DRAGON
20-09-2012, 04:21 PM
My brother is looking at buying my LS1 VZ Calais, and wants to get more power out of it. (I've already done everything else to the car except for engine/gearbox/exhaust mods)
He is looking to go down the cam/heads/OTR/exhaust/tune path, and most likely a MP1900/MP2300 supercharger in the not too distant future.
His aim power wise is to get around the 400rwkw mark.
I've suggested to him that rather than spending his $$ on the existing LS1, it might be a better idea to drop in a L98 or LS3 instead. I explained to him that it's a better starting point, has more future potential, and will be easier to get his desired power figure without having to spend a fortune.
To add a twist to the scenario, I still have a brand new VZ sumped L98 crate motor sitting around for my project car. I would consider selling this to him if it ended up being the better option.
Now the question that we have is that from a power/price ratio, is he better off swapping to a L98, or to a LS3?
From a physical engine perspective, my L98 is ready to drop in, and just requires either a convertor box or a reluctor swap. The LS3 on the other hand would need this as well as a sump swap.
From a rough figure calculation, there seems to be an approx $4000-$5000 price difference between my L98 and getting a LS3 (Based on an example of selling my L98 for $5K, and having to buy a LS3 for approx $8K, shipping it for a few hundred, and then swapping the sumps over)
Using that same example, that sort of price difference easily pays for half a supercharger kit.
From research I've seen that between the L98 and LS3, when both have similar mods there can be an approx 30rwkw difference.
Besides the slight power difference, is there any other compelling reason to spend the extra $$ and get a LS3?
Any advice/suggestions appreciated :)
He is looking to go down the cam/heads/OTR/exhaust/tune path, and most likely a MP1900/MP2300 supercharger in the not too distant future.
His aim power wise is to get around the 400rwkw mark.
I've suggested to him that rather than spending his $$ on the existing LS1, it might be a better idea to drop in a L98 or LS3 instead. I explained to him that it's a better starting point, has more future potential, and will be easier to get his desired power figure without having to spend a fortune.
To add a twist to the scenario, I still have a brand new VZ sumped L98 crate motor sitting around for my project car. I would consider selling this to him if it ended up being the better option.
Now the question that we have is that from a power/price ratio, is he better off swapping to a L98, or to a LS3?
From a physical engine perspective, my L98 is ready to drop in, and just requires either a convertor box or a reluctor swap. The LS3 on the other hand would need this as well as a sump swap.
From a rough figure calculation, there seems to be an approx $4000-$5000 price difference between my L98 and getting a LS3 (Based on an example of selling my L98 for $5K, and having to buy a LS3 for approx $8K, shipping it for a few hundred, and then swapping the sumps over)
Using that same example, that sort of price difference easily pays for half a supercharger kit.
From research I've seen that between the L98 and LS3, when both have similar mods there can be an approx 30rwkw difference.
Besides the slight power difference, is there any other compelling reason to spend the extra $$ and get a LS3?
Any advice/suggestions appreciated :)