This has probably been answered somewhere but I couldn't find it. Can you really feel the difference in power between the LS2 and the LS3. If I don't get a Z06 I want the most bang for the buck.
Thanks
Dave

 

very simply..... stock against stock.... absolutely!!!

 

I have read some on here say they could not tell a major difference. Given the choice, I would go with LS3.

 

LS3/

 

Having had both in the same car, I can tell you that the stock LS3 is noticeably stronger than an LS2. My H/C/I LS2 making 485 rwhp was much stronger on top due to the heads and cam, but felt about the same under 4400 rpm or so. The added displacement makes more of a difference than you think.

Most LS2 guys make 335-345 rwhp stock and most LS3 guys make 375-385 rwhp stock (assuming a M6 car).

 

Ls3 ftw

 

An LS2 with Thousands of $$ in bolt on mods won't equal a STOCK LS3 in power or performance.

 

I was going to agree with everyone, But now you lost me. that statement is pure as the list clearly proves, the LS2 with mods wins ET MPH AND 60 FT times. so it wins in every area

External Engine Modifications LS2 (Bolt-Ons)
10.626 @ 126.98 - Dennis50NJ - 05 A4 Z51 - CAI, cb, conv, ewp, pfast, 3.73, hdr, ptb, tune, & more, DR - (3944)
10.788 @ 127.29 - LS1LT1 - 06 A6 - CAI, conv, fast, hdr, ptb, skinnies, tune, & more, DR - (5611)
10.936 @ 123.01 - Dicky - 06 A6 - CAI, conv, cutouts, fast, 3.42, hdr, & more tune, DR - (5485)
11.121 @ 124.49 - Teetheriot - 07 A6 - CAI, conv, fast, hdr,nc , Z06 muff, & more, tune, DR - (5869)
11.293 @ 122.24 - JMT1669 - 06 A6 - CAI, conv, cb, fast, 3.42, hdr, tune, DR - (4427)
11.295 @ 122.29 - FloydSummer of 68 - 07 A6 - CAI, conv, Pfast, hdr, no cats, tune, udp, DR - (5105)
11.342 @ 125.78 - Silvervette05 - 05 M6 – pfast/tb, gto skinnys, Z06 exhaust, tune, DR - (4422)
11.412 @ 119.27 - Devilish34 - 07 M6 - CAI, hdr, pfast, Z06 rear, tune, DR - (5536)
11.667 @ 118.76 - Its Stock - 06 M6 - CAI, hdr, udp, tune, DR - (4565)
11.683 @ 118.89 - Vade 46 - 07 M6 Z51 - CAI, hdr, tune, DR - (6400)
11.747 @ 120.83 - Siffert - 07 A6 - CAI, cb, pfast, hdr, skinnies, tune, DR - (3982)
11.76x @ 119.00 - NastyC6 - 05 A4 Z51 - CAI, conv, 3.73, hdr, pi/tb, tune
11.775 @ 121.58 - Red06vette - 06 A6 Z51 - CAI, cb, hdr, pi/tb, tune - (2175)
11.792 @ 117.26 - 06C6FVR - 07 M6 - CAI, 3.90, Z06 exhaust, tune, DR - (3225)


External Engine Modifications LS3 (Bolt-Ons)
10.820 @ 125.82 - HOXXOH - 08 A6 F55 - CAI, conv, ptb, Z06 Exhaust, tune, & more, DR - (4804)
10.888 @ 125.25 - 8850 - 08 A6 NPP 2.73 - CAI, conv, gto skinnies, hdr, udp, tune, DR - (6178)
10.987 @ 124.66 - Theofel - 08 A6 - CAI, cb, conv, 3.15, hdr, tune, & more DR - (4739)
11.252 @ 125.07 - Jbsblownc5 - 08 M6 Z51 - CAI, cb, 3.73, hdr, pi, torco & meth inj, tune, DR - (3739)
11.301 @ 123.54 - JohnDaMan - 08 A6 - CAI, cb, conv, hdr, ptb, udp, tune, DR - (6391)
11.468 @ 123.52 - Shane Fap - 08 A6 - CAI, hdr, tune, Z06 muff, Nittos - (6354)
11.468 @ 119.14 - HPAvette - 08 A6 Z51 NPP 2.73 – CAI, conv, hdr, tune, DR - (5241)
11.519 @ 122.72 - James1990 - 08 A6 Z51 NPP - CAI, cf/ hood, hdr, ptb, Z06rear, tune, Invos - (3565)
11.537 @ 121.20 - XStang - 08 A6 Z51 - CAI, Conv, hdr, ptb udp, tune, DR - (3735)
11.545 @ 123.09 - JerzeyLS3 - 08 A6 – CAI, CBx, hdr, tune, DR - (5146)
11.558 @ 120.71 - StageIt - 08 M6 Z51 - CB, hdr, fast, 3.90, Et St - (3085)
11.56x @ 120.02 - Quicktime - 08 M6 - CAI, cb, hdr, pi/tb, tune, DR - (2405)
11.562 @ 118.82 - MCV - 08 M6 Z51 - CAI, DR - (1848)
11.672 @ 118.89 - Justinjor - 08 M6 Z51 NPP - CAI, hdr, ptb, Removed fuse, DR - (5340)
11.688 @ 121.22 - Socalz06 - 08 A6 - CAI, hdr, DR - (2590)
11.706 @ 118.54 - Z51 6spd - 08 A6 Z51 NPP - Ewp, hdr, tune - (2171)
11.726 @ 118.81 - BSPC608 - 08 A6 Z51 NPP – CAI, hdr, tune, DR - (4421)
11.796 @ 122.65 - Y2K2Z28 -08 A

 

IMO it really depends what you are trying to do.. a heads/cam Ls2 will run real close to a heads/cam ls3..

If you plan to put boost to it.. just crank it up a little and make similar power.
The bigger difference IMO is that the ls2 cars come with the T56 and the ls3 cars went to the 6060. the ls3 cars also have the nicer center console and im not sure if you could get an ls2 car with NPP.. not su2e if it was an option on them.

If you plan to build the car into a monster and replace most of the drive train anyway.. get an high mileage ls2 and just swap out parts.

 

SOP, my '13 A-6 feels much more responsive than my '06 Z-51 M-6. Bullets on both, did the shroud mod and an Aircharger on the '06, plus Diablo tune. The new intake is far better than the stock LS2, so don't feel the need to change it. From what I've read, Bullets on an LS3 add a few more horses than they did on the LS2. As to the Diablo tune, it made the car run too rich, so that was probably part of it. Both great engines, but the LS3 is better.

 

If you want power, definitely go with the LS3. The LS2 is a great engine, but it sounds like you should go with the LS3. It really depends on the price difference. You might be able to mod an LS2 and still be cheaper and faster.

 

Are in insane? As dennis said... check out the list... as of now we(the quick ls2s) are quicker than the ***** out ls3s......sooo........

 

Read my post again; I said an LS3 stock power equals a thousands of $$ modded LS2. I didn't say you couldn't build a fast 1/4 mile LS2.

Show me one of the modded LS2's that have less than thousands of $$ in mods.

I had an '05 stick with headers, CAI, ported intake and tune. It pulled 385 on a couple of Dynos. My '08 A6 pulls 375 on the same Dynos. Allow 10 HP loss for the A6 and they are equal in power.

 

whats the cap on thousands 2 or 10, i could take a set of Chinese headers for 400 and a fast 90 for 800 and it would dyno higher , the vararam shows no higher dyno numbers, could the LS3 make more power from cubic inch or less tq management or even better exhaust because it hasn't proved it on the track modded, the fact that the LS3 beats the LS2 stock for stock but once modded the LS2 wins, do you think the LS3 guys put a cap on the $amount of mods, why did they want their own list after years of trying to beat the LS2

 

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU LOOKED AT THE FAST LIST





Internal Engine Modifications LS2
10.157 @ 129.43 - Stanger383 - 05 A4 - CAI, conv, 3.42, H&C, hdr, ptb, Z06muff, tune, & more, DR - (6370)
10.163 @ 131.08 - Dennis50NJ - 05 A4 Z51 - CAI, cb, conv, ewp, pfast, 3.73, H&C, hdr, ptb, tune, & more, DR - (6493)
10.585 @ 131.43 - DSP300C - 07 M6 – al/fw, CAI, cb, ewp, pfast, 4.10, H&C, hdr, 100maf, tune, DR - (4330)
10.665 @ 133.29 - Braciole - 07 M6 - CAI, cb, dp, ewp, pfast, 4.10, hdr, H&C, tune, DR - (4296)
10.672 @ 128.31 - Justasheet - 05 A4 Z51 - CAI, cb, H&C, conv, pfast, 3.73, hdr, ptb, mh, Z06 Muff, tune, DR - (6510)


Internal Engine Modifications LS3

10.374 @ 133.59 - Matt@TuneTime - 08 M6 Z51- Cai, ewp, fast, hdr, H&C, 4.10, skinnies, tune, DR - (6378)
10.611 @ 131.81 - Turbovic - 08 M6 - cam, gto skinnies, hdr, mh, pi, tune, Z06 susp, tune, DR - (4609)
10.633 @ 132.44 - Max@Cartek - 08 M6 - Cartek 4X H&C package, DR - (3640)
10.662 @ 131.68 - Doug@ECS - 08 M6 Z51 NPP - Blistens, cai, 3.90, H &C, hdr, tune, DR - (3193)
10.673 @ 129.31 - Justinjor - 08 M6

 

Are you nuts?

 

Enhance your calm dennis.. I could care less about the 1/4 mile list and since i have my fun at the air strip and not at the 1/4 mile i dont pay attentiom to those lists as they arent much competition. Clearly you are sensitive about the mighty ls2

 

So, just as a reference... my buddy has a LS3 intake/tune and at a sanctioned runway roll event pulled a couple of cars on a bolt on/cammed LS2 car....

 

I have a cammed ls2 and I run low elevens all day long, so run what ever makes you happy. but don't think our ls2s are easy, you really need to bring it , we have plenty of bite, ive run lots of ls3s at our local track and I can not only hold my own against them but can out run most of them. Bring it on

 

I would go with the LS3..... oh yes I did, when I was asking the same question. 2008 and up, why buy an older car for the same $$$$$?