03BlkZ

I am weighing my options on my next vette. Does the LS3 have the same issue with the valve train that the LS7 has?

RicK T

Nooooo!!!

LS3's overall have a very good reputation, many agree the best of the LS engine series.

Turbooo2u

I have a 07'Z but I wish I had a GS.

Bill Dearborn

Pre 2010 LS3s had their issues as well when run on the track. Like all LS engines they tended to lose oil pressure in turns and some forum members who are racers went through several engines before GM came up with a solution which was to introduce the GS with the dry sump system. If you do a search for posts by wtknght1 you will find out more.

When I bought my 08Z in 09 the LS3 engine issue was much more concern since Z06s hadn't gotten a reputation of dropping valves at that time. By the way I am a victim of the dropped valve syndrome. That happened two years ago and I still love the Z.

Bill

Boomer111

While the above is true it does not apply to a high percentage of owners.

I have to agree that the LS3 is strong and reliabile for the everyday owner.

jon6.0

Doesn't the automatic GS have a wet sump?

RicK T

Yes.

AIR_RAM

I have 25,000 WOT miles on my 2011 GS LS3 and have not had any issues... So far so good.

The only problem I have had over the past 2 years is that I have gone through 4 sets of tires, 3 sets of brake pads and one set of rotors...

No issues with my LS3!

SPEED SAFE, AIR RAM

Bill Dearborn

It is also true the LS7 valve drop issue doesn't apply to a high percentage of owners.

Bill

All2Easy

It's a stout plant, and can handle quite a bit of mods while remaining reliable.

ezrider4u2

Just to add to the comments- I installed a crate LS3 in my C5 last year and the one thing I can say is that it is very upgradeable. With a cam, headers, X-pipe, cat back, AI and a safe tune you will have solid gains in the HP department with room to grow.

Turbooo2u

It seems that the Z section of the forum has an engine failure once a week lately. You don't get that in the C6 section, though there are many more LS3s .

03BlkZ

It seems that the Z guys tend to track their cars more. I am not trying to start a dropped valve debate here. I just wanted to get a little more info before I buy.
Na Zdravi!

Boomer111

I would think that the Z is tracked more and I rarely hear of an LS3 going down while stock. Going FI is another story but even then plenty do fine if kept around 550 rwhp.

Strip or track can cause significant stress on running components when running FI power levels and upgrades are warranted for reliability.

Street under a more relaxed approach with proper tune is usually possible with little increased risk.

dennis50nj

I think Tom's forum member HOXXOH, LS3 went with just some bolt/on's

HOXXOH

But only under extenuating circumstances accompanied with an extremely high rev limiter setting done by a well known traveling tuner.

The stock valve springs don't work well above 7100.

victorf

That and among other things, after just two short drives and verified what that tune was (don't know where your traveling tuner from, but mine was from somewhere north of New York!) I removed it and tossed it in the for laugh, lesson learned pile.

And now, there is one popular member that claimed to be a self taught tuner/racer pushing for that traveling tuner's ware - to me it is clearly a case of guilty by association - now, in my eyes, also with an tarnished credibility issues.

Got to be careful on the Web.

Boomer111

I forget where I heard this comment and it was from a former GM engineer.

It was a response to a aftermarket cam and the tune problems.

He stated that it would take at least 60 hours of tuning to do it properly, considering the whole tune format as comparable to the OEM tune.

Say what you will but I found this to be telling.

REDC4CORVETTE

Just follow the warranty book ,My book calls for 1 more qt of oil when racing.

HOXXOH

I don't know which warranty book you have, but mine is for 2008 Chevrolets.

Just to clarify, the warranty book states under the section for what is NOT covered is "Misuse of the vehicle, such as driving over curbs, overloading, racing, or other competition."

In my 2008 owner's manual, the first sentence under the heading that relates to racing states "See your warranty book before using your vehicle for racing or other competitive driving."
That's the only place that indicates to keep the oil level at or near 1 quart above full for non-Z06. It also states to remove the excess afterward.

So if you race, your warranty is not valid during that period or if the racing caused damage as a result of the racing. That applies to all covered components, not just the engine.