are easier to find (a lot more made) and I'm a big fan of low end torque and throttle response. According to dynos I've seen they're the same power up to 3500 rpm, but dynos don't measure throttle response and part throttle power.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,253
Likes: 4,363
From: Chirper Island
As to which engine is better, snappier, I can say the LS3 definitely is. On the same car, the car will be faster, more responsive when accelerating, but will idle rougher, and is pickier about being stopped quickly, especially from high RPMs.
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2016
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At this point, there is no specific reason to avoid the '05, unless the car has been parked in the garage for the last 12 years, and no recalls/maintenance have been performed on it. BTW, most recalls on the '05 were not '05 specific, but covered most if not all other years of the C6 run as well. In other words, by now, most '05s, will have had any problems already addressed.
As to which engine is better, snappier, I can say the LS3 definitely is. On the same car, the car will be faster, more responsive when accelerating, but will idle rougher, and is pickier about being stopped quickly, especially from high RPMs.
As to which engine is better, snappier, I can say the LS3 definitely is. On the same car, the car will be faster, more responsive when accelerating, but will idle rougher, and is pickier about being stopped quickly, especially from high RPMs.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 783
Likes: 224
From: Chilliwack BC Canada
I definitely want a manual Z51, so really I'm looking at 06-09. I don't mind paying a bit more for a newer one if it's worth it, but 07's are easier to find (a lot more made) and I'm a big fan of low end torque and throttle response. According to dynos I've seen they're the same power up to 3500 rpm, but dynos don't measure throttle response and part throttle power.
One thing that really impressed me was that I found out that my rear axle ratio is 2.56 and from my past experience that ratio didn't belong in a performance car, I was wrong.
Another consideration about the LS2 if my research results were correct is that it is basically the LS6 engine that came in the C5 Z06 in 2001-2004. The LS2 has a compression ratio of 10.9 and the LS3 is 10.7 which is probably a bit more forgiving in the octane department, I run 94 in mine.
Last edited by Icecap; Jul 13, 2017 at 03:00 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
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From: Long Island New York
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Chirper Island
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,924
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From: Atlanta - - - - - Save the manuals
IMHO its the transmission.
My 05 is way "snappier" than any of their LS3 cars even with a Vitesse Controller. Seat of the pants they feel about as fast. My car is subjectively more instantaneous when press the throttle or shift. The LS3 automatics are easier (boring to me, but I don't need to hijack this thread with that war) to drive, more of a road GT car.
I'd try to drive both manual/auto and z51/non z51, as they have different gearing.
As for the '05, I don't have any problems with mine and I would not let that dissuade from a purchase.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 566
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From: Amarillo TX
I have an '05, Z51, manual. Before purchasing, I drove an '05 manual, '07 manual and an '08 auto. To me, the manual transmits the sense of power in a sharper (quicker) manner than what the A6 does. I was really thinking I'd go with the A6 when I started shopping around but to get the sense of power that a Corvette brings to the table, you really need the manual tranny.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,924
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From: Atlanta - - - - - Save the manuals
I have an '05, Z51, manual. Before purchasing, I drove an '05 manual, '07 manual and an '08 auto. To me, the manual transmits the sense of power in a sharper (quicker) manner than what the A6 does. I was really thinking I'd go with the A6 when I started shopping around but to get the sense of power that a Corvette brings to the table, you really need the manual tranny.
enough said, drop the mic
Pro
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 536
Likes: 62
From: New York
I dont know about "throttle response" but when people say LS2 and LS3 are pretty close and feel about the same. I took top 10 times of the LS2 and LS3 from the performance thread. Averaged out the top 10 1/4 times. Stock Results:
LS2 12.407
LS3 12.037
Thats a pretty big difference.
LS2 12.407
LS3 12.037
Thats a pretty big difference.
Last edited by Adam Cifonelli; Jul 14, 2017 at 12:26 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 783
Likes: 224
From: Chilliwack BC Canada
I dont know about "throttle response" but when people say LS2 and LS3 are pretty close and feel about the same. I took top 10 times of the LS2 and LS3 from the performance thread. Averaged out the top 10 1/4 times. Stock Results:
LS2 12.407
LS3 12.037
Thats a pretty big difference.
LS2 12.407
LS3 12.037
Thats a pretty big difference.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 536
Likes: 62
From: New York
If you are into performance .4 10ths of a second at 115mph is a slaughtering.
If you dont care about that sorta thing then its not a big deal. But for me..if I got the LS2 every time Id see an LS3 I'd kick myself in the butt. But that's just me.
If you dont care about that sorta thing then its not a big deal. But for me..if I got the LS2 every time Id see an LS3 I'd kick myself in the butt. But that's just me.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 11,868
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I dont know about "throttle response" but when people say LS2 and LS3 are pretty close and feel about the same. I took top 10 times of the LS2 and LS3 from the performance thread. Averaged out the top 10 1/4 times. Stock Results:
LS2 12.407
LS3 12.037
Thats a pretty big difference.
LS2 12.407
LS3 12.037
Thats a pretty big difference.