Ls2 or Ls3?

[cpd004]

For primarily a street car, I was offered a complete 56,000 mile 2005 Ls2 and 4L60e out of a GTO for $5800. The other option is an Ls3 out of a Corvette with 10,000 for $6000. Both are complete with harness and accessories, but the GTO comes with the trans. The Vette motor does not, so I'd need to source something that doesn't require tunnel mods (no 6L80e). I'd imagine it'd take another couple grand for a trans for the ls3. Save some money or ??? Opinions?

[XLexusTech]

Well unless you need and plan to use the vett assesory drive I would go with crate ls3 over a pull out ...

For basic ls3 vs ls2 comparison you are better with the ls3 all day

[Carbo]

Well unless you need and plan to use the vett assesory drive I would go with crate ls3 over a pull out ...

For basic ls3 vs ls2 comparison you are better with the ls3 all day

^^^X2

[randy]

all depends on budget. Ive decided on the ls2 t56 out of a gto for cost reasons. I can pick one of them up for around $5500. I want a ls3/ t56 but we are talking a lot more money. ls3 crate motor is $6200 alone plus i have to buy a trans and whatnot. I really want the ls3 but in order to get my car done quicker I'm going with a sly package. I can always sell the ls2 later and upgrade and this way i already have a trans.

If you were closer i would cut a deal with you on the ls2 auto setup. You can buy the auto setup off of me and ill take the engine lol

[Solid LT1]

The 10K mile Vette LS3 is no deal! Brand new LS3 crate motor with warranty can be had for under $7K delivered if you look hard enough. Some early LS2s are 24X while later ones are 58X engine computers. The LS3 is a strong runner lots more top end power over the LS2.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

If everything comes with that GTO package then that would be fine for a daily driver. just get the harness converted and the pcm tuned.

[samckitt]

Well unless you need and plan to use the vett assesory drive I would go with crate ls3 over a pull out ...

For basic ls3 vs ls2 comparison you are better with the ls3 all day

On an LS2 with LS3 heads, intake, same cam, same compression, how much difference would there be from .2 liters?

[Vega$69]

GTO LS2 it the better deal.

I'm installing one now with a 4L65E (same case as 4L60E) in a 69 Camaro. The only tunnel mod required was to clearance the area where the tranny cooler lines attach.

[Try2paz]

Ls3!

[6carmello8]

More importantly, do you plan to do ANY upgrades to the engine?

Most importantly, what is your goal?

In any event, I'd go for the Ls2 over the ls3, and use the difference in savings elsewhere.

When I first decided to do an LS swap, I was SET on just a LS1, then I was SET on a LS2, THEN, I realized for what I wanted, I need to just get an LSX engine (4" bore) in with a T56 in the car and get it running.

That being said, I went with an LQ9 since there was no point in spending money on a ls2 when I was going to change out the head, cam and intake in the future...

[cpd004]

I actually picked up an Ls3 from an 11 Corvette about a month ago.

[glassman]

While the LS3 is a better engine, the combo you have with the LS2 and auto is already "mated", saving much time and money and tune (money) with prematched components. There are a lot of "year" specific with these auto vs manual and this ls vs that ls, so if you want simplicity (depending on your skill level (time) and less cost ($$) then i'd go with the combo.

My opinion however (ask me how i know lol)

Mike