LS3 Intake Manifold.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
LS3 Intake Manifold.
Hi guys.
I have a question n with all due respect to everyone i would appreciate if someone states facts, not opinion.
With that being said...
Will an LS3 Vette benefit from Intake Manifold?
If so, how much of a difference in HP can i expect?
I have a question n with all due respect to everyone i would appreciate if someone states facts, not opinion.
With that being said...
Will an LS3 Vette benefit from Intake Manifold?
If so, how much of a difference in HP can i expect?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 610
From: DFW Texas
Your basic question was recently answered within this thread below. My opinion was submitted within, but there are also several responses with the actual facts:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-worth-it.html
GD
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-worth-it.html
GD
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
Unlike the stock LS2 intake manifold, the stock LS3 version is quite good. Upgrading that piece to an aftermarket unit won't do much other than make your wallet thinner. If you have a heavily modded engine that spends all its time above 5000 rpm, there might be a place for an aftermarket manifold. For 98% of the street Vettes, it's a waste of time and money. Here's an intake manifold test that shows a few options and what they're capable of : The Ultimate LS3 Intake Manifold Dyno Shootout! - Gwatney Performance
You'll notice ported heads and a fairly big cam were used for the test. An engine with less mods would show less differences.
I had Gwatney port and rod mod my stock LS3 intake manifold. I think it cost $400 back when I had it done. I have no idea what they charge now. I'm pleased with it, but did no before/after testing.
You'll notice ported heads and a fairly big cam were used for the test. An engine with less mods would show less differences.
I had Gwatney port and rod mod my stock LS3 intake manifold. I think it cost $400 back when I had it done. I have no idea what they charge now. I'm pleased with it, but did no before/after testing.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 102
Likes: 7
From: Sioux Falls, SD
IMO the small gain from an aftermarket manifold is from the use of a 102mm throttle body, not the manifold itself. I have a Gwatney ported manifold along with ported throttle body as well, but did no before and after testing.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 706
Likes: 56
From: Houston TX
If you have other mods done to your car (heads, cam, headers, etc.) I think it can benefit well. The "rod mod" and ported stock LS3 manifold seems like the best performance gain over aftermarket. I had Modern Airflow Dynamics in Houston do mine. I'd say roughly ~15whp gain.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
If you have other mods done to your car (heads, cam, headers, etc.) I think it can benefit well. The "rod mod" and ported stock LS3 manifold seems like the best performance gain over aftermarket. I had Modern Airflow Dynamics in Houston do mine. I'd say roughly ~15whp gain.
Unlike the stock LS2 intake manifold, the stock LS3 version is quite good. Upgrading that piece to an aftermarket unit won't do much other than make your wallet thinner. If you have a heavily modded engine that spends all its time above 5000 rpm, there might be a place for an aftermarket manifold. For 98% of the street Vettes, it's a waste of time and money. Here's an intake manifold test that shows a few options and what they're capable of : The Ultimate LS3 Intake Manifold Dyno Shootout! - Gwatney Performance
You'll notice ported heads and a fairly big cam were used for the test. An engine with less mods would show less differences.
I had Gwatney port and rod mod my stock LS3 intake manifold. I think it cost $400 back when I had it done. I have no idea what they charge now. I'm pleased with it, but did no before/after testing.
You'll notice ported heads and a fairly big cam were used for the test. An engine with less mods would show less differences.
I had Gwatney port and rod mod my stock LS3 intake manifold. I think it cost $400 back when I had it done. I have no idea what they charge now. I'm pleased with it, but did no before/after testing.
Your basic question was recently answered within this thread below. My opinion was submitted within, but there are also several responses with the actual facts:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-worth-it.html
GD
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-worth-it.html
GD
Thank u guys for the help. I have decided that i will not upgrade the Mani until i get heads, cam and TB.
Cruising
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 14
Likes: 3
It seems many have rodded/modded intakes and ported TB’s with no before and after testing.
since I am waiting on the arrival of both TB and manifold and a cam package I will try to do testing with just install of the cam with stock manifold,TB, heads for baseline then another with the rodded manifold and TB installed.
down the track if I do heads I can easily test both again. 👍🏽
id say it would be more than likely that any gains made would be more torque related than hp with stock heads. Most people do however report a better feeling throttle pick up/response
since I am waiting on the arrival of both TB and manifold and a cam package I will try to do testing with just install of the cam with stock manifold,TB, heads for baseline then another with the rodded manifold and TB installed.
down the track if I do heads I can easily test both again. 👍🏽
id say it would be more than likely that any gains made would be more torque related than hp with stock heads. Most people do however report a better feeling throttle pick up/response
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
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Pro
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 699
Likes: 421
From: Armonk, NY
The rod modded and ported manifolds really hit a wall around 6800. If you have a decent cam and heads I would skip right over the plastic manifolds. I just sold my Rod Modded and ported Gwatney LS3 and went with a medium Sniper and I shift at 7400--I never dynoed but the car is clearly quicker than with the Rod Mod.