Bigmikey1019

Alright guys, I'm new to the turbo world and dont know much about them. I have a stock 2000 gmc sierra with a 5.3...it runs good but its too slow. therefore, i want to put a turbo on it. my dad is a mechanic and will help me out with everything....I already have 4 or 5 turbos of different sizes laying around.

Im just wondering how much boost i can run to a bone stock 5.3
Would i have to upgrade injectors?
Will my 4l60 last?
Will it float the valves?
What size turbo should i put on it?
Where should i mount the turbo?

Im looking to drive this truck around the city more than anything..i dont want to make it a drag truck. I'm looking for 400-425 HP and want to still run pump gas. Also, I'm going to put 4.10 gears in it.

I'm limited by money.

Thanks...Mikey

denmah

iTrader: (2)

400rwhp will be easy, if its a later model truck with the E85 injectors like 40lb injectors you might be able to get there, i think we did high 300s on my friends truck before running out of injector...

4l60s are junk in my opinion but 400 isnt too bad. put it on and melt that 60e down.

put a 70mm on there with like .8x AR for a quick 400whp

put it under the truck or in the engine bay.
you might not even need to swap out the stock valvesprings but they will get weak, pac1218s would be a good idea at 140 dollars, but i say see how far you can get, stock springs dont float till 10-12psi in my experience.

the boost amount in PSI, is irrelevant for most things.
think of it in how much hp you want or how much hp the parts can handle.

Wicked69

My friend runs a 76mm single but he also has a 6.0 in his heavy as work truck. He runs 10.90's at the track. A very solid performer. He also runs 4.10 gears with a 4l80e though.

Bigmikey1019

Yeah Im just looking for about 400 RWHP to have a little more get up and go. im tired of getting beat by 2.2L cobalts around town. I was thinking of keeping it under 8psi so the motor will last a while.

I just dont understand how the tuning works. how do you tell the computer to inject more fuel?
Will i need a high pressure fuel pump?
How long do you think the 4l60 will last?

turbo

iTrader: (10)

Every transmission is different IMO, how they are maintained and treated for starters. I ran my stock 4l60e with a large cooler and 4000 stall for years as a daily with a mild cam pushing around 375rwhp or more. Never got a final dyno. I'd say drive it till it breaks and have a built 4l60e ready to go or 4l80e.

T76s10

iTrader: (6)

A buddy of mine is running a completely stock everything 5.3 and I'm pretty sure he's making your goal on about 8lbs. I would only change out injectors and maybe a boost a pump then i would cut the muffler off and take out the cat and put it underneath the truck. Put a 70ish mm turbo on you have laying around, Ebay intercooler, Ebay wastegate, Ebay oil sump pump, and then weld some 2.5" steel pipe for intercooler. That would be the cheapest way and it would probably cost $500-750 for raw materials. Then you could either buy a tuning program and do it yourself or pay someone to do it for you.

Bigmikey1019

yeah thats the only other thing i havent figured out yet is how to tune it...I dont know how to do it myself and dont know who to take it to for them to do it for me.

pwrtrip75

iTrader: (8)

Boost PSI is irrelevant, its "how much power will it hold" is the question. Boost is just a measure of resistance and that can vary depending on turbo. Smaller turbo=same power with more boost than larger turbo w/ less boost. What turbos do you have to choose from? I'd put something small on it just so it spools fast and if all you are looking for is 425hp it wont take much. I think a 70mm would be overkill. ...same with the 4.10 gears. You might want to wait on those.

The 4l60e - My experience with stock one is just modifying the engine and they blow up.... you dont even have to turn the key on...lol.

BowTieRomeo427

Psi will matter on a stock motor.It's not just about to much HP.Get to much pressure in your cylinders and you WILL blow a head gasket out or even break head bolts and have a head come completely off.One 54mm on a stock 5.3 will be good IMO.Twin 54mms would last a little while.But for a daily driver, my 55mm,224R cam with .581 lift and Diablo programmer does good on my 2003 Z71.

BowTieRomeo427

And as far as the transmission, the 3-4 clutches are a weak point in the 4L60E.You will burn them up in a min with power adders like this.You can go with the 4L80(TH400 with overdrive) or spend about 400 like I did on the 4L60E and keep from having to convert it.TransGo HD2 Reprogramming Kit, Alto Red Eagle clutches, extra wide 2-4 Carbon fiber band, Corvette servo and I put the Z-pack 3-4 clutches to strengthen that weak spot a little more.Also I bought a stock TrailBlazer torque converter that gives me about a 2000-2200 stall.I haven't had it Dynoed but it does what I want for a daily driver.

forcd ind

iTrader: (7)

while max HP is a goal, since your more into city driving, see what RPM your going to be in, work for power in that range-if your seldom ever in the 6K range, but hit 4K a lot, then have the torq down there
just some thoughts

JoeNova

Few things here.

1. Boost pressure does NOT dictate how much pressure you have in your cylinders. A well built N/A car will have more cylinder pressure that some low boost cars. Boost is a measurement of resistance and is measured in the intake manifold. How much of that makes it into the cylinder is based upon several other factors, as is how much pressure is created in the cylinder. This is why one turbos 18 psi does not equal another.

2. You can count on one hand all of the people who have ever blown a head completely off. Most of then running fuels like nitromethane.

3. A 54mm turbo will blow head gaskets easier than a larger turbo. You'll be cramming enough boost in at such a low RPM that it'll create diesel-like torque and probably lead to parts breakage. It'll also choke so quick up top that it'll be done by 5000 RPM.