LS3 heads on my LS2
Thread Starter
Drivin' The Dream
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 1
From: Rocklin California
LS3 heads on my LS2
Can I just slap LS3 heads on my LS2 engine and cruise down the block? Do they need milling or anything? What other things do I need to do to them? This sounds like an inexpensive way to increase hp on the engine, even a little bit. As I understand it, the LS3's breathe better. Cam is next.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
If you do the head swap you'll have to swap intake manifolds also. Lots of LS2's w/L92 heads and the LS3 heads are the same design.
Aftermarket heads/intake would be about the same $$ and make more power.
Aftermarket heads/intake would be about the same $$ and make more power.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 3
From: Buena Park CA
My understanding is the LS3 heads are a fantastic design by GM, but to mate them with an LS2 block and intake manifold is not impossible, but you'll probably have to do some measurements so porting the heads and intake will allow them to match up to a "three-some" marriage.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,596
Likes: 19
From: Portland Oregon
My understanding is the LS3 heads are a fantastic design by GM, but to mate them with an LS2 block and intake manifold is not impossible, but you'll probably have to do some measurements so porting the heads and intake will allow them to match up to a "three-some" marriage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,597
Likes: 3
From: READING PA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
They will bolt right onto a LS2 6.0L engine block without any issues as long as a LS3 or L76 intake manifold is used. The 2009 Pontiac G8 GT is basically that exact combo with a 6.0L block and the LS3 heads but with active fuel management (displacement on demand) PCM management.
block with TF Heads & fast will get to ??. I would guess 550. Doesn't that sound like LS7 numbers !
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Bossier City Louisiana
I am actually doing this exact same set up, and was curious what all I was going to need to make this transition from my LS2 heads to LS3 heads on my 06 C6. I was told I will need a LS3 intake with fuel rails, and LS3 intake rocker arms? Will I need anything else to make this set-up work? I already have the LS3 heads, Just need to know what else Im going to need? You alls input is greatly appreciated
Scottie
Scottie
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 22
From: Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania
If you could just swap over the L92 heads it would be worth it, but having to buy the manifold is a deal breaker. You are better off with a quality set of aftermarkets such as TFs.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
I am actually doing this exact same set up, and was curious what all I was going to need to make this transition from my LS2 heads to LS3 heads on my 06 C6. I was told I will need a LS3 intake with fuel rails, and LS3 intake rocker arms? Will I need anything else to make this set-up work? I already have the LS3 heads, Just need to know what else Im going to need? You alls input is greatly appreciated
Scottie
Scottie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 111
From: Tucson AZ
What makes the LS3/L92 heads so attractive is Scoogin Dickey has them for $212. They also offer complete packages with aftermarket springs. Yes you also need 8 intake rockers and a new intake manifold, but they are also very inexpensive. A lot of the LS3 guys are buying the new Fast 102, so I see used intakes fairly resonable as well. Also, you can sell your LS2 heads/manifold and recover half the cost.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,711
Likes: 3
From: Middle of No where AK
What makes the LS3/L92 heads so attractive is Scoogin Dickey has them for $212. They also offer complete packages with aftermarket springs. Yes you also need 8 intake rockers and a new intake manifold, but they are also very inexpensive. A lot of the LS3 guys are buying the new Fast 102, so I see used intakes fairly resonable as well. Also, you can sell your LS2 heads/manifold and recover half the cost.
Thread Starter
Drivin' The Dream
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 1
From: Rocklin California
Ok, so I'm changing my heads, etc and now want to cam up. What should I buy? I'm not going to race my car (well, not at a drag strip), but I do want it to perform well without having to constantly fiddle with the engine. Simple swap, good performance.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 1
From: Katy TX
custom cam from Thunder Racing
Thread Starter
Drivin' The Dream
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 1
From: Rocklin California
I'm leaning toward the stock LS3 heads. I find that when I start going after-market one thing leads to another and my sweet running engine turns into a crazy racing engine. I want to bump up the horsepower but be able to jump into the car and drive it to the store.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 22
From: Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania
I'm leaning toward the stock LS3 heads. I find that when I start going after-market one thing leads to another and my sweet running engine turns into a crazy racing engine. I want to bump up the horsepower but be able to jump into the car and drive it to the store.
