VXR8 6.0L LS2 or 6.2L LS3 ????

[darren_r1]

Has anybody driven both an LS2 VXR8 and an LS3 VXR8 and noticed any difference ??? or are they so similar its not noticeable

[ARAF]

We had my LS3 and Sam's LS2 on the rolling road a couple of weeks ago. The LS2 with cat back exhaust and a re-map had about 1/2 a horsepower more than a stock LS3 at the rear wheels. I doubt anyone would be able to tell the difference between them.

[ringram]

Tuned up with similar exhaust and intake mods I think the Aussies get 20rwkw more from the LS3 which is 25rwhp
So say 335rwhp vs 360rwhp or similar.

Figure about 1bhp per cube

So it depends on how much you are saving buying an LS2. I recon the difference is worth £2k or so. Always best to get the LS3 if possible, heads are vastly superior.

[phillg]

I've owned a 2007 VXR8 LS2,and now a 2009 ls3.
I notice no difference,however I did not drive them back to back.I had a year without one.

[ringram]

Dont crash this one Phil

[Magic919]

It's not really just the peak HP figure. I think it picks up extra torque lower down too.

[ringram]

Almost certainly.
Cubes will do that for sure!

[darren_r1]

ok the general opinion is the LS3 is +25hp over the LS2 but on the down side uses 10% more fuel, also if I intend to have it super charged then it will make no difference as they will both be capped at approx 600bhp, the max either engine will take without forged internals etc.

[petrolzed]

I cannot see why a LS3 VXR8 will use 10% more fuel then then LS2 version.
The C02 ratings are the same for both cars.
My LS2 Monaro was certainly a bit more economical than my LS3 VXR8 but it was a lighter car with slightly higher gearing.

[ringram]

Yeah I thought I read the LS3 was more fuel efficient!

[Magic919]

lol @ 10% more fuel.

[darren_r1]

The LS2 has 'lean cruise' enabled where as the LS3 only has it enabled in Australia (not legal in UK or USA all part of the Euro emissions)

[ringram]

Really!? Where in the Oz tunes is this lean cruise mate?

www.holdencrazy.com has all the Aussie tune files, none of the LS2 or LS3 tunes have any lean cruise in them.

I think you will find you are incorrect and lean cruise died with the last of the LS1 ECU's in 2004.
Everything since has not had lean cruise.

Also "HSV claim, that despite the increase in capacity and power output, the LS3 will actually deliver a slight improvement in fuel economy for Maloo R8 and WM Grange"

That being said the sedan is 14.5 vs 14.4 so you are correct on slightly less for that. But that represents 0.7% not 10%.
I think you have been getting your facts off vxronline or something!

Edited by ringram on Tuesday 15th December 15:56

[darren_r1]

yeah I could be wrong and its not enabled in the LS2 either, but the code is def still in there on the LS3 if you search the pontiac forums you can find the sub routine which is only enabled if its a 'holden' but I'm no expert in this. Wortec were looking into it for me and Im still waiting for an answer. As for the mpg most people with LS2 VXR8's seem to be saying they get the same mpg as Monaros or there abouts but I know my LS3 VXR8 is most def 10% down on my Monaro. It could all be down to the VXR8 gearing but doesnt explain why, from what I can tell, LS2 VXR8's are the same as the LS2 Monaro.

[ringram]

darren_r1 said:

but the code is def still in there on the LS3 if you search the pontiac forums you can find the sub routine which is only enabled if its a 'holden' but I'm no expert in this.

That statement is correct if you substitute "LS3" for "LS1"
Its well known and documented. EFILive has a .cax extention for US LS1 users to bypass it see here http://forum.efilive.com/showthread.php?t=9111

[darren_r1]

ok thanks for clearing that up ....

anyone on here getting 21+ mpg from an LS3 ???

Edited by darren_r1 on Tuesday 15th December 20:06

[bathvxr]

darren_r1 said:

ok thanks for clearing that up ....

anyone on here getting 21+ mpg from an LS3 ???

Edited by darren_r1 on Tuesday 15th December 20:06

I have done the same journey every week for 4 years down the m4. I used to get 22mpg in my standard monaro and get 24 in my supercharged ls3 vxr8.....

[lukecollins]

21 MPG would be great, mine adv is approx 16 mpg although it does spend lots of time in traffic by the misses going to the shop. I have found however you drive the LS3 within reason the MPG does not change much, its the start/stops of traffic that make you feel you have a hole in the tank, always worries me when it goes to GALLONS/PERHOUR when in a traffic jam, I though it was large ships that rated fuel use in GPH! (mind you feels like I am driving one when I keep having to go for more fuel)

[donk r8]

lukecollins said:

21 MPG would be great, mine adv is approx 16 mpg although it does spend lots of time in traffic by the misses going to the shop. I have found however you drive the LS3 within reason the MPG does not change much, its the start/stops of traffic that make you feel you have a hole in the tank, always worries me when it goes to GALLONS/PERHOUR when in a traffic jam, I though it was large ships that rated fuel use in GPH! (mind you feels like I am driving one when I keep having to go for more fuel)

Ls2 R8..........regular 18/19mpg...........super unleaded 22/26mpg

[ringram]

I get 23mpg average with my LS7 VXR8. Most of my miles involve motorway travel though.