I've been reading up on everything but most related articles are showing builds that are more complicated than I'm looking for.

I'm planning to put a 5.3 in my '56 Ford in the near future. I'll be using EFI and a TH400 until I have enough cash to swap the rear and install a T56. At first I just wanted a stock engine with no mods, but the go-fast itch is always there and it's got me wondering about boost.

I'm considering a single turbo setup. I'm not looking for major power, but just a little kick in the pants without hurting anything internally and without spending gobs on aftermarket parts. I don't want to kill the MPG's either as I'm only getting 12mpg right now and looking forward to getting over 20 with a stock 5.3. Now, I've got a few questions for you guys that hopefully you can answer and add your advice/experience. The more OEM parts the better because I can easily source them from the local salvage yards.

What would the simplest single turbo setup consist of? (Turbo, Headers, Intake, Exhaust, Injectors, Throttle Body, PCM)

How much boost can a stock 5.3 take?

Has anyone else done a basic single turbo setup on a budget and can you give details on what parts you used, what you like & don't like about it?


Thanks.

 

For around 550rwhp:

-Master Power T70 with .96AR
-Get some mandrel bent exhaust pipe from Jegs and build a kit to fit your Ford
-T4 flange, 2.5v bands, 3" downpipe v bands, 02 sensor bungs, all from Fleabay or sponsor like Race Parts Solutions. Air filter from RPS too.
-Tial 38 or 44 Wastegate
-Tial 50mm BOV.
There are other cheaper options for Wastegate and BOV but these are quality pieces.
-Single Walbro 255HP or twins for over 550rwhp
-Have someone change your pcm tuning to speed density, ditch the MAF, and use a Syclone/typhoon IAT sensor and Cobalt BARO for your 2 bar map sensor. Frost could get a startup tune to get you to the dyno shop.
-Fleabay for intercooler and piping, CXRacing
-60lb injectors. FIC can machine your stock ones for $200.
-Boost reference fuel pressure regulator and return fuel system. -8 feed and -6 return to allow a little for future upgrades (you will)

 

Use whatever manifolds fit in your chassis, lots of guys flip them around forward. Keeps the heat in. Stock throttle body is fine.
5.3's can take some abuse with a good tuner. Id keep it around 10psi. Lots of guys have pushed them farther but detonation is the killer.

 

keep the information coming. I am interested in this kinda build up also.

 

not trying to thread jack...

but i am also interested in this..

you say T70 turbo.. will this one work for 8-10 psi

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GT-45...Q5fAccessories

 

Use a quality turbo. Master Power is about the bottom of the scale. Some have used Ebay turbos with success but others have also seen glued together compressor housings. So much junk on Ebay.

 

I ran 15psi on mine for 3 years without an issue. MP GT45 made 640whp bone stock shortblock and 93 oct gas.

My friend and I put together a 5.3 w/ the MP 70mm w/ .96 a/r and was intending on it being an auto with like a 3500 stall.. He ended up putting a T56 in it and it being a stick is has some lag to it. I think going w/ the .68 a/r would probably help a ton.

Your biggest MPG killer is that TH400.

But if you want a simple setup... I agree...use truck manifolds, or some factory manifolds that fit your chassis type.

 

So what all was done to the engine ? just springs cam ?
could you list the mods
do you have an idea what 10 psi would result in hp wise ?
Thanks

 

what kind of power did that 5.3 make and how much lag?

 

Interesting..I think about getting 5.3L put on Camaro..Would be nice add turbo on camaro.

 

317 heads, a cam I had laying around, 224/224 .580/.580 112, patriot gold springs, victor jr intake, custom elbow. And a crappy streetfighter converter.
Im not sure what 10psi would have been.


Not sure, he never ran it... he started having clutch problems.

 

For me a basic 5.3 build would look like this

Stock 5.3
Change the truck intake out use ls1 intake and rails
Holley hp efi plug and play for $1500
Corvette manifolds flipped
Single mpt76 turbo t4(only about 19lbs and compact unlike the big t6 turbos)
60 lb injectors

Idle like a stocker and make 500+ to the wheels

 

Just curious why the Holly HP EFI ?
why not hp tuners or efi live ?

 

Why go with the $1500. holley setup? I talked to the Holley team down at their research place in bowling green.. for some reason I doubt anything you get from them would be just plug and play on a boosted setup. I'd take that cash and get a stock PCM, HP Tuners, and then throw the remaining money into a vic jr intake and elbow and rails and a LS6 cam.

Also if you are only going for 500whp i'd stay w/ the 70mm.

 

I'm doing a 2002 LQ9 with twin turbo(ebay) HP should be around 800 to 1000. Using the stock PCM tuned, with a TH 400 transmission in a 1960 Lincoln.

 

That should be bad ***... I love cars that are not main stream.

 

well I know the holley has a plug and play harness. Im using it. it simplifies things.

I also like the closed loop control and the fact that I dont need another box to run my low impedance injectors.

 

question for ya. I dont know about the hp tuners but my buddy is doing a 6.0 now and it might be an option to save money.

can I ask how much it costs for

pcm
wiring harness
hp tuners

and where does one get the wiring harness from.
also, does the factory pcm support 3 bar boost, or only 2 bar boost. finally, is the tuning real time?

if It works and saves money, I say why not?

 

PCM - $100 used in classifieds, ebay... etc.
Harness - $100-200. used in classifieds, ebay...etc.
HP Tuners new -$499. I dont know the details of the new credit system. Go here and reead http://www.hptuners.com/

 

thanks I still have some questions.

does it support logging? how about internal datalogging?
is there closed loop control?

how well does it do real time tuning?