LS3 - '08 C6
 

I've got a lead on an '08 C6 Base with 6 Speed I am exploring. Pics show the car to be in pretty good shape, 29k total miles. Appears to have a Cat or Axle Back along with some suspension modifications. Car is also local to me, which is good.

Regardless, after reading the last few days about valve spring issues on the LS6, are there any glaring issues with the LS3? Appears to be a pretty bullet proof engine, but if I look at this car, what should I be watching out for?

Thanks

LS3 is pretty solid. LS7 had the valve dropping issue, hence why I'm about to put my 3rd engine in my '08 Z. :lol:

Scared me away from even considering one to be honest. Can this be fixed at all? Or is this an inherent issue? Heads?

Aftermarket heads. There is a fix for stock heads though. Data may correct me, but it seems like the keepers were failing.

LS3 is pretty much bulletproof. Unless you track the car then the dry sump is a must.

Are you two talking about the same thing? The LS6 did have valve spring issues early in it's production. There are multiple threads covering it in the C5 section over there. The LS7 does have valve dropping issues as datawiz stated.

C5 Z06 = LS6

C6 Z06 = LS7 They also made a 427 vert which is LS7

My bad, mis-type

The LS3 does have a huge aftermarket performance following.

Mine (LS6) broke while idling down the driveway leaving work one day. Fixed it after driving home 30 miles on the freeway with 7 cylinders. Quite the adventure, lifting the gas pedal off the firewall would stall it. Thought I might get to replace the motor with something a bit larger but that didn't happen. Ended up only changing springs and they now have more miles on them than the originals. I don't worry about it happening again.

If it is still alive on the OE setup I wouldn't worry about it unless you flog it unmercifully; ignoring the rev limiter and running it "on the box" a lot. If it was tender at all it would have broken by now.

I’ve had my 09 LS3 for 8 years, 65K on it now, zero issues.