Difference between LS2 and LS3
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,254
Likes: 5
From: Anaheim Hills, Ca
Quote:
Originally Posted by JJC5
It's your money. The '08 owners will say for sure go with the '08. The '08s are improved in a number areas as they should be, however not a significant difference. Remember that it's 36 HP more with NPP, 30 without. HP will vary from engine to engine by as much as 20 HP so the power difference is minor. Resale is one way to look at it too.
Posted by Fuego
he's right. It's not a significant difference having a a better tranny ( 600 lb ft vs. 450 lb ft capability). 35 RWHP difference, new rear end ,new steering rack, better interior, etc. Some people hate a newer better version Vette. LS3>LS2
Last edited by JJC5; Jun 19, 2008 at 06:53 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
I think we all know the LS3 adds 30hp at the flywheel, not rear wheel. Obviously GM finally decided to install a half way decent exhaust which picked up 6hp. Most scrapped the factory exhaust anyway so LS2 and others have the same hp pickup with exhaust mods.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: Seguin Texas
ummm......no, it won't. Unless your tuned LS2 is making @380-390rwhp. My '08 dynoed at 391 =rwhp stock & 411rwhp tuned w/a VR. No npp.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: Seguin Texas
I agree! But you shouldn't post stuff like this where the LS3 guys can read it because they get really mad! It's pretty funny. Read below:
Quote:
Originally Posted by JJC5
It's your money. The '08 owners will say for sure go with the '08. The '08s are improved in a number areas as they should be, however not a significant difference. Remember that it's 36 HP more with NPP, 30 without. HP will vary from engine to engine by as much as 20 HP so the power difference is minor. Resale is one way to look at it too.
Posted by Fuego
he's right. It's not a significant difference having a a better tranny ( 600 lb ft vs. 450 lb ft capability). 35 RWHP difference, new rear end ,new steering rack, better interior, etc. Some people hate a newer better version Vette. LS3>LS2
Quote:
Originally Posted by JJC5
It's your money. The '08 owners will say for sure go with the '08. The '08s are improved in a number areas as they should be, however not a significant difference. Remember that it's 36 HP more with NPP, 30 without. HP will vary from engine to engine by as much as 20 HP so the power difference is minor. Resale is one way to look at it too.
Posted by Fuego
he's right. It's not a significant difference having a a better tranny ( 600 lb ft vs. 450 lb ft capability). 35 RWHP difference, new rear end ,new steering rack, better interior, etc. Some people hate a newer better version Vette. LS3>LS2
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,915
Likes: 2
From: Alton/Godfrey IL
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: Seguin Texas
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 35
From: Vernon Hills IL
I drive an '07 convertible, but I've test driven an '08 for a magazine article...
I would say that the biggest difference isn't in the power but the steering. They changed the steering to make it feel better and it's a change that worked well IMO.
I would say that the biggest difference isn't in the power but the steering. They changed the steering to make it feel better and it's a change that worked well IMO.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
Here is an overlay of my LS3 against a LS2 that was run on the same dyno as mine. Jayson (owner of MTI in Houston) ran both dyno runs and told me the LS2 is typical of what LS2's dynod at....
Last edited by jschindler; Jun 19, 2008 at 09:15 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
A forum member had a LS2 dyno at 376, so numbers can happen anywhere. GM already did all the homework for us...30hp.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
376 is a serious outlier - by a wide margin. As to your last comment, yes, GM did the homework, but SAE changed the rating system. You cannot make a direct comparison using the old rating system verus the new. That is a well documented fact.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster California
Wow...lots of response to this one! Thanks alot for all your opinions. I'm going to go drive the '06 this weekend and see just how low they will get on price. Then, I'm going to go drive an '08 and see how much difference I can feel. I can't get the '08 for the price I mentioned locally...it would be thru a forum dealer...but the local dealer doesn't have to know that! 
The dealer has run a Carfax on the '06 and no problems are showing up..shows just a single local owner who bought the car new. No wrecks, nothing. Looks like clean, low-mileage car.
I agree with alot of you guys about preferring a new car over a used one, but I'm not a "baller" like some of you guys, and $8K is a lot of cash to me.
What makes it even harder is that I checked on the price of ordering an '09 with the equipment that I'd want, and I can get it for only about $10K more than the '06. Decisions..decisions!
The dealer has run a Carfax on the '06 and no problems are showing up..shows just a single local owner who bought the car new. No wrecks, nothing. Looks like clean, low-mileage car.
I agree with alot of you guys about preferring a new car over a used one, but I'm not a "baller" like some of you guys, and $8K is a lot of cash to me.
What makes it even harder is that I checked on the price of ordering an '09 with the equipment that I'd want, and I can get it for only about $10K more than the '06. Decisions..decisions!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 5
From: Nevada
Had 06 convertible, now have 08 convertible. The principal reason for going to the 08 was money, not cars.
You asked about power. To me, the rated power difference is something that is not an issue as it relates to enjoying the driving experience. I would think that you would enjoy either car.
As to the perception of power, I personally find the type of transmission (automatic vs. stick) can create real differences in that perception, depending upon what you are doing, even though in reality those differences, if timed, are minor. And the NPP exhaust, first available on the 08, makes the car seem more powerful because it sounds more powerful, but in reality that power difference, too, is minor.
So there are some differences that can impact my perception of power rather than the power itself; the horsepower differential isn't anywhere near the top of the list.
Make your best deal on the car you really like and/or can afford and don't look back.
You asked about power. To me, the rated power difference is something that is not an issue as it relates to enjoying the driving experience. I would think that you would enjoy either car.
As to the perception of power, I personally find the type of transmission (automatic vs. stick) can create real differences in that perception, depending upon what you are doing, even though in reality those differences, if timed, are minor. And the NPP exhaust, first available on the 08, makes the car seem more powerful because it sounds more powerful, but in reality that power difference, too, is minor.
So there are some differences that can impact my perception of power rather than the power itself; the horsepower differential isn't anywhere near the top of the list.
Make your best deal on the car you really like and/or can afford and don't look back.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Old Forge PA
Buy the one you can afford. If you were a millionaire you would have not created this thread in the first place. So obviously, the difference in money is a factor to you.
It was the same decision for me. I got a stickered $53K (notice I said sticker, not MSRP) 2007 Z51 for $38K. I couldn't justify paying a lot more for a new 2008.
Now I have some more money left over for gas to go on longer drives and a few minor mods.
It was the same decision for me. I got a stickered $53K (notice I said sticker, not MSRP) 2007 Z51 for $38K. I couldn't justify paying a lot more for a new 2008.
Now I have some more money left over for gas to go on longer drives and a few minor mods.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton Inlet, Atlantic Ocean (Floridas east coast)
