LS1TTOPTransAm

I need help figuring out what turbo would suit me best... Im looking to run a rebuilt stock 5.3... right now I need help finding a turbo and a cam to help me get to 500 to 600 hp out of the engine.. I know nothing about turbos so please be very specific.. THANKS!!

Old Geezer

iTrader: (3)

Call Reed, at Work Turbo, in Birmingham, Al. He'll set you up w/ the correct unit.

HRHohio

Martin at Tick Performance or LilJohn for cam...

This turbo (GT45) will easilly get you to 600 rwhp:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-HIGH-PERFORMANCE-GT45-RACING-TURBOCHARGER-100-BEST-QUALITY-/300835697503?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item460b34735f&vxp=mtr

astross89

iTrader: (7)

ls6 camaro and gt45 if this is a budget build.

AnotherWs6

iTrader: (17)

Holy **** thats cheap. Are they actually decent turbos? That gets my brain really goin..... I bet that would help out my 5.3 4x4 that cant get out of its own fng way. Probably a bad idea with a 270K mile untouched motor, but I go with bad ideas all the time.

HRHohio

Denmah (as well as a number of others) has had very good luck with them. Here's a thread he put together of his proven items:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...2-13-13-a.html

VSRacing actually made a "Denmah Turbo Kit Special" with a lot of his items that he gets:
http://www.vsracing.net/catalog/prod...2dc9c26a7cbb6a

It's a pretty good deal. Includes the Turbo, WG, BOV, Intercooler, IC Piping, and couplers. Base package, but it will get you started.

Here's a nice read for you: The Denmah saga...

https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...l80e-sold.html

Sales@Tick

iTrader: (3)

I'm SO sorry I left you on the phone today on hold OP!!!

Give me a call tomorrow and I'll make sure you get a discount on your camshaft or turbo if you purchase it through me.

If you are indeed the guy I left on hold by accident!!!

jtotheizzo

@ Martin you can leave me on hold if you are passing out discounts

Sales@Tick

iTrader: (3)

Not something I purposely do that's for sure! Just would like the chance to make it right. I got so dang side tracked with doing something that I forgot about the gentleman.

His post sounds just like the question he posed to me over the phone so I am guessing it is the same person.

LS1TTOPTransAm

He man much appreciated, defiantly a good read!! I bought my 5.3 for 350 bucks with the ls6 intake and ebay fuel rails so I guess Im off to a good start also. Im defiantly going to buy that turbo kit in the link you gave, looks like a good place to start for me. Thanks

HRHohio

Glad to help. That kit isn't for everyone, but it's a real good setup for the beginning turbo build. It'll have what you need to get you to 700 rwhp.

Consider the ball bearing turbos as well. GT45-76mm BB and the GT45-80mm BB turbos. They run about $650 just for the turbos, but they have more potential too if you choose to shoot for the 1000 mark.

As for your fuel pump, I would recommend a Walbro 450. (Normal or E85, there are 2 versions).

Also, go straight to the 80lb siemens injectors in denmah's link. Skip the 60's. You'll thank me later. hahaha

Looks like you've already hooked up with Martin. That's good! Get a custom spec'd cam from him. He'll shoot you straight and it'll make a world of difference.

Good luck!

LS1TTOPTransAm

You think if I bought the kit they would be able to upgrade me to a BB turbo?? and have you ever purchased a cam from Martin? Im looking for prices.. what he usually charges for a custom turbo cam

HRHohio

Not sure on prices. Thats something you'll have to discuss with each of them directly. Give them each a call. They'll take care of you.

2muchboostNY

iTrader: (8)

Ball bearing is a good option but also look at the pros and cons in case anything fails. Journal bearing rebuilds are cheap in comparison....then again so are these turbos lol.

AnotherWs6

iTrader: (17)

They cant puke bearings inside your intake if they go out can they?

HRHohio

Yeah, these are what we call "disposable" turbos, lol. Even at $650-$700 a piece, it's cheaper/better to just junk them after a few years if they go bad rather than paying $1600-$2000. Just my opinion. Especially if it's going into a "junkyard" build. If I were dropping $5000 into a forged motor, I'd save up a little while longer and get a $2000 turbo to go with it...

That said, these junkyard motors have been proving themselves time and again to the 900 rwhp mark. I can't see myself ever going into a fully built motor. 900 is plenty good for me.

HRHohio

I'm not an expert on turbo failures... thankfully... but I think that when they start to fail, you'll know it because oil will seep past the seals and you'll have a cloud of smoke (When the bearings start to go). This may send the turbine off center and the likely result is small chips of the turbine will may get ground up. That's the only thing that I can see going through the intake in the beginning. IF you continue to run it after that, it could get worse (catastrophic failure) and a bunch of junk could go into your intake. I think this is pretty rare though.

AnotherWs6

iTrader: (17)

I was thinking more about turbos this morning on the way to work in the DD truck as it lugged its heavy, slow *** up a hill on the highway. Something small, limited to like 6lbs, would probably work wonders for me. Not looking to go fast, just make it more reasonable to drive. I just want it to be able to GO and not feel like its fighting against acceleration. It's a damn rare occasion the thing see more than 3,500 rpm. I wonder......

HRHohio

These guys (On3 Performance) are working on a truck kit. You might give them a call and see where they stand. Looks like it's getting there but not there yet.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...photos-15.html

Fondle

iTrader: (4)

tc78 is best bang for the buck IMO if you want to make some HP