Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

5.3 turbo questions?!?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 17, 2012 | 03:45 PM
  #1  
Cooldude5231's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Default 5.3 turbo questions?!?

ok so, ive been entertaining the idea of going turbo for a couple weeks now.
before, i was dead set on a h/c/i setup on a lq4/9 so havent done much research on turbo setups yet.
i found this ebay hotside for camaro/firebird
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GSP-97-02-ls...a34446&vxp=mtr

what do yall think?
i know ill have to relocate the alternator to the top.
thats no big deal seeing as im getting a 80k mile 07 5.3 for $250 from a friend.
is there anything else ill have to relocate/delete?
my plan is going with 42lb injectors and staying on 93 octane. atleast for now. im not searching for crazy power right now as this will still be my daily.
my goal is 8ish psi and making around 480whp which is very well in reason from what ive read.
heads will be stock 317's
trans will be my current builtish 4l60e with a fti 4000 stall till it takes a dump. then ill go to a 4l80.
turbo will be a gt45.
theres another thread on here of a guy with a similar setup.
stock 5.3 with 36lb injectors 6psi making 490whp
turbo making max psi by 3600rpms.
what else am i missing?
i know ill need to upgrade my fuel pump, thatll probably happen before i even start the turbo build since i think its on the way out now.
thanks!
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2012 | 04:33 PM
  #2  
jridenour31's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
Default

Go with 60lb injectors minimum.
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2012 | 04:40 PM
  #3  
Cooldude5231's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Default

is there any problems with that turbo kit?
i also found this one that im leaning more towards since it includes basically EVERYTHING
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-2002-CH...98dea3&vxp=mtr
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2012 | 05:47 PM
  #4  
pwrtrip75's Avatar
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,386
Likes: 9
From: Janesville, WI
Default

Dont put 317s on ... leave stock ones. You'll make it a slug and hate it and gain nothing by doing so.

I also agree on get 60# injectors... or even 80's they are not much more....in the event that maybe you wanted to try E85 in the future.
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2012 | 05:49 PM
  #5  
Cooldude5231's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Default

Originally Posted by pwrtrip75
Dont put 317s on ... leave stock ones. You'll make it a slug and hate it and gain nothing by doing so.

I also agree on get 60# injectors... or even 80's they are not much more....in the event that maybe you wanted to try E85 in the future.
well the motor is a shortblock. so no heads right now.
i thought that 317 were what everyone used?
or is that just on the 6.0's?

i do plan on e85 in the future. but itll be a while.
since itll be my daily i want to run premium for mpg reasons.
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2012 | 06:17 PM
  #6  
jridenour31's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by Cooldude5231
well the motor is a shortblock. so no heads right now.
i thought that 317 were what everyone used?
or is that just on the 6.0's?

i do plan on e85 in the future. but itll be a while.
since itll be my daily i want to run premium for mpg reasons.
If you're going e85 in the future, go with 80's at least. There's nothing to gain by going small on the injectors.

As far as those kits you linked to, I don't really like either one. I'd much rather make my own and do it exactly how I want. If you're dead set on an eBay kit though, definitely the first one. The turbo in the second kit is worthlessly small.

Last edited by jridenour31; Nov 17, 2012 at 06:24 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2012 | 06:20 PM
  #7  
pwrtrip75's Avatar
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,386
Likes: 9
From: Janesville, WI
Default

Originally Posted by Cooldude5231
i thought that 317 were what everyone used?
or is that just on the 6.0's?

i do plan on e85 in the future. but itll be a while.
since itll be my daily i want to run premium for mpg reasons.
Its a misconception people have with these setups. You are already going to be maxing out what the engine will hold before you even get to the point where you'd need a lower compression.

Lower compression will only slow your spool time down, and make it feel like you are driving a 4cyl off of boost.
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2012 | 06:33 PM
  #8  
cory32690's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Louisville
Default

Go 80's if ur even thinking about going to e85 and might as well do good fuel pump or pumps and lines..stick with stock heads if u want lower compression get a set of 243's
317 will drop way to much compression and it's not needed for ur boost and power levels
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 17, 2012 | 06:37 PM
  #9  
Cooldude5231's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Default

Originally Posted by cory32690
Go 80's if ur even thinking about going to e85 and might as well do good fuel pump or pumps and lines..stick with stock heads if u want lower compression get a set of 243's
317 will drop way to much compression and it's not needed for ur boost and power levels
friend of mine has a set of 799's hes gonna get rid of pretty cheap. so ill snag those.
as for pump, the 2nd kit i posted includes a pump. but from the research ive been doing, the cheap 38mm BOV suck, and the wastegates are horrible. so ill probably go with the first kit i posted, and pick up all the other stuff i need thats a little higher quality.
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2012 | 07:03 PM
  #10  
Cronic_Moronic's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati OH
Default

Everything I have heard about ebay kits isn't exactly good. Just that they have a lot of issues that need to be addressed for them to function well. There was a guy on here that had an ebay twin kit, he ended up having to fix alot of issues.

Most of the ebay turbos aren't built of sized well. People have good luck with the gt45, I have heard mixed results from the rest of them.
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2012 | 10:04 PM
  #11  
cory32690's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Louisville
Default

If u can find a used modular hot side or Huron and just put gt45 on it and a cx racing intercooler..I would get a decent wastegate and bov also..just make sure fuel pump is good last thing u want is not fuel on a boosted motor
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2012 | 10:25 PM
  #12  
Cooldude5231's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Default

see i want something that retains the a/c, and something i dont have to hack up my radiator support for.
thats the good thing about the ebay kits.
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2012 | 11:46 PM
  #13  
sweet99ss's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 6
From: Plains Ks
Default

Huron will be offering an upgrade kit for a/c shortly if you get in on the group buy or you can do what I'm doing to keep my a/c with the huron speed kit.
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 12:03 AM
  #14  
Cooldude5231's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Default

im thinking of either a gt45 turbo, or the on3 76mm
im trying to stay under $2k on the turbo build. ill still have to mess with the trans, and rear.
so the cheaper the kit the better.
ive done research on that particular kit, and people have had pretty good luck with them, minus the turbo and BOV.
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 06:59 AM
  #15  
cory32690's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Louisville
Default

All u can do I guess is get the eBay kit and see how it works out..good luck with ur build keep us posted
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 11:27 PM
  #16  
socal's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 480
Likes: 0
From: Lake Jackson TX, south of Houston
Default

I got that ebay kit but just the hot side. It needed alot of modding to make even fit. So if you dont have a tig don't wast the money. Spend good money on a good wastgate. I plan on redoing it w truck manifolds.

98 firebird 5.3l 4l60e. I had to cut the v band off the pass side weld it to another pipe to extend it down. The flange was hitting the tranny right at the starter. The pass side o2 doesn't clear so cap and weld a new one in. Pain in the *** to get the oil return in a good location, wasted a good oil pan. Header tubes are crap on the inside. Had to elongate some holes on the header flanges. and I think the turbo sits a little to low for proper oil return. Altinator will need to be relocated to the top pass head area. Turbo is almost toutching the rad. I went solid motor mounts on a sphone k-member.

Last edited by socal; Nov 19, 2012 at 12:20 AM.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:12 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE