ls3 upgrades
 

Getting ready to take the ls3 plunge,However i want a little more hp. I am wanting to do a set of ported heads and a small cam ... What would be the best way to go with this? Buy a new crate engine and put the new heads on and sell the stock ones? have a complete engine built?? Any other ideas? looking for the most cost effective way

You may find the LS3 crate engine from GM your best bet if you haven't bought anything yet. I'm referring to the 500 something horsepower model.

If you decide on a different path, the stock LS3 heads support a good deal of power. No need to go aftermarket typically. Not sure on costs but you may also find fully ported LS3 heads well within your budget. Or simply have your stock heads ported on the exhaust side to potentially save even more money and make good gains.

Mast Motorsports sells a combo kit, cam and heads suppose to be a sweet setup!If you have the funds.

My buddy made 499 rwhp and 463 rwtq with a Mild cam and otherwise stock dry sump LS3 in his Grand Sport C6 corvette. I would look into the same cam he has its from Geoff at Engine Power Systems (EPS)

http://www.engpwrsys.com

I wouldn't spend the money on porting the LS3 heads you won't see a huge gain, I would use that money for trunnion mods to the rocker arms, better retainers, and springs.

The crate motor I was thinking of is this one https://sdparts.com/details/chevrole...mance/19301360

I will be looking for.pretty much the same with good.idle and driveability. I am planning on a.stock ls3 with a Katech Torquer cam and springs and trunion upgrade. With headers and tune hoping to be between 480-500 hp.

yeah,,, driveability and good idle are a must

I have this....you wouldn't be disappointed!!!

how is the driveability with the 525 hp engine? you auto or stick? Is the cam and valve train the only things different?

525HP LS3 has the ASA cam in it. Pretty big and lumpy idle cam, the GM tuning can definitely use some refinement. I tried to build an equivalent using a Comp profile but quickly found out my 0.588int/0.608exh lift wouldn't fit with the flat tops in a Vette LS3. You see all kinds of BS on the boards about big crammed LS3 motors only way a big cam will fit is if you have VVT LS or L92 truck motor with notched pistons. The ASA cam is only 0.525 lift it was designed for LS1 motor and doesn't utilize the great airflow of the LS3 rectangular port head. I ended up tearing part my 3K mile Vette dry sump LS3 and fitting a set of Mahle pistons with lighter Manley rods another $2K investment but, motor was a $4500 bargin to begin with. good side was I Craigslisted the LS3. Pistons/rods for $250. Buying a GMPP LS3 gives you the Vette flat top pistons my 228int/236exh 113LSA Comp grind had around 0.040" piston to valve clearance and no shifting of cam timing could gain anything in that department. One other thing, if you are running a factory dry sump set up I think timing chain choices are marginal at best, I'm going to work on possibly fitting a double roller chain into my motor with reworking of front cover. Everything is tight!

I would look for a take out LS7 and do a cam/dual spring swap and upgrade exhaust valves to s/s if they haven't been done already. 50+ cubic inches with a medium size cam will paint a big smile on your face and have 50rwtq+ over an LS3.

Probably won't cost much more than an LS3 with upgrades.

Sorry!
Just saw this...

Drivability is great! Excellent throttle response, pulls like hell!!!
Stick
L92 heads!

Does have a low RPM surge that needs do be attended to.

Cheers,