View Poll Results: Turbo motor choices.
Run LS1 as is.
5
35.71%
317 heads and ARP head bolts on LS1 and turbo it.
4
28.57%
Buy a 5.3, swap all the parts, sell LS1 as a long block.
5
35.71%
Voters: 14. You may not vote on this poll
Turbo motor advice
03-06-2014, 01:59 PM
#1
Staging Lane
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Washington State
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Turbo motor advice Need some help deciding what motor to run. I have a 1998 Z28 A4 with 87,000 miles. The motor has ARP rod bolts, a 220/220 .581/.581 cam, Comp 918 springs and hardened pushrods. I just purchased a 3000-3200 Circle D converter and Im going to buy the CX Racing turbo kit.
Im a little nervous about scattering the LS1 with a turbo. I have 3 options I'm considering.
1. Run my ls1 as is and keep the boost low.
2. Buy some 317 heads, head gaskets and Head bolts and run the LS1.
3. Buy a 5.3, swap the cam, rod bolts, pushrods, springs, coolant temp sensor and oil pan and run the crap out of it. Sell my LS1 as a long block.
Id like some advice from people that have done a similar swap or went the same direction with their LS1.
Thanks
Im a little nervous about scattering the LS1 with a turbo. I have 3 options I'm considering.
1. Run my ls1 as is and keep the boost low.
2. Buy some 317 heads, head gaskets and Head bolts and run the LS1.
3. Buy a 5.3, swap the cam, rod bolts, pushrods, springs, coolant temp sensor and oil pan and run the crap out of it. Sell my LS1 as a long block.
Id like some advice from people that have done a similar swap or went the same direction with their LS1.
Thanks
Last edited by sherm6998; 03-06-2014 at 02:04 PM.
03-06-2014, 09:13 PM
#4
I have a stock ls1 with 317 heads, ls9 gaskets, and pro comp head studs. I would have used the 853 heads but they had the notch in them so I couldn't run a mls type head gasket. 127k and on 14lbs now. Option 2 or 3 are both good choices, with option 3 you might even make a little money.
03-07-2014, 06:36 AM
#5
put 317s, ls9 gaskets and studs in the ls1. 05 and older 5.3 are the exact same as the ls1 in terms of rotating assembly (smaller bore obviously). 05+ has better rods.
With a good tune, the rods are the weak point, not the cylinder wall thickness. I have had no issues between 9-16psi. Throw some E85 in and crank it up.
With a good tune, the rods are the weak point, not the cylinder wall thickness. I have had no issues between 9-16psi. Throw some E85 in and crank it up.
03-08-2014, 11:52 AM
#7
Staging Lane
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Thanks for the input guys. I have decided to buy a 5.3 and swap the parts. I am going to sell the LS1 instead of taking a chance of blowing it up. Might as well get a little more money for the project.
