Crate LS3 525 swap in C5 opinions
12-26-2012, 05:28 PM
#21
Drifting
Thread Starter
I run a accusump now .... but could add the batwing ... just scared from all the reports ... I would like to talk to GM and see if that warranty covers HPDE and what limitations it has attached
12-11-2015, 09:55 AM
#22
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So help me out here ... I was looking to start a build this Jan on a 383 LS6 to swap into my C5 Z .... but then I ran across this LS376/525 HP CrateEngine from GM performance with a 24 Month 50K mile warranty. They can be found for about 7500 bucks ... http://www.superchevyperformance.com...p/19259233.htm
I would think these things would dyno at about what ?? 470-480 with headers and tune ?
My current LS6 was refreshed last year and has Texas Speed heads with a decent comp cam and runs about 417 RWHP ... I could sell it and recoup some of the cost ...
Anything wrong with that Idea? Is LS3 good track motor with wet sump? Any additional swap cost ?? Looking for opinions here ... maybe I am missing something but that seems like a win win ...
I would think these things would dyno at about what ?? 470-480 with headers and tune ?
My current LS6 was refreshed last year and has Texas Speed heads with a decent comp cam and runs about 417 RWHP ... I could sell it and recoup some of the cost ...
Anything wrong with that Idea? Is LS3 good track motor with wet sump? Any additional swap cost ?? Looking for opinions here ... maybe I am missing something but that seems like a win win ...
My LS6 blew up a week ago with only 32K miles on it. I'm moving forward with the LS3 swap. My car should be ready in a couple of weeks.
I'd be interested to know how yours turned out if you indeed went that route.
12-11-2015, 08:12 PM
#23
Melting Slicks
In my Camaro I ran a LS1 bottom end with all C5 Z06 top end.
ARP rod bolts, Mahle pistons, Katech chain....ran the crap out of it. I had $4300 total in that engine. That included buying the LS1 and the C5 Z06 top end and all other parts.
Why don't Vette guys see this is a viable option?
ARP rod bolts, Mahle pistons, Katech chain....ran the crap out of it. I had $4300 total in that engine. That included buying the LS1 and the C5 Z06 top end and all other parts.
Why don't Vette guys see this is a viable option?
12-12-2015, 07:07 AM
#24
Drifting
Did you ever get the LS376/525 put into your C5Z? I am having this exact thing done now also replacing the clutch with an LS7 clutch - plus some other extras.
My LS6 blew up a week ago with only 32K miles on it. I'm moving forward with the LS3 swap. My car should be ready in a couple of weeks.
I'd be interested to know how yours turned out if you indeed went that route.
My LS6 blew up a week ago with only 32K miles on it. I'm moving forward with the LS3 swap. My car should be ready in a couple of weeks.
I'd be interested to know how yours turned out if you indeed went that route.
Jim
12-12-2015, 09:16 AM
#25
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A whole bunch of folks took data on the problem when the motors were new. Wet sumped LS3 will hose you eventually if you run on anything other than street tires.
Last edited by NOSLO6; 12-12-2015 at 09:27 AM. Reason: Added link to post
12-12-2015, 10:06 AM
#26
Pro
I have a 2002 Z06 with a LS3 swap. The batwing pan was used and the car has been autocrossed very hard has had Zero issues. I would have preferred that the crank ring be swapped , but the lingerfelter box has held up so far. Also you will need a LS3 TB to talk to the C5 computer
12-13-2015, 12:48 PM
#27
Burning Brakes
LS2 throttle body. The LS3 throttle body causes issues in the higher RPM ranges. Look for the silver blade as opposed to the gold blade.
I have a 2002 Z06 with a LS3 swap. The batwing pan was used and the car has been autocrossed very hard has had Zero issues. I would have preferred that the crank ring be swapped , but the lingerfelter box has held up so far. Also you will need a LS3 TB to talk to the C5 computer
12-14-2015, 10:31 AM
#28
Pro
Do you know what specifically? I just put a crate ls3 in my c5 (with drysump) and have the gold blade tb. Have had it on the track two days without issue. Curious to know what problems I should expect.
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Vettemansam (01-08-2019)
12-14-2015, 10:36 AM
#29
Burning Brakes
I'm actually surprised. The issue we ran into during tuning (on the dyno) was that as we brought the engine up to WOT and got near redline, the engine would backfire, shoot flames out of the tailpipes and stall. This was with the stock LS3 unit that came with the crate motor. When we switched back to my old LS2 unit- problem solved. I'm wondering what the difference was between your install and mine.......
12-14-2015, 10:36 AM
#30
Pro
I got a total non comunication to the ecm , the car runs at 2k rpm and the throttle does nothing. It was random too. Same thing happened when the casper wire adaptor failed. A new adaptor and a LS2 TB and the car runs fine
12-14-2015, 12:07 PM
#31
Pro
http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merc...3#.Vm72f7grJaQ
Note that when I asked Lingenfelter, they said they use the LS2 TB on their LS3 swaps into C5s.
So far it's worked on 4 dyno pulls (during tuning) and 2 track days. I'm not sure why it works for me and not for others. Maybe I'm temporarily lucky and there is a problem waiting to happen.
Last edited by Grabbed_Crow_Mobe; 12-14-2015 at 12:08 PM.
01-08-2016, 04:57 PM
#32
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The car overall is now way more beastly than it was. Way louder, incredible idle, more smelly (prob thx to the smaller cats; love it). It's a very different car now - in all the right ways.
01-09-2016, 07:45 PM
#33
Drifting
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As the two gentlemen before me posted, I too have the LS3 525 from GM Performance, with the Lingenfelter signal box. Been on the track three times after the break-in miles (I did 1500 road miles, two oil changes). Absolutely would do again, and to alleviate any oil-starvation issues I'm planning a dry-sump this year.
06-06-2018, 03:52 PM
#34
8th Gear
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Ls376-525
Well, I now have the LS376/525 w/ Kooks LT Headers and X-pipe, K&N intake, and LS7 clutch in my '03 C5Z. **** is awesome. My installer had to swap the TB with an LS2 TB as the LS1 PCM in the car would not properly work with the LS3 TB that came with the motor. He mentioned the TB opening direction is opposite from what the LS1 expects and cannot accommodate the difference.
The car overall is now way more beastly than it was. Way louder, incredible idle, more smelly (prob thx to the smaller cats; love it). It's a very different car now - in all the right ways.
The car overall is now way more beastly than it was. Way louder, incredible idle, more smelly (prob thx to the smaller cats; love it). It's a very different car now - in all the right ways.
Last edited by Norbit2; 06-06-2018 at 03:52 PM.
06-06-2018, 09:31 PM
#35
why go through all the hassle converting to 56 reluctor and all that jazz when you can EASILY make the LS1/6 make that much power?
A set of good heads with good valvetrain, proper IHE mods and a tune - you are there!
A set of good heads with good valvetrain, proper IHE mods and a tune - you are there!
06-06-2018, 11:01 PM
#36
Drifting
Displacement, torque, brand new engine for about 2k more than modifying an LS6 with greater potential.
06-08-2018, 10:29 AM
#37
Pro
Pro Mechanic
Pan swap should make LS3= LS6 oiling wise. I have tuned dozens of those 525hp in various different cars. Not impressed.
Wouldn't be worth the effort or $ VS 415rwhp LS6 IMO.
If you need/want more hp spend a bit more & get 402/416/427 525+RWHP
Wouldn't be worth the effort or $ VS 415rwhp LS6 IMO.
If you need/want more hp spend a bit more & get 402/416/427 525+RWHP
06-08-2018, 01:28 PM
#38
LS7 has even more potential than that...
Point is trying to make reliable horsepower as cheaply as possible.
Starting from scratch - yeah, I would strat with an LS3, but if you already have an LS1 or even better - LS6, its not worth it to do the swap when there is so much available in the Gen 3 world.
Its very easy and dairly inexpensive to get an LS6 to make 500whp
06-08-2018, 01:33 PM
#39
06-08-2018, 02:06 PM
#40
Drifting
Sure.
LS7 has even more potential than that...
Point is trying to make reliable horsepower as cheaply as possible.
Starting from scratch - yeah, I would strat with an LS3, but if you already have an LS1 or even better - LS6, its not worth it to do the swap when there is so much available in the Gen 3 world.
Its very easy and dairly inexpensive to get an LS6 to make 500whp
LS7 has even more potential than that...
Point is trying to make reliable horsepower as cheaply as possible.
Starting from scratch - yeah, I would strat with an LS3, but if you already have an LS1 or even better - LS6, its not worth it to do the swap when there is so much available in the Gen 3 world.
Its very easy and dairly inexpensive to get an LS6 to make 500whp
1st video is 410 hp LS3 with LS2 heads and 2nd video is LS6 with 380 hp with same intake as the LS3:
I've got better suspension/brakes and better at driving between the two so laps times aren't helpful to look at, what is helpful is acceleration, especially pulling from 3rd gear out of a corner.
I'm not saying toss an LS6 in the garbage but don't ignore the advantage of an LS3. HP shouldn't be your goal for roadracing. Midrange and reliability.
Last edited by crimlwC6; 06-08-2018 at 02:07 PM. Reason: clarity