evo462

iTrader: (27)

I need to hear about how awesome your turbo experience has been and give me motivation to stay the course with my build.

I started out planning a "budget truck manifold" turbo build. Up to this point, I've been pretty good about the "budget" aspect of that. I have just about everything I need for the turbo kit. My build consists of an MPT70, 38mm Tial wastegate, LS6 cam/springs, 317 heads, Treadstone intercooler, etc. I'm getting a 5.3L shortblock essentially free, so I'm swapping out my 5.7L for a 5.3L. I still need to build a fuel system (another $500-600?).

Let me preface this by saying I read all the stickies and went into this fully knowing the costs associated with forced induction...but this project is starting to snowball in my head and I've been getting a bit overwhelmed the past couple of weeks.

My initial plan was just the budget truck manifold build using my stock LS1, and roll with my T56, LS7 clutch, and stock 10 bolt until they bit the dust. But the more reading I've done, the more I fear they'll bite the dust sooner than later, despite me not frequenting the drag strip or running my car hard (which would very well change once I have all that extra power at my rear wheels).

So then I got to thinking, if I was going to pull my LS1, would it be better to just go ahead and ditch the T56 while it's still low mileage, pristine, and worth something, and go through the whole process of converting my manual transmission equipped car to an auto with a 4L80 or something? I love driving a 6 speed, but I don't want to have to drop $4k on a built T56 and $1k on a clutch and still break stuff.

Sooo....I started questioning what I wanted to do, how much work I wanted to put in, and how much money I wanted to spend, and kicked around the idea of just doing a head/cam swap and settling for a little less power.

Am I crazy? Talk me out of it then. Have you gone from a 425 RWHP N/A car to a 550 - 600 RWHP turbo car?

Help me stay the course here!

XtremeDime

iTrader: (16)

Turbo, the boost is a whole nother world compared to N/A. I lost my stock ls1 clutch after putting down close to 500whp. The t56 is good for a while, seems to be rare for them to give out as long as you can drive it. The rear end is something that will last but you cant put slicks/DRs on or your 10bolt will go bye bye.

Do it ******

skyhighsami

iTrader: (8)

Get the sand out of your ****** man up and proceed as planned (I say that but I have changed plans a couple times)

evo462

iTrader: (27)

LOL...no drag radials either? I can't even get traction in first and part of second with 295/35/18 Firestone Z rated tires.

blue00ZZleeper

iTrader: (5)

My 10 bolt lasted awhile actually lol. I was above 570 the whole time as well. I ran 315/30/18 M/T's. I NEVER launched the car hard...it was all rolls or I feathered it. I wouldnt cut less then a 2.0 60". A turbo car is gonna be a little different though, I wouldnt brake boost it...just roll into it. I also feel your pain man! lol. My cars been down for a couple months and I have a forged engine waiting to go in...just cant afford all the other **** at the moment. Keep moving foward...the fun you'll have with the car is worth the hard work. Just wait till you take out some stuck up guy with a porche or bmw lol

XtremeDime

iTrader: (16)

Thats why your rear lasted a while. ****, I can cut a 2.1 on street tires. lol

evo462

iTrader: (27)

I've come to terms with replacing the 10 bolt - I planned on that expense sooner or later whether I went H/C/I or FI. The transmission stuff is what has me wondering...

blue00ZZleeper

iTrader: (5)

You can build the trans pretty easy. I'd worry about the clutch and hydraulics first. Do you have a tick master? If not I'd get a good clutch and tick master first. Then build the trans. Just be easy on her while you replace stuff.

99Z28LS1

iTrader: (4)

The trans shouldn't be a worry. Go to a local guy near you and have him quote you a TH400 to support 750+rwhp. I paid $700 for mine

no1izspeshl

iTrader: (19)

Stay the course. I was originally going to go ls6 heads F13 cam and spray. Got a really good deal on a used turbo kit (hot/cold piping IC stuff like that, and the injectors 60lbs) bought a MP t70 .96ar and of course fuel pump.

Let me tell you. I have been in H/C cars..I have sprayed mine with bolt ons, and nothing compares. I have the grunt of the cam but when it hits boost, hang on. I am only on 6 lbs and it still is fun.

98Z28CobraKiller

iTrader: (17)

From the looks of what you are doing and the power that you will likely make, the stick will likely survive. The stock rear should be replaced though. The stick is very hard on the rear. If you are at all on the fence about the transmission, dump it while it's good. You can get enough money from it now to get the auto and a GOOD converter. You should also be able to get the shifter, the crossmember and maybe even squeeze a kmember out of it or a torque arm. If you do go 3 speed, throw a really tall gear in there and you wont even notice not having OD. Turbo's love the load.

dschmittie1

iTrader: (64)

Just do it I went 10.50@136mph on a Stock t56, Stock 3.42 geared 10 bolt with 275 40 r17 MT radials and textrailia clutch. Cutting 1.67 60's

PS and that was making 605rwhp

evo462

iTrader: (27)

For how long?

At this point I'm more inclined to sell the T56 while it's still worth some money and reinvest it back into the car...I just don't know how much work it's going to be to swap to a TH400.

dschmittie1

iTrader: (64)

What are your goals with the car? Are you planning on racing it at the track alot or just a fun car.

My 10 bolt was in my car for 1 year at 600rwhp and saw at least 50 track passes. I switched then to a MWC fab 9 and ran my stock t56 for another season went 10.30@138 with around 670rwhp. And I probably did around 100 passes like that. I did break a 3/4 shift key in the trans at the end of the year but I rebuilt and upgraded the trans for $500 in parts.

I decided to make the switch to TH400 because I was in need of a new clutch and was looking at a $1500+ clutch to do what I wanted. I got a really good deal on my Th400 that I couldn't pass up.

But I made that switch because my car gets raced a lot at the track. And the TH400 was the way to go for a track car that sees occasional street use

evo462

iTrader: (27)

I dont plan to take it to the track that often, but who knows if thatll change once all that extra power is there. I drive it like a grandma for the most part now, but like I said, a low mileage T56 is going to be worth a lot more than a beat up or rebuilt T56. If its something I will switch to in the eventual future, might as well get it over with for less out of pocket.

Ideally...Id like to be able to beat the hell out of the drivetrain without worrying too much about it.

camaro383

iTrader: (13)

I need to know where this is, cause everywhere i went they want about $3k for the th400 and converter alone (this is with the rmvb and t-brake) plus u still gotta buy the crossmember, shifter, lines, and cooler, tranny temp gauge, customize driveshaft... i have a low mile setup and theres no way selling it will cover close to enough money for the th400 setup...

Not tryin to bring this guy down lol, just tryin to clear up some of the smoke lol
But ur t56 shouldnt have a problem if its street drivng and not powershifting down the track lol

And if ur gonna keep it under 650rwhp a racetronics kit and some injectors will be fine ( ask me how I know)

Arc00TA

iTrader: (17)

Whats the benefit of swapping the 5.3 in? Selling the LS1 for a little extra, or are they better suited for boost?

whtrashferrari

take your skirt off and do it!!!

IT_SS

iTrader: (5)

classic words of motivation

I've been changing plans my self... I think I've settled with a 383 and TH400... for now...