Robbs03

How much better or faster is the ls3 than the ls2 is it worth the extra money? Is it really any faster?

laconiajack

9% more horsepower when the LS3 is equipped with the NPP exhaust compared with the LS2; plus improved transmissions and steering. Huge difference? No. Worth more? That's your call.

Robbs03

Well I can't find 0-60 times and 1/4 mile times that say there's a difference?

jackhall99

There are 36 ponies more on tap, so on paper it is going to be faster.

Is it worth the extra money? There are more changes than just the engine, and only you can make that choice.

jackhall99

Jack, nice answer. I got a lead for you as an Ambassador if you want it.

EDinPA

You should be happy with the ls2 then.

5.4ever

Actually its 30 more ponies. If you wanna throw in the exhaust, then throw an exhaust in the ls2 also.

Regardless, the ls3 is newer, faster, stronger. If you can afford it, get it. Is it worth it???? Is a dollar worth bending over and picking it up from the floor? some might say yes, some might say no. All in the eye of the beholder

RicK T

Examples from the 1/4 Mile Performance Sticky:

Showroom Stock LS2 (2005 -2007)
12.21 @ 115.45 - LS1LT1 - 06 A6 - (1282)
12.23 @ 115.58 - 06C6FVR - 06 M6 Z51 - (337)
12.29 @ 114.29 - Proney - 07 M6 - (4504)
12.31 @ 114.82 - CYA Vett - 05 M6 F55 - (679)
12.42 @ 113.90 - DrRichie - 05 M6 Z51

Showroom Stock LS3 (2008 - ????)
11.71 @ 119.94 - AndrewZPSU - 08 M6 - (2590)
11.80 @ 118.82 - Gmrulz - 08 A6 Z51, NPP - (3482)
11.97 @ 116.98 - Proney - 08 M6 Z51, NPP - (4656)
12.05 @ 122.05 - AndrewZPSU - 10 A6 NPP - (5055)
12.10 @ 117.60 - Dingrao - 08 A6 - (3567)

Vette_DD

1/4 mile times by forum members from the sticky in the C6 Performance forum.

AirBusPilot

Sure...I'm sure it's just a wild coincidence that the same guy has the two highest trap speeds in the world from two different untouched LS3's.

JerriVette

When I was shopping a new c6...the LS2 was available for 3 or 4 grand less than the LS3 model that was just releasing..

I chose the LS3 powerplant ....

I think I made the right choice for me.. Both great cars...both great engines.. Whats the price differential you are seeing.. ?

Then make the call for yourself..

Quite honestly you can supercharge the LS2 for 6 grand and make way more power than either stock powerplant....

cartop2

Looks like the changes made a difference in the 1/4 mile. Probably can't feel the difference if you are looking for a difference in G-force when you get on it. For that, you may need some serious mods.
Oh, I decided to go for the 09 LS3 instead of a 2007. The horsepower wasn't the only reason.

jschindler

I owned two 05's with the LS2, then traded one on an 08 LS3. I definitely noticed the difference, and the LS3 ran over 2mph faster trap speed than my LS2's. My ET was 1/10 faster, but I couldn't launch the LS3 worth a damn or it would easily have been better.

If I were buying a used C6 it would have to be an 08 or newer. I loved that engine.

McLendon95

My dad had a '06 coupe before he bought his '10 coupe a few months ago... I didn't notice too much of a difference in anything really, except slightly better steering feel, and the sound is much better on the new one, due to the optional exhaust. Just don't get an '05 auto, because the transmission hadn't been updated yet.
Good Luck!

jschindler

The LS3 has 35 more rwhp (I have that documented). People on the forum spend money on headers, cold air intake and a tune get that much power all the time. Do you think they are going to say they don't feel a difference after spending $2500-3000 on those mods?

Daekwan06

Same here. Drove both, back to back at a GM dealer in Rockville, MD earlier this year. I definitely didnt see enough difference to warrant the $4400 extra price between the '07 and '08. Even so they both look absolutely identical on the outside.. which is the main reason why I went with the '07 and saved some major bucks. I figured if anything, I'd do better get the cheaper '07 now as the 400hp LS2 was more than enough for street use. I also thought further about it, and figured with the money I saved.. if I ever felt the need for more power I could always trade it later for a discounted used GS or Z06 in the future. Both of those cars look TONS different on the outside than the standard body '08 coupe, in addition to the extra power.

Understand I bought my '07 due to my budget, everyone has a different budget, want and need when car shopping. I'd recommend to anyone else to buy the newest Vette they can budget for (not just the '08). Each year the Vette gets a extra features & options that are definitely worthy of consideration. These are all nice upgrades to have on the car, but the problem is the price also goes up by quite a bit with each newer year & added feature/option. So be sure to bring your big boy wallet if you want to buy newer.

Here are the extras that come with each model year that I'm aware of. Anyone feel free to correct me if wrong.

'05 - first model
'06 - 6 speed auto w/Thumb shifters, 3 spoke steering wheel
'07 - 5yr/100k powertrain warranty & Emergency Roadside Service, OnStar standard
'08 - LS3 engine, revamped steering, updated transmission (auto & manual), Faux Black Carbon Fiber center console on all models, updated Key Fob & physical key, Aux-Input Radio, NPP Dual Mode Exhaust option (provides 6 extra peak hp), 4LT leather door/dash option available
'09 - Bluetooth, iPod port with GM PAL option, ZR1 Model introduced
'10 - Faux Grey Carbon Fiber center console on all models, Grand Sport Model introduced, Performance Mode & Launch Control on ZR1
'11 - Z07 Carbon option available on Z06, Performance Mode & Launch Control on Z06
'12 - Updated Steering wheel & Updated Seat Bolstering on all models, Bose 9 speaker system with extra dash tweeters, 100th Annv Centennial Edition ZLC option available on ZR1/Z06/GS, PDE option available on ZR1 for lightweight wheels & track Michelin Pilot Cup "R" series tires


Cant believe this car has been around for 8 years now. It has aged quite well and looks timeless!! To the untrained eye.. a used $20K 2005 and new $120K ZR1 look pretty much the same.

Gearhead Jim

Several of the guys from our club went to a local strip last year, I asked them to tell me the times for the best LS2 A6 run and best LS3 A6 run on totally stock cars. Results (warm day):

LS2 13.4/106
LS3 12.7/114

boraxman

Was worth it for me, no regrets and no looking back. I did the research and a year later I couldnt feel better about my choice of getting exactly what I wanted...
2008 LS3 Manual NPP Z51

LarryMJones

I ran my nighbors stock LS3 with my stock LS2

1000 ft strip our club outing last spring.

1/8 mile I was ahead 8.6125 to 8.6173 and he had a slightly better reaction time. Mine must have hooked up a little better.

But at 1000 ft 10.9345 to 10.8886 the LS3 won

Speed LS2 98.25 LS3 101.33

Not much difference, but 35 more hp wins every time.
LJ

Jimbeaux

I made the mistake of purchasing one of those God awful 2005's with the LS2 worthless and powerless pig of a motor. I have come to realize that 400 horsepower virtually equates to nothing according to others here (even though some here say the LS3 performs like an LS7 and others say they can't tell the difference between the LS3 and LS2) . They have even convinced me that anything other than my 05 with the LS2 is "a completely different car compared to anything newer!" booo hooo... and, and to make matters even worse I have used mine as a daily driver and now have 126,000 miles on it! How was I supposed to know I was supposed to keep it in the garage, pay more attention to it than my wife and, and, and never let it get rained on?
Hey, if you are fortunate enough to own one, just enjoy it for the car that is and drive it till the wheels fall of Orrrr... since it's paid for do you think the intelligent thing to do would be to sell it for what I can get and buy a new "completly different car" with the lS3?