LS2 v LS3
 

So as some of you may know, I'm leaning towards doing a LS conversion in my 68 Acadian. I was going to get a motor from the states, but I found a place in Vancouver that has great prices on LS crate engines from GM. I've been looking at aftermarket parts for the engines and found that the LS2 has way more than the LS3. A few of the parts say they are for both. One thing I was looking at was a March pulley kit for it. The one kit says it will fit the LS1, 2 and 7, but not the LS3. I was also hoping to be able to use one of the Weind polished LS1 intake, but now I don't think it will fit.

What are the differences between the LS2 and LS3? Am I better off going with the LS2 for aftermarket parts? Which ever one I go with, I plan on putting in a new cam and some other performance mods. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I don't know much at all about LS engines. Thanks.

me personally from what iv read and heard LS3
Ofcourse get urself over too LS1tech start searching and reading first, then make your decision

I found a build for you to look at:
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/dynamo...hp-513-tq.html
its not an Ls7

It is all in the heads. The LS3 / L92 heads are better then the earlier heads.

Frank can the LS3 heads be installed on the LS2?

THe l92/LS3 heads can be installed on a 6.0l (LQ4/9, LS2, LS3). Can't be put on a 5.3/LS1 style engine.

Yes, basically the L76 engine is a 6.0 ltre with L92 heads. I have a dozen of them in stock CHEAP! Only $3800

L92/LS3 heads can be installed on a LS2, but you have to use the L76/LS3 intake. There isn't any other intake on the market that will fit those heads. It is also the one complaint I have seen about those heads, the intake can't flow as much as the heads can. FAST has one coming, supposed to be soon, but I do not know when http://www.fuelairspark.com/WhatsNew/ . I don't know if Weiand has one coming or not. Other options would be having a LS3 intake ported or a roots style supercharger.

David

Thanks for all the info guys. The more I've been reading, the more I am leaning towards the LS3. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I guess the LS3 is one of the newer LS engines and that's why there isn't as much for aftermarket stuff right now. More add ons to come though I would imagine. I guess my decision now will be if I should get the 430hp version and put my own cam in it or get the 480hp version which has the GM hot cam upgrade. Thanks again guys.

Get the L76, put the cam in it and save a grand over any LS3!

And yes, the LS3 / L76 / L92 are all the newer engines with the newer heads.

Is the L76 basically the LS2, but a truck version? Frank, do you have any pics of the L76. I know you have a good deal on them. I'm just trying to figure out the cost though. $3800 is around 5K Canadian right now. Then I still have to get an new intake, cam and whatever else I would need. I can get the LS376/480HP for $7150 Canadian. What would it take to make the L76 a 500+ hp motor?

Not a truck motor really, though it is kind of being used in the newer Silverados. I am sure those have the truck L92 intake though. From wikipedia:

About the Vortec L76:

If you got a L76 you would not need a new intake, unless you wanted one. The AFM disabled L76 is basically a 6.0L version of the LS3 (6.2L). I am not sure of specs on the cam or valve spring rates.

David

Mike, Your getting a pretty good deal on the LS3 for $7100 your dollars, they cost almost that much here. You would end up with the same money in the L76 in the end because of the great price your getting on the LS3. I thought you were running a 4 barrel intake though. If so, the truck intake is no probelm, it is going away anyway.

Frank, my original plan was to go with a 427 SBC, but then the more I've read about it and with what I'm doing with my build, I thought I would rather go with a fuel injected LS. I really like the idea of getting 500hp plus decent gas mileage. Right now we're paying 95 cents a liter for 87 octane. It's ridiculous here. The 427 I was going to build was going to end up costing me close to 15K so I think the cost of getting the LS3, the pulleys and harness isn't that bad. I was pretty surprised when I found the LS3 for $7100, it's only a 3 hour drive for me to get it so not bad at all. I called the GM dealers locally and they want $7600. May be a short road trip in near future :)

So after all that, I go an get the mail today and the latest popular hot rodding is in there. There was an article about the LSX376. GM claims they will be releasing it fairly soon and it will be $7K. Think I'm going to hold off and get that one. I would be way happier with it. Thanks to everyone for their input on this thread.