LS2 or LS3 C6??
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Manama
oh god!? there aren't too many vettes out there, so I don't think that I can get in to a 2008 too soon, I'll just go for the LS2 if the owner was flexible in the price somehow, and IF I hunt a buyer, then I might rip his pocket off for few thousand $ up and give it up
step by step and I'll jump in a C6 with an LS3
or a ZR-1 
step by step and I'll jump in a C6 with an LS3
or a ZR-1
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,433
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From: Bay Area CA
Is the LS3 not pretty much just a plain old LS2 with different heads? If so (which I think it is) just buy it and swap the heads out at a later time for around $1200.00..... also, what year did they add the 100,000 powertrain warranty, 06 or 07, dont remember, but either way if you are looking for reliabilty, you will get it with either motor.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 26,900
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From: Bann Camp & N.Y.C.
St. Jude Donor '08
Heads are different design and will not swap. The intake and exhaust ports are different. There are many impovements in the LS3: Intake manifold, cam, heads, pistons, rings, rod bolts, thicker bulkheads in the block etc. The LS2 is also a strong engine, but the improvements in the LS3 are worth looking into before you make your decision.
WWSS? (What Would Spin Say)
LS3 head do bolt right in w/ Ls3 intake, TB & any CAI and you will have with-in 15hp of an LS3
Pro
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From: Arvada CO
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
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From: Brownsville Tx
Heads are different design and will not swap. The intake and exhaust ports are different. There are many impovements in the LS3: Intake manifold, cam, heads, pistons, rings, rod bolts, thicker bulkheads in the block etc. The LS2 is also a strong engine, but the improvements in the LS3 are worth looking into before you make your decision.
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Instructor
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i'm running a very potent n/a ls2, i beat the snot out of it and drive it everyday to work - hardly a weak motor.
with the difference in price you can build the ls2 to far exceed the stock performance of the ls3. however, if you have the extra money to burn, why not start with the stouter mill?
with the difference in price you can build the ls2 to far exceed the stock performance of the ls3. however, if you have the extra money to burn, why not start with the stouter mill?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
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Heads are different design and will not swap. The intake and exhaust ports are different. There are many impovements in the LS3: Intake manifold, cam, heads, pistons, rings, rod bolts, thicker bulkheads in the block etc. The LS2 is also a strong engine, but the improvements in the LS3 are worth looking into before you make your decision.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 32
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From: TN
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...omparison_test
then you are correct that the C6 Corvette was the heads to head winner. However, there was a known issue with early production model GT500’s like the one Car and Driver used that has been well documented and probably was a factor in this side-by-side compare. Numbers-wise, it looks that way.
Ford issues this service bulletin regarding early production cars: “6408 - 2007 SHELBY GT 500 MUSTANG - DRIVABILITY CONCERNS - AIR FILTER
SOME 2007 SHELBY GT 500 VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 09/01/2006 MAY EXPERIENCE DRIVABILITY CONCERNS INCLUDING: ROUGH IDLE, A SURGE AT LESS THAN 2000 RPM, A LACK OF POWER AND ERRATIC READINGS ON THE BOOST GAUGE. THIS ISSUE MAY OR MAY NOT FLAG A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). THESE SYMPTOMS MAY BE DUE TO A QUALITY ISSUE WITH THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT. TO CORRECT THIS CONCERN, REPLACE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT WITH PART NUMBER 7R3Z-9601-AA (MOTORCRAFT FA 1807).
Here is what the defect resulted in:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=118839
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,733
Likes: 15
From: SC
If your talking about this comparison
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...omparison_test
then you are correct that the C6 Corvette was the heads to head winner. However, there was a known issue with early production model GT500’s like the one Car and Driver used that has been well documented and probably was a factor in this side-by-side compare. Numbers-wise, it looks that way.
Ford issues this service bulletin regarding early production cars: “6408 - 2007 SHELBY GT 500 MUSTANG - DRIVABILITY CONCERNS - AIR FILTER
SOME 2007 SHELBY GT 500 VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 09/01/2006 MAY EXPERIENCE DRIVABILITY CONCERNS INCLUDING: ROUGH IDLE, A SURGE AT LESS THAN 2000 RPM, A LACK OF POWER AND ERRATIC READINGS ON THE BOOST GAUGE. THIS ISSUE MAY OR MAY NOT FLAG A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). THESE SYMPTOMS MAY BE DUE TO A QUALITY ISSUE WITH THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT. TO CORRECT THIS CONCERN, REPLACE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT WITH PART NUMBER 7R3Z-9601-AA (MOTORCRAFT FA 1807).
Here is what the defect resulted in:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=118839
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...omparison_test
then you are correct that the C6 Corvette was the heads to head winner. However, there was a known issue with early production model GT500’s like the one Car and Driver used that has been well documented and probably was a factor in this side-by-side compare. Numbers-wise, it looks that way.
Ford issues this service bulletin regarding early production cars: “6408 - 2007 SHELBY GT 500 MUSTANG - DRIVABILITY CONCERNS - AIR FILTER
SOME 2007 SHELBY GT 500 VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 09/01/2006 MAY EXPERIENCE DRIVABILITY CONCERNS INCLUDING: ROUGH IDLE, A SURGE AT LESS THAN 2000 RPM, A LACK OF POWER AND ERRATIC READINGS ON THE BOOST GAUGE. THIS ISSUE MAY OR MAY NOT FLAG A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). THESE SYMPTOMS MAY BE DUE TO A QUALITY ISSUE WITH THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT. TO CORRECT THIS CONCERN, REPLACE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT WITH PART NUMBER 7R3Z-9601-AA (MOTORCRAFT FA 1807).
Here is what the defect resulted in:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=118839
Depending of what someone wants (lighter car, less costly ownership, better-all-round performance, technologically more advanced) or (more room, equal acceleration as a LS2 C6, more bolt-on potential, rarity) either car offers alot.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,030
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From: Maumelle Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Secret switch
There is a dip switch on the LS2 computer that changes it to LS3 specs.
Unfortunately if I told you where it was GM would terminate me.
LJ
Unfortunately if I told you where it was GM would terminate me.
LJ
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: TN
Not entirely true, as there were a significant number of LS2 engines that exhibited oil consumption issues during that engines production.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,221
Likes: 899
From: CA
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '08
Heads are different design and will not swap. The intake and exhaust ports are different. There are many impovements in the LS3: Intake manifold, cam, heads, pistons, rings, rod bolts, thicker bulkheads in the block etc. The LS2 is also a strong engine, but the improvements in the LS3 are worth looking into before you make your decision.
I too was faced with a hard desion a few months back. Do I get a used C5 Z06, a C6 LS2, or weight and order a C6 LS3.
I'm glad I listened to a few trusted friends, and went with the LS3. Why not get the best and newest that's out there at the time!
Here's a bit more on the LS3, good article from Vette Mag...
http://www.vetteweb.com/features/vem...s3_engine.html
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 873
From: Bay Area CA
However, my initial response was the incompatability of swapping LS3 heads into an LS2 motor. Replacing the air intake, intake manifold, exhaust manifolds and heads is more than just a swap. GM engineered the LS3's engine components to compliment each other, such as, increased cam lift and Z06 fuel injectors to feed the LS3 heads. It is not just a head swap, even by exchanging all the needed components for a head swap, is it worth the cost of being within 15 hp?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 227
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LS2 Modifications
In your case, I suggest you get the LS2, change later on when you have enough $$$ the center console with LS3 carbon fiber flavor, a Hurricanne air intake (25hp), exhaust+x-pipe (25hp) and never give it a second thought about the LS3.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
