PCella

iTrader: (2)

Alright guys I have now spent 100 plus hours researching in order to not post this question since it is asked so often, but I need help.
I am building a 5.3 Turbo 4L80E 1972 C10. The motor has about 75,000 miles on it and is already in the truck and I have put about 4000 miles on it since install.
It may not be a true daily driver, but I want to treat it as one.
I want to build a single turbo system and make 600-650whp.
I am going to leave the bottom end alone.
I plan to do heads, either stock, ported with larger intake valves or some type of ported aftermarket heads.
Cam, something like a triple 12
80lb Siemens Injectors
Meth injection
Currently have an A1000 pump in the tank
I really want to make 600whp, but not at the expense of loosing drivability. So if this can’t be done, I would rather sacrifice HP than drivability.
I think at this point I have spent TOO much time researching this and I am now over thinking it and need some help.
So to sum it up I want 600whp from a mild build with a fast spooling turbo. Just like everyone else.Lol
I was originally planning to go with the GT45 from VSRacing, but after searching and searching, I really can’t find any posted dyno results over 600whp. It appears that most guys are in the 500-550 range.
So is there a turbo, (preferably good quality Chinese) like,CX Racing, On3 or VS Racing that can get me where I want to be without a ton of lag?


Thanks for the help,
Pat

69-chvl

iTrader: (11)

If your getting a Triple 12 cam you should also talk to Jarrett about a turbo as he ran a lot of them and he knows how certain ones behave. For your modest goals I like the Turbonetics TC76 or 78. They are nice and small so they package real nice and from what I've read very responsive.

bigmandengo

iTrader: (21)

Consider the new Borg warner S369 as well.

JoeNova

On3 7875 should be able to make 750 to the wheels and is still fairly cheap.

PCella

iTrader: (2)

Thanks, I am certainly not married to the Triple 12, just from reading it sounds like a cam that would fit pretty well into what I am trying to do.



I'll look at it. Thanks



Thanks, will it spool up pretty well with my setup?

JoeNova

It should spool fairly quick, but any turbo that will comfortably make 600 on a 5.3 isn't going to be making boost at idle. If spool is your goal, always go for the smallest possible turbo that will reach your power goals.

Both the eBay GT45 and On3 7665 have hit 600-650 in the right setup. The on3 will spool faster and is physically smaller. It's odd compressor and turbine mismatch make it more ideal for smaller displacement engines so that it doesn't push the turbine out of its efficiency range before the compressor comes into its own.

PCella

iTrader: (2)

Thanks.
Didn't I see where your daily driver was a 5.3 with well over 600hp? If so do you mind telling me what setup you're running?

PCella

iTrader: (2)

I am now leaning toward the S369. Does anyone here have any experience with this turbo?

Forcefed86

iTrader: (4)

What's one of those cost? If you're gonna spend S369 money you could get a base S475 for $640 shipped to your door. Personally I like VSracings new 77/83 turbo. Doesn't have an excessive amount of compressor and has plenty of turbine.

PCella

iTrader: (2)

About $800
I was thinking about an S475, but that $640 one is the T6 which I was afraid would be too big and spool real slow on a 5.3. The ones with the T4 are about double that.

Forcefed86

iTrader: (4)

Look at the forced inductions website. You can get a 72mm S400 for $650 +200 for the T4 housing. Plenty of turbo for your goals IMO. This is also a great unit for the money IMO. I run one of their billet T4 S476's into the 8's on my 5.3.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Borg-Warner-...-/321938520523


When you don't pair a huge compressor with the larger hotside spool isn't effected as much. If you use a nice small 2" hotside spool won't be a problem on a 5.3 with the 1.32 T6. You'll have less back pressure and be able to run a more aggressive cam as well. It's a tried and true setup. As long as you have the space you can't go wrong with the cheap S475.

There is also zero reason to run any sort of ported or aftermarket head with your power goals.

69-chvl

iTrader: (11)

Lotta talk about that turbo (s369) and it does look very interesting. But for $800.00 I don't think that turbo comes with an exhaust housing...at least the ones I saw, so add another $200.00 to the price.

PCella

iTrader: (2)

Thanks. I am new to turbos and fairly new to the LS's and this can get somewhat confusing to a simple minded guy like me.
So are you saying that you would not even touch the heads? My 5.3 has 862's on it.

PCella

iTrader: (2)

Ouch I hadn't noticed that.

PCella

iTrader: (2)

You've got my attention here. I have spent hours looking at dyno sheets and I know that guys are making a ton of power with them. The other thing that scared me off was the size. Does anyone have a link to where I can get the physical dimensions of an S475?


Also what kind of hp do you think that S471 that you posted the link to make with a 5.3 at around 12-15lbs?

Forcefed86

iTrader: (4)

862's are fine. You can clean up them up a bit by hand if it makes you feel better. 3 angle valve job if you want to get fancy. But none of that is needed for your goals. I'd clean up the ports by hand (several youtube videos on this) and hand lap the valves. Inspect the valve seals and replace if necessary.

Shoot the apex seller an email if you want exact dimensions. His turbos are based off the S410 cartridge. They have a slightly larger exh wheel but are also a little longer cartridge than the standard S400.

A good turbo kit will roughly double the NA HP at 15-16lbs. That S471 is rated at 900hp+ . Also ask the seller if he has the 1.25 T4 housing for that turbo. I'm sure he does.

PCella

iTrader: (2)

I think that it would. lol
I'm probably a lot older than you and it's hard for me to think of trying to make hp and not do some head work.
I have hand ported many a sbc head.

Forcefed86

iTrader: (4)

I’m 35, I hope I still come off as a young’n though! The LS head flows really well right out of the box. An 862 will EASILY meet your goals and more untouched. If you know what you’re doing, there’s good power to be picked up with a home port job. I’d concentrate on the exh. port. Then just port match and clean up the “hump” and valve guide boss areas on the intake side. My machinist says he’s seen 25chp with very minimal clean up like this with his NA customers. If you just hog the ports out you’ll lose all your velocity and do more harm than good. Which is why I tell the folks just getting into turbo LS engines not to touch them.

There’s also a good chance if you’re new to the turbo game you’ll lift a head or two. Many times damaging the head in the process. Bottom line… if it’s not needed why spend the time/effort farting around with head porting? I run my untouched 317’s into the 8 second range all the time. If I torch a head, an OEM replacement is a super cheap/easy fix. There’s plenty of other things to spend your money on. (Great ECU and fuel system should be #1, trans/converter #2... IMO)

PCella

iTrader: (2)

I'll take that advice. I was prepared to drop a couple of grand on some heads, so I think I'll spend that on my transmission and converter.

JoeNova

Stock 5.3 L33 with a small cam.
Borg Warner S474 with a billet wheel, 87mm 1.10 AR T4 turbine from Apex (ForceFed86 mentioned these guys).
Stock 160k mile 4L80e (no rebuild) with a transgo HD2 kit installed and Circle D converter.

Incredibly basic setup. Stock intake manifold, throttle body, heads, pistons, rods, crank, block, etc etc etc. Stock computer with HPTuners.

Made 575 hp/650 tq to the wheels on 14 lbs. Makes 700 hp at the wheels on 20 lbs with a super conservative tune on pump gas. 11:1 AFR, 12 degrees of timing, 50/50 water/methanol sprayed through the biggest nozzle that came with my kit. I've put ~150 miles a week on it since its maiden voyage in September without a single hiccup, other than the large block of wood I ran over 2 weeks ago that damaged my crossover pipe pretty good.