LS2 vs. LS3
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
LS2 vs. LS3
Does anyone have any insight on the LS2 vs LS3 engines available in the C6 Vettes?
I am trying to compile a list of pros and cons comparing the two engines to help steer me in the right direction in my upcoming C6 purchase.
Looking for info on reliability, power potential, aftermarket parts availability, etc.
I would ultimately like to bolt on a supercharger and hopefully get as close to 600 HP as possible.
Any insights will be appreciated.
I am trying to compile a list of pros and cons comparing the two engines to help steer me in the right direction in my upcoming C6 purchase.
Looking for info on reliability, power potential, aftermarket parts availability, etc.
I would ultimately like to bolt on a supercharger and hopefully get as close to 600 HP as possible.
Any insights will be appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
Once you go blower, differences are not significant. Both can get to 600 RWHP easily. Blower, headers and done. The LS2 stock intake manifold sucks so it shows higher boost, but can be ported or replaced aftermarket.
For typical NA street car, if you don't plan to touch the heads, the LS3 wins as its heads and intake manifold are superior to the LS2 and can be left alone. Adding a cam and headers to the LS3 gets you typically 460 - 490 RWHP. Stock heads LS2s average about 30 HP less.
For typical NA street car, if you don't plan to touch the heads, the LS3 wins as its heads and intake manifold are superior to the LS2 and can be left alone. Adding a cam and headers to the LS3 gets you typically 460 - 490 RWHP. Stock heads LS2s average about 30 HP less.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 3
Once you go blower, differences are not significant. Both can get to 600 RWHP easily. Blower, headers and done. The LS2 stock intake manifold sucks so it shows higher boost, but can be ported or replaced aftermarket.
For typical NA street car, if you don't plan to touch the heads, the LS3 wins as its heads and intake manifold are superior to the LS2 and can be left alone. Adding a cam and headers to the LS3 gets you typically 460 - 490 RWHP. Stock heads LS2s average about 30 HP less.
For typical NA street car, if you don't plan to touch the heads, the LS3 wins as its heads and intake manifold are superior to the LS2 and can be left alone. Adding a cam and headers to the LS3 gets you typically 460 - 490 RWHP. Stock heads LS2s average about 30 HP less.
Pretty much summed it up.Before my LS2 blew I had FAST 92 intake and it was supercharged (among a lot of other mods). On my new build, I'm adding ported AFR 225s and doing a 402 stroker.
If you just want to supercharge your LS2, you'll be fine without doing anything else to it. If you wanna make up the difference in the LS2 and LS3, just pulley down a bit and make bigger #s
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
Hey, thanks for the responses.
Does anyone have any recommendations on superchargers? Read some good stuff on the Procharger...
Should the drive train stand up ok to 600 HP? I want to go with the automatic. Any modifications recommended to anything to reliably handle the extra power output?
I absolutely want this thing to be reliable. I want to spend some time actually driving the car!
At this point I am not sure it is worth the extra money to get a 2008 or newer to get the LS3. There's some really nice 05 -07s out there for what appears to be very good prices. Looks like I would save enough to buy the supercharger if I went with an 07 or older model.
Any other big pluses/minuses on going with an 08 or newer?
Does anyone have any recommendations on superchargers? Read some good stuff on the Procharger...
Should the drive train stand up ok to 600 HP? I want to go with the automatic. Any modifications recommended to anything to reliably handle the extra power output?
I absolutely want this thing to be reliable. I want to spend some time actually driving the car!
At this point I am not sure it is worth the extra money to get a 2008 or newer to get the LS3. There's some really nice 05 -07s out there for what appears to be very good prices. Looks like I would save enough to buy the supercharger if I went with an 07 or older model.
Any other big pluses/minuses on going with an 08 or newer?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,252
Likes: 131
From: Short Hills, NJ
Once you go blower, differences are not significant. Both can get to 600 RWHP easily. Blower, headers and done. The LS2 stock intake manifold sucks so it shows higher boost, but can be ported or replaced aftermarket.
For typical NA street car, if you don't plan to touch the heads, the LS3 wins as its heads and intake manifold are superior to the LS2 and can be left alone. Adding a cam and headers to the LS3 gets you typically 460 - 490 RWHP. Stock heads LS2s average about 30 HP less.
For typical NA street car, if you don't plan to touch the heads, the LS3 wins as its heads and intake manifold are superior to the LS2 and can be left alone. Adding a cam and headers to the LS3 gets you typically 460 - 490 RWHP. Stock heads LS2s average about 30 HP less.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-f...c5-and-c6.html
Along with the Flip Drive of course:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-f...or-2011-a.html
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
At this point I am not sure it is worth the extra money to get a 2008 or newer to get the LS3. There's some really nice 05 -07s out there for what appears to be very good prices. Looks like I would save enough to buy the supercharger if I went with an 07 or older model.
Any other big pluses/minuses on going with an 08 or newer?
Any other big pluses/minuses on going with an 08 or newer?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 22
From: Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania
Hey, thanks for the responses.
Does anyone have any recommendations on superchargers? Read some good stuff on the Procharger...
Should the drive train stand up ok to 600 HP? I want to go with the automatic. Any modifications recommended to anything to reliably handle the extra power output?
I absolutely want this thing to be reliable. I want to spend some time actually driving the car!
At this point I am not sure it is worth the extra money to get a 2008 or newer to get the LS3. There's some really nice 05 -07s out there for what appears to be very good prices. Looks like I would save enough to buy the supercharger if I went with an 07 or older model.
Any other big pluses/minuses on going with an 08 or newer?
Does anyone have any recommendations on superchargers? Read some good stuff on the Procharger...
Should the drive train stand up ok to 600 HP? I want to go with the automatic. Any modifications recommended to anything to reliably handle the extra power output?
I absolutely want this thing to be reliable. I want to spend some time actually driving the car!
At this point I am not sure it is worth the extra money to get a 2008 or newer to get the LS3. There's some really nice 05 -07s out there for what appears to be very good prices. Looks like I would save enough to buy the supercharger if I went with an 07 or older model.
Any other big pluses/minuses on going with an 08 or newer?
Get a 2006 or newer, LS2 or LS3 with a supercharger are about the same hp.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 4
From: Cape May, NJ; Guntersville, AL; Orange Beach, AL
Personally if (well more likely when) I go FI I would beef up the rear end anyway. I purchased the 05 with intentions to mod on it til I get a C7. If I was buying to go FI I would buy a 05-07. You would be paying extra for the LS3 and honestly after FI it wouldn't matter. Use the extra cash to beef up the drivetrain or on the FI itself.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
