Randy_in_MD

Hi. The car I am currently debating is a 2007. Obviously it has the LS2 and not the more potent LS3. Should I hold out for a 2008? Is the difference noticeable? Thanks

bondo478

I drove quite a few examples of both when I was looking to upgrade from my C5. To me, the LS2 wasn't enough difference in seat of the pants feel from my LS1, but the LS3 was a very noticeable difference. I ended up buying a 2008. Don't get me wrong, they're all great engines, but I do think it's worth waiting for the LS3.

Fly N Low

In 08 they also went to the T6060 trans if your looking at manual.
In 09 they brought out Bluetooth for your phone which if I was buying another car that would be important to me.
In 12 they came out with the improved seats.
So there is more things to consider than the engine IMO.

Adam Cifonelli

If the price is close no reason to not go LS3.

BADBIRDCAGE

In January I went from a 2000 to a 2006. Both cars auto trans. 2000 had a Vararam forced air intake and a Corsa cat back exhaust. Ran fine for a stock LS1.

The 2006 is stock excepting a larger diameter factory exhaust system, manifolds back, from an LS 7 car. Engine has a ported throttle body and ported intake manifold. Car was tuned and shift points changed slightly for better performance.

Puts down 344 hp and 356 rwtq. These are in no way exceptional numbers but when you come from 345 hp at the flywheel to 344 at the rear wheels it feels good. Runs well around town and on the highway. Knocked down 27 mpg on the road trip to Santa Fe and back East on 66 to Miami, Oklahoma this Spring.

If you are a hammer down guy get the LS3. If you are a normal driver that enjoys his/her car as a daily driver the LS2 will suit you fine.

jrose7004

I've had both and truthfully I couldn't really tell any difference.

Randy_in_MD

Let me start by saying that I could be completely off base, but I thought I remembered reading that the way the HP was measured changed around the time of the switch from LS2 to LS3. As a result, the hp was not very significant. Anyone else ever heard of that?


Some kind of correction to account for temperature differences?

C6ToGo

I heard the LS2 was underrated so as to not have more HP than the C5Z that GM needed to sell any remaining. So any buyer on the fence on waiting for the C6 to come out would not hold out expecting a HP increase over the C5.

Supposedly the LS2 is actually 415HP. Makes no difference to me....my 07 with tune and throttle boost is plenty....even after 11.5 years of ownership.

TorchRedFred

There were rumors that the numbers for the LS2 were under reported, or that the motor had more horsepower than they claimed. The reasoning behind this was that there were still many C5 Z06's on the lot and GM didn't want to hurt C5 sales by claiming that the future base model was going to have more HP than the current Z06's. I don't know if any of that is true, but I did hear those rumors. As far as resale value, many Corvette buyers look at the 08's and up because of the LS3.

C6ToGo, stole my thunder. I guess I write too slow, lol.

HOXXOH

The first engine to use the new HP method system was the '06 Z06 LS7 engine, so the LS2 still used the old method, which was guess and by golly. The LS3 used the new method.

The last sentence in BADBIRDCAGE's post is the real bottom line. "If you are a hammer down guy get the LS3. If you are a normal driver that enjoys his/her car as a daily driver the LS2 will suit you fine."

Randy_in_MD

Taking this thread in a slightly different direction....

Has anyone ever heard of a "fuse pull" that increases performance for the C6? I have read many threads on fuse pulling as it relates to the L99 engine in gen 5 Camaros. I recently saw one post in a thread that referenced fuse pull for the C6 LS3.

TorchRedFred

The only "fuse pull" I hear mentioned in regards to the C6, is if you have the NPP exhaust and you want them to stay open all the time without purchasing a MtoW switch.

Welker1

My advice is always to buy the newest one that you can afford that has all or most of the options you desire. With that, if you really like the 2007 you are looking at and it has all the options you're looking for, I would go for it. I bought my 2006 new and have been very happy with the LS2

1rusty1

It all depends on what you are interested in and how you plan to use it. I drove several years and model C6s before I settled on my 05 LS2. The reasons:

I couldn't tell the difference between an LS2 and LS3 (I did test drive a few Z06's and the power increase was noticeable).

I wanted a Vert with auto trans so the Z06 was out right away.

Though price was not an obstacle, I wanted value. It's a once in awhile weekend car for me so I wanted more car for less. I went with my 05 that was essentially in show room condition with super low mileage (A bonus was that the vette had probably 10k worth of mods already installed that I didn't pay for).

I was done chasing HP. The LS2 and LS3 are considered bullet proof but by todays HP standards, they don't compete. I don't see the point in trying since I don't street race. 400 HP is more than enough for me around town. I can't use it all.

Nothing wrong with either motor but if it's the latest, greatest that I was after, I would have passed on a C6 altogether.

Of course, if price, condition, miles and equipment are all the same, buy the latest model.

Good luck in your search!

owc6

I've had both engines in the same car, and there is definitely a noticeable difference.

My guess is that the LS3 really is more powerful. ; )

FAUEE

If the LS2 car is a good deal, I'd jump on it. When you're talking about cars this fast, 30hp isn't a whole lot. IMO, the interior upgrades and other tweaks that came in 08 are the real piece to debate from, unless your ego is strongly tied to how fast your car is.

Randy_in_MD

I understand what you are saying with most of your post. Seats, transmissions, trim pieces, gears...those are probably more important than 30hp.

However, I am absolutely concerned with how fast my car is (both theoretically and practically). I would assume that almost everyone who is a member of this forum feels at least somewhat similarly. If not, they would probably drive Kia Optimas.

windyC6

HUM.....i've driven quite a few LS-1's myself and the difference in them an LS-2 is significant in bone stock form.....

Adam Cifonelli

30HP is a big difference. The difference from a C6 to a C7 is 30HP. The only people who say it isnt a big difference are LS2 drivers trying to convince them themselves it isnt.

1rusty1

It might be closer to 15 or 20 but either way