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ls3 callaway or ls7 engine?

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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 11:21 AM
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Default ls3 callaway or ls7 engine?

Hello everyone.
Im thinking of purchasing an ls engine and im not sure which one to pick.
I was looking at the ls3 engine which is standard in the corvettes i believe and then looking at the carb version of the ls3.
I then noticed the engine callaway corvettes use the ls3 with a supercharger i believe.
But then i have heard how amazing the ls7 is so im in a debate as to which engine to pick.
I want and engine that will at least do 160mph with ease.
Can anyone help as to which root to take.
Does anyone have a new 08 or 09 callaway corvette with the 590hp ls3 supercharged engine that could tell me what the performance is like?
Also does the ls3 supercharged callaway engine then out beat the ls7 as it produces more horsepower?
Anyone that can chime in and help would be well appreciated
Thanks to everyone in advance
Have great day
Dave
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 11:36 AM
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I'd pick the Callaway LS3 given those two choices.

San
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 11:49 AM
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not even close .....LS7 all the way...
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 01:27 PM
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depends on your wallet depth, and what car you put it in. put a stock LS3 in a H1 and you may not reach your goal of 160 mph. but the stock LS2 and LS3 in the Corvette reaches well beyond 160 mph.

so, what are you going to put the engine in, or is this a wish-list exercise?
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 04:12 PM
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Originally Posted by oldmansan
I'd pick the Callaway LS3 given those two choices.

San
The Callaway LS3 makes 75 more hp than the LS7 and a ton more torque over a more broad rpm range.
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 04:39 PM
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LS7. I'd rather start with more cubes. Much more long term flexibility.
The callaway setup, excellent as it might be, is much closer to being maxed out.
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 05:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Ragtop 99
LS7. I'd rather start with more cubes. Much more long term flexibility.
The callaway setup, excellent as it might be, is much closer to being maxed out.
I think the thin walls of the LS7 make it much closer to being maxed out. The LS9 doesn't use a LS7 block. The sturdier block with more potential is the LS3/LS9 block IMHO. I don't disagree with more cubes being a good thing however.

San
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 05:44 PM
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Originally Posted by oldmansan
I'd pick the Callaway LS3 given those two choices.

San
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 06:01 PM
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Originally Posted by oldmansan
I think the thin walls of the LS7 make it much closer to being maxed out. The LS9 doesn't use a LS7 block. The sturdier block with more potential is the LS3/LS9 block IMHO. I don't disagree with more cubes being a good thing however.

San
I agree
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 08:34 PM
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I would go with the LS7 as I really like the rods and valves. Something about a 7000 RPM big cube motor seems way better to me than all the horsepower wasted driving a supercharger.
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 08:34 PM
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Thanks everyone for the information.
What im planning on doing is I have always been a muscle car person however i love the muscle car engines but i just feel like the new ls is a fantastic step forward and would like to mix the two up abit.
I have a 69 camaro and i want to put an ls engine in it bolted to a t56 6 speed and run possible 3.50.1 or maybe 3.55.1 rear axle gears then i have the cool looks of the 60s and the modern power of the vets and new camaros.
Im looking to buy an ls engine but just not sure what set up i need.
I want the car do go at least 160mph with easy possible a little more when i want it to.
so what would be my best engine to go with?
If i buy a stock ls3 out the creat is the callaway supercharger just a bolt on i buy extra or is there more to it.
Or do i go with the ls7 which is known to do 200mph i dont think my wallet is deep anoth for a ls9 lol.
All help from you guys is well appreciated
thanks for taking the time to reply
Have a good day guys
Dave
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by oldmansan
I think the thin walls of the LS7 make it much closer to being maxed out. The LS9 doesn't use a LS7 block. The sturdier block with more potential is the LS3/LS9 block IMHO. I don't disagree with more cubes being a good thing however.

San
I like the Ls2/Ls3/Ls9, the Ls9 is a lot better and stronger block
I would love to buy one and build it
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 08:39 PM
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Originally Posted by 572dave
Thanks everyone for the information.
What im planning on doing is I have always been a muscle car person however i love the muscle car engines but i just feel like the new ls is a fantastic step forward and would like to mix the two up abit.
I have a 69 camaro and i want to put an ls engine in it bolted to a t56 6 speed and run possible 3.50.1 or maybe 3.55.1 rear axle gears then i have the cool looks of the 60s and the modern power of the vets and new camaros.
Im looking to buy an ls engine but just not sure what set up i need.
I want the car do go at least 160mph with easy possible a little more when i want it to.
so what would be my best engine to go with?
If i buy a stock ls3 out the creat is the callaway supercharger just a bolt on i buy extra or is there more to it.
Or do i go with the ls7 which is known to do 200mph i dont think my wallet is deep anoth for a ls9 lol.
All help from you guys is well appreciated
thanks for taking the time to reply
Have a good day guys
Dave
Either motor is capable of 160. The LS9 block is the same as the LS3 (2009+) minus the supercharger as far as I know. You might want to look at other superchargers as well. TVS would be one I'd consider.

San
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 08:43 PM
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Hay i thought that the callaway ls3 engine did use a tvs supercharger or is the ls9 a tvs roots supercharger?
Also what gear ratio is best for me to use i tried to get a gear ratio close to the corvettes which i think use 3.42.1 so i figured going with 3.50.1 or 3.55.1 would be along the same lines and get roughly the same top end speed what with using the t56 6 speed?
Am i doing my homework right or am i way off?
cheers guys for all the information
Dave
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted by 572dave
Hay i thought that the callaway ls3 engine did use a tvs supercharger or is the ls9 a tvs roots supercharger?
You can get a TVS supercharger from Callaway.
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Old Jun 9, 2009 | 10:45 PM
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Both would be good. Depends what you really want and how much you want to spend.
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 12:37 PM
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Hay everyone thanks for the information.
I myself am not sure which one to pick i must admit i like the whine of the superchargers my self however if i buy a stock ls3 engine from gm what do i need then on top of that to make the callaway engine is it just the supercharger they put on it i think i remember reading that it was a liquid to air intercooler and some other stuff so what would the cost of all those mods be?

Plus does anyone no what the 580hp callaway vet tops out at? anyone have one that could chip in and say what the performance is like?

Plus if i pick the ls7 is it still avaliable i remember hearing that gm was going to stop producing the engine due to costs?

Thanks everyone in advance.
Dave
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Old Jun 10, 2009 | 12:40 PM
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Originally Posted by oldmansan
I think the thin walls of the LS7 make it much closer to being maxed out. The LS9 doesn't use a LS7 block. The sturdier block with more potential is the LS3/LS9 block IMHO. I don't disagree with more cubes being a good thing however.

San

+1
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Old Jun 12, 2009 | 04:06 PM
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I have owned them both.

Callaway supercharger should be your choice. more fun and excitement for you and more "wows" from people when you show it off.
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Old Jun 12, 2009 | 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by 572dave

Plus does anyone no what the 580hp callaway vet tops out at? anyone have one that could chip in and say what the performance is like?

Thanks everyone in advance.
Dave
580 in a C6 gets you to 200.

My 2006 LS2 with no blower runs 170 no problem. 5th gear, 4700 rpm.
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