rckid143

iTrader: (1)

Last year I set out to turbo my 02 Z-28, but on a college kid budget. As the title suggests I did succeed.

I had a goal of keeping AC, while keeping is cheap. This was asking WAY too much of an Ebay-priced kit.
I ordered the CX-racing 'AC retaining' kit for like $500 and tried to get it bolted up.

Yeah....

Hit everything, including the rack.

Wasn't in the same realm as the crossover.

Got on the phone, and they decided after a week that they wanted to give me $50 to have it fixed or return it. So I GLADLY returned it.

For some unknown reason, I gave them another chance and ordered their non-ac kit for like $520.

Happily, it bolted up with no issues. Fitment of everything was good, and I didn't need to modify anything other than I wanted a v-band wastegate.

I didn't take many pictures when I was putting it together, but here are the few I did take.













I built this car with a mix of parts we had laying around and straight Ebay.

The turbo is an On3 7665.
The wastegate is a VS Racing tial copy.
1:1 FPR is the $60 ebay aeromotive copy.
80# deka injectors, twin 255's in the tank, -8 feed, -6 return, feeding some sort of billet fuel rail, powered by a hotwire kit.
I used the Hawksthirdgen top mount cs130 alt kit (probably would buy something else if I did it again)
For AFR/boost control I got the innovate scg-1, pretty cool unit.

The coldside is stuff my dad had left over from his procharger setup, hence the Red Race valve.

HPT 2bar SD on 5.5lbs of boost through a 6-speed it put down 470/480 to the tire.

The motor is totally stock 147k, haven't even pulled a valve cover.

I've put 5000+ miles on this setup over the summer, and no issues other than I kept melting 1 plug wire. I wrapped EVERYTHING in Amazon pipe wrap and got Amazon plug boots and haven't had the issue since.

It does great burnouts and is just a riot at this power level. Its gone 8.3? @ like 9? in the 1/8 not really getting after it. Enough to go through 1.5 10-bolts on the street.

All together with all the little bullshit, i'm probaly $1300-1500 into the full build.
Totally worth it.

Here it is next to my fathers TT bird.

TURBOLSBIRD

iTrader: (5)

Glad to see your having fun. Nice write up

merim123

iTrader: (11)

so you ended up ditching the A/C in the end?

rckid143

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, there is no real way to keep it on a budget.

fastlt1

iTrader: (4)

What did you dofor oil return

madmike9396

iTrader: (29)

Any dyno numbers

03chevytruck

He listed dyno numbers in his post.

HPT 2bar SD on 5.5lbs of boost through a 6-speed it put down 470/480 to the tire.

truckdoug

iTrader: (25)

killer work. love to see that "like father, like son" stuff!

GMouldy

That sucks to hear about the AC retaining kit not matching up.

I have one on my 2000 SS and it bolted up just fine. I did have to drill out on of the driver side header mounting holes. Also had to move an 02 bung to a different location. Other than that it fit together just fine. Of course with the kit being so cheap ( I think I snagged my hot side for $400) I was expecting to run into some issues.

Did you wrap your hot side? any cracks or anything? That was another worry everyone seemed to have using the cheaper hot sides was the lower quality metal.

Good build though looks killer.

rckid143

iTrader: (1)

I taped the lower corner of the front cover.

Its a pretty shallow rake, but I have not had any issues.
I am running an oil restrictor though.

rckid143

iTrader: (1)

They claimed they had a bad batch, but I didnt want to chance waiting another 2 weeks if it didnt fit again.

I did wrap the entire hot side with the amazon special wrap, and so far i haven't had any issues with the hot side.

rckid143

iTrader: (1)

Thanks!

I've done enough work on that car to say it's part mine.

He's jealous of how fun my car is on the street and I am of how nuts his is.

merim123

iTrader: (11)

btw- what is this amazon wrap and amazon plug boots? some generic version of the more expensive things?

lmt0705

iTrader: (7)

I'm jealous of all the parts I couldn't sell! Lol

rckid143

iTrader: (1)

Amazon specials. Generic copies.

mOtOrHeAd MiKe

iTrader: (8)

Are you proud of yourself?!

Because you should be. Nice work! Even on a budget, with access to spare/free parts, I am certain your total cost involved would make some heads spin.

fastcars95

iTrader: (9)

So u don't have any issues with oil backing up with your return line ? If u can post up a picture of where u tapped your cover I'd appreciate it.
I'm so close to ordering a kit myself. Just not sure on which kit to order.
I plan on upgrading the waste gate and turbo with some better parts just to be safe.
Many more info would be great.

Im tore between a second hand blower kit or a new turbo kit. I have to make my mind up this morning if I want the blower kit or it will be sold to someone else.

Thanks for all the info

lmt0705

iTrader: (7)

He tapped the bottom corner of the front cover

ls1charged

iTrader: (8)

pretty sure you need a turbo k member to fit any AC retaining single turbo kit, unless its custom built

rckid143

iTrader: (1)

You can get just the piping, no need to buy twice.

Bottom right corner, there is a flat spot.

Turbos are fun and cheap.