camaro LS3?

Has anybody heard anything about the new LS3, what is suppose to be the difference the LS2 and the LS3?. I have heard on a website that it is going to have 3 valves. I have heard the hp rating as 403,420,425,450. Does anybody have any speculation

Yes and cant really say yet haha sorry for the tease

Yes and cant really say yet haha sorry for the tease

:no: :no: :no: That's just mean! :) You guys better be cooking up something good!

I was doing some digging around on the Corvette forums to see if there was anything posted on there. Turns out they are just about as clueless as we are. However, I did find out that the new Corvette will be unveiled on Saturday, April 28th at the National Corvette Museum.

So, in about 50 days we will have a lot more information about the LS3 specifications.

I can't wait to see the HP rating (obviously) but also the fuel economy since it is supposed to have DoD... how awesome would a 450HP engine with 30 MPG be...

Do a search because I know the LS3 has been discussed here in the past.

Based upon what I remember is its basically an LS2 with new 3-valve heads, AFM. etc. Yes, its a motor I expect to see in the production Camaro. (At least one of the V8s.) :D

Do a search because I know the LS3 has been discussed here in the past.

Based upon what I remember is its basically an LS2 with new 3-valve heads, AFM. etc. Yes, its a motor I expect to see in the production Camaro. (At least one of the V8s.) :D

i am aware it has been discussed... quite a bit actually. I was referring more to the exact specifications of the LS3. Everything at this point seems to be pure speculation, at least from what I have read.

Do a search because I know the LS3 has been discussed here in the past.

Based upon what I remember is its basically an LS2 with new 3-valve heads, AFM. etc. Yes, its a motor I expect to see in the production Camaro. (At least one of the V8s.) :D
It's a little bit more than that to be fair, more displacement,6.2 liters, and variable valve timing. The motor is already in the Cadillac Escalade, not sure about the 3 valves though but it has VVT.

It's a little bit more than that to be fair, more displacement,6.2 liters, and variable valve timing. The motor is already in the Cadillac Escalade, not sure about the 3 valves though but it has VVT.

This is what I have heard as well floating around the Corvette forums. Noone is really sure of exact specificiations yet, but it will be all its hyped to be I'm sure.:)

They also used a prototype LS3 in the show "Muscle Car" on Spike's Power Block. They put it in a sleeper granny car called "Old Blue Hair". I didn't get to catch the final test drive, but when they cranked it up it sounded like a beast.

If a prototype LS3 is already being extensively modified succesfully, its looking like a VERY good thing for us modders.

It's a little bit more than that to be fair, more displacement,6.2 liters, and variable valve timing. The motor is already in the Cadillac Escalade, not sure about the 3 valves though but it has VVT.I wasn't aware that the 6.2L displacement had been confirmed. :confused:

I wasn't aware that the 6.2L displacement had been confirmed. :confused:This motor is already in the Cadillac Escalade, it has been for 6-7 months now. It also has the 6 speed auto.

They also used a prototype LS3 in the show "Muscle Car" on Spike's Power Block. They put it in a sleeper granny car called "Old Blue Hair". I didn't get to catch the final test drive, but when they cranked it up it sounded like a beast.

If a prototype LS3 is already being extensively modified succesfully, its looking like a VERY good thing for us modders.

I've seen all the episodes that they had on "Old Blue Hair" and I don't remember seeing an LS3. I did see a mildly modded LS2 go in but not the LS3.

I had to look it up because I wasn't 100% certain what engine they used. They put in an LS364 crate motor out of the GMPP catalog. This motor looks like its nothing more than the LS2 with a carbed intake. Its rated at 440 hp so I don't know if its got anything else done to it or not but I agree with Landon that it sounded really good when they fired it up.

Firehawk is right, Blue Hair uses an LS2. I believe its stock internally as well, no mods besides the carb. I was kinda disappointed when they made motor mounts that raised the motor so they wouldnt have to mod the oil pan. C'mon! :confused:

For those of you who do not yet think this horse is dead....

I found this over on the Corvette forums. A guy over there was trying to make a educated prediction as to what he thought the power rating on the new LS3 would be. I thought his argument had good logic and made sense....

"There is a lot of talk about the new LS3 but GM hasn't announced any horsepower ratings. I figured I'd take a stab at predicting what it might be.

Looking at the hp ratings of the recent LS motors, we have...

LS1 -- 346 ci -- 350 hp -- 1.01 hp/ci

LS6-I -- 346 ci -- 385 hp -- 1.11 hp/ci
LS2 -- 364 ci -- 400 hp -- 1.10 hp/ci

LS6-II -- 346 ci -- 405 hp -- 1.17 hp/ci
LS7 -- 427 ci -- 505 hp -- 1.18 hp/ci

LS3 -- 378 ci -- ???

The advances in technology are evident when you see that GM was able to take their 346 ci engine from 1.01 hp/ci to 1.11 hp/ci. This level became the norm for a "base" engine as the LS2 came out at 1.10 hp/ci.

Conversely, we have the higher performance offerings of the LS6-II and the LS7 that reached 1.17 and 1.18 hp/ci, respectively.

So, what makes sense for the LS3?

I my opinion, if you consider the general advances in technology plus the few extra ci, then the hp/ci will be higher than 1.10 and 1.11 above. Also, if you consider that it is still a base engine, you would expect it to be less than the 1.17 and 1.18 hp/ci.

An interpolation of the above results in 1.14 hp/ci which means 430 hp for the 378 ci LS3.

430 hp is my prediction"

I like his logic. That would seem really close to me.

I have been on several of the Corvette forums as well, I keep hearing speculation of 425hp for the base model and 435hp for the Z51 option. Rumor is the Z51 will also get the Z06 baffled exhaust with the butterfly valves or whatever they call those things. Again this is just stuff I have read on the vette forums, I'm not saying this is true. We'll find out in a month or so, I think they come out in April.

This motor is already in the Cadillac Escalade, it has been for 6-7 months now. It also has the 6 speed auto.

The motor currently in the Escalade is not the LS3, if that is what you are saying. It is coded L92 and is a 6.2 making 403 HP, the same as in the GMC Sierra Denali.

I'd expect more of a jump between LS2 and LS3 than 3 horsepower. ;)

The motor currently in the Escalade is not the LS3, if that is what you are saying. It is coded L92 and is a 6.2 making 403 HP, the same as in the GMC Sierra Denali.

I'd expect more of a jump between LS2 and LS3 than 3 horsepower. ;)
Yeah, GM is gonna spend all that money to make a completely new engine when they already have a brand new version of a 6.2 liter engine, it's just truck designation coding. It's already an aluminum block, has VVT, and just debuted this year, the Vette gets the official LS3 in about a month, I highly doubt it's gonna be a fresh sheet of paper compared to this motor in the Cadillac. The only thing different might be a 3 valve head. This is what the LS3 is gonna be coming from, just slightly different. If I said the Cadillac has the LS3 I meant it has what the LS3 is coming from, basically gives us insight on it. I was never impressed with the LS2 because of GM's electronic nanny keeping it from unleashing it's full potential, hopefully this engine will be free of that gremlin.

Obviously the L92 has some in common with the upcoming LS3....I mean heck, any GM smallblock since 1997 has shared similar properties. It just sounded like you were saying the motor in the Escalade was in fact the LS3, which would be incorrect. The 6.0 in the current trucks has the same displacement as the LS2, but are not the "same" motor.

The LS3 will be out in a month? I think it's going to be a little longer than that isn't it? If it was going to go into production in the Corvette in a month I think we'd probably know all about it by now. :think:

The LS3 will be out in a month? I think it's going to be a little longer than that isn't it? If it was going to go into production in the Corvette in a month I think we'd probably know all about it by now. :think:

Look at post number 4 on this thread... I said...

"I was doing some digging around on the Corvette forums to see if there was anything posted on there. Turns out they are just about as clueless as we are. However, I did find out that the new Corvette will be unveiled on Saturday, April 28th at the National Corvette Museum.

So, in about 50 days we will have a lot more information about the LS3 specifications.

I can't wait to see the HP rating (obviously) but also the fuel economy since it is supposed to have DoD... how awesome would a 450HP engine with 30 MPG be..."

The 2008 Corvette that is expected to receive the LS3 will be unveiled on April 28th. So we have about a month to wait.

Yeah, I missed it. That's what happens when you read quickly at work. :shame:

I didn't think it would be this soon. See, I honestly wouldn't expect the LS3 to have AFM (or DoD or whatever you want to call it) like the L92 does. I'd say the 430 HP guess would be a pretty good one though.

Based on this hat offerred on chevymall.com, I think it is safe to assume the Camaro will have an LS2.
http://chevymall.com/images/us//local/products/viewlarger/RS668_vl.jpg

I'm a little afraid the V8 model might just simply be called a Camaro LS2 rather than a Camaro Z28 though...

Based on this hat offerred on chevymall.com, I think it is safe to assume the Camaro will have an LS2.




Are you serious?

Considering GM owns and operates Chevy Mall...
...
...yeah...

Considering GM owns and operates Chevy Mall...
...
...yeah...

It is not possible that they made those to make a buck off of all the buzz surrounding the Camaro Concept?

I think that is a really poor association.

Well, maybe, I don't really know. But that would seem kind of silly I would think since no one will own the concepts. If I saw a guy wearing one at a car show I'd wonder why his hat said LS2 if he didn't have one in his car. :think:

Here's the description from chevymall:
Camaro Concept LS2 Cap
Here it is, the first licensed cap featuring the new Camaro Concept badging! This low profile softwash unstructured cap features 3D embroidery on the front of the new Camaro Concept LS2 emblem.

Adjustable with a metal sliding clasp. Imported/USA. Available in Black w/Orange Trim or Red w/Silver Trim.
I think it'd be a waste of money to make the hat since most people wouldn't buy one if they couldn't have a car that matched.

Well, maybe, I don't really know. But that would seem kind of silly I would think since no one will own the concepts. If I saw a guy wearing one at a car show I'd wonder why his hat said LS2 if he didn't have one in his car. :think:

Here's the description from chevymall:

I think it'd be a waste of money to make the hat since most people wouldn't buy one if they couldn't have a car that matched.

Notice that description said 'Camaro Concept' badging. Not 'Next Gen Camaro'.

It's only to make $ on the Concept's hype. In a couple years everyone can buy a hat with the REAL Camaro's designations. LOL

I think there's enough info floating around here to conclude the '09 Camaro most likely won't have an LS2.

Notice that description said 'Camaro Concept' badging. Not 'Next Gen Camaro'.

It's only to make $ on the Concept's hype. In a couple years everyone can buy a hat with the REAL Camaro's designations. LOL

I think there's enough info floating around here to conclude the '09 Camaro most likely won't have an LS2.

Well said! :thumb: That is exactly how I was wanting to phrase it.

It is all marketing. Right now the LS2 is the hot common engine, so it is marketed that way to say "Camaro Concept LS2". Then people will come back in a year or so to buy the same stuff that says "2009 Camaro (insert three letters/numbers here)" all over again.

Quite frankly, I didn't buy anything that did say "LS2" on it. I like to think that I know better. :cool:

Based on this hat offerred on chevymall.com, I think it is safe to assume the Camaro will have an LS2.

I'm a little afraid the V8 model might just simply be called a Camaro LS2 rather than a Camaro Z28 though...


If you notice in the engine bay on the Camaro Concept the motor under the hood is a ls2 also. I imagine it will be changed at production to ls3.

I bet the LS3 at least has the L92 heads and intake. The Escalade/Sierra version may only have 403hp, but those heads have a ton more potential than that. I see 450hp being done pretty easily.

I bet the LS3 at least has the L92 heads and intake. The Escalade/Sierra version may only have 403hp, but those heads have a ton more potential than that. I see 450hp being done pretty easily.

Evidently there is a guy over on one of the Corvette forums that has a brother that works at the St. Catharine's GM Powerplant factory where the LS3 is being made that is guaranteeing everyone 450 hp out of the LS3 for the Corvette. Now, of course, this is hearsay information, but supposedly the source has been confirmed and the guys over there seem to think this is VERY reliable information. We will see how reliable it is in 4 weeks for sure!

If that thing cranks out 450HP stock than I will be a VERY happy camper :D

Evidently there is a guy over on one of the Corvette forums that has a brother that works at the St. Catharine's GM Powerplant factory where the LS3 is being made that is guaranteeing everyone 450 hp out of the LS3 for the Corvette. Now, of course, this is hearsay information, but supposedly the source has been confirmed and the guys over there seem to think this is VERY reliable information. We will see how reliable it is in 4 weeks for sure!

If that thing cranks out 450HP stock than I will be a VERY happy camper :D

When the LS3 talk started on Corvette Forum a few months ago when RPO LS3 6.2L was first leaked someone there brought up a good point about the Camaro. Both the LT1 and LS1 were available in Corvettes the year before they became available in a brand new Fbody. Looks like that trend could continue if they can get the Camaro ready for a late 09 MY.

FWIW My wife bought me the hat and t-shirt for Valentine's Day. I told her the same thing, that the production version won't come with the LS2. She gave the evil stare so I dropped the subject. :D

FWIW My wife bought me the hat and t-shirt for Valentine's Day. I told her the same thing, that the production version won't come with the LS2. She gave the evil stare so I dropped the subject. :D

LOL I can tell you right now to never say something like that to your wife.

Corvette gets the LS3 for 2008 so we should know everything there is to know about it come July.

6.2L and VVT are already confirmed.

Corvette gets the LS3 for 2008 so we should know everything there is to know about it come July.

6.2L and VVT are already confirmed.

July? We will know everything there is to know come the 28th of this month after the '08 is unveiled in Kentucky.

July? We will know everything there is to know come the 28th of this month after the '08 is unveiled in Kentucky.

Nice, thats even better :bow:

It's 430HP in the 'Vette. With optional exhaust, it brings it up to 436HP. Hopefully Camaro will see the same. I don't expect optional exhaust though.