LS2 vs LS3
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: southern Ct
LS2 vs LS3
My name is Jake, I am new to the forum and am currently searching for my first vette..have had many perf/muscule cars in the past and have a clear idea of what I want out of a car...Looking to heavily mod for 600-650rwhp..Car will not be my daily driver but needs street manners to some extent..I have a pretty good idea of what to get for mods, but want to what some of you guys with lots of vette experience think. Is the extra dough for an ls3 worth it, or can I get this out of an ls2 with h/c, supercharger, suspension, etc..and still have a reliable car. Anyone making these type of numbers on either ls2 or ls3 and have something to share?
Thanks in advance!!!
Thanks in advance!!!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
My name is Jake, I am new to the forum and am currently searching for my first vette..have had many perf/muscule cars in the past and have a clear idea of what I want out of a car...Looking to heavily mod for 600-650rwhp..Car will not be my daily driver but needs street manners to some extent..I have a pretty good idea of what to get for mods, but want to what some of you guys with lots of vette experience think. Is the extra dough for an ls3 worth it, or can I get this out of an ls2 with h/c, supercharger, suspension, etc..and still have a reliable car. Anyone making these type of numbers on either ls2 or ls3 and have something to share?
Thanks in advance!!!
Thanks in advance!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: southern Ct
Thanks for the response!! So do you think that that is more or less as easily attainable with the ls2 and the extra dough for the car isn't worth it??? I just keep reading so much that says the ls3 responds so much better to everything that is done to it..
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,032
Likes: 124
From: Dallas TX
It's not just the LS3, it's the extra improvements that came with the '08 that make it worth the little extra dough IMO. Big ones besides the LS3 is the TR6060 manual tranny and improved steering.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: Pa
Have an 05 ls2 with heads/cam/supercharger etc. I make 604 rwhp with 4.10 gears. The car is completely streetable and I have driven it from Phila pa to california twice and raced at spring mountain along the way. My bottom end was stock and just recently failed at 42K. I was only running 6-7lbs of boost. With forged internals I would have had more power. I am now about to build something crazy. a forged 415 to make about 750rwhp and I expect it to be completely reliable. With my ls2 on the cross country trips I was getting 24mpg highway...with 604rwhp and 4.10's. These cars are amazing.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: southern Ct
I did not know about the tranny... is the 6060 able to handle that kind of power with a decent amount of hard driving??Good things to consider, thanks for the info!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: southern Ct
Have an 05 ls2 with heads/cam/supercharger etc. I make 604 rwhp with 4.10 gears. The car is completely streetable and I have driven it from Phila pa to california twice and raced at spring mountain along the way. My bottom end was stock and just recently failed at 42K. I was only running 6-7lbs of boost. With forged internals I would have had more power. I am now about to build something crazy. a forged 415 to make about 750rwhp and I expect it to be completely reliable. With my ls2 on the cross country trips I was getting 24mpg highway...with 604rwhp and 4.10's. These cars are amazing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 1
From: NJ..."the way I saw it, everyone takes a beating sometimes."
THe LS3 has better steering, better manual trans, stronger block, stronger rear, and a slightly nicer interior. The power you want is achievable quite easily with either the LS2 or LS3. If you can afford it I'd go with the LS3. If not, you shouldn't have any problems reaching your goals with the LS2.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,511
Likes: 22
From: Southern MD
I have had LS2, LS3, and LS7 Corvettes as company cars. From a pure performance value stand point..if you gonna supercharge it, the LS2 wins hands down. LS2's can be had for next to nothing (in Corvette dollars) and make great power. That being said, the 08 does have nicer interior, steering, and transmissions...plus the LS3 is very nice. So...it is a decision you will most likely have to make based on what is more important...value or overall goodness.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: southern Ct
Thanks for all of the responses guys...LS3 it is!!!
k0bun..I saw the choking you out part of your AV..Where do you train in NJ...I train in ct and our school competes in NJ at Naga and whatnot all the time
k0bun..I saw the choking you out part of your AV..Where do you train in NJ...I train in ct and our school competes in NJ at Naga and whatnot all the time
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 1
From: NJ..."the way I saw it, everyone takes a beating sometimes."
That's a shirt from my old JKD school. I now train at AMA (American Martial Arts) in Whippany, NJ. We're a Team Renzo Gracie affiliate. A lot of our students compete at NAGA, Grappler's Quest, etc. We also have several amateur mma fighters and two UFC fighters.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
I didnt know about it either but considering the fact that 700rwhp 2005's are running around without incident, I question calling the pre-2008 drivelines 'weaker'.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
My guess is the LS2 is pretty much bullet proof!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 3
From: Goleta California
Just so you know there have been some issues with the new tranny. Do a search and see what people say about it. If you go with the LS2 you want to get an 06 or an 07 because they have an improved rear. No sure about the steering, I have driven both 06's and 08's and I can't tell any difference. If you are going s/c you will get the power you want with either LS2 or LS3. Have fun!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 0
From: HOUSTON TEXAS
I agree ......
Just so you know there have been some issues with the new tranny. Do a search and see what people say about it. If you go with the LS2 you want to get an 06 or an 07 because they have an improved rear. No sure about the steering, I have driven both 06's and 08's and I can't tell any difference. If you are going s/c you will get the power you want with either LS2 or LS3. Have fun!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 815
Likes: 0
From: Virginia beach va
well that may be true but if you put the same mods on the Ls3. it will leave you in the dust. so I say your further ahead by getting an 08 so you start with more power and you can get one pretty cheap right now also. but it's really up to you because it's not my money.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
My name is Jake, I am new to the forum and am currently searching for my first vette..have had many perf/muscule cars in the past and have a clear idea of what I want out of a car...Looking to heavily mod for 600-650rwhp..Car will not be my daily driver but needs street manners to some extent..I have a pretty good idea of what to get for mods, but want to what some of you guys with lots of vette experience think. Is the extra dough for an ls3 worth it, or can I get this out of an ls2 with h/c, supercharger, suspension, etc..and still have a reliable car. Anyone making these type of numbers on either ls2 or ls3 and have something to share?
Thanks in advance!!!
Thanks in advance!!!
Welcome
good question, while I can only comment on the LS3 b/c that's what I have pretty sure it is way better to modify. you can essentially make what I call my poor mans ZR1, which I did,
I added a Procharger supercharger( made for the LS3), corsa extreme exhaust and long tubed headers, dyno tune
That will easliy get you to where you want and the tranny can hold it
I limited the amount at the rear wheel more so b/c of the stock differential
Running low to mid tens 1/4 mile, pretty much King of the road
Running stock tires which after I wear them out will be changed
you will surprise MANY sportbikes
Watch out for those well modified-boosted Evo's, WRX's and Toyotas, yes I said Toyotas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 4
From: foothills of Northern California
The LS2 is the better value. It also makes more street sense. The LS3 is pipey which is fine for the track but not for the street . The LS2 is much more practical for the street where torque is king.