View Poll Results: Turbo motor choices.
Run LS1 as is.
5
35.71%
317 heads and ARP head bolts on LS1 and turbo it.
4
28.57%
Buy a 5.3, swap all the parts, sell LS1 as a long block.
5
35.71%
Voters: 14. You may not vote on this poll
Turbo motor advice
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Washington State
Turbo motor advice Need some help deciding what motor to run. I have a 1998 Z28 A4 with 87,000 miles. The motor has ARP rod bolts, a 220/220 .581/.581 cam, Comp 918 springs and hardened pushrods. I just purchased a 3000-3200 Circle D converter and Im going to buy the CX Racing turbo kit.
Im a little nervous about scattering the LS1 with a turbo. I have 3 options I'm considering.
1. Run my ls1 as is and keep the boost low.
2. Buy some 317 heads, head gaskets and Head bolts and run the LS1.
3. Buy a 5.3, swap the cam, rod bolts, pushrods, springs, coolant temp sensor and oil pan and run the crap out of it. Sell my LS1 as a long block.
Id like some advice from people that have done a similar swap or went the same direction with their LS1.
Thanks
Im a little nervous about scattering the LS1 with a turbo. I have 3 options I'm considering.
1. Run my ls1 as is and keep the boost low.
2. Buy some 317 heads, head gaskets and Head bolts and run the LS1.
3. Buy a 5.3, swap the cam, rod bolts, pushrods, springs, coolant temp sensor and oil pan and run the crap out of it. Sell my LS1 as a long block.
Id like some advice from people that have done a similar swap or went the same direction with their LS1.
Thanks
Last edited by sherm6998; Mar 6, 2014 at 02:04 PM.
I have a stock ls1 with 317 heads, ls9 gaskets, and pro comp head studs. I would have used the 853 heads but they had the notch in them so I couldn't run a mls type head gasket. 127k and on 14lbs now. Option 2 or 3 are both good choices, with option 3 you might even make a little money.
put 317s, ls9 gaskets and studs in the ls1. 05 and older 5.3 are the exact same as the ls1 in terms of rotating assembly (smaller bore obviously). 05+ has better rods.
With a good tune, the rods are the weak point, not the cylinder wall thickness. I have had no issues between 9-16psi. Throw some E85 in and crank it up.
With a good tune, the rods are the weak point, not the cylinder wall thickness. I have had no issues between 9-16psi. Throw some E85 in and crank it up.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Washington State
Thanks for the input guys. I have decided to buy a 5.3 and swap the parts. I am going to sell the LS1 instead of taking a chance of blowing it up. Might as well get a little more money for the project.
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