Ls2/LS3/LS7 parts compatibility
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Joined: Apr 2015
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From: Tulsa OK
Ls2/LS3/LS7 parts compatibility
At some point in the future I'm sure I'll want to start modifying/upgrading the engine and related parts. My car currently has a LS2. I'd like to start keeping an eye out for some decently priced used parts as they come along and then store them until I'm ready to do all the engine mods. What parts cross over between platforms? Any?
Examples... Will LS3 heads work on a LS2 block? Will LS2 heads fit on a LS3 block? Can a LS3 engine/block be reasonably easily swapped into a car that originally had a LS2?
Examples... Will LS3 heads work on a LS2 block? Will LS2 heads fit on a LS3 block? Can a LS3 engine/block be reasonably easily swapped into a car that originally had a LS2?
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LS2 heads have cathedral intake ports.
LS3 heads have rectangular intake ports.
LS7 heads even larger rectangular ports.
You can swap the heads between blocks but you have to use the corresponding intake manifold.
There are other differences as well, like rocker arms, exhaust port location (on LS7), piston to valve clearance, valve to cylinder bore clearance, fuel rail set up, etc.
In summary your combo has to be well thought out. Generally you can't run LS7 heads on a LS2 block because the valves will interfere with the cylinder wall. You could run LS3 heads on the LS2 block but will lose some piston to valve clearance thus limiting your choice of cam.
Instead of trying to put together a combination from parts that were not specifically engineered to work with each other, first determine you goal and budget (revise goal if necessary) and then choose the route to achieve your goal within the budget.
LS3 heads have rectangular intake ports.
LS7 heads even larger rectangular ports.
You can swap the heads between blocks but you have to use the corresponding intake manifold.
There are other differences as well, like rocker arms, exhaust port location (on LS7), piston to valve clearance, valve to cylinder bore clearance, fuel rail set up, etc.
In summary your combo has to be well thought out. Generally you can't run LS7 heads on a LS2 block because the valves will interfere with the cylinder wall. You could run LS3 heads on the LS2 block but will lose some piston to valve clearance thus limiting your choice of cam.
Instead of trying to put together a combination from parts that were not specifically engineered to work with each other, first determine you goal and budget (revise goal if necessary) and then choose the route to achieve your goal within the budget.
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Awesome, thanks guys
yall ever heard of anyone actually doing a cam swap with the block still in the car?
I used to be a mechanic (for GM actually) and I know it looks impossible with all the **** crammed into the front of the engine bay
BUT, I also that all cars have their little idiosyncrasies that make certain jobs a nightmare; and others not nearly as hard as they look at first
can the engine be tilted or jacked up or anything like that that isn’t super obvious to new owners like me?
yall ever heard of anyone actually doing a cam swap with the block still in the car?
I used to be a mechanic (for GM actually) and I know it looks impossible with all the **** crammed into the front of the engine bay
BUT, I also that all cars have their little idiosyncrasies that make certain jobs a nightmare; and others not nearly as hard as they look at first
can the engine be tilted or jacked up or anything like that that isn’t super obvious to new owners like me?
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Awesome, thanks guys
yall ever heard of anyone actually doing a cam swap with the block still in the car?
I used to be a mechanic (for GM actually) and I know it looks impossible with all the **** crammed into the front of the engine bay
BUT, I also that all cars have their little idiosyncrasies that make certain jobs a nightmare; and others not nearly as hard as they look at first
can the engine be tilted or jacked up or anything like that that isn’t super obvious to new owners like me?
yall ever heard of anyone actually doing a cam swap with the block still in the car?
I used to be a mechanic (for GM actually) and I know it looks impossible with all the **** crammed into the front of the engine bay
BUT, I also that all cars have their little idiosyncrasies that make certain jobs a nightmare; and others not nearly as hard as they look at first
can the engine be tilted or jacked up or anything like that that isn’t super obvious to new owners like me?
, A/C condenser coil can also be moved without disconnecting. If you're an auto, removing balance is a little more difficult than with a stick.
Attached is a document I was given back in 2010 for my cam swap, I hope the original author doesn't mind, this will give you an idea what's involved.