ls3 power cap?

[Crowley]

Originally Posted by speedster

No problem. Just wanted to know what LS3 data there was. I agree that the 5.4 is a great motor. I will rephrase it since I am not trying to be negative - does anyone have factual data on how far an LS3 can be pushed yet?

Not sure ... but If it hasn't Im sure some of us are about to push that envelope ... I can see a turbo with 8psi pushing about 600 rwhp .... ... I'll say that the same top mounted blower will see about 550 - 575 and still be streetable and safe (with a nice safe tune) ..

I can't wait to see what it will do without having to go internal to replace stuff !!!!

Crowley

[tbss1]

Originally Posted by Super83Z

I notice the Mustang guys love the apples to $hit comparisons. Forget Apples to oranges that was 10 steps ago. Make a post about hp and bam,bam,bam here are the Ford guys responding. Everyone's car makes 700hp on the internet.

To clear everything up in this thread:

Yes a $45-50K Mustang with a fully forged motor, aftermarket blower and various mods will make more power than a stock LS3 ($30-35K)with a blower slapped on it.

I seem to know of a stock vette motor that makes 640hp............. I mean if the GT500 can be compared to the SS, why not the ZR1 to the GT500?

I agree.

[lnsjr1]

The lower the compression the better off you are when supercharging, there are plenty of kits out there designed for the LS motors that will not hurt you motor. Without checking I think the Shelby is about 8.1 compression so they can use more psi. Just check your local track they fly with just a pully change, exhaust, filter, computer download. I have seen them run from the high 11's to the very low 12's.

[Vash]

The high end Lingenfelter probably will be the best pro shop Camaro mod. Don't know what they plan for the engine. The list is around here somewhere.

If anyone will get the most they will.

[GTAHVIT]

There's never a winner in online racing Gents....


So, don't let it get personal and stay on topic. This is about the LS3, nothing else...

[Vash]

Here is there proposed best LS3 Package stats.

650 HP Supercharged TVS2300
LS3 6.2 L Forged pistons
Automatic or manual transmission
Lingenfelter air intake system
Corsa cat back exhaust

http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...read.php?p=257

[Crowley]

Originally Posted by Vash

Here is there proposed best LS3 Package stats.



http://www.lingenfelter.com/LPEforum...read.php?p=257

Nice .. btw .. Maybe something to this .. here are a few of the packages .. notice the 2nd package is where they start to show the Forged Pistons ..

570 HP Supercharged TVS1900
LS3 6.2 L manual transmission
Lingenfelter air intake system
Corsa cat back exhaust

650 HP Supercharged TVS2300
LS3 6.2 L Forged pistons
Automatic or manual transmission
Lingenfelter air intake system
Corsa cat back exhaust

[Vash]

The next package they are proposing is an LS7 block with 700 HP so. Probably 650 would be a good bet that's about it for the LS3.

Of course that's a 180mph vehicle or more it's insane power.

[Super83Z]

Originally Posted by fdjizm

well if price is not an issue, then why not compare the zr1 to a 725hp super snake ?

Oh god now you want to drag third party cars into it? When will it stop?

The problem is this: Its hard being on the receiving end. For the last 6 years there has been no Camaro, so HP didn't matter in the GT. Now the Camaro came back (and Challenger)and put a hurting on Mustang's GT. I know if I was a Ford guy I would be reaching at straws to say why my car was better too. That's why every Camaro SS/LS3 discussion has the GT500 mentioned somewhere in the thread. Anyone that removes their blue oval colored glasses can see what is meant to be compared:

V-6 to V-6

SS to GT

and if it comes out

Z28 to GT500

I have to admit it brings a smile to my face that the Mustang supercar is being compared to the $30K SS. I also like the guy that wants to take a guess at the average transaction price of a car that still isn't even out yet.

[Crowley]

LOL .. ok guys .. lets keep to the OPS post and quit bashing .. lol

Crowley

[Super83Z]

Originally Posted by Super83Z

To answer the original poster. The LS3's power cap is 1 horsepower shy of the 5.4 Ford's power cap.

[garagelogic]

As it has been pointed out, we have taken this thread way off topic. To the OP, I'm sorry it degraded into another GM vs. Ford distraction.

I'm certainly no expert when it comes to the LSx motors, but I'm no novice either. In addition to owning a 2006 GTO with the LS2, I have also been involved in helping build significant power with various LS1 Camaros and Firebirds. In looking at what people a lot better informed than I am about the limits of the LS3 on stock internals, that looks to be about 550-600rwhp at the crank. Anything beyond that and it seems you car is on the edge of breaking apart at any given time.

As others have mentioned, the biggest problem with applying boost to the LS3 is the very high factory compression ratio and relatively weak internal parts. At least too weak to support much more than single-digit levels of boost although I have seen a few pushing 10lbs or so. I would be afraid to un it at that level, however, if I wanted longevity from the engine.

[davidj]

Originally Posted by fdjizm

oh wait

725hp shelby supersnake $72,000
640hp corvette zr1 $106,000

yea you cant compare them

The supersnake is built by Shelby, NOT FORD!
So lets compare a shelby to a john lingenfelter? That would be the same.

[speedster]

Originally Posted by garagelogic

As it has been pointed out, we have taken this thread way off topic. To the OP, I'm sorry it degraded into another GM vs. Ford distraction.

I'm certainly no expert when it comes to the LSx motors, but I'm no novice either. In addition to owning a 2006 GTO with the LS2, I have also been involved in helping build significant power with various LS1 Camaros and Firebirds. In looking at what people a lot better informed than I am about the limits of the LS3 on stock internals, that looks to be about 550-600hp at the crank. Anything beyond that and it seems you car is on the edge of breaking apart at any given time.

As others have mentioned, the biggest problem with applying boost to the LS3 is the very high factory compression ratio and relatively weak internal parts. At least to weak to support much more than single-digit levels of boost although I have seen a few pushing 10lbs or so. I would be afraid to un it at that level, however, if I wanted longevity from the engine.

Thank You garagelogic for being thoughtful and getting back to the topic - LS3 capability. On a purely stock LS3, I have limited knowledge, but the power levels you elude to with the high 10.7 compression and bone stock internals sound reasonable.

Once again - bone stock - there are many companies doing that. I am sure they know the power levels with a built in safety margin - your choice of roots, screw, centrifugal, turbo.

If there is interest in this thread for internal mods, there is some good data, but didn't know if was appropriate here.

To get an LS3 to support 800 crank hp is pretty cheap, but you have to be willing to yank the engine. Change the pistons to a JE (or comparable) forged in the 8.0 to 8.8 range (your preference) and change the rods to Callies Compstar (or comparable). Put it back together and add the boost of your choice. The crank is cast, but like a Scat 9000 undercut and with fillets. Not forged, but tougher than people think. The LS3 is a 6 bolt aluminum block, with 4 bolts per cylinder clamping so past 800 hp, they may "leak" without O-ringing. In addition, pushing it past this level you may run into problems of spliting the sleeves and the material behind the sleeves.

To go bulletproof, an iron LSX block (6 bolts per cylinder) or if you really need aluminum, the new RHS aluminum block. Add Oliver billet rods and use the same JE pistons. Bottom end now good to well beyond 2,000 hp and this has been verified on the dyno. Took the bottom apart with 90 pulls over 1,500 hp on one of these setups and the bearings showed NO signs of wear. Looked like they were just put in.

Anyway, take this data FWIW.