Turbo on an LS1..
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2004
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Turbo on an LS1.. Why dont you hear about turbo kits that much on LS1's? I am really intrested about learning more about turbos on LS1's and about how much a full turbo kit would cost but you never hear anything about them.. what company makes them etc. I'm clueless fellas. 
I just talked to a buddy and told him my plans and he advised I go with a Turbo. He had one on a 93 Mustang GT that went 11.70's with gears and full exhaust
I just talked to a buddy and told him my plans and he advised I go with a Turbo. He had one on a 93 Mustang GT that went 11.70's with gears and full exhaust
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2004
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I have been considering a turbo for some time now but there are some drawbacks imo. The LS1 is fairly high compression for a stock motor which isnt very good for turbos. Turbos are expensive and not very available.(At least compared to heads+cams or strokers, nitrous etc....) By what ive read it seems that they are pretty high maintenance such as in tuning and things like that. They can make huge power though 
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2004
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How much could i get a complete bolt on kit for, and from where? I have a basically stock car with just an air lid and exhaust. Taking a 10K loan out so I can fix my oil consumption problem, then I can spend the rest on mods. I knew that a turbo could put down some serious numbers but i didnt know much about them.
Well the LS1 is 10.1:1 but it's an all aluminum engine. So actually you can't compare it to older iron engines.
Sure it's not a purpose built FI motor like the 03 Cobra but we all know that.
Right now for the F-Body the turbo kits out there are offered by:
QMP (big single)
STS (rear mounted one)
PTK (heard they want to get into this market)
CAS (heard is no longer selling turbo kits)
Incon (went out of business three or more years ago)
Turbo Technology (two kits offered, one is a hardcore kit)
C5:
Halltech?
Cerra (out of biz?)
Big problem with this segment of performance is that buyers are cheap, especially f-body folks... and most shops do not offer a la carte solutions which would probably stimulate the market a lot. Folks think they can build kits cheaper on their own and that is not the case. But if folks can buy some exhaust manifolds to get them started then we might see more folks trying to cobble kits together.
If I opened up a company, I would sell a single turbo kit, and I would sell items a la carte. I would only do this if I could see a net return retail of 20% because otherwise it's not worth the hassle.
Sure it's not a purpose built FI motor like the 03 Cobra but we all know that.
Right now for the F-Body the turbo kits out there are offered by:
QMP (big single)
STS (rear mounted one)
PTK (heard they want to get into this market)
CAS (heard is no longer selling turbo kits)
Incon (went out of business three or more years ago)
Turbo Technology (two kits offered, one is a hardcore kit)
C5:
Halltech?
Cerra (out of biz?)
Big problem with this segment of performance is that buyers are cheap, especially f-body folks... and most shops do not offer a la carte solutions which would probably stimulate the market a lot. Folks think they can build kits cheaper on their own and that is not the case. But if folks can buy some exhaust manifolds to get them started then we might see more folks trying to cobble kits together.
If I opened up a company, I would sell a single turbo kit, and I would sell items a la carte. I would only do this if I could see a net return retail of 20% because otherwise it's not worth the hassle.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2004
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wow I cant believe that there arent more turbo companys out there than that. That really suprises me.. How much could you pick a turbo kit up for? And how about how much hp you could get out of a decent kit? Thats for the help guys
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Currently your two options are:
Turbo Technology
QMP
Speed Inc. carries Turbo Technology kits so you might want to email Larry@ls1speed.com and see what he says. They have a race kit and a street kit. The race kit is a lot more.
I'm not sure if QMP will sell kits unless you bring the car there for install so you would have to check with them.
Turbo Technology
QMP
Speed Inc. carries Turbo Technology kits so you might want to email Larry@ls1speed.com and see what he says. They have a race kit and a street kit. The race kit is a lot more.
I'm not sure if QMP will sell kits unless you bring the car there for install so you would have to check with them.
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Turbos arent high maintinence, No belts, no special oil, no gears and once you put a good tune in you shouldnt have to re tune it unless you change boost or heads or cam...ect. As far as rebuild goes they probably last as long as Superchargers or longer. You also have a choice between bearing types. I am still new to the Turbo game but I like my Turbo Tech kit. One other thing to consider is the additional money you will have to spend. Trans, Rear end, Fuel, Shortblock eventualy depending on power level. If you are fixing oil consumption then I am going to assume you are building a shortblock, trust me after that you wont have enough left for a complete turbo set up with Fuel, Installation, Tuning unless you do it all yourself. This game is way to expensive and if you have problems like alot of us do (I just smoked my rings) it can drive you to the edge pretty quick. Heads and Cam are a nice option. Good luck wich ever way you go :-)
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2004
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Originally Posted by MIGHTYMOUSE
lingenfelter also claimed to me over the phone to have a complete f body kit in stock.. similar in design to previous incon kits.
LPE had one Incon F-body kit around, email epotter@lingenfelter.com to see. It was 5 figures.
MM you should remind George to be a sponsor I get like 10 turbo enquiries a week from users.
MM you should remind George to be a sponsor I get like 10 turbo enquiries a week from users.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,839
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He had one on a 93 Mustang GT that went 11.70's with gears and full exhaust
How fast do you want to go? How much do you want to spend? Lots of $$$ to do it right on an LS1.
12 Second Club
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 931
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From: Santa Clarita, CA
I wish it was easier to slap on a turbo kit. I have 10K sitting in my checking account, but I know I might as well **** that money down the toliet than buy a turbo kit. The car was not designed for boost. I love FI, I had a 89 Turbo Trans Am, and recognize the potential, but seems on an LS1 it's the execption rather than rule. Why the heck is that? Why can an 03 Cobra put down those insane numbers for half the upgrade costs or less for an LS1? I think a lot of subtle engineering goes into a motor which was designed for boost from the ground up. I appreciate and love to read about those who prove convention wrong and make it work. The pioneers so to speak, but it's just not for me. If someone develops a 6 to 7 psi turbo kit, good for 120-150rwhp with injuectors, tuning and warrenty, I might have to sit up and take notice, but don't see it happening. Those with cash need apply,\
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2004
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Originally Posted by z98
Cheaper ways to go 11.70's with an f-body.
How fast do you want to go? How much do you want to spend? Lots of $$$ to do it right on an LS1.
How fast do you want to go? How much do you want to spend? Lots of $$$ to do it right on an LS1.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 205
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Originally Posted by Packy
What are you doing about your motor?
