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any LS/Gen 3/4 aluminum or iron block you can afford will technically work. It all really depends on your budget and your goal. What are you looking to spend and what do you plan on doing with the car?
any LS/Gen 3/4 aluminum or iron block you can afford will technically work. It all really depends on your budget and your goal. What are you looking to spend and what do you plan on doing with the car?
Honestly, i just want something that wont cost me an arm and a leg lmao. But im not trying to buy a piece of **** either
Check sources online that may have take out engines so it is (somewhat) a direct swap. If its in your budget, an LS3\LS7 swap would be ideal but you end up changing more than just the engine (i.e. BCM\PCM, transmission, TCM, battery relocation, etc.). If budget is tight and you decide to stick with the LS2, depending on what is wrong with the current engine, get a shortblock and just swap everything over.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (track prepared)
Originally Posted by schizcat
Check sources online that may have take out engines so it is (somewhat) a direct swap. If its in your budget, an LS3\LS7 swap would be ideal but you end up changing more than just the engine (i.e. BCM\PCM, transmission, TCM, battery relocation, etc.). If budget is tight and you decide to stick with the LS2, depending on what is wrong with the current engine, get a shortblock and just swap everything over.
An LS3 or LS7 swap doesn't require changing out the BCM, PCM, transmission or TCM.
Relocating the battery also isn't necessary either unless you went full dry sump conversion.
Basically all the PCM needs is to think it has a slightly larger LS2 in it.
subfloor is correct on that, the computer doesn't know what motor is in there, it just knows how to run the hardware on it. If you tune it this is a non issue. All LS series platforms are pretty compatible with the exception of being 24x or 58x crank triggers, which they make convertor boxes to overcome. OP if you can swing it go LS3 and dont look back.
I'd get estimates to rebuild current blown-up LS2.
Wrecked cars will have great donor engines. LS2/LS3 should be out there still. Throw a 5.3 in it ? Personally, I'd just stay away from the Ls7 . When i start seeing folks exclaim theyve put 50-80k on their "fixed heads" and all is well I might feel better .
Can you just buy a replacement block ? Are you doing the work?
I’m with StayInStiock, LS3 all the way. You might consider the hot cam version or just can it yourself before you drop it in. LS3 makes great power, is super reliable, and is generally affordable.
I was faced with a similar decision back in 2021. My 2005 LS2 needed a rebuild after many years of street/track use. The decision was rebuild or buy a crate motor with a 2 year warranty. The rebuild was cheaper but no long term warranty. If something would have gone wrong with the LS2 rebuild I would be relying on the relationship with the builder to determine what went wrong and how much of that would be considered warranty. Given my track use, that could have been dicey.
I paid more and went with the GM LS3 376/480 495 HP. The motor has been solid to-date. I'm happy with my decision.