IdaGuy

I have been a "lurker" on the forum for the last couple of years and can't get over the subtle and not so subtle postings refering to the fact that 2008+ vettes have 430HP. I've seen at least one avatar that goes something like 2009, MN6, 430 HP..... Don't most people know that 2008 and newer vettes have a base 430 HP LS3? In some cases it looks like the age old "mine is bigger than yours" comparison!

I have a 2007 base coupe - non z51 with the LS2 400 HP engine. Realizing that the LS3 is a different engine than the LS2, what HP mods can I make to the LS2 to wring out an additional 30HP. I wouldn't think it would be that difficult.

LowFlight

Headers
Tune
Exhaust

Frankly it isn't worth the money. I have an 08 LS3 and have owned a 05 and yes, there is a seat of the pants difference, but not enough to go spending a ton of money for.

Daytona Bob

Corvette racing GT-2 class is moving back to a 6.0L (LS2 size)

Sometimes perfection you already have and the grass is greener

designerRob

People are very different. I wouldn't perceive that all LS3 people think they're superior based on a few comments from a minority. It's not really a big deal that the LS3 is a little faster than the LS2. And I don't think LS3 people think it is either.

From being here 2 years you should know that the 30hpwr can easily be remedied with an air intake and headers. And it can easily be surpassed with a cam. I wouldn't worry too much about what people here think. Do what you want to your car and enjoy the he11 out of it.

Nice95gle

At the end of the day I could not justify the extra 15K they wanted for the 08 I test drove over the 06 I test drove. Yes and extra 30HP sounds nice on paper but you can't miss what you never had.

But as said before the money you will spend to get that extra 30HP IMO is not really worth it. The LS2 is a tried and true engine that if driven correctly is a beast.

Enjoy it and save your money for other things like a suspension upgrade and performance driving school.

danl72

The 36 hp is nice, but it doesn't mean my C6 is better than earlier models. I waited to get my '08, but I wanted to get the newest model since I could afford it. It did not have anything to do with the increase in hp, although it was a plus.

johnn2ilk

Sounds like a Lot Of BS to me......We all want the fastest car we can afford otherwise we would be driving any old thing...I want the 505HP ya get in the Z06 but i was too cheap to buy it..So i can understand your want's...ME 2......................

PS.and we dont like to drive fast either....YEA!!!

MLCZ51

my Z51 LS2 with vararam and headers with tune EATS ls3's...cost me about 2k for the mods.

C6 CRZN

When I bought my 08 is was not because of the engine. It just happened to be the right time for me to buy the car. I would say at the time it was the color of the car that I went for not the engine.

C6~Missle

The LS3 has more potential with the LS7 heads, injectors, intake.. etc..
There is a definite seat of the pants feel with the LS3 over the LS2 from my experience.

It's just the way it is.. The newer models usually get more improvements along with a higher price tag..

'06 Quicksilver Z06

Trade up. Anything less than trading up is just a bandaid.

Long tube headers, and it gets louder, hotter inside, and it may not pass emissions.

Cold air intakes, be they front breathers or back breathers are still bottom breathers, and make you more susceptable to hydrolock.

Tunes...well you don't know what you're getting.

Get more radical than that, like going into your engine to do cams and such, and you do so at a bit more risk.

Just about any mod for power you do is liable to cost you at least a little, in drivability and/or dependability.

And finally, any "simple bolt on" mod that you can do on an LS2, can be done by an owner of an LS3 and it will respond just as good, if not better. ....So at the end of the day, you will still wind up right where you started if you are comparing "like to like".

Trade up. Anything less than trading up is a bandaid.

avizandum

Cam, baby. Carefully selected it will get you ~ 25 - 40 hp and play very nicely with existing hardware.

My personal opinion is that on a car with good flowing stock exhaust manifolds like the LS1, LS2, LS3, headers are the last step. Yes, as a stand-alone bolt-on, they will get you hp, but it will reside in the higher RPM range moving up the power band, and you will give up some torque in the lower R's.

A cam will get more air into (and out of) the cylinders and that's where real power comes from. Once the exhaust is choking everything, address it...

IMHO

spinalator

I got the extra HP with a Corsa exhaust, CAI and custom tune...

AirBusPilot

Lots of very fragile egos here so you'll see alot of "mines bigger/better than yours" crap with basically the same car (base thru ZR1). Anyway to differentiate themselves, including adding aftermarket badges to advertise suspension tuning.

Altc

I had a 2005 C6 and now have the new C6 with the LS3. Yes there is a difference in acceleration but I focused on the many many extras that GM added to the car between the model years. The upgraded interior and options that became standard. The rear valance the covered lights to name a few. Put it all together both inside and out them make the call.

mpuzach

You 2008 and 2009 guys have your LS3s but my lowly LS2 came with an orange interior ambient light, locking console lid, underhood light, and rear hatch pulldown bracket!

achilds

No envy here, but I have a Z06.

SanDiegoBert

So true. I bought my '07 with full knowledge of the upcoming LS3, and am extremely happy with my car. There will always, and I stress ALWAYS, be faster, better and quicker cars on the road.

Besides, max HP is produced near max RPM. I'm not one to thrash an engine frequently. Others are, and that's just fine with me.

SanDiegoBert

Gosh, is it possible you missed the frenzy about the ZR-1?

achilds

No, but I don't care for a supercharged approach to more hp. I also don't like the window in the hood etc. Besides for that price tag I would buy a nice used 360 Modena. Yeah the vette is faster, but the Ferrari is pure art.