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Which has the potential for more power?

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Posted by: Lucky_Ls

I ask the LS community this question. Which has the potential for more power the 00-02 LS V8 or the 03-06 LS V8? I’ve seen it noted on this forum that the 00 LS has 3.58 gears so maybe that can be in a separate category from the 01-02 LS’s… Anyways, with what’s readily available as far as CAI’s, Exhaust, flashers, even changing of gears (if available…) which one has potential for more power? Which one is better off the line??? Which one has better top end???

Posted by: Kelleyo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky_Ls

I ask the LS community this question. Which has the potential for more power the 00-02 LS V8 or the 03-06 LS V8? I’ve seen it noted on this forum that the 00 LS has 3.58 gears so maybe that can be in a separate category from the 01-02 LS’s… Anyways, with what’s readily available as far as CAI’s, Exhaust, flashers, even changing of gears (if available…) which one has potential for more power? Which one is better off the line??? Which one has better top end???

FYI All 03 and newer have 3.58 gears.

The 00-02 LS V8 has 252 HP 267 ft-lb torque and zero to 60 in 7.5 seconds.
The 03-06 LS V8 has 280 HP 286 ft-lb torque and zero to 60 in 6.45 seconds

I would ask Torrie at FPN which has the most potential with standard CAI, exhaust and Tune. My bet is on the 03-06

Posted by: Quik LS

we found that the 00-02 V8 react better to the bolt-ons - meaning intake, exhaust and tune - we were able to free up more power on the pre-03, but only to match the same power on the 03+. so the pre-03s were more restricted but when freed up - they all come pretty close.

So far - no one has taking it to a V6 to see where the top is - technically, there should be more parts and more options with the V6 - since the 3.9L V8 is so unique.

but it's all dependant on your wallet.

Posted by: Lucky_Ls

I’m able to change the gears in my 02 to the 3.58 gears correct? I’ve seen done in doing a search about gears, my question is to anyone who has done this mod have you run into any problems in the long run or things I need to be cautions of if I’m going to do this upgrade?
Its sounds like a worth while upgrade…

Posted by: nickandersonLS01

To expand on this, when you go to purchase the new gears, does it have to be in the same generation?(ie: i have an 01, do i have to purchase the 00 3.58 or can i get the 03+ 3.58)

Posted by: 02V8Sport

you can get the 00 LS 3.58 complete differential or the 02 Thunderbird complete differential. The 03+ LS's differential is a different size. But the internal 3.58 gear will work on all the years. Its just different housing sizes.

Posted by: nickandersonLS01

And even after all this, you would still need an XCal II to get it to properly work, correct?

Posted by: 02V8Sport

no, your speedo would just be off a bit, not much, who cares about that?

Posted by: chriswells78

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02V8Sport

no, your speedo would just be off a bit, not much, who cares about that?

The SCT xcal should be able to correct that if you do care.

Posted by: nearlyhalfamile

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02V8Sport

no, your speedo would just be off a bit, not much, who cares about that?

Other posts on this subject indicate that this is not true, since the speedo uses the ABS sensor to detect the speed of the car.

Posted by: Lucky_Ls

Cool! So the 03+ LS differential gears will work properly in a 02 LS housing!!!

02V8Sport: Have you yourself done this mod?
I hear that the gears make a noticeable difference… ?

Posted by: 02V8Sport

yes I did this 2 years ago when I owned my 2002 LS, I bought the entire differential off a 02 T-Bird, According to Ford, the internal gears will work in all year diffs. There is a noticable difference through the whole power band since the car has better pull.

Posted by: Lucky_Ls

Tell me, are there any advantages of getting the whole differential over just the internal gear? Also, do you remember how much you paid for the whole differential? I remember seeing on that same thread that just the gears were around $200.

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just really thinking about doing this mod in the near future.

Posted by: 02V8Sport

I found a whole diff for $200, Devilsh on this forum just recently found one too. If you are mechanical, take your diff apart and save some cash doing the internal swap.