LS3 Motor Question
 

Hello everyone, I am brand new to the forum. I recently purchase/had built a 1972 GMC SWB and the motor that came with it was a 350 SB. I have been doing some research and considering the idea of installing an LS3 motor and my questions is, is there a difference in say for example a LS3 from a 2008 Corvette compared to a 2010-15 Camaro LS3? All I have been able to notice is the motor covers are different ( which the Corvette ones look better ). I would most likely get something pulled from another car and not brand new. Do the motor covers for the Corvette motor also work for the Camaro motor? Just looking for suggestions, opinions.
Thanks

Re: LS3 Motor Question
 

I've never got my hands on an LS motor that new, much less an LS3, but here's what I know about Corvette LS motors vs Camaro LS motors.

They say the 2008 Corvette engine intake is 'acoustically tuned' so I imagine the intake and cover are unique to the Vette. It'd be pretty easy to check the part number between them at gmpartsdirect.com

The oil pan and accessory drives/waterpumps are usually completely different to fit the chassis. Corvette accessory drives are usually shorter and more compact than a Camaro.

The Camaro and Corvette have different exhaust manifolds too, with the Corvettes usually dumping in the middle of the manifold.

If you are going to change all that stuff anyway to get it to swap into your truck, either one would probably do.

My experience is that you'll pay 2-3X for a aluminum LS3 versus a 6L truck engine of about the same power Probably 3X more than a 24 tooth reluctor 6L (LQ4/9up to '07) and maybe 2X more than a 54 tooth reluctor motor LY6

Here's a couple of places you might want to look (besides ebay and CL)

http://www.used-auto-engines.com/

car-part.com

Re: LS3 Motor Question
 

2008 vette ls3 430hp
2011 Camaro ls3 422hp
more than 100hp than a lq4 6.0
I have a 2011 Camaro ls3 in my shop...it is a very compact unit compaired to the lq9 6.0 I have....
either way a ls3 is not cheap when you add the trans to it.......

Re: LS3 Motor Question
 

A mild cam, springs and a tune will close the gap pretty quick for and LQ4 or an LQ9 and you'd still have a lot less money in it.

Re: LS3 Motor Question
 

The only differences mechanically between the camaro and vette ls3s are oil pan, one valve cover and the exhaust manifolds. The manifolds and a slightly different tune are what accounts for the power differences.

The truck 6.2's can be had for half the price and are essentially the same motor, especially if you are going to cam it anyway. The only thing that you really can't change cheaply is the slightly lower compression and the lack of lightweight valves. But even with afm/vvt delete and a car intake setup you will be well cheaper than the actual ls3.

The later 6.0s are also a great choice, same rectangle port heads, just even lower compression, but are even cheaper than the truck 6.2's.