jbondfl

Okay guys, my LS3 suffered a bit of internal ut-oh.....
The heads are off and it needs one new head, valves, springs, and one piston replaced.....

So,, A very good friend suggested that if I only repair this, and nothing more, I will regret it later when I realize how much I spent for the exact same performance.

I am not made of money so a new LS7/LS9 crate is out of the question.

What are your thoughts about heads, cam, headers? I know these are the same questions everyone asks...
Aftermarket heads, cam?,,, or GMPP selections?
If I go headers I'll likely go with Pfadt for their torque claims.

My intentions are to:
Keep the car indefinitely.
Weekly driver (not daily)
5-6 HPDE track weekends per year

I'm more into torque than HP numbers.
I never intentionally take it any where near redline so I "live" n the 2800-5500 rpm range.

thanks for the thoughts..

FASTFATBOY

A cam only LS3 with a tune and headers will make 450rwhp, why would you need anymore than that?

If it was mine, I would pull it down, put in forged pistons, ARP rod bolts, balance it, put a LG cam and headers and replace the bad head.

bosco022

We have seen some forged LS3's with stock compression, stock heads, 1/3/4 to 1/7/8 stepped headers, fairly mild road race cam of about .570 lift and a good ecu tune make 550 at the flywheel and 505 torque.

They were 3 stage dry sump motors with the ARE pan and pump.
.
The EFI version of the 525 HP LS3 is still available at around 7500. These utilize the GMPP ASA cam.

However, if you aren't gonna twist over 5500 you might as well stay stock. A crate LS3 can be bought for less than 6500.

jbondfl

I appreciate the input thus far. All good info to mull over.
Suppose I start with GMPP LS3 CNC Ported heads and a GMPP Hot Cam?
That should improve my mid range torque shouldn't it?

FASTFATBOY

Stock heads is all you need.

Call LG Motorsports for a cam.


Or one of MANY cam guys on this board, specify that you track the car and you need a lobe easy on springs.

My buddy had a C6 Z51 car with an LS3 in it, intake, cam, LG headers, tune it made 453hp and 440 tq to the wheels and outran a tuned C6 Z06 from a roll on twice.

blkbrd69

Jeff; What the heck happened and why?????

You forgot the very important factor in cam specs is you have an A6 automatic and you run some very quick lap times at Sebring.

For heads you may want to give Richard or David at WCCH a call and ask his thoughts, he has fantastic service and knows heads. That would go the same for Jason at Katech, Phil w Advanced Induction, Darin Morgan and others that have a wealth of experiance making the LS3 survive on high speed hot weather roadcourses which is a whole different animal than most.

IMHO If it was me I would be looking at forged pistons, ATI damper, possibly oilers, C5R chain, cam with a bit more duration but not to much overlap so it still idles with the stall converter.

Keep it cool.?? Drysump??
You are walking a fine line with the automatic Grand Sport on a roadcourse between making power and keeping the A6 cool roadracing.

Anything you need give me a ring.

cruzin2

Depends. If your uh oh was from oiling, I would make this a priority. An are stage III would solve this problem. As far as the motor, I would say there are lots of head cam options. I would for sure upgrade to forged pistons. Lastly a FAST intake helps as much as headers. Just my .02

jbondfl

The ut-oh was a broken valve spring on #1. GM stepped up and is covering it under the 5/100 power train warranty. YES!!!!!! (Thanks Rudy)
In return I'll be using GMPP parts for a modest upgrade that will keep me within warranty. It will be a very long time before I'm capable of getting all this has to offer anyway so I'm not missing out.