5.3 turbo project

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Oct 8, 2013 | 09:34 PM

saleen348

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5.3 turbo project

Hey guys first newbie post hope im in the right section
My project car will be a 80 malibu rust free all original and the 6 cyl must go
My original plan was a duramax diesel but now after watching some vids ive changed my plans...5.3 engine and turbo my ?'s are the following
Trans? Turbo 400? 4l80? And why
No cheap ebay turbo thinking borg warner or bullseye batmo what size?
Tuning megasquirt or is there an easier way? I have friends with efi live programs for diesel trucks whats better\easier? If efi live is there a base tune i can get from someone?
Also plan on fabbing my own intake plenum,turbo and intercooler
Ill install better valvetrain parts and a cam any helpfull hints would be great.....thanks

Oct 8, 2013 | 09:56 PM

tonypaul

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From: Austin Texas

Welcome to the forum, there are many outstanding examples of low $ end and high $ end turbo builds and everything in between on this forum. I would suggest that you do alot of research and look over some of the builds here in this forum, then build to what your skill set and budjet will allow.

Personally I would figure out what your budjet and your power goals are first, then if you need some help or suggestions address those issues by asking here.

Oct 8, 2013 | 10:09 PM

saleen348

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I have been reading here for a couple weeks now and some of the ?'s i asked i cant find the right ansers to....power goal i dont really know ...what can i expect with a basicly stock 5.3 with valvetrain upgrade and cam say maybe 7 to 8 psi? Also im not finding the answers to the tuning part of it...some say stock electronics tuned some say ms.....some guys using a 66m and some using a 76mm turbo

Oct 8, 2013 | 11:08 PM

T76s10

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From: superior, wi

I would just keep it simple. 5.3, kmj head studs, Brian tooley dual valve springs, good head gaskets, custom ground cam from any vendor on here, s475 with 96mm turbine, PTC converter, th400, Siemens 80lb injectors, stock wiring harness and stock ECM with hp tuners. Depending on fuel either pump with meth injection or e85 you can easily expect 700+ to the wheels keeping it under 20lbs boost before you lift the heads and push some water. Tune yourself and build it all yourself and you'll have one good budget setup.

Oct 9, 2013 | 05:07 AM

tonypaul

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on the tuning- I personally like the MS, inexpensive, very DIY. Depending on what MS you go with some kind can be a little limited on features. Pretty basic but works great.

MS Downside- not all dyno tuners will mess with MS. Smaller amout of LS- MS users so feed back/help sometimes might not be as easy to get.

HPTuners- A little more on the expensive investment but alot more users. Very good tuning product.

Biggest choice for me is what trans I use. If Im running a non- electronic trans (th400/PG/ect) and on a budjet and just a weekend toy I would go with a MS. If its a newer model (w/ 4l80e/ect) more of a higher dollar toy, I would go with HPTuners.