LS2 or LS3, worth the extra £££s

[antnicuk]

Evening all

im looking at getting back into a Vauxhall V8 after the sad demise of my Monaro. Im looking at VXR8's and there is quite a premium to be paid for an LS3 over an LS2, other than a hand full of horses, what will i get for my money? are there any other differences in the cars? i assume the gearbox is the same?

any help much appreciated

[S800VXR]

If your not going to tune it past an exhaust and intake then I would get either. If you want to start modding then the LS3 is a better base but other more knowledgeable people will be along shortly to explain and then take the thread totally off topic as normal!

[antnicuk]

thanks, in the short and medium term it would only be an exhaust and a remap as i am likely to use it as my daily and LPG it. Gone are the days of being able to have a nice for weekends only as i never get a chance to use them hence having a car i like as my daily and just suffer the depreciation from the higher mileage.

If things change over the next 2 or 3 years, ie, more money, time or job location change then supercharging could be an option but not sure im keen on using LPG with a supercharger from my previous experience of LPG.

[r8black]

Both platforms are great engines to build on, but the LS3 is a better engine and if only a map and exhaust is to be modded then there shall be more benefit with the Ls3,

The guys at GM wouldn't of built it if it wasn't better.

[mattcov]

Buy the one with the best + most mods that has been looked after.

[ARAF]

mattcov said:

Buy the one with the best + most mods that has been looked after.

This ^^^^

All of them are over 5 years old now, so condition is starting to matter more than a few hp. The last of the LS3s seem to have had better gearboxes fitted, but there's little in it.

[badboyburt]

Ah the old LS2 Pauper Vs the LS3 Prince debate lol

Those of us who have an LS2 obviously seen the cars potential early on, those with LS3's came to the party late.

Sod all in them to be fair apart from the dealers premiums when your looking to buy.

Whatever you go for enjoy it, bloody great cars.

[jameshsv]

r8black said:

Both platforms are great engines to build on, but the LS3 is a better engine and if only a map and exhaust is to be modded then there shall be more benefit with the Ls3,

The guys at GM wouldn't of built it if it wasn't better.

Ls3 manual is better

[stigmundfreud]

Buy the best as said, there is a good looking red ls2 up on ebay for 14k

If the power issue crops up some better heads can be bought. I would get either

[mikeyb1987]

stigmundfreud said:

Buy the best as said, there is a good looking red ls2 up on ebay for 14k

If the power issue crops up some better heads can be bought. I would get either

^^^ what Stig said. Gearboxes aside (the later TR6060 is a lot better by all accounts), I would go LS2 and save yourself a bundle of cash. If you do decide to mod, then fit LS3 heads (and requisite intake)- that's where the main improvement over the LS2 came from.
Ported LS3 heads and intake have been known to go for less than £1,500, but the choice from the US will be far greater.

Eta- two heads for £840!
http://www.partsworldperformance.com/ls3-cylinder-...

Edited by mikeyb1987 on Tuesday 6th January 00:34

[jameshsv]

mikeyb1987 said:

^^^ what Stig said. Gearboxes aside (the later TR6060 is a lot better by all accounts), I would go LS2 and save yourself a bundle of cash. If you do decide to mod, then fit LS3 heads (and requisite intake)- that's where the main improvement over the LS2 came from.
Ported LS3 heads and intake have been known to go for less than £1,500, but the choice from the US will be far greater.

Eta- two heads for £840!
http://www.partsworldperformance.com/ls3-cylinder-...

Edited by mikeyb1987 on Tuesday 6th January 00:34

Thats good value.

[antnicuk]

thanks all, i loved the LS2 in my monaro and didnt mind the box with a rip shifter, although i havent seen any VXR8s with rip shifters mentioned in the adverts for some reason but all monaros seemed to have them. I would even consider an auto as its my daily but i would want to drive one first, im used to BMW autos which are quite responsive, i dont want an auto that is too 'slushy'.

I definitely want an exhaust and ideally a remap so may go for a low mileage LS2 with the right mods. I would also like a set of coil overs or at least some lowering springs but these arent that expensive so wont be a deal breaker.

I have seen a couple of cars with Walkinsaw Pack shown but i am having trouble finding out exactly what that means or whats extra/different.

Now just got to find one, there dont seem to be many for sale at the moment.

[antnicuk]

also want the upgraded clutch

[stigmundfreud]

you dont get rip shifter vxr8s as they are not needed

[badboyburt]

antnicuk said:

I have seen a couple of cars with Walkinsaw Pack shown but i am having trouble finding out exactly what that means or whats extra/different.

ITs called the Walkinshaw Power Pack,

MODELS / VAUXHALL VXR8 / POWER PACKS
POWER PACK
Suitable for Vauxhall VXR8
1. INDUCTION - BMC Air Filter
The Walkinshaw Performance re-calibration has been specifically matched on our dyno to this premium grade intake in order to minimise loss of air flow pressure and to assist with enhancing LS2 and LS3 engine performance.

2. RECALIBRATION - Engine Controller Upgrade (ECU)
25-30hp increase

3. EXHAUST
Exhaust Option 1: Performance
• 2 ½ inch cat back exhaust system
• T304 Stainless Steel construction
• Unique chrome oval tips
• Increase in dB rating to approximately 92
• Excellent ‘V8 idle’ and ‘AMG like’ at higher rpm
Exhaust Option 3: Bi-Modal
• 2 1/2" Cat back exhaust system
• T304 stainless steel construction
• Unique chrome oval tips
• OE type switching system
• Enjoy the full works noise. Rated at 102db


Performance Exhaust Power Pack: £1,693*
Bi-Modal Exhaust Power Pack: £2,368*

• Performance air filter also available for £60 supply only. Prices include VAT and are based on fitted price at the WP Workshop.

http://www.walkinshawperformance.co.uk/wp/uk/produ...

I recommend the Bi Modal system.

Let the Exhaust debate begin

[Tattooboy]

badboyburt said:

antnicuk said:

I have seen a couple of cars with Walkinsaw Pack shown but i am having trouble finding out exactly what that means or whats extra/different.

ITs called the Walkinshaw Power Pack,

MODELS / VAUXHALL VXR8 / POWER PACKS
POWER PACK
Suitable for Vauxhall VXR8
1. INDUCTION - BMC Air Filter
The Walkinshaw Performance re-calibration has been specifically matched on our dyno to this premium grade intake in order to minimise loss of air flow pressure and to assist with enhancing LS2 and LS3 engine performance.

2. RECALIBRATION - Engine Controller Upgrade (ECU)
25-30hp increase

3. EXHAUST
Exhaust Option 1: Performance
• 2 ½ inch cat back exhaust system
• T304 Stainless Steel construction
• Unique chrome oval tips
• Increase in dB rating to approximately 92
• Excellent ‘V8 idle’ and ‘AMG like’ at higher rpm
Exhaust Option 3: Bi-Modal
• 2 1/2" Cat back exhaust system
• T304 stainless steel construction
• Unique chrome oval tips
• OE type switching system
• Enjoy the full works noise. Rated at 102db


Performance Exhaust Power Pack: £1,693*
Bi-Modal Exhaust Power Pack: £2,368*

• Performance air filter also available for £60 supply only. Prices include VAT and are based on fitted price at the WP Workshop.

http://www.walkinshawperformance.co.uk/wp/uk/produ...

I recommend the Bi Modal system.

Let the Exhaust debate begin

3"

[hsvgts454]

Tattooboy said:

3"

3" has to be better then 2.5

[antnicuk]

thanks for that, i think 92db is fine, im too old for 102, thats bloody loud, also, it will visit the ring on a fairly regular basis and they are funny about cars that are too loud, also i dont want to be banned from every track in the UK should opportunity arise for the odd track day

[badboyburt]

antnicuk said:

thanks for that, i think 92db is fine, im too old for 102, thats bloody loud, also, it will visit the ring on a fairly regular basis and they are funny about cars that are too loud, also i dont want to be banned from every track in the UK should opportunity arise for the odd track day

Not sure where you are in essex but there is a few of us around south essex running different systems, Walkinshaw Performance/bi modal exhausts, Wortec systems who if you manage to see wave like a looney and ask us to pull up alongside so you can have a listen.

[jameshsv]

hsvgts454 said:

3" has to be better then 2.5

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