C6 Tech/Performance LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

swapping ls2 for ls3 help !!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 7, 2012 | 09:36 PM
  #1  
z06stealth's Avatar
z06stealth
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
Default swapping ls2 for ls3 help !!

okay guys i have two c6 corvettes

2008 ls3 automatic paddle shifter

2007 ls2 manual 6 spd

i want to sell my 2008 and keep my 2007

now i wanna swap the ls3 into my 2007 and ls2 into my 2008 transmission stays in place i want to keep ls3 with the 6spd

my question is how hard is it

any tips ...

will the wiring harness work ...

any diy out thier to do the swap
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 01:10 AM
  #2  
mdchaser's Avatar
mdchaser
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 0
From: Chico CA
Default

Just a thought but for only about 30 horsepower + effort to swap engines you might be better off just upgrading the ls2. I would expect you would also have a hard time selling a 2008 with an ls2. Good luck if you decide to do it though!
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 03:32 AM
  #3  
taken19's Avatar
taken19
Track Junky
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
Default

Originally Posted by mdchaser
Just a thought but for only about 30 horsepower + effort to swap engines you might be better off just upgrading the ls2. I would expect you would also have a hard time selling a 2008 with an ls2. Good luck if you decide to do it though!
I kinda agree. If you do decide to do the swap, shoot me a PM as I just finished doing a dry sump LS3 into my 2005 LS2 equipped vette. You won't have the conversion box, throttle body or dry sump issues to deal with, but you will have to tune for the LS3 style MAF.

Thinking about it, a 2007 LS2 to 2008 LS3 should almost be a drop in except for the MAF...

Last edited by taken19; Jun 8, 2012 at 08:54 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 08:45 AM
  #4  
TNTC4VETTE's Avatar
TNTC4VETTE
Will work for HPDE time.
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
 
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 7
From: Orlando FL
Default

Just sell the other car and build the LS2. It's not a horrible engine.

Besides, who is going to want an '08 Vette that's been ripped apart with a previous gen motor?
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 09:04 AM
  #5  
mdchaser's Avatar
mdchaser
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 0
From: Chico CA
Default

Even better idea, just keep them both . I had to sell my last vette to buy my current car and while I don't regret the decision I both rue and lament it. It was a great car. If you do the swap don't forget to post lots of pics though.
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 01:34 PM
  #6  
z06stealth's Avatar
z06stealth
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
Default

you guys got me thinking now ..... i dont need 2 vettes but i guess i leave like it is to avoid spending more cash
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 01:36 PM
  #7  
mdchaser's Avatar
mdchaser
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 0
From: Chico CA
Default

Originally Posted by z06stealth
you guys got me thinking now ..... i dont need 2 vettes but i guess i leave like it is to avoid spending more cash
Do a head/cam swap and that ls2 will make a lot more power... Not too difficult to do yourself either: www.ls1howto.com
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 01:45 PM
  #8  
z06stealth's Avatar
z06stealth
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
Default

what about if i just switch the heads from the ls3 to the ls2 will i gain anything
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 01:47 PM
  #9  
mdchaser's Avatar
mdchaser
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 0
From: Chico CA
Default

I've done the h/c thing myself and I wouldn't even think about it unless you are going all the way, it's too much labor to half *** (great learning experience if you've never done it though). I would either get your heads ported/upgraded or just buy a set of finished heads (I used patriot heads on my c5, they probably make something for the ls2 that includes all of the springs, etc, inexpensive too). And don't skimp on the cam, you will wish it were bigger about a week after your done no matter how big it is .
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 01:50 PM
  #10  
SUB VETTE's Avatar
SUB VETTE
SUBVETTE
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
Default

Just do bolt-ons to the LS2 and save yourself a headache with the swap. Headers + ported FAST102 + ported TB + CAI gained 75 rwhp on my LS2.
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 01:51 PM
  #11  
mdchaser's Avatar
mdchaser
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 0
From: Chico CA
Default

Originally Posted by z06stealth
what about if i just switch the heads from the ls3 to the ls2 will i gain anything
Not worth the time, try one of these:

https://www.patriot-performance.com/...ome.php?cat=37
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 01:53 PM
  #12  
mdchaser's Avatar
mdchaser
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 0
From: Chico CA
Default

Originally Posted by SUB VETTE
Just do bolt-ons to the LS2 and save yourself a headache with the swap. Headers + ported FAST102 + ported TB + CAI gained 75 rwhp on my LS2.
Unless you live in CA, damn CARB. If not that is probably much easier than messing with the heads/cam (though a cam is worth it for the sound)!
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 02:08 PM
  #13  
GSoldman's Avatar
GSoldman
Racer
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: tomball tx
Default

sounds like alotta work

why not just do headers and coldair intake make more power than ls3
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2012 | 05:04 PM
  #14  
taken19's Avatar
taken19
Track Junky
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
Default

If you are considering modding your LS2 and are willing to do the work yourself (no, it's not that difficult), you can make some great power. Many have made over 500 rwhp in their M6 LS2's. I had a very street able cam (Spin's 230/234) and ported stock heads and made 485/440. Others have bought used LS3 heads for $600 or so and made similar numbers to ported LS2 heads.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To swapping ls2 for ls3 help !!





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:56 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE